I have done some work for a customer and the guy is a bit strapped for cash and offered as part payment a pre 64 Model 94 Winchester in good shape. Should I or not and what is a fair price as I don't want to take advantage of the guy. I think I should take it as I never had a lever action rifle and that should change. What does the collective think ?

What's it chambered in Scuba?

Caliber and condition count for everything. Sounds like you're in the driver's seat on the deal.

Remember you make the money on the buy a lot more often than on the sell. Maybe the same with those things that float?

Good on you for not wanting to take advantage of the guy, but he couldn't pay you in cash on time... so?

Pete

6-7 hundred. unless its other caliber than 30 30...... 25-20 25-35 ect jumps price a bunch

I am thinking 30-30 like most of them .... at least he said plain Jane and that is the almost standard caliber of them I think. But I am far from an expert on all things lever action.

most likely 30 30.... will hold its value even tho millions made.... be worthwhile running serial no might have been a military issue..low priced collectible gun that ya can get ammo at any store and go kill a deer

I would buy dies and load for it as I do with most all my guns .... just have to get round nosed 30 cal boooolits I guess. and that is as much as I know about lever action rifles lol

Just my opinion, but before you invest in dies and such, IF it is a 30-30, try some factory stuff and see how it does. In general, Model 94's are not like the other rifles you've typed on here before when it comes to accuracy. If they make a 3 inch group at 100 yards they are a great deer gun in the forest, and you have other rifles for other stuff further out.

Pete

Pete its not so much about accurate with that particular rifle. I like to tweak loads and see what I can tickle out of them. Because A I can and B its fun for me and I get to play with said rifles to try things out. As good of an excuse as I can come up with to burn some powder and keep my eye in. I would be over the moon if I could hold a 3 inch group with open sights, never mind factory ammo or hand loads. Spending a bit of time at the loading bench is a relaxing zen thing for me. Other drink beer lol

Scuba, the 37th edition of blue book of gun values has a standard model 94 (post 64) listed for 500 dollars@100%, and 200 dollars @ 80%. Gun broker has pre 64 model 94's from 500 to 700 dollars. It's all about condition. If you you choose to reload you may what to check out the lever evolution bullets I think from Hornady. They are safe for lever guns because of a polymer tips and provide better aerodynamics than the old roundnose bullets. I hope this helps.

I love those rounds, hard to beat! I'm not a in the know guy on much in rifles but that Horandy round is amazing. If ya can tickle that to be better Scuba, you've accomplished something. As far as value, lestan nailed it imho, hopefully you and that fella can work something out so you can shoot that lever gun.

you could always see what they are going for in similar condition at www.gunsamerica.com
Its a model 1894 actually, too
and once you have the ser no you can find the yr made at https://winchestercollector.org/dates/

I'll have a look at it on Tuesday and will work something out with him. At this point I am pretty sure that I'll be the owner of a lever rifle in the near future. I only invested a couple of evenings and a 12 volt fridge compressor I had left over from a different job in this and a little refrigerant.

Scuba. Buddy.


I figured you would have told us how it groups by now.

It’s a nice rifle and I like the irons. Not the ole block irons like some other rifles have, especially the newer ones. I don’t know much about guns, but I do know that.

...besides, you can slap one of those side scope mounts on it. I have an old school 4 power on mine. Think I might have to do some shooting today

This thread has me itching to get out grandpa's pre 64 32 special. Only real family relic i have. Not a great condition specimen. Nice enough. Wasnt cared for well early in its life. Stock is in good condition and a decent patina on the metal. 123xxx serial. I figured its value in 500 to 550 range.

I shook hand on the rifle unseen for 600 bucks . But he is a good guy and would not try to pull one off on me after all he lives on his boat and I keep it afloat for him lol. The rifle is at his daughters place in NC and he will bring it down next month when he goes up there. Soo he asked if I also wanted a WWII M1 Garand lol but I think I'll pass on that one

Wise choice. I think you’ll like the 64.


Garand is a bucket lister, so is a Carbine. I’ve handled but never shot one. Carbine probably a little light for deer hunting, but I bet M1 carbines are a pleasure to shoot

So you are saying I should take both ?? I have a SIG in 30-06 with switch barrel to .270 so .................. two sided sword here. I am covered for that caliber as far as hunting goes, not that I would use it on anything in TN as the 30-06 leave big holes to eat around and I can pretty much do what I want there with my 6.5 Grendel. On the other hand I already have the dies and stuff for the 30-06 so adding the M1 would not cost me a thing. Then the job I did for him would be paid as far as I am concerned. Anyway as a Kraut I would look silly with an M1..... we where usually more at the pointy end of those things in the past.

Pre 64..... you can’t go wrong....it’s my go to deer rifle ...when Iam not carrying my .62 cal Smoothbore Flintah. Like noted above ....how much blueing is left ...and dings and dents in the stock...all effect value

That's what I thought since we are German as well, BUT...…..

YES, YES, YES take it too if the invoice warrants it !!!!!!!!!!

The one I did some gunsmithing for and got bartered to me on a $200 invoice...….same situation as your in...……….I sold 20 yrs later for $1100.

Scuba, get the Garand too, you can drop it by here on your way to TN. Keep us updated on the move, I'm close to you if you need anything starting the new place. I have a lucas mill portable sawmill if you need to get the homestead up and running if you have the trees.

Everybody should have a model 94. I have one my dad bought for me used when I was 11 years old for my first "deer rifle".
It is a 25-35 and I have killed a few deer with it over the years. I remember him paying 55 dollars for it. A bit hard to find ammo for it but I have a couple boxes.
It is still in great shape except for a bit of a scrape on the end of the tubular magazine. Story with that is the old boy who owned it
was hunting and suffered a mild stroke and used the gun as a crutch when he got out to the road to help him back to his truck..

Zim

Both it is then ....... I knew that would be the answer as soon as I asked on here Thanks guys for helping me turning my business into a non profit organization. Do I get tax breaks if I get paid in rifles ??

If it's a good deal on the garand I'd jump all over it. I'd shoot a deer or bear with my carbine (at the right distance). Carbines are just so loud for what they are. As far as hunting with the '06, you'll be close to great bear hunting in Tenn.

Is It a 30 caliber ?

Those 2 for 2 "evenings" work?

3 evenings and some parts yes. The Mod94 is in 30-30 yep

I have a pre 1900 30/30 4 digit serial #. My dad bought it at an auction a little over 50 yrs ago for about $35.

I would like to get paid in rifles. I'm pretty sure my wife can live without electricity, or natural gas. I have several colman lanterns that ought to provide enough light for anybody. Colman stove if she doesn't want to cook outside on a fire. I just cant see any down side to getting paid in rifles. Especially rifles like garands or old lever guns.

Well yes there is that Danny But this was sort of after work work, so I am not falling short on the gas money for this month and she who must be obeyed can always grab a fishing rod and get some dinner together
After all the guy thought cold beer is more important than having some rifles sitting in a garage at his daughters house.

A man needs beer and guns. Poor devil I can’t lmagine having to choose

He chose to have less guns and cold beer instead of having warm beer and more guns. There is a difference I on the other hand did overtime to have more guns. That is how those things work I am told

you can't pass on a working Garand , you will want to load for the M1 you basically keep it to 308 velocity as to not damage the op rod.

yes it seems that is how things work. probably sees little value in his guns sitting at his daughters house in NC and more value in his lifestyle.

as a soon to be Garand owner , welcome to the U.S. Rifle 30 cal , when you get it you will want to run your receiver , barrel and trigger group serial number to see what you have.

every part is still available , tons of reading and in TN you won't be too far from the Anniston AL CMP store . huge following and if you look around probably some matches to go to not to far away.

Labor for guns , can’t pass on that deal . To answer your other question on the tax break , yes their is a tax break on the other end. If you shoot that Winchester every day and sell it twenty years from now it will likely be worth twice what you gave for it. If you do all of this private treaty , no taxes !