What to do with this Win94

[AR1911]

Winchester 94, 1959 model, .32 Win Spl.
I traded for this gun a few weeks ago and am trying to figure out if I did well, and what to do with it.

Functionally good, but has been shot quite a bit, lots of copper fouling in an otherwise good bore, but it's starting to come clean.

Finish is poor. Most of the bluing is gone, as is the stock finish. Looks like someone tried to help the situation with some 0000 steel wool on the stock and the metal - receiver, barrel band, and barrel. No wood removal, wood is flush or proud of the metal.

Trying to decide whether to trade it off or refinish it.

What would it be worth as-is?

[Hobie]

Can't say for certain without pics. If it were mine I think I'd likely seal the wood, mount a Williams FP, clean the bore and go shooting.

[AR1911]

I don't have pics handy, sorry.
I'm inclined to deal with the wood for sure, but I'm going to have to do something with the metal.
I sure can't hurt it.

How much trouble is it to detail strip one of these?

[J Miller]

Detail stripping a Win 94 is a piece of cake. But considering the condition that rifles in, it would be a merciful thing to just send it to "THE J MILLER WIN 94 ASSISTED LIVING CENTER." All those poor beat up and tired old Winchesters can live out the rest of their lives in comfort. They get all the needed attention and sometimes can be rejuvenated back to a productive life.

Joe

[AR1911]

Sure thing Joe.
Of course, you would reciprocate with a new tenant for the AR1911 Colt ALC

I think I'll re-list this for sale or trade. If it doesn't sell quick it'll be my next project

[J Miller]

AR1911,

Clean it up, lube the needed areas and function check it then put it up for sale. I doubt you'll have any trouble selling it.

Joe

[AR1911]

Here's that pic I promised.

[salvo]

Picture is pretty dark, going by your discription and having the finish/patina removed with steel wool, I would think you would have to sell it as a project rifle/shooter. I have paid up to $250.00 for model 94 projects in the past. Being a 1959 the year I was born and 32 Spl, I would pay more than that. But I love working on them and the year is special to me.
Some one may pay more, some less, just because there are over 6 million of them out there.

[AR1911]

Sorry about the pic, the flash on my camera will not turn on for some reason.
S/N on this gun is 2388XXX which I believe puts it at 1959 production.

[Griff]

If you don't have a pre-64 mdl 94 Winnie, I'd keep it. Oil the stock and keep the metal dry & clean, it'll give YEARS of use and only escalate in value.

YMMV, of course!

I'd say it's worth between $300-450 from your description, but more use ain't gonna lower that. Possibly a bit more as yer photo seems to show more blue than you describe. Somewhat less if there's any pitting under that copper fouling.

[AR1911]

Honestly, I paid more for it than I would have just because I didn't have a pre-64.
So I'll agree with you there. But I would like to spruce it up a bit. That wood actually looks pretty nice, probably better with some oil.

[Mutt]

I'd do what Hobie suggested . .................................And keep it. !!!............Mutt

[kimwcook]

The loss of bluing wouldn't bother me. In fact it's that worn patina that I love. My pre-war Winnie '94 has hardly a spot of bluing left on it. If your stock doesn't look like a stick used to bat rocks I'd clean it up and shoot it as is. I wouldn't even think of re-furbishing my '94. But, it's your piece, do as you will.

[Blaine]

The loss of bluing wouldn't bother me. In fact it's that worn patina that I love. My pre-war Winnie '94 has hardly a spot of bluing left on it. If your stock doesn't look like a stick used to bat rocks I'd clean it up and shoot it as is. I wouldn't even think of re-furbishing my '94. But, it's your piece, do as you will.

Plus 1

Clean it up, oil the wood real good and shoot it. Get that copper out of the bore, tho...that will mess up how she shoots.

[AR1911]

Agreed as noted above.
Tung oil, TruOil, or something else - boiled linseed?

[505stevec]

Detail stripping a Win 94 is a piece of cake. But considering the condition that rifles in, it would be a merciful thing to just send it to "THE J MILLER WIN 94 ASSISTED LIVING CENTER." All those poor beat up and tired old Winchesters can live out the rest of their lives in comfort. They get all the needed attention and sometimes can be rejuvenated back to a productive life.

Joe

[O.S.O.K.]

If it were mine, I'd just clean it up and use it. It looks good to me!

And I use boiled linseed oil on all of my rifle stocks. Just apply, let sit for 15 minutes, whipe off, repeat for as long as you like - I usually do about 5 or 6.

[horsesoldier03]

She is a beauty just the way she is! If she wont shoot, I would have the barrel cleaned by professional gunsmith if I was not able to do it myself. Other than that, IMO, any attempts to restore would be in vain, old guns have to much charicter and are my favorite. Definately found yourself a great buy! Congratulations!

[rangerider7]

That's just the way I like a shooter!

[Borregos]

O.S.O.K. +1

[AR1911]

One of you expressed an interest in buying it. If he wants it worse than I, that's fine. Otherwise, I'll yield to the majority opinion and keep it.
But I can't help but tinker with it a bit

Better picture

[JustaJeepGuy]

Is that factory D&T'd for a receiver sight? I wouldn't have expected that on a 1959-made piece, but I guess it could have been done any time.

[AR1911]

It has the two screw plugs in the right place. they look as old as the rest of it.

[Hobie]

It is D&T and I believe they were D&T starting in '52 or thereabouts...

[JustaJeepGuy]

I don't know why, but I'm kind of surprised that the factory did it that long ago.