Buy or Pass? 1950 Win 94

I’ve been offered a nice condition Winchester Model 94 in .32 Special with a Lyman 56A receiver sight. Since this is a pre 1953 rifle, I am assuming it was drilled and tapped by a gunsmith to install the sight. The sight looks further to the rear than a gun I have with a 66A. Without starting a firestorm, could I get some thoughts on how this might devalue the gun? Adding a side mount probably won’t be possible without more drilling. I like the gun and the price is fair, but I’m hesitant. Should I be?

If you like it and the price is fair, why not buy it?
I guess it depends on what you are going to use it for, an investment you think you are going to get rich on or a gun you will enjoy shooting.

I will second elmer. The price, overall condition and what you are buying for should be the main issues that govern buy or not. If you are strictly buying for a collector investment then no, but if you are just looking for a shooter then if tge price is right, yes.

Agree with the above - if you like it and the price is fair then get it. The addition of the sight may add value in some people's eyes and detract from another perspective.

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Good gun, good price, if I wanted one, I'd go ahead and buy it.
As far as hurting the value by modifying it--- it doesn't matter unless you plan to sell it.

Buying a gun as an investment is a nice rationale that goes "POOF!!" when you work the numbers. About the only way it works is that you have the money is tied up so not easy to spend. If you have the discipline to put the money into an S&P index fund you will beat owning something like that.

If you do not have a use for the gun, pass on it. If you want a new toy, and the price is right, go for it.

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Would be a lot of fun to shoot and that slim Model 94 receiver would carry effortlessly for long walks in the woods being uncluttered by a scope. :) As far as value is concerned, I never even think about that as I've never sold a gun.

The fact that it's a 32 Special would remove all doubt about buying it!

Gee, I got something right for a change!
I would buy it, but that's just me.

Yes indeed. I gave my M94 .32 Special to my daughter. It is very accurate with cast bullets. Go for it, make cases out of .30-30s if necessary

i have a model 64 winchester rifle made in 1938 in .32 spl and it is by far the most accurett lever action rifle i own with out a scope. 165 gr J bullets at 2200-2300 fps is what it likes. buy it.

Do you really expect this bunch of enablers to dissuade you from buying a functional, safe firearm?

As long as the sight is useable, it really doesn't matter unless you intend to take it off and use the holes for something else. I don't like any of the side mounts that I have ever seen for a Model 94 Winchester, so I would leave the aperture sight on until it becomes impossible to use with my eyesight.

Robert

The addition of a period correct sight/holes doesn't cause me to blink an eye, it just lowers the price a bit.

I'm in the same camp as Bazoo. Its period correct and we all would have prolly added a sight of some sort back then in lieu of scopes. If the sight functions, the finish I'd good and the bore is nice, do it. Have fun. I bought 2 94s in the past year. Both are post 64, one made in 1966, the other in 1972. Both are 90% or better, one for 650 and the other for 750. In my area, if you can get a 32 Special pre 64 for 1000 or less, you're doing pretty good.

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The real value will be found if you buy it, then hunt & shoot the snot out of it ! :guntootsmiley:

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Originally Posted by dverna

Buying a gun as an investment is a nice rationale that goes "POOF!!" when you work the numbers. About the only way it works is that you have the money is tied up so not easy to spend. If you have the discipline to put the money into an S&P index fund you will beat owning something like that.

If you do not have a use for the gun, pass on it. If you want a new toy, and the price is right, go for it.

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Double dittos. Do not buy guns for investments. Stick to a stock broker or real estate. If this gun fits a need, buy it, but it won't put a grandkid through college.

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Originally Posted by Jkrem

I’ve been offered a nice condition Winchester Model 94 in .32 Special with a Lyman 56A receiver sight. Since this is a pre 1953 rifle, I am assuming it was drilled and tapped by a gunsmith to install the sight. The sight looks further to the rear than a gun I have with a 66A. Without starting a firestorm, could I get some thoughts on how this might devalue the gun? Adding a side mount probably won’t be possible without more drilling. I like the gun and the price is fair, but I’m hesitant. Should I be?

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Well, did ya go get that thing or what????

get an RCBS 32-170FN to go along with it and enjoy. mine is a 1964 still with original sights and I cant see ever parting with it. its a near perfect rifle for cast bullet shooting

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Originally Posted by jaysouth

Double dittos. Do not buy guns for investments. Stick to a stock broker or real estate. If this gun fits a need, buy it, but it won't put a grandkid through college.

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Everybody is going to lose their *** in the stock market pretty soon. I have always made good money buying and selling old guns. The key is buy low, sell high. It ain't hard.

My investment is in the fun and enjoyment I get from finding, owning, fiddling and shooter them. The financial aspect will be my heir’s problem.

I have a .32 Winnie built in 1950 and is probably my 2nd favorite to shoot after the 1911. Shooting cast bullets in it is a blast. If it’s safe and functions well buy it, you won’t regret it.

My 32 Special's are Marlin's but but If I liked the rifle, to me, being a 32 Special would be a plus. One of the best cast boolit shooter's. You only lose money in the stock market if you get scared and get out when prices fall, buying high, selling low does make for a profit. Over the long term stocks have gone up for at least the last 40-80 years.

i committed to buy, working out the transfer. Thank you for all the feedback.

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Originally Posted by sigep1764

Well, did ya go get that thing or what????

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We want pictures when you get her home!

The longer you have it and shoot the more you will come to appreciate it. Happened to me years ago on a Rossi Trapper in .357 Magnum. Was really hoping to locate a Marlin but they were all bought up before hitting the market. This rifle was an estate consignment. So old it carried the Interarms rollmarks, had a receiver sight on the side of the frame, rear sight was gone and a dovetail filler applied. The more I worked up loads for it the better I liked it. I could sell it now for 2X what I paid for it but it is not available. Enjoy your find.

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Well here is the rifle after full disassembly and deep cleaning. It had been stored for almost 50 years, and really needed it. Thankfully it was from the dry Southwest US. All the lubricant was basically petrified, and contained a little sand I think. Note that I removed the Lyman 56A sight and replaced it with a 66A temporarily. The 56A is on its way to a friend who has an ultrasonic cleaner. The 56A sight is in excellent shape. I’m planning on using RCBS 32-170 cast bullets in this gun thanks to a forum member. Thanks for all the feedback.

That is a very nice 94!
Yours is four years older than mine but looks better for sure.


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Good find and a pretty rifle! Stock is shiny and the bluing is looking good!

Very nice. Congratulations.

Ya found gold~