94 Win levergun in 32 win spl: general valuation

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Honestly, I don't follow pricing on Winchesters and a friend asked me a question, any input appreciated.

What's the value of a excellent condition Model 94 in 32 win spl, vintage 1948.
The friend says the seller had been asking $800, but lowered the price to $600.
Now here's the thing, the Seller owes my friend $200 (for over 2 years now) that he never expected to see, But he is reasonably sure he can get the rifle for $400 cash and the debt erased. I told him it was probably a good deal, but didn't want to take the time to research it...I don't see many leverguns sell at guns shows. I don't think there is the demand in MN, like there is in other places.


Note: if condition is a factor, I haven't seen it, I only know what my friend said... he looked at it briefly and claimed it looked like new...hence I used the term "excellent". Also, the gun comes with several boxes of vintage factory ammo.

[MrWolf]

I am a Marlin guy but an excellent condition Winchester lever in 32 special at $400 with Ammo? I would jump on it even though I have a Marlin in 32spl and it is not in excellent condition.

[runfiverun]

I'd go for it at 400 too.
I have a decent 60-70% rifle that shoots well and functions properly from sometime before the 70's and gave 450.00 for it not too long ago.

okay. okay,,,,, it shoots well when I remember it's a 32 and not mistake it for one of the 30-30's sitting next to it,,, then it doesn't shoot so well.

[Ballistics in Scotland]

Honestly, I don't follow pricing on Winchesters and a friend asked me a question, any input appreciated.

What's the value of a excellent condition Model 94 in 32 win spl, vintage 1948.
The friend says the seller had been asking $800, but lowered the price to $600.
Now here's the thing, the Seller owes my friend $200 (for over 2 years now) that he never expected to see, But he is reasonably sure he can get the rifle for $400 cash and the debt erased. I told him it was probably a good deal, but didn't want to take the time to research it...I don't see many leverguns sell at guns shows. I don't think there is the demand in MN, like there is in other places.


Note: if condition is a factor, I haven't seen it, I only know what my friend said... he looked at it briefly and claimed it looked like new...hence I used the term "excellent". Also, the gun comes with several boxes of vintage factory ammo.

The price seems good even at $600, if the condition is really as good as you say. It used to be that a .32 Special was worth quite a bit less than a .30-30, but I think collectors and shooters are wising up, and the gap is closing. There is nothing at all wrong with the cartridge, except that your local gun store is unlikely to carry it, and brass will be available in the age of the death-ray, since it can be made from .30-30.

Just the same, your friend knows the seller and can see the look in his eye, and he thinks a $200 debt is unrecoverable from a man that might have $600 in his hand sometime soon. In his situation I would check the gun very carefully for faults that might affect shooting without being obvious, like rod wear at the muzzle, or for undeclared restoration or parts substitution if you expect it to be an antique before you reach your expiry date.

[Char-Gar]

That is a bargain price in all 50 states.

[Hick]

Two reasons to jump on that deal. 1) I have a 32 WS 1949 manufacture and in that time period they were very, very good. 2) The 32 WS has a slower twist than a 30-30 and shoots lead very nicely. For similar weight cast bullets I always seem to find more loads that don't lead for the 32 WS than I do for the 30-30. They are really good cast rifles.

[Shawlerbrook]

Very good deal at $400 !

[TXGunNut]

Sounds good, I'll generally give $500 or so for an 80% gun of that vintage. I think the 94's made in 40's and mid 50's seem to be better finished than other time periods. I'm pretty fond of the 32 Spl, every now and then you see some Winchester brass for it and I think Hornady made a run of it recently.

[salvadore]

I have a 94 32 spc from that era. They are execellent cast bullet shooters. I had mine made into a 16" trapper and shoots into an inch @ fifty yards. Your bud should jump on it.

[woody1]

If I had $400 and was owed $200 by a deadbeat debtor and had that deal, I'd offer $300 and debt erased. I'd be very happy to settle for $400 and debt erased...Several (?) boxes of vintage ammo are prob'ly worth a Benjamin Franklin or more. Regards, Woody

[Scharfschuetze]

Here in the NW an excellent Pre-64 Model 94 in any calibre would be a great price at $600 let alone $400.

[pmer]

I'd like to be JonB's "friend" on this one! :) Never got to hang out with the cool kids though. Don't all Mods have to own a lever action?:kidding:

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have all the Lever I need,
...a Marlin 1894s in 41 Mag, and a couple of Ruger #3 single shot, although I don't know if they count?, but they do have a lever.

Thanks everyone, I'm sure my friend will be reading this.

[Ballistics in Scotland]

If the owner has an emotional inhibition about paying his debts, it would be a good idea to get there quickly with the cash, rather than relying on a promise and coming by in a week or two.

[Tar Heel]

These Winchesters typically go for around $600. These are the pre-64 models from about 1945-1963. Most show wear but we call that character. If you can get one for $400 in good shape, that's a good buy. The 32 WSP scares off a lot of folks but for us casters, it's a dream gun.

179633

[Scharfschuetze]

The 32 WSP scares off a lot of folks but for us casters, it's a dream gun.

Amen to that.

[pmer]

I have all the Lever I need,
...a Marlin 1894s in 41 Mag, and a couple of Ruger #3 single shot, although I don't know if they count?, but they do have a lever.

Thanks everyone, I'm sure my friend will be reading this.

Good luck to your friend...and I couldn't tell a #1 from a #3 LOL.