[DarinCraft]

Someone I know picked up a Winchester 94 Carbine chambered in WIN .32 the other day. He paid $300 with two boxes of ammo. He asked me to come by and check it out. The mag tube has some small rubs marks because this gun was a safe queen. The receiver looks brand new all the way down to the factory grease. According to the new owner it has less than five rounds through it. The old timer that owned it sold it because of the recoil.

My buddy asked me some questions about it and all I could tell him is the Model 94 is one of the best lever actions out there and his was built in 1968.

1. Did he pay a good price (I think he did).
2. Why are pre-64's are more desirable than the post-64's.
3. Niether of us had heard of the .32 Win and all I can find is its an expanded 30-30 with a heavier bullet.
4. Is this gun worth owning?

Thanks
Darin

 

[Gatoragn]

Someone I know picked up a Winchester 94 Carbine chambered in WIN .32 the other day. He paid $300 with two boxes of ammo. He asked me to come by and check it out. The mag tube has some small rubs marks because this gun was a safe queen. The receiver looks brand new all the way down to the factory grease. According to the new owner it has less than five rounds through it. The old timer that owned it sold it because of the recoil.

My buddy asked me some questions about it and all I could tell him is the Model 94 is one of the best lever actions out there and his was built in 1968.

1. Did he pay a good price (I think he did).
2. Why are pre-64's are more desirable than the post-64's.
3. Niether of us had heard of the .32 Win and all I can find is its an expanded 30-30 with a heavier bullet.
4. Is this gun worth owning?

Thanks
Darin

He got a bargain. Great close in deer buster.

Pre 64 is machined steel, new stuff is stamped.

I would add it my safe in a heart beat.

 

[DarinCraft]

great, thanks for the info.

What about pigs?

 

[txpossum]

The going price for this gun in my area, before the latest hysteria, was around $500. Yes, he got a great deal.

The 32 special is a 30-30 catridge with the neck expanded to accomidate the .32 bullet. Iwould have taken that deal without having to think about it longer than it took to pull out my wallet.

 

[Gatoragn]

great, thanks for the info.

What about pigs?

Pigs are easier to kill than deer, a 32 Win will put bacon on the table.

 

[HockaLouis]

Very fine deal especially as the .32 Win. Special, which I am a big fan of, has a bit of a reputation of being inaccurate but only because it probably gets shot out relatively early compared to others' rifling (without going into detail).

It will be perfect for your buddy's lifetime if he doesn't use it as a range plinker. Its purpose in life is to drop medium game at closer ranges: I would consider it more of an express rifle than its contemporary partner .30-30.

 

[Guest]

.32?

Very fine deal especially as the .32 Win., which I am a big fan of, has a bit of a reputation of being inaccurate but only becasue it gets shot out relatively early compared to other's rifling (without going into detail).

It will be perfect for your buddy's lifetime if he doesn't use it as a range plinker. It's purpose in life is to drop medium game and I would consider it a little more of an express rifle than its contemporary partner .30-30.

I'm surprised that you are a fan of the .32 Win. I seem to remember in other posts that you were NOT a fan of obscure or obsolete cartridges. So, did you change your mind?
ct

 

[DarinCraft]

I did some research and came across this guys write up. He made the point about the accuracy. He had found some rounds from the early 1900's (black powder). He went on to say when the gun got its accuracy reputation was from the era of these rounds. After he shot three rounds that none of which hit the paper he determined the bullet was an 8mm (.31x not the .32x of the special).

Side note. It went to the range the other day. 100 yards and ten rounds hit a paper plate with iron sights. Seems accuracy is a non issue with this gun. He did add that it kicks like a mule.

Thanks

 

[HockaLouis]

I'm surprised that you are a fan of the .32 Win. I seem to remember in other posts that you were NOT a fan of obscure or obsolete cartridges. So, did you change your mind?
ct

Cotton...;
I could spend alot of time on this but will try not to. I spent years as a youngin' avoiding uncommon, no less obsolete, cartridge, muzzleloading and breechloading guns. For a history buff and collector, amongst other things, that becomes impractical pretty quickly. But there are different categories and to recommend something obscure to "John Smith" is a diservice.

For the average person's work-a-day hunting gun I would urge buyers to go with what time and others have made the most popular calibers and not the least; to generally avoid the uncommon and especially obsolete chamberings unless there is a very special reason to go down those paths.

In this case the gent already bought a wonderful rifle. Given the chance I would have cautioned him about the waning availability of the round but, especially at that price, encouraged him to buy it and make the most of it for as long as he can. Yup -- big fan of the .32 Win Special, and this man will have what in some applications is better than the .30-30 and will have a tale to tell at Deer Camp before he ever takes to the woods with it.

 

[HockaLouis]

I did some research and came across this guys write up. He made the point about the accuracy. He had found some rounds from the early 1900's (black powder). He went on to say when the gun got its accuracy reputation was from the era of these rounds. After he shot three rounds that none of which hit the paper he determined the bullet was an 8mm (.31x not the .32x of the special).

Side note. It went to the range the other day. 100 yards and ten rounds hit a paper plate with iron sights. Seems accuracy is a non issue with this gun. He did add that it kicks like a mule.

Thanks

Darin;
I have read such and am a little skeptical that is the only reason because I find it hard to believe that so many bullets were so much smaller than they needed to be for long. And the reality is we can't really prove it anymore. However, IIRC the rifling's lands were fairly shallow relative to the bullets anyway and so had a more limited useful life -- perhaps that dovetails with the undersized bullet theory. Regardless, we're now discussing how many, many, thousands or tens-of-thousands of shots it will endure. Fear not!

And please come back and give us a report on this gun and its use afield when you get a chance! Man, I'd LOVE to see a video of you taking a wild pig with it...

PS: Regarding recoil, you don't need to use heavier bullets than you would in a .30-30. The .32 Win Special will be more powerful (and I think efficient) due to it's diameter. That advantage is lost at longer ranges though due to the cross sectional density but that's why I say it should be considered more of an express rifle.

 

[partdeux]

I um "borrowed" my FIL WS32. Been collecting ammo, which isn't all that easy to find. I've only shot about 20 rnds through it. Surprised at how accurate it is with iron sights. I don't find it kicks very hard at all.

 

[DarinCraft]

Thanks for the replies. Now here comes the kicker.... finding lead free ammo to hunt with in Commiefornia.

 

[Pubgerm89]

That's probably where reloading will be needed to fill that criteria!!!!