Winchester (Miroku) Model 94

Diesel9 · June 13, 2013, 06:45 AM

I've been pulling my hair out the last few days because a friend has offered me a new, never fired Winchester 94 for $800. MSRP for these guns is around $1200 and I've seen them advertised on the internet for around $1059. So it seems as if $800 is a very good deal.

My urge is to just buy it because it's too good a deal to pass up, but I have a couple of issues. One problem is that I already have a 1971 Model 94. I've owned that rifle for about 20 years. It's been a good gun and a straight shooter. It's in good condition but it does have some very minor pitting on the receiver, which is common for those years of 94's. It was that way when I bought it. I've kept it oiled and it's never gotten any worse.

Like a lot of people I'm also not happy about the tang safety on the new guns, or the fact that they are no longer U.S. made. That being said, it's still a very nice rifle. It really seems well made.

Anyway, I really don't need another .30-30, but it's hard for me to resist a nice lever gun.

What would you do?

hammie · June 13, 2013, 09:05 AM

This is an easy one. If you can afford it, then buy it. I don't know how many attractive deals I passed up through out the years, and then later wound up mentally kicking myself.

Plus, depending on the laws for long arms in Ohio, it could be an "un-papered" transaction. And unfortunately, for the future, I see firearms becoming less available.

PetahW · June 13, 2013, 05:29 PM

.

I'd say buy it, IF you didn't already have a Winchester .30-30 - but, you do...................................

However, If you're one of those who climb a mountain just because it's there, by all means enjoy yourself & pop for the $800 - after all, it's only green paper, and most can usually get some more, later. .

.

WIN1886 · June 14, 2013, 09:44 AM

They vary in retail price depending if it is the carbine , short rifle , sporter , or takedown version.....however , $800 is an excellent price for a brand new Miroku made 94 ! If it's the takedown version its a steal ! The quality is excellent and getting used to the tang safety is no biggie...however , if your used to the older model then beware you may forget its on when that record buck is in your sights ! J/K

Wishoot · June 14, 2013, 10:58 AM

Miroku makes firearms of exceptional quality IMO.

I hate to say it, but I feel Miroku makes a better quality 94 than most of the stuff Winchester was producing over the last 20 years.

If money isn't an issue, I would buy it for $800. You could probably re-sell it for more than that if you decided to get rid of it later.

Diesel9 · June 14, 2013, 01:51 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I went back and forth about this rifle for a week, but in the end it was just too good a deal for me to pass up.

$800 out the door.

hammie · June 15, 2013, 08:00 PM

You made a good decision. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Jack O'Conner · June 16, 2013, 06:20 AM

I'd rather spend my extra cash on hunts instead of hardware but that's just my focus.

Jack

gaseousclay · June 16, 2013, 07:18 AM

You did good. Miroku makes fine guns and at $800 you got a good deal. How does it shoot?

Diesel9 · June 16, 2013, 07:55 AM

Took it to the range Friday. I was there primarily to test a new .223 Rem load I've been working up, but I had the new 94 with me just to try out. I shot this (approximately) 2-inch group from 100 yards off a sandbag with the factory iron sights. I was using 150gr handloads. I was actually aiming at the orange circle that is above and to the left of the one I hit. So the bullets are hitting a little low and right for me. I didn't have my brass punch with me to adjust the windage so I stopped at 3 rounds. I'm happy with the group though. I figure it's not too bad for iron sights and 50 year old eyes. I'll get her dialed in next week.

Orion6 · June 16, 2013, 08:07 AM

Nice! Enjoy it!

Hawg · June 16, 2013, 02:11 PM

I would have to get rid of that tang safety.

WIN1886 · June 16, 2013, 10:10 PM

The new AE receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts and some peep sights ( Skinner sights ).........I put some type of peep sight on all my Winchesters ! They also make a tang mount peep for the models with tang safeties....just for your information if you would like to try a peep sight someday !

hammie · June 16, 2013, 10:54 PM

That's certainly minute-of-deer.

Keg · June 17, 2013, 11:35 AM

Sounds like a good deal..but..I would be thinkin $800 would buy a really nice pre-64.....

TomADC · June 17, 2013, 12:19 PM

Don't know about the 94 but back in 1969 I bought two Miroku O/U skeet guns a 12 & 20 ga each has had 10,000 + rounds thru them, other then the bluing being worn off where my hands hold while shooting over all these years neither has given me a bit of trouble.
I think they make the browning citori shotguns also. Quality products for sure.

Bake · June 18, 2013, 02:09 AM

Miroku also made many of the Charles Dailys sxs...

Old Stony · June 18, 2013, 03:32 AM

Miruku make very good products. I wish some of the Spanish and Italian guns could put that precision in theirs. I even owned a .38 revolver from the once, it was tough as nails.

dgludwig · June 26, 2013, 02:07 PM

An excellent price for a very nice rifle. You did real good, imo.

markj · June 26, 2013, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Sounds like a good deal..but..I would be thinkin $800 would buy a really nice pre-64.....

Just paid 500 for a 1959 hasnt been shot more than 20 times

June 13, 2013, 06:45 AM	#1
Diesel9 Member Join Date: July 13, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 40	Winchester (Miroku) Model 94 I've been pulling my hair out the last few days because a friend has offered me a new, never fired Winchester 94 for $800. MSRP for these guns is around $1200 and I've seen them advertised on the internet for around $1059. So it seems as if $800 is a very good deal. My urge is to just buy it because it's too good a deal to pass up, but I have a couple of issues. One problem is that I already have a 1971 Model 94. I've owned that rifle for about 20 years. It's been a good gun and a straight shooter. It's in good condition but it does have some very minor pitting on the receiver, which is common for those years of 94's. It was that way when I bought it. I've kept it oiled and it's never gotten any worse. Like a lot of people I'm also not happy about the tang safety on the new guns, or the fact that they are no longer U.S. made. That being said, it's still a very nice rifle. It really seems well made. Anyway, I really don't need another .30-30, but it's hard for me to resist a nice lever gun. What would you do?

June 16, 2013, 06:20 AM	#8
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	I'd rather spend my extra cash on hunts instead of hardware but that's just my focus. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

June 17, 2013, 11:35 AM	#15
Keg Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2011 Location: Freestone County, Texas Posts: 1,133	Sounds like a good deal..but..I would be thinkin $800 would buy a really nice pre-64..... __________________ Hog Hunters never die........They just reload.........

June 17, 2013, 12:19 PM	#16
TomADC Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: San Diego County Posts: 795	Don't know about the 94 but back in 1969 I bought two Miroku O/U skeet guns a 12 & 20 ga each has had 10,000 + rounds thru them, other then the bluing being worn off where my hands hold while shooting over all these years neither has given me a bit of trouble. I think they make the browning citori shotguns also. Quality products for sure. __________________ US Navy Retired,NRA Life Member,SASS member, Time magazine's Person of the Year 2006!

June 26, 2013, 02:07 PM	#19
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	An excellent price for a very nice rifle. You did real good, imo. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

June 13, 2013, 09:05 AM	#2
hammie Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 959	This is an easy one. If you can afford it, then buy it. I don't know how many attractive deals I passed up through out the years, and then later wound up mentally kicking myself. Plus, depending on the laws for long arms in Ohio, it could be an "un-papered" transaction. And unfortunately, for the future, I see firearms becoming less available.

June 13, 2013, 05:29 PM	#3
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. I'd say buy it, IF you didn't already have a Winchester .30-30 - but, you do................................... However, If you're one of those who climb a mountain just because it's there, by all means enjoy yourself & pop for the $800 - after all, it's only green paper, and most can usually get some more, later. . .

June 14, 2013, 09:44 AM	#4
WIN1886 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 604	They vary in retail price depending if it is the carbine , short rifle , sporter , or takedown version.....however , $800 is an excellent price for a brand new Miroku made 94 ! If it's the takedown version its a steal ! The quality is excellent and getting used to the tang safety is no biggie...however , if your used to the older model then beware you may forget its on when that record buck is in your sights ! J/K

June 14, 2013, 10:58 AM	#5
Wishoot Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,093	Miroku makes firearms of exceptional quality IMO. I hate to say it, but I feel Miroku makes a better quality 94 than most of the stuff Winchester was producing over the last 20 years. If money isn't an issue, I would buy it for $800. You could probably re-sell it for more than that if you decided to get rid of it later.

June 14, 2013, 01:51 PM	#6
Diesel9 Member Join Date: July 13, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 40	Thanks for the input guys. I went back and forth about this rifle for a week, but in the end it was just too good a deal for me to pass up. $800 out the door.

June 15, 2013, 08:00 PM	#7
hammie Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 959	You made a good decision. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

June 16, 2013, 07:18 AM	#9
gaseousclay Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 1,210	You did good. Miroku makes fine guns and at $800 you got a good deal. How does it shoot?

June 16, 2013, 07:55 AM	#10
Diesel9 Member Join Date: July 13, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 40	Took it to the range Friday. I was there primarily to test a new .223 Rem load I've been working up, but I had the new 94 with me just to try out. I shot this (approximately) 2-inch group from 100 yards off a sandbag with the factory iron sights. I was using 150gr handloads. I was actually aiming at the orange circle that is above and to the left of the one I hit. So the bullets are hitting a little low and right for me. I didn't have my brass punch with me to adjust the windage so I stopped at 3 rounds. I'm happy with the group though. I figure it's not too bad for iron sights and 50 year old eyes. I'll get her dialed in next week.

June 16, 2013, 08:07 AM	#11
Orion6 Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 340	Nice! Enjoy it!

June 16, 2013, 02:11 PM	#12
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I would have to get rid of that tang safety.

June 16, 2013, 10:10 PM	#13
WIN1886 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 604	The new AE receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts and some peep sights ( Skinner sights ).........I put some type of peep sight on all my Winchesters ! They also make a tang mount peep for the models with tang safeties....just for your information if you would like to try a peep sight someday !

June 16, 2013, 10:54 PM	#14
hammie Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 959	That's certainly minute-of-deer.

June 18, 2013, 02:09 AM	#17
Bake Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Location: San Joaquin Valley, Calif. Posts: 482	Miroku also made many of the Charles Dailys sxs...

June 18, 2013, 03:32 AM	#18
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	Miruku make very good products. I wish some of the Spanish and Italian guns could put that precision in theirs. I even owned a .38 revolver from the once, it was tough as nails.