Reviewing the ubiquitous Win 94 is a bit odd but some people might want an overview of what they’re like. The Winchester 94 first came out in, shocker, 1894. Originally chambered in blackpowder cartridges 38-55 and 32-40, it was offered in .30 Winchester Centerfire (AKA 30-30) the year after. This is a very old design and one of the few rifles from that era that’s mostly been in production ever since. You can also find them in 44-40, 38 special, 44 magnum and everything in between. While it’s been available under many other cartridges, the great majority in my neck of the woods are in 30-30 as a practical deer hunting rifle. With 7+1, I wonder how many people who bought these things back in the day also intended on using it for farm defense.
The rifle I’m using in this review is a 1967 special edition 30-30 owned by my grandpa. As a ’67, it:
- Uses a half-notch on the hammer for safety (later versions used push button or tang safeties)
- Ejects straight up, making scoping it difficult
- Is post ’64. Some cost cutting measures were implemented in 1964, making pre 64’s more desirable.
Winchester made a lot of commemorative edition model 94’s for occasions, fundraising, and the like. This one has an octagonal barrel instead of round, some engraving on the receiver, and a saddle ring.
How do you use a saddle ring on a rifle?
I’m answering this because I searched and the answers were vague. Think of the saddle ring as a single point sling mount. You’d put a piece of rope or leather on the ring and tie it to the saddle somewhere or just stick the loop over the saddle horn. In the modern era, you could use a single point sling to attach to it and carry the rifle.
Is the Winchester 94 relevant as a hunting rifle today?
When kept to within the distance it works, sure! Iron sights are OK at close range, 30-30 is OK at close range, and the slim receiver on lever action rifles like the Win 94 offer an extra carry option by holding it around the receiver. Within 100 yards, it’s fine. From 100-200, you might be wishing you had a scope.
Where the Win 94 is going to come up short is for longer shots (200+) where you need a scope plus a cartridge that can reach out with more power and accuracy. The popular 30-30 that you’ll find most Win 94’s come in is a lightweight compared with every other common hunting cartridge offered in modern rifles.
The other, more recent thing to happen in the last 4 years is an explosion in prices for lever action rifles. While an old Win 94 used to be around $400-600, they’re now $1000+, so it’s hard to justify as an inexpensive deer rifle that’s got old school cool.
So purchasing a new or used Win 94 for a hunting rifle is now more of a personal choice, where you want to use an older cowboy gun or the gun that your dad or grandpa used to hunt. Something a bit classier or different from what other people use in hunt camp.
