Win 94 pre 64

[lead collector]

Hello,

My daughters boy friend went to an auction sale, over the weekend that had several guns listed.

He wants a 30-30 to hunt with, and was hoping to get a Pre 64 94 Winchester.
I guess it was a nice old gun but far from new in box, and it went for $1100.00. Seems pretty high to me, but maybe they have came up that much.

I know when Winchester stopped making the 94's a few years ago, they went up some, and took Marlins along with them. But damn that just seems over the top to me.

Never personally found any bargains at public auctions, and it worse now.
There were a few other guns that he mentioned having interest in, and reported the the selling price. Two Ruger black hawk new models, brought more than brand new price. Maybe there are none out there for sale?
I dont get out much these days, since covid shut all the show down a year ago. $875.00, for a nice but used black hawk in 45 LC just seems high to me.
Several other that sold brought stupid prices too.. I really makes me scratch my head, when we have really high unemployment here, and even when things were good, only a select few had any real money to spend.
Well anyway.. I just thought that the prices seemed beyond stupid! Thoughts?

[Martin Luber]

Beyond stupid is right. Cooler heads will prevail if you don't feed the monsters

[farmbif]

oh no, I think things are just getting warmed up, a little look through gun broker and some primers are bid up to $350/1000, they must be real special primers though.
sr1911's that were $650 about a year ago are priced at $1200. everything is way way up.
I don't know where your local auction was, midway, USA?
but to get a look at what things are going for on national level, rock island is having another auction tomorrow. will be a good indicator, if you watch prices there just remember they charge 18% on top of sale price plus tax and shipping.

wait til the leftists try to run some new anti gun legislation though house and senate on national level, things will get real crazy.

[pietro]

.

Perceived demand is driving the prices on everything firearms related - and there's plenty of opportunistic price gougers out there.

Actual shortages from many gun owners are hoarding guns/ammo against what's viewed as the coming drastic laws posited by the Democrats just add fuel to the fire.

IME, however, the highest cost stuff is in public auctions, better prices in online forum classified ads.

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[smithnframe]

Exactly what is a Pre-64 model 94? I know about the Winchester model 70 but not the 94!

[Hick]

A Pre 64 Model 94 is a Model 1894 Winchester built with a forged metal receiver and mostly machined parts (nothing stamped out). In 1964 Winchester switched to a cast steel receiver and stamped cartridge lifter as well as other changes-- in an effort to reduce the cost. Some people believe the pre-64's are inherently better. The pre-64 versions had better fit-up and the forged receiver takes bluing a lot better than the cast steel. However, the cast steel Winchester used is a special steel also used in high strength applications where the parts cannot realistically be made by forging (like some very high pressure valves). Net result is that there are things collectors do not like about post-64 Winchesters, but they are actually still very good rifles. I have one of each and they are both very nice.

[Prairie Cowboy]

I owned a late 1950s 1894 in .32 Special. A very accurate rifle.
In my humble opinion it was far nicer than any post-1964 model 1894 rifle that I ever owned.
Although, some of the post-1964 guns had pretty decent walnut stocks and the fit and finish was very good. And, it should be mentioned that the stamped lifter was replaced with a much more durable cast steel lifter for most of the production.

[indian joe]

oh no, I think things are just getting warmed up, a little look through gun broker and some primers are bid up to $350/1000, they must be real special primers though.
sr1911's that were $650 about a year ago are priced at $1200. everything is way way up.
I don't know where your local auction was, midway, USA?
but to get a look at what things are going for on national level, rock island is having another auction tomorrow. will be a good indicator, if you watch prices there just remember they charge 18% on top of sale price plus tax and shipping.

wait til the leftists try to run some new anti gun legislation though house and senate on national level, things will get real crazy.

I bought 1000 federal LR primers in my LGS last week for a neat $100 AUD - (Aussie buys 76 cents US at the moment) we also add 10% tax at point of sale so his sell price is really only $90. should I go back with cheque book in hand and clean the place out ? Plenty ammo on the shelf there, 12 gauge shells on pallets clogging the aisle.

[ulav8r]

I bought 1000 federal LR primers in my LGS last week for a neat $100 AUD - (Aussie buys 76 cents US at the moment) we also add 10% tax at point of sale so his sell price is really only $90. should I go back with cheque book in hand and clean the place out ? Plenty ammo on the shelf there, 12 gauge shells on pallets clogging the aisle.

Where are those primers produced? If US made get all you can while they are available. If they are produced anywhere else then pricing and supply will probably be stable.

[tigweldit]

Prices on everything going up all the time. Seams like a lot faster lately. What is expensive today, will seam like a deal by next year. All the guns that I have bought in the past 50 years have gone up in value. Some a little some little, some a lot. Had a lot of fun shooting and developing loads. Made a few bucks, had a lot of fun. Win, Win on the score board. What a great hobby.

[M-Tecs]

Lots of model variations on the Pre 64 94's. Chance are it was a common one that went for more than it should but there is a chance it was a rare version and went for under market value. Without specifics hard to tell.

[freakonaleash]

$800-$1100 is a typical price for a pre 64 '94 in good condition.

[pietro]

Exactly what is a Pre-64 model 94? I know about the Winchester model 70 but not the 94!


In 1964, Winchester moved to save money, and ergo made all their rifles & shotguns more economic - which made rifle/shotgun made before 1964 more desirable/valuable.

Also in 1964, Winchester discontinued several other rifles that had been made for a very long time.

The internals were changed (like from solid pins to roll pins) and in the Model 94, receivers made of sintered metal ILO the previous forged steel receivers and sheet metal lifters ILO the forged steel.

There was a general outcry, disparaging the changes, so Winchester made some changes starting about 1970, like going to a solid cast lifter ILO the stamped sheet metal in the Model 94.

Eventually, Winchester moved back to forged steel receivers with the 1972 Model 9422, the 1978 Big Bore 94, and the 1982 Models 94AE.

They also made real economy models with the Ranger line, that had less metal polishing, and "hardwood" stock wood ILO walnut.

.

[John Taylor]

The pre 64 (1964) refers to the year Winchester changed the model 70 to save cost in production. The model 94 was actually changed sometime in 1963 when they started using stamped parts and a few other changes to save money.
Went to a local gun show a while back and thought all the prices were crazy. Saw an 1897 Marlin listed at $3,500 and another at $3,400 and they didn't look like they were in great shape. Six months ago I picked up on for $200 in trade. While mine needs some work the thought that I should put all my guns up for sale and pay off my home.

[veeman]

I really like my Ranger, has always been a great shooter. Recently put a Skinner sight on it. Waiting for warmer weather to give it a whirl.

[alamogunr]

Back in 2007 I bought a '94 that was manufactured in 1953. The seller claimed that it was C&R eligible. I took him at his word and entered it into my "Bound Book". Even back then I paid $500.

[lead collector]

Didn't intend to be evasive on the location. South East Kansas was where the Auction was located.
People are going nuts for guns right now! That is for sure. Talking to the kid, last night and he had made a few notes, other stuff that sold. There was not anything that went the slightest bit normal price. Everything sold for way more that it should have. Ammo was really stupid... Cheap bulk pack 22 LR sold for 15 - 20 cents per round.

It always amazes me how in normal times as good value on a nice gun would sit in a brick and mortar gun shop with no takers, and the same gun would sell for way more at a farm sale.
We have an Amish community near by that drive guns up a little bit, at auctions. We are a cash and carry at auctions, and they can buy there, and since they dont have a picture ID a gun shop is out.
Oddly enough there was no Amish at this auction.. Too rich for their blood I suppose.
Weird times are up on us that is for sure. Hard to say what the political climate will bring in the next year or so.
If the Dems. have their way, all of these over priced guns may be scrap metal. I have thought about that, and how people's life long collection and family heirlooms could become piles of scrap, like we have seen in other countries.

[Drm50]

I wouldn’t pay $1000 for run of the mill pre 64 m94. There were several million made. $600 is a good price for nice 1894. The market for all the desirable Winchesters hunting guns is soft. The m70 and m12 are not bringing what they use to. The young generation wants latest stuff, they aren’t interested in classics. The 1897s have gone up due to Cowboy games. With Henry in Levers and Ruger soon to follow with Marlin line, the cap should be kept on lever pricing. True collector grade guns will hold but run of the mill will lose to new stuff.

[MT Gianni]

Auctions can be great if you're selling and occasionally when you're buying but not always.

[pietro]

Weird times are up on us that is for sure.


Hard to say what the political climate will bring in the next year or so.

If the Dems. have their way, all of these over priced guns may be scrap metal.





It looks like the Dems, a majority in my state, will be having their way - there is a bill pending here that make ALL detachable magazines illegal to buy, sell or even possess.


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[Randy Bohannon]

Our Fed. Gov. Has printed $6T ,inflation has caught the vulnerable commodities as we see with all things related to guns on the upswing price wise. It’s not going to ever be cheaper, ever.

[farmbif]

I watched a case of cheap foreign 22 ammo sell for more than $1000 yesterday, it was just about a year ago a case of armscor 22's were selling for $129.
some gun owners are calling for everyone to buy their neighbor an ar15, arm everyone with one and the govt will never be able to ban them.
but in all reality if laws do change whatever is out in the hands of gun owners will be grandfathered in and they will only be able to ban new production of whatever it is they deem evil. but what do I know I'm no expert just a hobbyist

[farmbif]

oh by the way
here is some info on the finish on post 64 winchesters

https://du-lite.com/blackening-post-64-winchester-receivers/

[Shawlerbrook]

You would think at these prices any well stocked gun shop would need a battalion of Navy SEALS to guard their inventory. If you think things are crazy now, just wait until the next high visibility mass shooting and the next shoe to drop.

[JoeJames]

My cousin has been going to a lot of auctions lately. He says there is more than normal demand for lever actions because folks are thinking they may be the last to be banned by the Dems. So they are at a premium!