M 94 carbine

[Dorf]

I need some info on a M94 .30-30 carbine that just followed me home from the flea market. It is the old standby, "plain vanilla" M94 but has decent wood, ramp front sight, black plastic buttplate, cross grooved hammer, milled cartridge carrier and is marked Model 94AE. There are holes drilled and tapped on the receiver ring and the top frame rails just forward of the locking lug. The serial number (5311xxx) is stamped on the bottom left side rail. It appears to be a "pre-64" model ( I say this due to the milled interior parts) but am not sure. I checked a Winchester bulletin board/ info website that has the serial numbers and production dates and they advised that it was built after 1982. I have a couple of 94's but have never seen one with the serial number in the location on the lower side rails. I would guess that it was built somewhere in the late '50s or early '60s. Any info concerning production date and/or configuration surely will be appreciated. Thx, Stan

[Mike Nesbitt]

Your Model 94 is the "94 Angle Eject" and it was made after the 1980s. Shoot sharp, Mike

[Dorf]

Mike, thx for the quick reply--- what threw me was the milled interior prts. I thought that those were discontinued in '64 as I have a M94 "Classic" that has the "stamped" sheet metal carrier assy that was originally purchased in the early '70s (also has the "flat" sheetmetal buttplate). Just goes to show how much I know. :-(

[9.3X62AL]

Not a pre-64, but still a VERY usable deer rifle for sure. The 30-30 might be the most user-friendly cast boolit rifle caliber ever cobbled up, with the possible exception of the 45-70. OK--best ever neck-and-shoulder rifle round for castings, how's that?

[Dorf]

Al, I agree as to being a near perfect deer rifle-- history speaks volumes. I already have one Pre-64 that my dad bought in 1937, a .32 Spl that I took my first deer with in 1952, so this "new one ", being a bit "rough" will get a stock refinishng job and a bit of "cleaning up" then become my "truck gun". Also I'm already working up cast loads for it using a 150 gr Lee and a 180 gr. (.313 dia) sized to .309. Let the games begin !!!!

[Newtire]

Al, I agree as to being a near perfect deer rifle-- history speaks volumes. I already have one Pre-64 that my dad bought in 1937, a .32 Spl that I took my first deer with in 1952, so this "new one ", being a bit "rough" will get a stock refinishng job and a bit of "cleaning up" then become my "truck gun". Also I'm already working up cast loads for it using a 150 gr Lee and a 180 gr. (.313 dia) sized to .309. Let the games begin !!!!

Hi Dorf,
Just thought I'd mention that if you do a search on 30-30 or Lee 150, you will come up with a bunch of loads already worked out for that gun. I use from 21-23 gr. of medium burning type powder such as 4198 or RX-7 with that. The little Lee Soup Can 113 gr. really is a surprise and the real thumpers in the 175-190 gr. range all do a great job with full-power loads of H-335 or Win 748. Great 30 cal cast shooter for sure. I have one of the earlier angle ejects in 30-30 Ackley and iit is one slick working rifle. I have a later Black Shadow that is cosmetically & functionally a real piece of crapola but shoots accurately.