30-30

[Deerhunt]

I was in my LGS yesterday and found on the rack a collection of older Winchester 92 rifles,there was about a dozen. There was also a 1866 to 1996 commerative(or something like that)it was in 30-30.1 was a newer (2000s) 375,there was 2 that were pre '64 that were both in 32spl and the rest were '70s and '80s 30-30s. One was a commerative teddy Roosevelt,one a cowboy,and one was a Canadian commerative. The rest were just a mixture of round and octagon barrels at a mixture of 20" or 26" barrels. All except the 375 were $650 I have kinda wanted a old Winchester 30-30 so is it worth picking one up?

[Deerhunt]

I forgot to say there was a 30-30 with a 26" barrel that on the tag said it was a takedown? I've never heard of one. It was $850 which I thought was rather expensive for a rifle with a freckled barrel like it had

[Smoke & Recoil]

Anything is worth paying what you're comfortable with paying...anyway, Winchesters can surprise you in pricing. Take down lever action will bring
a higher price. Just go slow and price around if you're actually looking for
an old Winchester...just remember, the Winchesters have been around for
over a hundred years and they'll still be here as you shop.

[Gunplummer]

I would not pay $800 dollars for a 30-30. You can pick up a T/D 99 Savage 30-30 for a lot less if you look around. Stay away from Commemoratives. They are a money pit with little future value. Get on Gunbroker.com and look around at what they SELL for.

[tahoe2]

Your " run of the mill " Winchester 30-30 should be about $400-$600 tops, IMO.
Angled Eject (AE) may be more as they are easier to mount a scope

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[tahoe2]

A takedown model will be even more than a standard style.
I also agree that commemoratives are only worth something if never fired. I assume you want to shoot whatever you buy, also pre-64 will bring a premium price. I have a 1974 top eject, which is fine with me, as I would never scope a 94, it defeats the tote-ability of the light pkg.

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[ThomasT]

I bought a Winchester 94 a couple of years ago made in 1981. I paid $250 for it. Its a little rough with dented wood and a receiver that has turned brown. No matter. It shoots fine. I also have a Marlin 30-30 made in 1978. I really like 30-30s. But of the two guns if I had to pick I would choose the Marlin over the Winchester.

If you are wanting a 30-30 I would look for a JM marked Marlin. You should be able to find one for $300-400 in decent shape. Also the Marlin built Glenfields are just as good and just as accurate but a plainer version with hardwood instead of walnut and cheaper sights.

Any of the older Marlins or Glenfields should be tapped on the side of the receiver for a peep sight. Add a Williams 5D sight if you don't like scopes and you have an excellent plinker/hunting rifle in an easy to find round. Reload for it and it becomes even more versatile.

[Scorch]

If you want a 30-30, look around at other gun stores. You are probably going to be more comfortable with the price on a post-64 plain carbine model, although the commemoratives shoot just as well as other 94s. You could pay anywhere from $300 to 600 for a good condition 94, so just look around.

The older 94s are a different story,, and a take-down 94 will generally run you as much as $1200.

[Pathfinder45]

Without actually looking at any of them it is impossible to make any strong recommendations. I like both Marlins and Winchesters and my preferences between them vary according to vintage and configurations.

Marlin: I like straight grips, so most of the later-model Marlins are off the table for me, but the 336 Cowboy and the 336T, Texan, would be an exception. The 1893 Marlin was made in 30-30, and is particularly attractive.

Winchester: With the Winchester 1894/'94 and its variants, well, there are so many out there is would take a whole book or perhaps library to describe them thoroughly. I definitely like the pre-'64 models the best, but there were some good later models. It depends on one's aesthetic preference to a large extent. In the carbine configuration, I especially prefer those that were built from about 1937 to about 1948 with the longer forearm-wood and checkered hammers. After that time period, Winchester began to switch to a cheaper serrated hammer, and within a couple more years or so, the forearm was shortened. Somewhere in that time frame, the flat version of the front barrel-band showed up for a little while. In the rifle configuration, the model 1894 that I like the best was given a different model number altogether, that is, the model 55. Originally, this model was a take-down version of the model 94, with a short magazine and, "shotgun", butt; later production also offered a solid-frame, which I prefer.

The most important thing I have to add is this: Learn the fine art of haggling.
"I like these two older Winchesters you have here, but they aren't 30-30's. I'm really looking for a 30-30 that looks like these. Yeah, but those 30-30's aren't like these two 32 Specials......if the ammo was easier to find and didn't cost so dang much......Is the price on these 32 Special firm? They're kinda over my budget.... Where do you think I can get ammo for it?" And after a while, you might find yourself with a 32 Special instead of a 30-30.

But be willing to walk away. There are a lot of them out there. I paid $275.00 for a 1942-vintage model 94 carbine not long ago, that someone, a long time before, installed a recoil pad on it. Because it was slightly altered, it was deeply discounted. So I lengthened the stock with a nice piece of Cherry wood that tastefully contrasted with the Walnut, at a length and angle that better suits me and topped it off with a slip-on recoil pad. It has become a favorite. I am still looking for an original metal butt-plate, and that will happen someday; in the meantime, with the addition of a vintage Lyman tang-sight, I'm enjoying the heck out of it.

[ThomasT]

If you look there are several on GB for a lot less than the prices you mentioned. And some are the pre 64 models.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/647175875

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/644394853

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/647788590

These are just from the first twp pages. There are 11 pages of 94s for sale. Finding a 94 for a decent price shouldn't be too hard. And if you find one in a local store remember nothings talks a price down like cold hard cash.

[Pathfinder45]

Right on, Ratshooter. Out of those three you posted, I like the second one best, in spite of the worn bluing, it has the features I like.

[ThomasT]

Yep the middle one has the most "style" of the three. I bid on the top one but it has went past what I am willing to pay for it since I have one already. I put a 5D sight on mine and love the way it feels in my hand. I like how much tighter and stronger the Marlin seems to be but the Winchester just has the "feel" to it. It feels small and slim like a Kentucky rifle in your hand.

The first Marlin 336 I owned I actually slimmed down the forearm. It sure felt a lot better. Now with that goofy checkering they use you can't do that. You would have to sand the wrist area down too far to match the forearm. Thats why I like the older Marlins with the smooth stocks.

[ThomasT]

That winchester I listed first in post #10 sold for just $415 plus shipping. The gun was listed as being made in 1954. Thats a lot better price than the guns the OP listed. I think the bubble on the prices of winchester 30-30s has popped. They just made so many of them.

[Hanshi]

Back in the early 1980s, I bought two Win 94s; they were both new and one was a .45 Colt and the other was a 30/30. They were both "Trappers" with 16" barrels. The 30/30 was a top eject with saddle ring and I installed a fine Lyman receiver sight. This was my second 30/30. The .45 Colt wasn't drilled and tapped for a receiver sight (aaarrgh!) so the only option was, of course, the open sights. Both 30/30s have killed deer and I really like the caliber and this particular Trapper. The .45 Colt I consider a "fun gun".

What I'm getting at is that while they still didn't cost that much back then, They would be a great bargain today but not at inflated prices. Shop around and make sure you find a good deal and a model you really like.

[Don Fischer]

The only one that can define weather it's worth it or not is the OP!

[dgludwig]

Where at in Michigan is this LGS, Deerhunt? Sounds like they keep an interesting inventory.

[Deerhunt]

It is at the border of Mason and Holt they are south of Lansing Michigan the game of the shop is Total Firearms

[Sure Shot Mc Gee]

Winchester & Savage T/Ds make terrific rifles for shooting B/Powder cartridges. Although I do own a Savage model 1899 T/D lever in 30-30. I prefer not to shoot B/Powder thru it. "Just my dandy little cast lead bullet shooter is all the T/D gets fired out its barrel."

If I were looking for a used lever rifle for deer hunting. Winchester 94 32 Special or a Marlin model 336 lever rifle in 35 Remington would be 1 & 2 on my list. I've killed deer with a 32 special & 30-30. I personally think the 32 is a bit better killer than a 30-30 is. I been told the same applies to the 35 Remington. It reportedly kills a little bit better than either of the two prior mentioned.

[Blindstitch]

Ever think of taking a run over to Bobs gun and tackle in Hastings? Ammo price on a 32 hurts compared to the cheap 30-30. Even cheaper to reload cast lead. If I was reloading it wouldn't matter which caliber.

I like a scope on my rifles so the Marlin and Henry fair better for that. But if you go open sights they're all fine.

Of course if I lived in your area I would get a CVA Optima V2 or TC Encore Muzzleloader. That shotgun zone is brutal. I probably wouldn't own as many rifles if I lived there. I use to live in Kalamazoo. And my wife in East Lansing.

[Jack O'Conner]

It sounds like someone sold a private collection to the store. There is likely some room within the pricing for haggling. I've had very good luck with my Teddy Roosevelt commemorative rifle. It has the appearance and handling of the model 64 rifle.

Jack

[T. O'Heir]

"...Stay away from Commemoratives..." Far away, if you think you'll ever want to sell it. They're probably the worst investment firearm possible. They're only collectable when still sealed in the original box with all the paperwork that came with it. Even then you'd have to find somebody who wants it. Absolutely nothing 'special' about 'em. They're just gussied up Win 94's in a fancy box with some engraving. Even a Canadian Centennial. snicker.
"...Winchester 94 32 Special..." Ammo will not be in small places.
If you want a .30-30, buy a Marlin M336.

[Blindstitch]

I do like the looks of a Canadian Centennial. The maple leaves don't look that bad.

I saw a Buffalo Bill at Cabelas this weekend in the $250-299 range. Can't remember but it looked mint. Selling aside it would be well worth the price to hunt with.

Not the actual picture.

[ThomasT]

If I see a good, clean 30-30 either Marlin or Winchester for $250-300 I will buy it. Even if its a commemorative. I will shoot those too. Nothings so sacred to me that I would not use it. They were supposed to be tools, remember?

[Berserker]

Lots of cheap marlins around here. Wish the 357 and 44 were so cheap.

Slow small bullet, that killed lots of deer

[ThomasT]

I have both 357 and 44 mag Marlins. The 357 is my favorite of all the guns I own. But a 30-30 and the ability to reload for it makes it a versatile gun. And if you look long enough they can be found for not a lot of money. Especially if they are a little skinned up. You can refinish the stock and give it new life.

Learn to stalk and hunt and a 30-30 will kill just about every game animal we have here. t would not be my choice for a Grizzly Bear rifle but it has been used for that before.

Here is a good read on the 30-30 from one of my favorite sites.

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/3030again.htm