I Continue to Find the Strange and Unusual

[David LaPell]

I ran across something unusual today and decided to get it. Someone at one time took this .30-30 Model 94 Winchester, made it into a takedown gun, and also cut the barrel down to 16-inches like a trapper. The release is on the underside of the barrel where someone milled out the front barrel band and put a button to release the mag. With the action open, the button is pushed (sticks right now but it does work) and the mag tube is slid forward and then the gun can be taken down. Whoever did it also added set screws to the top of both barrel bands to make it more solid. It's a post-64 gun so the collector value isn't there, but there was a level of craftsmanship here that you don't see often with guns like this.

https://i.imgur.com/3Aj57NW.jpg?3

https://i.imgur.com/M8RNFMR.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/yhm57JP.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/jtRpcAl.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/gVZb1Z8.jpg?1

[Winger Ed.]

Wow.

That wasn't someone's kitchen table project.
For what it is, its very very well done by, or for someone that knew exactly what they wanted.

[samari46]

Are there any screws in the thick portion ahead of the front of the receiver?. Usually on a takedown there are used to correct any headspace issues that develop over time. As one member said looks like someone really knew what he was trying to accomplish. Frank

[william l evans]

The gunsmith school in trinadad col. was teaching students how to convert lever guns to takedown models in the 2008 era. That could
be one of their designs.

[30calflash]

IIRC NRA had a compilation of gunsmithing projects in a bound book and a takedown 94 with instructions on how it's done was in there.

Looks like someone did a nice job on that one.

[bob208]

the book is the nra gunsmithing guide. I have it and that conversion is just like the book except for the screw in the barrel band and the short barrel.

[kootne]

Just to give credit where it is due, the December 1979 American Rifleman has the story of the concept and proof of concept project. The only difference I see between the AR article and this rifle is the shortened barrel.