Fixing up a '94.

k8bor · Post by **k8bor** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:10 am

I have a 1962 Winchester Model 94 in .30-30 that needs some TLC. At some point in time, the front sight fell off and some enterprising home gunsmith re-silver soldered the base back on WWWAAAYYY off kilter, so even if you put a blade in it, you can't even use it. Add to the bad soldering job that he never cleaned the flux off, so the whole area around the sight has some pitting and corrosion, not real bad, but still horrible looking to me.

The rifle sat in someone's basement for a long time and has gathered some little tiny rust tics evenly over the whole weapon.

When I got it, I put a side mount scope on it and shot a couple boxes of ammo out of it, and it's real accurate, so it's definetly a keeper. It hasn't been shot enough in it's life to even smooth the action, but the trigger pull is real nice.

Here's my quandry. What I would like to do is to have Williams color case harden the receiver and re-blue the rest of the rifle. I was also thinking that instead of having the stock front sight mount put on it correctly, I would have them dovetail the barrel and put the sight directly on the barrel, a look I prefer. Maybe even add a saddle ring. Would this detract from the value of the rifle too much, or would I be better off just bringing it back to like new condition, or wouldn't it make any difference because it already needs help?

I want to leave this one to my son and the other young hunters in my life, what better than a classic 94 in good shape?

Looking for opinions. Cubrocks post on the Browning made me ask. I really like the looks of that rifle.

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:31 am

I think making the gun into what you like is fine, particulalry when it is already beyond being original condition.

I don't care for the ramp front sights either, tho the dovetail front on carbines is a pretty recent change. The early carbines had a small base sweated on the barrel with a blade pinned into it. The front band was also cloer to the muzzle. I had a gunsmith make me some bases like the early ones and modified several later guns, here's a pic of a pre-64 carbine modified to early carbine style front end.

[img][img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/ ... ill006.jpg[/img][/img]

The 94 is on the top.

k8bor · Post by **k8bor** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:41 am

That's about what I was thinking, even the mod to shorten the distance between the muzzle and barrel band with the sight behind the band. The rifle has all the other good stuff, non rebounding hammer, no cross bolt safety, original metal buttstock, straight eject, etc.

I already have a williams aperature for it.

Thank you for the input.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:19 am

Any alteration from stock configuration, or any buba type repair greatly lowers the collectors value.
That 94 is just about zip as a collectors piece.

Were it mine I'd take it to a gunsmith, and have the sight properly replaced on the barrel. After that I'd have it chemically stripped of all it's original blue and then dunked. NO POLISHING. There are very few gunsmiths that can do a proper polish on guns. So in my opinion it's best to just strip and dunk.

After that a receiver sight and a post front, then use it as a shooter.

That's what I'd do.

Joe

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:32 am

Do what you want and post the photos here.

Bill, what the heck is it with that hid hanging off those pretty guns?

They are nice guns...

Gun Smith · Post by **Gun Smith** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:35 am

The condition that you describe really has already eliminated any value as a collector piece. Just do what you want to it. I would make it a good shooter and enjoy it. M. 94's are only collectable if they have a combination of rare condition/caliber, and untouched originality, since over 5,000,000 have been produced. They are not considered scarce.

k8bor · Post by **k8bor** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:40 am

Thinking about it, Mr. Miller probably has the best plan, and it shouldn't be too many sheckles either. Whatever I do, I'll send it pretty soon. I've had it for about 6 months and I want to use it. Dang money is always a problem.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:23 pm

Dang money is always a problem.

Ain't that the truth.

Joe

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:38 am

I have a 70's version I may "trapperize". Several folks around this forum have re-worked 94's that were less than pristine.

If you do nice work it will serve you well as a shooter. Value? Well, you shoot it the rest of your life time and pass it along , maybe your grandkids will cash in on it. They are not making any more of some things.
~J

salvo · Post by **salvo** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:56 am

Here is my "trapperize" Model 94. Might give you some ideas.

http://onesticky.levergunscommunity.com ... rsion.html

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:28 pm

I have six that are in various stages of being built into new configurations. None were complete when I bought them. A couple were truly awful. Bad Shape and Even Worse. Bad shape is now configured, to Almost Nice.

The receiver and parts will be color case hardened (haven't decided on who yet), but am waiting on the CFO (wife) to release more funds to compete the metal. I'm also STILL waiting on the wood I've selected to be sent, so I can complete the wood fitting before I send the receivers out.

You're definitely not alone in re-doing a poorly maintained rifle into a nice shooter or even something better than it was. I like the idea of a dovetailed front sight on the carbine, ala Trapper, as I feel they have a certain added versatility and character the ramp sights lack. My 2Â¢. Good luck.

20cows · Post by **20cows** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:18 am

I have six ...

Dang, Griff, I've only got five and they say I've picked up every available receiver in the country!

k8bor · Post by **k8bor** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:14 am

Well, one rebuild will be enough for me. I think mine is going to end up looking very similar to Salvo's trapper. I really like the look, and since this is a project gun, why not.

I'll take some pics when I'm done.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:22 pm

20cows wrote:
I have six ...
Dang, Griff, I've only got five and they say I've picked up every available receiver in the country!

Well... you did beat me to that "Six Flags over Texas" receiver @ Numrich a couple of years ago. Couldn't get them my dealer's FFL in time! And I woulda only had five, but... a fella offered me a NIB 1963 receiver. It's never had a screw in it. Don't know how or where, but... musta been for a repair and never saw the light of day till the repair shop closed, and the parts were sold off! Oh yea, a good find!

Haven't got new screws for it yet, but here it is, as it sits for trial fitting of the bolt, lower tang, and link. Still sorting thru levers and lifters for good fitting ones.

DerekR · Post by **DerekR** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:42 pm

Good score Griff! Don't tell me how you got it for next to nothing....I couldn't take it!

engravertom · Post by **engravertom** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:53 pm

K8Bor,

Since your rifle is pre 64, the receiver should re blue nicely. If you have the means of removing the barrel and re installing it, you could rust blue that receive yourself quite nicely, with patience. Even if you can't yank the barrel off, you still may be able to do it.

Salvo, that was a great tutorial by the way! Very nice conversion job, and great pics.

take care,

Tom