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October 16, 2024
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Good afternoon everyone.
I was hoping for some opinions on a 1971 Model 94 in 44 Mag that has been hardly used. Have the opportunity to purchase with at least 130 factory rounds included for around $1500, bearing in mind that vintage (and new) Winchesters are like hen’s teeth in South Africa. Serial number is 34093000M.
Have attached a few photos for your kind perusal.
Would value your expert opinions
Jordan
November 7, 2015
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Good morning, Jordan. It appears your Winchester has been completely refinished with a bit of a heavy hand. As it has little collector value the mechanical condition is all that really matters. If the ammunition is readily available in your area it may make a good shooter but I would insist on test firing it before purchase. Some late 94’s don’t feed straight wall pistol cartridges well.
Mike
September 19, 2014
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For all, I would guess that our estimates of value on anything Winchester are skewed in South Africa based on the relative availability, etc. I should hope someone on here may be able to better estimate values in South Africa if needed. Tim
November 19, 2006
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I couldn’t live with that level of refinish – at least the collector in me couldn’t (which is most of me these days). Would you be purchasing the rifle as a using rifle? What would you shoot with it?
December 9, 2002
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I can’t agree more with the previous post’s! All three members bring up some very good points. Tim also brings up a good point in reference to S. Africa’s value on this rifle, vs. here in the US. We here could be talking apples to oranges.
Not something I would be interested in.
Anthony
November 19, 2006
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Believe it or not, I was smitten with owning one of these rifles in my teens. I suppose it was around 1971 or 1972 that I was pouring through my various free gun catalogs I had picked up at the hardware stores. My number one choice was this rifle. My Dad went with me to a gunshop and looked at the rifle. He then asked the salesman to show him a cartridge. I’m sure my Dad had never seen a .44 magnum cartridge. I recall him looking at the cartridge and then turning to me and saying, “I don’t think this would be much good on deer.” Eventually, I did buy one (or maybe it was two) but never did anything with them. I think I bought them just because I had wanted one so badly in my youth.
I have always liked the .44 magnum as a brush cartridge. I’ve owned several Ruger .44 autoloaders (my experience with these it is very difficult to find one that can shoot with reasonable accuracy). The main .44 mag. I’ve used on deer is a Marlin M1894 and I shot many deer with that rifle over the years. I can vouch for the .44 magnum as a deer cartridge – even big midwest whitetails!
The majority of deer I have taken over the years has been either with that Marlin .44 magnum or with a Winchester 94 .32 Special carbine. Still have them both.
October 16, 2024
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Thank you so very much for all your frank and honest opinions. I have definitely made up my mind that I shall pass on this and just be happy with the 1975 (my birth year) Model 94 in 30-30 I have already.
I did not realise for a moment that this had been completely refinished. I had presumed it was something that had seen little use, thus the condition.
With regards to availability of Winchesters in SA, like I said they are like hen’s teeth. I was offered another 1979 30-30 for the equivalent of $2500! In retrospect, after all your thoughts, it was also massively over finished. If you find two or three available for sale in a year, you are lucky!
I’ll stick with my current 30-30:
November 19, 2006
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So what do you shoot with your .30-30 down there?
October 16, 2024
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Apologies for my late response, I have just been so busy. I have only shot at paper thus far so not too sure yet, but I can imagine it would easily take a warthog, a springbok (if you could get close enough) and maybe up to an Impala.
One last thought/question is why does this gun have a Saddle Ring? From the catalogue page I attached it appears that only the ‘Antique’ version had a Saddle Ring, so wondering if something else is off with this gun?
December 21, 2006
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It appears to Me the saddle ring has been added, the stud should be horizontal and perpendicular to the barrel. I am not familiar with game in South Africa, but I’m sure a 30-30 would take care of most of it, some exceptions of course. I am also not familiar with the values there , but if that gun were in Canada it would be a $300.00 gun. Take Your time and find something original. Maybe consider importing one , if that’s possible.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
October 16, 2024
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I will do and thank you again for the advice.
The reason I am revisiting this is that I have just been contacted by my LGS (it is stored there as I don’t have my licence yet) and they dropped my 1975 Model 94 30-30 and cracked the stock. They have repaired it and say that you cannot even see the repair but I will always know about it (if that makes sense) and I am just so pissed off.
Is it a major issue or should I just get over it?
October 16, 2024
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April 30, 2023
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A solid repair “can be” stronger than original wood, if that’s what’s in your video, it looks pretty good, but hard to tell of course from here. I’d say they owe you some customer satisfaction and good will bargaining!
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