[saviorslegacy]

I was at the flea market today and I saw a Winchester 1894 carbine chambered in 30-30. I have always wanted a lever action rifle and this one seemed nice. The rifling was in good condition, but it had some surface rust. I really don't care though, I prefer a gun that needs a little bit to bring it to life.
Anyways, so I was looking at this lil beauty and noticed it was for 275$. I almost made him an offer for 250, but I do not know much about these guns so I thought it safe to wait. The gun made it through the day w/o getting sold and the dude is a regular so I will see him on Saturday more than likely.

Anyways, I need to know a few things about this weapon.
#1 Is it a good gun?
#2 Is the 30-30 round cheap/inexpensive and abundant, or am I going to pay through the nose for some fun with this rifle?
#3 Is 275/250 a good price for this weapon?
#4 What are some things I need to look for to clue me in that this gun is no good?


Well, thanks again to all of you gun gurus!

[c3shooter]

First, the value of any gun is based on its condition. Better condition, higher the price.

$275 sounds like a very good price. The Winchester 94 in 30-30 is the most popular deer rifle in the US, followed by the Marlin 336.

Ammo is reasonable. You are not going to find CHEEP milsurp ammo, but every sporting goods store in the US has ammo.

Quirk of most Mdl 94s- the steel alloy used for the reciever will not blue. They were iron PLATED, then blued. If rust has penetrated the plating, you will not be able to touch up bare spots with cold blue.

Unless you have a 94AE (angle eject) it is hell to put a scope on a 94, due to top ejection. But it is intended as a 200 yd or less rifle, so scope is arguable. Take a light, look at the bore, and as much as you can see of chamber (rust). Offer him $200 in cash, see what happens.

[saviorslegacy]

The eject is on the side and thr rust is not bad, just minor surface rust.

[stalkingbear]

If you're wanting a decent close range brush deer rifle, go for it. Be aware that a 30-30 is at it's best within 150 yards though-especially with iron sights. It sounds like it is an angle eject so it's "friendlier" to mounting a scope than older examples of that model.

[crazycharlie2]

Originally Posted by saviorslegacy

The eject is on the side and thr rust is not bad, just minor surface rust.

I've never seen a side eject Winchester 1894.

[stalkingbear]

It's called angle eject-it still comes out the top but at a sharp right angle so as to be scope friendly. They came out with the angle eject in the latter 80s if I remember correctly.

[saviorslegacy]

Originally Posted by crazycharlie2

I've never seen a side eject Winchester 1894.

I am not familiar with lever action rifles... that is why I asked for help.

Originally Posted by stalkingbear

It's called angle eject-it still comes out the top but at a sharp right angle so as to be scope friendly. They came out with the angle eject in the latter 80s if I remember correctly.

Wait.... it still comes out of the top?

YouTube - How to Unload a Lever Action Rifle

YouTube - How to Unload a Lever Action Rifle

I thought it came out to the side, like it is shown in the video.

[M14sRock]

The 94 is a great little carbine. I'd offer him a couple hundred buck and see where it ends up. $250 would be a good price.

The surface rust can be taken care of with some steel wool and oil, most likely.

You can always coat it with Gun Kote, CeraKote, or Aluma Hyde 2 to make it look fresh, too.

[c3shooter]

Well, pilgrim, the rifle in that video IS NOT A WINCHESTER 94 !!!!

So, yes, it ejects differently. Looks more like a Marlin, but is not a 336.

Make, model, and caliber will be stamped on the gun. There were also lever action 30-30s made by other companies- and the legal name for the caliber is 30-30 Winchester (developed by Winchester, so they got naming rights) It is possible to have a rifle made by Savage, and marked 30-30 Winchester. Getting ALL the words stamped on the gun is important.

Let me see if I can find some pictures.......

[c3shooter]

This is a Winchester 94- it loads in the side loading gate, but ejects out of the top.