New Guy 1st post

[oldwood1]

I have an old 1st year 1894 Winchester 32-40, magazine was shortened, forearm,glued, action works, probably in storage 40-50 years. Thought maybe one of you could tell if it is worth more for parts or worth keeping whole. I might be able to post a few pics when I figure out how! This is " A GREAT SITE "!!
Thank You, oldwood1

[30cal]

welcome,sounds like a keeper.would like to see a pic

[GRUMPA]

Welcome to the club. As far as posting pictures here photbucket is as good as place as any to upload your pictures to, then from there get the direct link that's under the picture and click on the little yellow square where you type in messages. From here it looks like a small picture of 2 close together mountain peaks with a moon or the sun in the upper right hand corner of the little yellow square. A small window will appear where that direct link gets put in, best of all the photobucket account is free.

[oldwood1]

Will try to attach pics of old Win 9442526

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[Olevern]

If old guns could speak; nice piece of history. And, BTW, welcome aboard.

[Bambeno]

I would say without a doubt keep it whole. Nice first year gun all things considered.

[runfiverun]

nothing wrong with that gun at all.
clean it up and shoot it.
or mail it to me, i'll get the stuff or make it and shoot it.

[missionary5155]

Greetings and WELCOME to the place.
Absolutely shoot it. These old rifles maybe have some peculiar issues to get around but they will shoot fine. Have several old 38-55´s that others thought were "shot out" when all they needed was a fat enough boolit to get started down the bore right.
Plenty of knowlegable shooters here to help you out.
Mike in Peru

[Jon K]

They are ALL keepers...nothing like a new project.

Jon

[TXGunNut]

Welcome and congrats on a fine rifle. It's an honor to shoot a rifle of that vintage, you're touching history.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Welcome to the fire.

[Throckmorton]

Welcome aboard !
that old winchester is a treasure ! to part it out.....ouch,hurts to even thnk about it !!
my 1908 mode is still running strong,no reason this one wouldn't.
might not hurt to have a gunsmith check the bore,etc just to be on the safe side before shooting it.
oh yes,just a reminder..a range report is MANDATORY if/when you shoot it. <grin>

[smoked turkey]

Welcome to the madness. In no time you will get in the swing of things..smelt...cast...handload...shoot...smelt... etc. You get the picture. Another thing I should mention is that we are all enablers here so even if you think you need another rifle, someone will post that you should buy it!! Great place!!

[wv109323]

Welcome to the site. I think you will find 100% of the people here say to keep it whole. I would not part it out. I would get it up and running again and enjoy it.

[Haggway]

Welcome to the asylum. Keep that old gal as is. Jsut get her working and enjoy. That is a great caliber for some easy shooting. Most of us here given the chance and having the funds would probably ripp our back pocket off getting at the wallet to purchase a rifle like this.

[9.3X62AL]

Most of us here given the chance and having the funds would probably ripp our back pocket off getting at the wallet to purchase a rifle like this.

That's a fact! Welcome to the site, sir.

[oldwood1]

Thanks for all the comments and welcomes, I got the old 94 out a couple of days ago and started on the bore with some Hoppe's and a copper brush. There is a fair amount of rifling left in the "old girl"! A little pitting also, I tried a few pictures with a bore light in the chamber, don't think they came out real well. I tried to clean up the out side a little also with WD-40 on a rag. I used Hoppe's on a cue tip to clean as much of the action as I could reach. Lubed with a little light oil, the lever is working much smoother. Returned to the bore with more brushing and cleaning patches.
I will check my brass and see what I have in 32-40 if any. What would be a good light load with a "Cast Boolit"?
Thanks Again, oldwood1

[gandydancer]

Welcome you will like it here. 32/40 one of my favorites can't give you any loads right now as I have not shot that caliber in years but I will get back to you on that for smokeless loads. Tom

[oldwood1]

I am going to try loading a few more pics. Any help on improving bore pics or all gun pics in general would be greatly appreciated. Still cleaning a little on the old gun, real hesitant to try and disassemble it, afraid of damaging screws etc.
Thanks, oldwood1

[Beagle333]

That's a really nice lookin rifle!

[windy]

shucks, oldwood, compared to my "new" old savage 1899 32-40, that baby looks fresh-off-the-shelf new! betcha it shoots better'n you can! at least it's got more experience at it! nice rifle! and welcome aboard!
mind yer topknot!
windy


"sonny, where i growed up, "magnum" was jist another word for "lousy hunter"!

[skeet1]

oldwood1,
Welcome to the forum! Very nice old Winchester. I think you will have many hours of enjoyment loading for that one. Should be a very good lead boolit shooter. I don't know for sure but I would think that factory loads were probably loaded with lead.

Ken

[Four Fingers of Death]

Sonny where I grew up, magnum was what the toffs drank at the horse races! HaHa!

[Dirty30]

That rifle is a gem buddy! A 165 grain cast boolit with 12.6 grains of 2400 and a
Remington 9 1/2 primer makes a really nice shooting light load. It's not good much past 75 yds, but will drive a tack inside of that range. I have an 1897 manufacture that is very similar. I had to re-barrel mine because some previous owner wasn't spun up on the corrosive properties of black powder residue. I would suggest you slug the barrel to get the diameter right so you know the best diameter boolit to shoot and cast. In the meantime a 165 grain boolit of .321 diameter should do you just fine. Winchester still makes headstamped new brass for 32-40, so don't waist your effort or money annealing and sizing/fire forming other brass. (Don't ask me how I know) Steer clear of the elongated 200+ grain boolits, they are made for single shot match rifles, not your fantastic ol' Winney.

[oldwood1]

Thanks to all for input, Dirty30, I will give that load a try!
Thanks again to All, oldwood

[JDL]

A fine 94 you have, sir!! I just love those button magazines, so classy.

[Dirty30]

I need to correct myself here, that load calls for 13.6 grains of 2400. A large pistol primer will work well with that load as well. You should be in the ballpark of 1500 fps.

[oldwood1]

Ok, no one wants to part with ammo for the .32-40, no brass local. I went on line and ordered brass and a set of dies. I hope to see them in 7-10 days, will try a couple of different weight cast Boolits and powder combos before I order a mold.
Thanks for the input, oldwood1