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How much would you pay for a Winchester 94-30?

27K views 24 replies 12 participants last post by  OD*  
#1 ·
My brother in law is selling his to raise money for other things he needs (who wants to pay rent??) He's really not into shooting that much, maybe has shot it a handful of times. I told him last year if he ever wanted to sell it I'd be interested. I've always wanted a 30.30 :image035:

So...he has no idea what a fair price is. Last time I saw the rifle, I'd say it was 90+%. I've seen values online from "a gun blue book" saying $250 max for a used Winchester 94-30. I've also seen people saying it's worth at least $400.

When I asked, he didn't know the SN# of the rifle, I know that's a huge factor. Let's assume it's not a collector's item for now until he gets me the SN#.


So, what's a fair price to offer him?
 
#2 ·
If it's a pre 64, they are going over $500. If it's not depending on wood features and condition, $275. Even on an emaculante pre 64 I would not go over $400, even though they have been sold over $600. Ultimatley, it is you that determines how valuble it is too YOU.
 
#5 ·
This will give you an idea what people are asking; http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search/C...com/Search/Category/766/Guns/Rifles/Winchester-Rifles-Modern-Lever/Model-94.htm

More info would help, not all pre-64s are the same;

1894s- Oct. 20, 1894 to approximately serial #950,000, late 1924 when Winchester
removed the 1 & 8 from the stamping die, they then officially became the Model '94.

Pre-wars-1924 to 1943, approximately serial #950,000 to #1,350,000.

Flatbands-1943 to 1949, just after serial #1,317,450 to approximately #1,550,000

Pre-64s- 1949 to 1964, just after serial #1,550,000 to serial #2,600,011, reportedly the last pre-64 Model 94.
 
#6 ·
If you look at what M94s go for on the on-line auctions or at gun shows, the prices seem out of line with what the guns are actually worth. This artificial inflation started when Winchester (USRA) shut down their New Haven, CT plant and the M94 line was ended. All of a sudden, every half-rusted M94 with a cracked stock became a "collectors item" and a $250 gun had a $500 price tag on it. Away from the auctions and shows, the prices get to be reasonable.

The last 10-15 years of M94 production had the "angle eject" feature which helped if you mounted a scope. Mid-70's to about 1990 the M94s seemed to get cheapened and the "tell-tale" was that the lever rattled, even in the closed position, if you shook the gun side-to-side. New management at USRA listened to the shooters and got that cleared up, but unfortunately USRA was stuck between a rock and a hard place and even with some creative people on board, they had to close their doors.
 
#7 ·
Funny how time slips away from us, the "angle eject" feature is 27 years old (1983), and the rebounding hammer has been around for 29 (1981).
 
#8 ·
I'd say between $200 and $300; whatever you're comfortable paying. That is, unless it's a collector's item or something special.

I paid $200 for mine, ten years ago NIB.
 
#9 ·
More info would help.
Serial number (1st few digits are enough), to help date it.
183xxx- prior to 1900
553xxx- prior to 1910
880xxx- prior to 1920
1081xxx- prior to 1930
1142xxx- prior to 1940
1724xxx- prior to 1950
2469xxx- prior to 1960
2797xxx- prior to 1964
3381xxx- prior to 1970
4892xxx- prior to 1980
(add about 100,000 for each year after that)

Pictures would also help to see condition.

Here is a couple of things to look for:
-Is it a 'flat band'? (barrel band, is it rounded or flat?)
-Angle eject?
-How is caliber written (.30WCF or 30-30)?
-Is the butt plate plastic or metal?
-Is the butt straight or curved?

Keep in mind that Winchester is GONE, so that will add to the value of all of them.

Average price is $400. In poor condition a little less....if it is a rarer one, higher.

I own a bunch of 94s. Some I purchased new, some used. Price for as little as $75, for a beater, to as much as a $700 for an early model in mint condition.

(love the 94...One of John Browning's BEST designs!)
 
#12 ·
More info would help.
Serial number (1st few digits are enough), to help date it.

1142xxx- prior to 1940
1724xxx- prior to 1950


-How is caliber written (.30WCF or 30-30)?
-Is the butt plate plastic or metal?
-Is the butt straight or curved?

Ok, here are some answers. Its SN is 1504xxx, so it seems to be around the 1940's or so. The caliber is written WCF. I believe the butt plate is metal and straight. I'm just going off memory here. He had it appraised at $450 but said he'd sell it to me at $400. Sounds like an alright deal, right?
 
#10 ·
I paid $278 for a new one at walmart in 2005 - glad I got it coz they quit making them, but I liked the older models better.
I shot my first deer with my (at the time) boyfriend's grandpa's Win 94 and that's when I fell in love with the gun. They wouldn't sell it to me because it's a family gun so I had to buy a new one for myself.
 
#11 ·
Sold one awhile back for $1300 and that was only because it was sold to a friend. That was about $400 below it's value. It was made in 1927 and was an octagon barrel takedown in 25-35 in pretty decent shape. So saying a 94 in 30-30 doesn't tell the whole story. May be worth several hundred down to a couple hundred, just depends.
 
#13 ·
Serial # puts it at 1949, according to "The Winchester Book" by George Madis. In today's market, if it's in good shape, $400 is a steal.
 
#18 ·
Of course, you could go with the Marlin... that has a side ejection and allows use of a scope if you ever want it.

I always wanted a Winchester.... then when I really compared the two... went with the Marlin. I couldn't be happier that I did.
 
#20 ·
It's not a matter of who's selling what, but what do you really want to put your money into and will you be happy with it later.....

Unless he's really giving him a "brother-in-law" deal, which doesn't sound like what he's getting.
 
#22 ·
My ears would perk up on a Flat Band that was in 90% condition for $400.

And yes, the Marlin is most likely going to be more accurate. Its ample stock design is decidedly easier to shoot off the bench rest. Since it can generally be picked up for less money it probably would be the most practical deal.

However, I'm actually willing to own the Winchester. Accuracy generally runs around 2 1/2-3 inches at 100 yards. I don't really enjoy verifying its sights from the bench rest. I feel like I've had a whipping when I get through. It just doesn't fit me. It's fine for off hand shooting or hunting though and nothing carries in the hand or cradles in the crook of the arm like a Winchester 94 carbine. It is easier to operate from the shoulder than the Marlin and subjectively speaking, looks worlds better. Lastly, venison taken with a Winchester 94 is known to taste better.

Here's a example that was produced in 1941.
Image