Winchester 94 30-30 SR # 4262XXX

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

I believe this rifle was made around 1974. It is in bad shape with a broken upper tang.
Has anyone ever welded one from this vintage or had it welded.
Maybe tried a TIG on it?

Thanks,
Jon.

[GunnyMack]

Find a GOOD welder, one with lots of experience with tig. Wrap the receiver in wet towel to keep the heat just in the tang area. Mild steel filler rod probably a good choice.

In school I did a Mauser 98 in bone charcoal for color case hardening. When quenched the rear bridge twisted just enough that the bolt wouldn't go in. One instructor put a bar it the rear bridge in a bench vise and tried to twist it back. The rear bridge snapped at the bolt stop. I then had to completely anneal the whole action, weld it up, reshaping until everything worked and then set it out for new heat treatment by a commercial outfit. Worst thing was the colors I got were spectacular!
When I got the action back I turned it into a 6mm Remington and it was a very accurate rifle. Like a fool I let a local talk me out of it...

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

Thanks Gunny. I've had a hard time getting on and signing in.

Anyway, I've been told that this vintage of Winchesters used metal that may not be weldable, truth or myth?

[GunnyMack]

That i cant tell you!
Some steels are tough to weld, on of my instructors used wire coat hangers for filler rod when gas welding.
Chromoly steel is probably one of the toughest steels to weld and get really nice end results.
Anything that is a casting can be difficult too!

Are you certain it's cracked?

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

Oh yes, certain, it is separated completely.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Anyway, I've been told that this vintage of Winchesters used metal that may not be weldable, truth or myth?

I think some of the receivers of this era were sintered and then iron plated to take the finish. Maybe that's what you're referring to. I might be wrong. There are plenty of 1894 people here to correct me.

[JOG]

Mystery Metal from 1964 to somewhere around 1982.
Good old, forged steel receivers from 82 onward.

[Eddie Southgate]

Anyway, I've been told that this vintage of Winchesters used metal that may not be weldable, truth or myth?

I think some of the receivers of this era were sintered and then iron plated to take the finish. Maybe that's what you're referring to. I might be wrong. There are plenty of 1894 people here to correct me.

Don't know about the Iron plating part but they are sintered steel . As far as welding , yes it can be welded but the weld may not be as strong as you would normally get with forged metal .

[Pat C]

That should be one of the sintered steel receivers.My guess it will be full of porosity when welded. Careful preheat and maybe some experimenting with fillers.

[Griff]

That should be one of the sintered steel receivers.My guess it will be full of porosity when welded. Careful preheat and maybe some experimenting with fillers.

It should take to TIG welding ok. Not a job I'd do myself, but rather have a skilled welder do it. I've seen a couple of tangs that were simply brazed together hold, one about the middle and one near the screw hole. Both were older than the sintered steel years, and both were the result of horse wrecks. The tang isn't subject to a lot of forces, and should be sufficiently supported by its full contact with the inletted area of the wrist.
This is one I had TIG welded in the area behind the locking lug. Still needs a little filing for bolt to ride smoothly, but...

DSCN1621[2].JPG

The discolored area on the tang is from a scratch that I sanded/polished out and cold blued... still not perfect, but gooder'n enough for who it's for!

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

Thanks for all the replies. Very helpful for sure.

You can chock this one up to a horse wreck also. Plus after the wreck it was put away wet in a damp corner and left for many years. The tang piece that was broken off is missing so that complicates the project.

It was a sheepherders rifle and holds no memories for me so I may just end up cleaning it up and saving the parts although I like the idea of salvaging it and putting a 38-55 barrel on it. The 30-30 barrel on it is probably ok for a tent stake although I suppose it could be bored. The forearm is ok but the butt stock is missing. The magazine tube is ok but the spring is rusted and in pieces. The action internals and the trigger and lower tang are rusty, but would clean up.

I like to tinker and do projects but this one will likely have to wait until I retire and have time on my hands----not sure that will ever happen.

If someone needs parts for a rifle of this vintage to complete their project, don't hesitate to contact me.