New Winchester 94's For 2010

[pietro]

Jeff Quinn, of Gunblasts online magazine, posted this elsewhere:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2009

http://howardcommunications.com/images/stories/2009/winchester/images/Model94-Custom-Grade_lo.jpg

http://howardcommunications.com/images/stories/2009/winchester/images/Model94-High-Grade_lo.jpg


The Winchester Model 94™ Returns.

Morgan, Utah –Winchester Repeating Arms is excited to announce the return of the Model 1894 lever action rifle to its line of firearms for 2010. This reintroduction of the most popular rifle in history will be offered in two Limited Edition models that will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Oliver F. Winchester’s birth in New England in 1810. A Model 1894 Custom Grade and Model 1894 High Grade will be offered in 30-30 Winchester caliber.

The Model 1894 began at the workbench of John M. Browning, being the first sporting rifle to use smokeless powder. It has been said that the Model 1894 has taken more deer than any other rifle in the world, and with over six million sold, has become by far, the most popular rifle in history. What better way to welcome back the timeless Winchester® Model 1894 than with a tribute to Oliver F. Winchester.

Model 1894 Custom Grade. Only 500 Custom Grade rifles in sets with the High Grade model will be offered. This rifle will have an exquisite 24” half-round, half-round octagon deeply blued barrel. A buckhorn rear sight is matched with a Marble’s® gold bead front sight. The Custom Grade model has Grade IV/V walnut with a rich, high gloss finish. Deep scroll engraving covers both sides of the blued receiver. An early Winchester Repeating Arms crest graces the left side of the receiver, with the right side bearing the words, “Two Hundred Years, Oliver F. Winchester,” and the dates “1810 – 2010”, in gold. The barrel is deeply polished, with the signature of Oliver F. Winchester in gold on the top of the bolt. “One of Five Hundred” is inscribed in gold on the barrel of the Custom Grade rifle.

Model 1894 High Grade. The Winchester Model 1894 High Grade also honors and commemorates the 200th anniversary of Oliver Fisher Winchester’s birth. This

model is deeply embellished with delicate scroll work, with Oliver F. Winchester’s signature in gold on top of the bolt. The left side of the receiver bears an early Winchester Repeating Arms crest. On the right side are the words, “Two Hundred Years, Oliver F. Winchester,” and the dates, “1810—2010.” The fancy Grade II/III walnut stock is enhanced with a high gloss finish and is delicately checkered, complementing the fine embellishments on the silver nitride receiver. The High Grade model is also chambered in the timeless 30-30 Winchester caliber with a deeply blued half-round, half octagon barrel. A buckhorn rear sight is fitted with a Marble’s gold bead front sight. 500 of the High Grade model will be sold as a set with the Custom Grade. The remaining limited quantities will be sold individually.

Delivery of these two commemorative rifles will begin starting in the 2nd quarter of 2010. Both models have 8 round magazine capacity, 42” overall length, 10” rate of twist with average weight at 8 lbs. The Model 1894 Custom Grade rifle has a Suggested Retail of $1,959.00. The Model 1984 High Grade rifle Suggested Retail is $1,469.00.

.

[Hardcast416taylor]

For those prices I`ll be using my old 94`s alot longer. I thought Winchester got out of producing those "Commeratives" by the truck load for us collectors that had no collector value by the sheer number produced. If they can make this "limited" number for the price shown, why can`t make everyday models for about 1/4 of that price be made?Robert

[redneckdan]

If they can make this "limited" number for the price shown, why can`t make everyday models for about 1/4 of that price be made?Robert

Cause that would make too much sense. The more and more I learn about the manufacturing sector the more I believe that 'making money' is no longer the goal of those at the reins of the major corporations now a days. Either that or they are so far out of touch they have no idea what their consumers want.

[oldhickory]

I hate commeratives...Why not just make a hunter/shooter grade rifle at a price we can afford?

[square butte]

Do you think they are Miroku?

[Limey]

.....and not only with a price we want to pay or can offord but with a fit, finish and performance that you are not frightened to take out and shoot on any day of the year....come rain, snow or shine......

I see and read about so many guns with super dooper wood, and fab dabby dozy engraving that cost the best part of a fortune to buy.....

...I just wonder how many of those top grade guns actually go out and shoot and hunt in all winds and weathers rather than being just a wall decoration or a gun cabinet queen?.....

Don't get me wrong, I love guns....but the market place seems to be drifting ever more towards ''better grade this that or the other for no other purpose than swankism'' and it seems to be losing sight of it's core clients wants and needs.....a gun that shoot's great, made of materials appropriate for the task in hand for many years to come and at a price that is realistic for Joe Average to part with.

With so many pressures on legal gun ownership around the world ''the trade'' should be doing everything in their abilities to make guns accessible to the next generation of shooters.

....this is just my opinion....

Safe shooting,

Limey

[StarMetal]

I talked to Winchester yesterday. The new ones are made by Miroku. They said the standard 94 will come along in 2011.

Joe

[Ajax]

thats sounds promising
but we will see how they are priced.

Andy

[Lead Fred]

Ill stick with my 1967 94

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

I've probably owned twenty or thirty over the last forty years, different calibers; and none post-63. I'm down to a 1920's 26"bbl 25-35 that a great uncle by marriage bought new, and a same era 32 Special. They are handy, and that is about the best thing you can say about them; compared to a Marlin 336.
I expect they will be waaaaaaaaaaay over-priced, have a clunker safety and 12lb trigger pull like the last iteration, and most likely made in Japan.

Stick with American Made Marlin, and get the quality of design and manufacture you are paying for. Side eject, scope mount top, 45-70; what else is there to say? Oh yeah, stainless steel and laminate or synthetic stocks.



Rich

[jlchucker]

It was Winchester's habit to run a commemorative for each time that George Washington or some other historic figure got up off the outhouse stool! Until Winchester went out of business most of these had zero collector value. Lots turned out to be good shooters, though--if you could stand to look at them.

[badgeredd]

Winchester like so many others just shows us what mis-management and the loss of the market view will do. Too bad IMHO but inevitable.

Recently Ruger went through a major reorganization and market view and seem to be getting their company back in line with reality.

Edd

[Don McDowell]

:veryconfu Always get somewhat of a bit of the chuckles with all the Marlin lubbers grousing about Winchester.
First off Wincheseter never quit manufacturing firearms. They did suspend production on a few models, but have now started them back up.

Food for thought. There's nearly 7 million 94's out there somewhere, There's almost as many made by USRAC from 83 to the time they stopped production, as were made by Winchester, and Winchester/Olin from 1895 to 1983.

Quite frankly I'm glad they're making 94's again. Don't want one of these commeratives, but am hoping dearly they make a 25-35 in working clothes soon.

[TooManyMisses]

If I can afford one I will get the 2011 just to have a pair 100 years apart, I have my great grandfather's 94 made in 1911. Bore looks like a stove pipe but still shoots reasonably well.

TMM

[fecmech]

I have a 94 .357 angle eject and they really buggered that trigger on those. Fit and finish on the lever and link is terrible and the gun double fed all the time. Got it working ok now thanks to David R's welding skills and have the trigger halfway decent now but I'm on the lookout for an old 94 beater to rob the half-cock hammer and trigger out of. If the gun didn't shoot so well I would have sent it down the road long ago. I would not buy a new 94 for any reason.
As for the Marlins I don't know. A friend bought an 1894 c in .357 and right out of the box it would not feed even .38's reliably, his first act was to send it back to Marlin. They fixed it but who needs that on a new gun. My clays shooting buddy bought a 39A new and it came with a 7.5 lb. trigger and what felt like sand in the action. I took it apart for him deburred the action and lightened the trigger to 2.5 lbs. I know you are not going to get 2.5 lb triggers on factory .22's but 7.5 is way over the top! I'm just glad I can do this stuff, I'd really be P.O.'d if I had to send these things to a gunsmith. That's if you can find a good one.

[Leadforbrains]

I hope they bring it out in .32 Winchester Special.

[pietro]

[we will see how they are priced.]

Well, I don't know what anyone's expecting in the way of the pricing the standard Model 94's will have in 2011, but I do know that the days of new/$400 Winchester 94's have long gone the way of the Dodo Bird - and IMHO to think otherwise is wishful thinking, and not reality.

.

[Don McDowell]

Well if you look at the Grade 1 they have a 1400 ish msrp, that tells me the street value on a working 94 is probably going to be somewhere around 600.

[pmeisel]

I was interested when I saw the topic. Then I saw commemorative....

I might pick up a used rifle. Or a Mossberg 464. Not interested in what they plan to offer from Winchester.

[MtGun44]

I hope they don't have the totally messed up firing pin lock and darned thumb
safety of the Win 92 and 1886s that came from Miroku ! I have a Extra Lite 86 and
it took forever to get the darned thing reliable due to these "safety improvements".

The hammer is so light due to the huge side cutaway for the thumb safety to
block it that there is marginal energy in the hammer blow, plus the hollow firing pin
with an internal latching system absorbes some more of the already short impact
energy. Some Extra Lites were OK, many were not. Even now, with it working
fairly well (most of rebound removed) the firing pin indentations are very, very light
and extremely small diameter. Used to get unreal vertical stringing (how about 18"
tall by 2" wide groups at 100 yds?) nearly certain they were due to crappy weak
ignition. Now things are a lot better.

Hate to see them "improve" the 94 the same way. . . . . . .

Bill

[Throckmorton]

I have zero interest in what they are offering,have never liked their gussied-up commeme's,never will .
A friend has one,calls it his 'Howdy Doody' gun. Seems to fit.

[Baron von Trollwhack]

Idiots in charge and out of touch too, just like the gubmint. Listening too much to the gun writers that mislead the manufacturers as much as they mislead the buying public. BvT

[muleequestrian]

I looked at the " last " of the model 94's available at Wally World a few years ago, just before they stopped making them. God they sucked ! Lousy wood to metal fit... huge gaps between the reciever and stock. So I bought a Legacy model. Wished Winchester would start making decent guns again at a reasonable price. Don't much like the Mossberg version nowdays.

[Leadforbrains]

Most of the guns that have come from Miroku have looked pretty good to me. Hopefully the 94s will be tastefully done and will have some produced in .32 spcl and 38-55.

[Bret4207]

What amazes me is that Winchester was doing very good with the 94's they were making just before they stopped. A variety of calibers and options. Doing away with the 94 and 9422 was just stupid IMO.
So now, when the public has way less money and the dollar is worth less too they bring out high dollar guns?!! More stupidity.

[Potsy]

Glad they're bringing them back. Even if they are a little higher, Marlins always seemed a little steeper than Winchesters. Got no use for commemoratives though.
Had a Trapper .45 Colt, traded it, suffered a little regret over it. Looked at the Marlin 94's; seemed like a tighter gun but I had a hard time falling in love with the feel. Have no use for a 9 pound cowboy gun and can't understand a 2.5" wide forend on a pistol cartridge levergun.
I never had any issues with the tang safety on my Trapper. Though I only ran a couple hundred rounds through it.
I've got a Howa-Mossberg 12ga I've had for 20 years and a Miroku Browning A-Bolt that's a tack driver and functions well (at least for me), so I've no issue with Jap guns. If we can build it better here, well, do it!
The point to all my rambling is, I'll have another Trapper .45 Colt in 2011!

[kyle623]

I can't see me buying a japanees made 94. to bad they aren't goint to make them in belguim.

[largom]

Got a couple of "old" Winny's when they were made right. Have no use for a new one unless they improve the quality by 100% no matter what the price. Still like my Marlin's.

Larry

[StarMetal]

First off you fellows that don't like stuff made outside the country need to get over it. You may be big and macho to make those kind of statements about your guns, but what about everything else? Also everything in Walmart is from China or Mexico, including some foods. You may ask what food.....fish, that's what food. How much of your automobile do you think is made here even if it's an American brand? The days of everything being made here in the states is long over. Funny how many of you will treasure a German Mauser, a Swiss or Swede rifle, a 7.7 and 6.5 Jap..but lo and behold if a Winchester is made in Japan. To tell you the truth it's probably better made then if it were made here. Enough of a rant.

My friend saw two new Model 70 Winchester Featherweights in a gunshop last week. First thing I asked is what were they priced. He said $634. That's not too bad, it was Sportman's Warehouse in Denver, Co. I thought that was in line with some of the other manufacturers, so I don't think the standard plain Model 94's will costs too much. Now the Model 70's are made here in SC. I'd say the reason the Model 94's and other leveractions are made in Japan is because that's where the 92's and 1886's were made before they reorganized.

I see a criticism of Marlin was the weight and bulbous forearms. My feelings exactly. I do have a 94 Cowboy in 45 Colt and I really like it. I also have an early 94 Trapper in the same caliber and like it too....no new fangled safety on it either.

So which do we wish: New Winchester's from Japan or no Winchesters at all?

Joe

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

Starmetal, we'll get over that when you drop your irresistible penchant for being a horse's patoot.
The nice thing about living here is that we get to make choices about where the things we buy are made. You, on the other hand, are pretty much stuck with the horse's patoot syndrome.

The good thing about the fat forend: you can make it smaller. It's easier to fix than the *** they call the new 94's. The cowboy is one of the better success stories at Marlin, they call it listening to the people that are going to actually buy the rifles and building what they want. It seems to work. Winchester hasn't heard of that type of marketing I guess. It's why they are perpetually fending off the wolf at the door. They will likely ship the goober safety and twenty-pound three stage trigger blueprints to Miroku and make them only in 30-30.

Rich
buy quality made in American products

[Tim357]

+1 on the bulbous forearms on Marlins! Criminy, what ever happened to slender? Anyhoo, I too would like to see a new Winchester 26" round bbl rifle be offered. Would prefer no tang safety and no crossbolt. Of the two, I'd druther have the cross bolt on account of a tang sight has nowhere else to go does it?

Tim sends

[Don McDowell]

I've been shooting a Miroku built winchester 95 in 405 for alot of years now. Very well made rifle and super accurate. Tang safety? that thing is totally ingorable, set it to fire and forget it.

[shdwlkr]

Well it is nice they are going to be making the winchester mdl 94 again but I already have the ones I want and don't need anymore.
As to the Miroku rifles they are much better made then the last of made in America winchesters that I have seen. I really don't care where or who makes my rifles as long as they do what I bought them to do.
Marlins are nice but so far to me they are ugly so I don't have any but never know when I will find one that suits me and ends up in my collection.

[Potsy]

Don't get me wrong.
I wish Winchesters were still made in America and Brownings were all made in Belgium.

I turned down one of the reasonably priced Boker hunting knives at Bass Pro because it was made in Argentina. Not that I have anything against Argentinians, but just because Bokers ought to be made in Germany! Not in Argentina, or, for that matter, America, but Germany!

I've had a dozen buddies tell me how much they love their Ariat boots, I'll not buy them because they are made in China. Nevermind the fact that the Boulets I wear now (which are the best boots I've ever worn) are made in Canada.

Just to prove I'm not a Marlin hater, I like the 95's. I just can't find a .45 colt in their model 94's I feel any love for.

Safties on any levergun are like unflattering tattoos on the girl next door. They just sorta ruin everything. Unless you grew up next to Angelina Jolie.

[StarMetal]

Starmetal, we'll get over that when you drop your irresistible penchant for being a horse's patoot.
The nice thing about living here is that we get to make choices about where the things we buy are made. You, on the other hand, are pretty much stuck with the horse's patoot syndrome.

The good thing about the fat forend: you can make it smaller. It's easier to fix than the *** they call the new 94's. The cowboy is one of the better success stories at Marlin, they call it listening to the people that are going to actually buy the rifles and building what they want. It seems to work. Winchester hasn't heard of that type of marketing I guess. It's why they are perpetually fending off the wolf at the door. They will likely ship the goober safety and twenty-pound three stage trigger blueprints to Miroku and make them only in 30-30.

Rich
buy quality made in American products

Rich,

Seems you're the horse patoot. Also seems some are in agreement with me. Too much Cambodia Red while in Nam Rich? Unless you've noticed not a lot of things are made in the U.S. of A. anymore. Tell me what vehicle you drive and I'll tell you what isn't American on it, that is unless you still ride a horse.

So I want to see you whittle your fat checkered Marlin forearm down and rechecker it and have it match as it did before. Shouldn't have to to do that to a firearm. Marlin should have sense to make it right. Where did they get the idea for a pregnant forearm?

Where's your TV made Rich?

Joe

[watkibe]

I always thought Winchester was a strange company anyway ! Between their confusing changes in ownership and marketing strategies, and their garish products, I only bought one of theirs. But, as far as buying a "Jap" rifle goes...

I had a Howa-Mossberg 1500 in 300 Win Mag that was really well made. I bought it in 1988 for $289.
Why did I buy a foreign made firearm?
1. Howa is a huge manufacturer of machine shop equipment (like lathes and mills) that has a world wide reputation for excellence. They can probably build a Mauser pattern rifle.
2. Even 20 years ago, the advantages of global trade was apparent. The yen/dollar exchange rate meant I could buy it. Even back then, any 300 mag for under $300 was a heck of a deal.
3. Since it was imported by an American company, a Japanese product was creating American jobs. I bet 10 American workers were involved in getting that rifle from the border to me.

I admit that I have twinges of conscience every time I buy something at Harbor Freight, at least until my standard of living is improved by their lower prices. I wish I could buy American, but between CEO bonuses, union contracts, and government regulation, I can't afford to.

[StarMetal]

I always thought Winchester was a strange company anyway ! Between their confusing changes in ownership and marketing strategies, and their garish products, I only bought one of theirs. But, as far as buying a "Jap" rifle goes...

I had a Howa-Mossberg 1500 in 300 Win Mag that was really well made. I bought it in 1988 for $289.
Why did I buy a foreign made firearm?
1. Howa is a huge manufacturer of machine shop equipment (like lathes and mills) that has a world wide reputation for excellence. They can probably build a Mauser pattern rifle.
2. Even 20 years ago, the advantages of global trade was apparent. The yen/dollar exchange rate meant I could buy it. Even back then, any 300 mag for under $300 was a heck of a deal.
3. Since it was imported by an American company, a Japanese product was creating American jobs. I bet 10 American workers were involved in getting that rifle from the border to me.

I admit that I have twinges of conscience every time I buy something at Harbor Freight, at least until my standard of living is improved by their lower prices. I wish I could buy American, but between CEO bonuses, union contracts, and government regulation, I can't afford to.

I'll add that Weatherby had his rifles made in Japan at one time. We all forget too that this country was originally settled by "foreigners". We're a product of a combination of them. Yes I know the Native Americans were already here.

Winchester isn't having all their products made in Japan.

In all honestly I would like to see more products made back here.

Joe

[rugerman1]

Please keep the comments to the issue of the topic,not each others spending habbits.

[muleequestrian]

I do have a Winchester 94 in .30-30. One of the legacy models. If the new 94's do come out next year or so in anything like .38-55 I'll snap one up even if it's made in Japan. I have a 1895 SRC in .30-06 and it's a Miroku. I shoot a lot of 200 gr cast in it. I have no problems with it. I also have the following NON - US made lever guns... a Uberti 73 in .45 Colt, and a Uberti made 76 in .50-95.
I also have a 95 Marlin guide gun. I been eyeballing a Uberti made 86 too, and would eventually like to pick up a Savage levergun.

The thing is, I can't afford the price of an original Winny levergun. So until then I'll buy and shoot what I can afford. The Italian and Japanese built guns are a Heck of a good quality gun for me.

[shdwlkr]

Totally forgot about my weatherby being made in japan. Do I care not really as it shoots great and I got it at a price I could afford.
Now if in 2011 the new winchester model 94 comes out in a caliber that I like and at a price I can live with then heck yes I will buy it as I have 3 fine examples of what Miroku can make and yes they are lawyer modified issues but they still shoot great and I am happy to have found them and that is all that matters to me.
Saying you want something to be made in America is a noble thought but our labor costs are to high and the quality is to low and that is why so much has gone elsewhere. Forget the rules/laws that manufacturers have to deal with.
Just what do you think this Obama health care is going to do to businesses here? I totally expect more to go off shore as they can get away from the stupidity of our government and most likely increase the bottom line which is what being in a business is all about.

[gewehrfreund]

I have nothing against Japanese-made guns in general, and own a few, but I don't have ANY interest in a Model 94 made there, especially a commemorative of Oliver Winchester. If they want to commemorate someone, it should be John Browning!
Seems to me these are just the same rifles made to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the 94, but made with Japanese steel. Not instant classics in my book.
A closing thought. Since we can agree that there is a fair degree of mismanagement, greed and cluelessness in the firearms industry, doesn't that qualify them for a megamultibillion dollar bailout like the banks, Wall Street and the automakers got?
I'm sure our chief executive and the even-handed Congress would give it every consideration.

[shdwlkr]

gewehrfreund
You forget we have a President that is anti firearms and therefore would like nothing more then to see the whole firearms industry for private citizens just plain fail.
I don't see any reason for a commemorative firearm of any type!!
The Japanese are only returning all the steel we sent to them 60 some years ago, this is the only way they can get it here. Seriously I don't believe this but it is funny and I hold no bad feelings towards the Japanese who have learned how to take our technology and use it against us because of labor costs and quality. I have nothing but good thoughts about a Japanese made firearm. Mine are some of the best made I have in my collection and if the lawyer junk wasn't there they would be even better.

[Bret4207]

I think it's a fine commentary on our tax system and culture that Japan, Korea, China and India are now the leaders in heavy industry. Everyone complains about the jobs going overseas and all the imports at Walmart. Well, to my way of thinking, if the US wasn't taxed so heavily, if the country was business friendly, if the unions didn't make stupid demands, if people still took pride in producing a superior, cutting edge product then the stuff would still be made here!

We did this to ourselves.

[gewehrfreund]

gewehrfreund
You forget we have a President that is anti firearms and therefore would like nothing more then to see the whole firearms industry for private citizens just plain fail.

I guess the fact that I was being very tongue-in-cheek didn't come across too well. I'm all too aware of how Maobama and his weasel minions in Congress feel about our 2nd Amendment rights.

[Newtire]

I looked at the " last " of the model 94's available at Wally World a few years ago, just before they stopped making them. God they sucked ! Lousy wood to metal fit... huge gaps between the reciever and stock. So I bought a Legacy model. Wished Winchester would start making decent guns again at a reasonable price. Don't much like the Mossberg version nowdays.

I bought the "Black Shadow" version with the ill fitting plastic stock and the sometimes-extract-sometimes-not feature added for no extra charge.

I heard they were going to open up someplace in the Southeast.

[StarMetal]

I bought the "Black Shadow" version with the ill fitting plastic stock and the sometimes-extract-sometimes-not feature added for no extra charge.

I heard they were going to open up someplace in the Southeast.




Fn has the Winchester plant in Columbia, SC.

Joe