Waht to look for in a pre64 94?

baddarryl · June 10, 2013, 06:07 PM

Hi all. I have found what seems like a good local deal on a pre 64 30/30. As I know nothing other than these are the desirable ones, what should I look for as far as checking this thing out for function and or modifications? Thank you.

RodTheWrench · June 10, 2013, 06:10 PM

Go down the barrel with a BRIGHT light and check for rust spots toward the muzzle. A borescope is even better. These guns are famous for being stored in the back of Grampa's closet, muzzle up, for decades and you get the last inch or two of the bore pitted up, ruins what accuracy the gun had.

jmr40 · June 10, 2013, 10:54 PM

Find the SN and look up when it was made here.

http://oldguns.net/sn_php/windateslo...le=win1894.dat

Not all pre-64's are equal. Many overpay because they think any pre-64 has a lot of collectors value. And many sellers think so too. The pre-64's are better built guns, but most only bring a small premium over post 64's. Rare chamberings or configurations being the exception.

If it was made in the 1940's or older then I'd pay a premium. Much newer, and you should be able to buy a good working rifle for less than a new Marlin sells for.

If you find it is an older gun, get as much info as possible and get back with another post. Small details and condition can mean a big difference in value on the really old rifles.

Hummer70 · June 11, 2013, 03:18 PM

Look carefully at the bolt face from the side and see if looks like it is pooched out like lips prior to a kiss. If so it has been dry fired a lot and this can't be fixed.

If you want to dry fire a 94 always hold the hammer when trigger is pulled and stop the hammer from falling.

PetahW · June 12, 2013, 10:00 AM

.

Look at the price tag, and walk away if the seller's too proud of their gun (more & more common today). .

.

Scorch · June 12, 2013, 01:47 PM

A pre-64 Mode 94 should still have most of its bluing and wood finish if it is going to command $400, but a lot of sellers cash in on buyers' lack of knowledge and highball the prices ("I saw one just like that priced higher on the internet", etc. Yeah, but did it sell?). The older generation, the ones who grew up when the 94 was "The Deer Gun" want a nostalgic reminder of their childhood, but that generation is dying off fast (I am a member of that generation), and just like my parents' generation who revered the Model 12 or the A-5 as "The Duck Gun", as they die off their guns go down in value (that pesky old "supply and demand" thing, ya know). People want to hunt with bolt rifles and semis now, fewer want lever guns as hunting rifles. There are many, many very nice post-war pre-64 shooters available in gun stores across the country for $350-ish, with honest wear and use marks, not pristine, so there is no reason to pay $500 or more for one just because you want one real bad. Remember, if you want it real bad, you may get it real bad. Do your homework, then go shopping.

Armybrat · June 13, 2013, 08:27 PM

Several 94 threads going on the first page of this forum...and not one picture yet.

Well here's mine - a .30-30 made in 1914. A solid, tight carbine with a good bore but no finish and lightly sanded stocks. Not really collectable, but a good shooter.
My Dad bought it 50 years ago for $16 from an old gentleman in Monterrey, Mexico who said he carried it in the Mexican Revolution of 1914:

June 10, 2013, 06:07 PM	#1
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,700	Waht to look for in a pre64 94? Hi all. I have found what seems like a good local deal on a pre 64 30/30. As I know nothing other than these are the desirable ones, what should I look for as far as checking this thing out for function and or modifications? Thank you.

June 12, 2013, 01:47 PM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	A pre-64 Mode 94 should still have most of its bluing and wood finish if it is going to command $400, but a lot of sellers cash in on buyers' lack of knowledge and highball the prices ("I saw one just like that priced higher on the internet", etc. Yeah, but did it sell?). The older generation, the ones who grew up when the 94 was "The Deer Gun" want a nostalgic reminder of their childhood, but that generation is dying off fast (I am a member of that generation), and just like my parents' generation who revered the Model 12 or the A-5 as "The Duck Gun", as they die off their guns go down in value (that pesky old "supply and demand" thing, ya know). People want to hunt with bolt rifles and semis now, fewer want lever guns as hunting rifles. There are many, many very nice post-war pre-64 shooters available in gun stores across the country for $350-ish, with honest wear and use marks, not pristine, so there is no reason to pay $500 or more for one just because you want one real bad. Remember, if you want it real bad, you may get it real bad. Do your homework, then go shopping. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 10, 2013, 06:10 PM	#2
RodTheWrench Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2013 Location: Utah Posts: 365	Go down the barrel with a BRIGHT light and check for rust spots toward the muzzle. A borescope is even better. These guns are famous for being stored in the back of Grampa's closet, muzzle up, for decades and you get the last inch or two of the bore pitted up, ruins what accuracy the gun had.

June 10, 2013, 10:54 PM	#3
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,973	Find the SN and look up when it was made here. http://oldguns.net/sn_php/windateslo...le=win1894.dat Not all pre-64's are equal. Many overpay because they think any pre-64 has a lot of collectors value. And many sellers think so too. The pre-64's are better built guns, but most only bring a small premium over post 64's. Rare chamberings or configurations being the exception. If it was made in the 1940's or older then I'd pay a premium. Much newer, and you should be able to buy a good working rifle for less than a new Marlin sells for. If you find it is an older gun, get as much info as possible and get back with another post. Small details and condition can mean a big difference in value on the really old rifles.

June 11, 2013, 03:18 PM	#4
Hummer70 Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 203	Look carefully at the bolt face from the side and see if looks like it is pooched out like lips prior to a kiss. If so it has been dry fired a lot and this can't be fixed. If you want to dry fire a 94 always hold the hammer when trigger is pulled and stop the hammer from falling.

June 12, 2013, 10:00 AM	#5
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. Look at the price tag, and walk away if the seller's too proud of their gun (more & more common today). . .

June 13, 2013, 08:27 PM	#7
Armybrat Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2009 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 1,006	Several 94 threads going on the first page of this forum...and not one picture yet. Well here's mine - a .30-30 made in 1914. A solid, tight carbine with a good bore but no finish and lightly sanded stocks. Not really collectable, but a good shooter. My Dad bought it 50 years ago for $16 from an old gentleman in Monterrey, Mexico who said he carried it in the Mexican Revolution of 1914: