You Shouldn’t Mount a Scope on These Rifles

Above, the Winchester 94 is included in the list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The question on whether or not to mount a scope on any given rifle is up to the owner and what his/her needs are. 

Some rifles may have scope mounting rails on them, but it doesn't really mean one should do so.

MSN posted a slideshow article on what rifles shouldn't have a scope mounted. Their source was The Avid Outdoorsman.

They begin their slideshow article with:

Just because a rifle has rails doesn’t mean it’s begging for glass. Some platforms work better with irons, and others flat-out lose their handling or purpose once you bolt on a scope. Whether it’s weight, looks, or just how the gun was built to be used, not every rifle needs to be dialed in at 300 yards. Here’s a list of rifles that are usually better left as-is—no optics needed.

To read more, go here. 

Pre 64 Winchester - Does It Really Matter

Pre 64 Winchester - Does It Really Matter, video by Target Suite.

Summary: 

Does pre 64 really matter when it comes to Winchester Model 94's? 

We'll compare a 1971 vintage Model 94 with a 1955 vintage ( Pre-64) Model 94 part by part and offer up an opinion.

Why Is the 30-30 Still With Us? (Video)

Why Is the 30-30 Still With Us? video by Ron Spomer Outdoors from 2021.

Summary:

In this video, I do an in-depth review of the Lever Action 30-30 Winchester. Don't laugh this dog hunts!

Pre 64 and Post 64 Model 94 1894 Winchesters

Pre 64 and Post 64 Model 94 1894 Winchesters video by Gun&ShotTV. 

Summary: 

Here is a brief rundown of the differences between pre and post 64 model 94 Winchesters.  While the guns did get cheapened up in 1964 by the 70's Winchester had fixed many of the issues leading to a decent value if you find one used.

Not all post 64 Winchesters are terrible. After the switch to shitty stamped parts for the lifter and loading gate the backlash was pretty bad. Winchester then switched back to better quality parts than what many people assume all post 64 Winchesters have. I've got a model 94 my dad bought new at Kmart that was MFD in 1976 that is actually a very nice rifle. The only real drawback is the receivers post 64 were made of sintered metal until 1977 so they don't take a blue very well and look a bit off. The tang on my 94 had the bluing wear off and has a bit of pitting. From 1977-1982 they went back to forged receivers with decent parts and the traditional action with top eject. So I would say level of quality  

    Pre 64  

    77-82 Forged receiver, decent parts, Top eject  

    82-92 Side eject but no lawyer safety  

    ?-77 decent parts but sintered receiver  

    64-?? Shitty stamped parts, crappy roll pins, Sintered receivers  

But even the shittiest win 94 can have the parts replaced and should shoot fine if you want one and it's under $250 it's still a deal.

Hunting: Easy Carriers and Straight Shooters

Above, the venerable Winchester 94 made the MSN list.

It's hunting season in some parts of the United States.

Those who partake in the sport, or those who want to, should have a firearm suited for it. MSN has posted a list of rifles that carry easy and shoot straight in the woods.

 It begins with:

Hunting the woods is its own world. You’re not glassing big country or worrying about dialing turrets—you’re slipping through timber, easing along benches, and making quick shots in tight windows. A good woods rifle needs to balance accuracy with mobility, and not every bolt gun or lever-action pulls that off. The best ones feel like they disappear on your shoulder until the second you need them, then come up naturally and point exactly where your eyes already are.

These rifles earn their keep by handling well in brush, balancing naturally, and keeping their zero even after long days of climbing, bumping, and weaving through cover. If you spend most of your season in timber or thick country, these are the models worth carrying.

To read more, go here.  

Curious Relics #122: Winchester Model 1894 – Part IV

Above, the Winchester 94. Photo by author.

"Curious Relics #122: Winchester Model 1894 – Part IV" is the latest installment of a series of articles in AllOutdoor.

In this installment, the author takes a look at shooting his grandfather's Winchester 94. 

It begins with:

Range Time: Winchester Model 1894

I have shot my grandfather’s Winchester 94 in 32-40 on three separate occasions. The first time was years back with my grandfather himself using factory 32-40 ammunition. My experience at the time was surprise at how a gun that was so legendary in my family kicked very little. It felt like shooting a pistol cartridge in a lever action. Pretty wimpy, honestly. We shot at a bowling ball, and it barely did anything to it.

Recently, I shot it again, two separate times with both factory reloaded 32-40 brass that I reloaded myself, as well as reformed 30-30 brass that I had formed into 32-40. I have an article on TFB chronicling how to do that reformation process. I do not recommend that anybody do it, but that is what I did. For me, it is a sustainable thing, so my cousin can use it and keep the rifle alive.

To read the full article, go here. 

When Your Favorite Gun Shoots Better In Your Imagination

Above, yours truly with my Winchester 94 November 3. Photo by Larry Lucier.

Here's an interesting post from MSN.

It is on favorite guns that shoot better in your imagination. It is a slideshow article with many guns spotlighted.

It starts off with:

Every shooter’s got one—that rifle or pistol you swear by, even though deep down you know it’s never lived up to the stories you tell about it. You convince yourself it shoots better than it does, or that it “used to” before some imaginary variable went wrong. But the truth always shows up at the range, in the form of fliers, misfires, or groups that look like buckshot patterns. Sometimes nostalgia clouds judgment, and sometimes ego refuses to admit a gun’s flaws. These are the ones you keep defending long after they’ve proven they don’t deserve it—the guns that feel right in your hands but fall apart on the paper.

To see more, go here. 

7 MILLION SOLD: INSIDE THE RISE OF THE WINCHESTER ’94

7,000,000 SOLD: INSIDE THE RISE OF THE WINCHESTER ’94 by Legacy of Gunpowder

Summary:

Discover the incredible story behind the Winchester Model 1894 — one of the most iconic rifles in American history. From its creation by John Browning to its role in shaping the frontier, this lever-action rifle became a symbol of the Old West and a favorite among hunters and collectors. Learn why the Winchester 1894 remains a legend over 100 years later.

Monday's .30-30 Target Hits

During Monday's target shoot, I confined my shooting to the Ruger 10/22 .22 cal. and the Winchester 94 .30-30 cal. I fired the Ruger at hanging metal targets.

I limited my Winchester shooting to 12 rounds. Five of them hit the five water jugs and the rest were fired on a target. The water bottles and target were 50-60 yards away.

Looking over the target, I managed to hit the target five times. One hit the target paper but not on the target while one missed the target paper but hit the backing board. 

Here's the target:

In general, I am pleased with the result.

Winchester Model 94 .30-30 Woods Walk

 Winchester Model 94 .30-30 Woods Walk by Hickok45.

Summary:

The classic Winchester Model 94 is even effective for protection in the woods!

 Watch out for those dangerous water jugs!

Shooting Water Jugs

Above, yours truly yesterday with the Winchester 94. Photo by Larry Lucier.

When a group of us went target shooting at the shooting area near our community yesterday, I brought along five water jugs for targets.

This was the first time shooting at full water jugs for me. I started off shooting one with my Ruger 10/22 .22 caliber rifle. All the .22 rounds did was punch holes in the jug. Nothing spectacular.

Above, two of my blasted water jugs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Then, I brought out my Winchester 94 in .30-30 caliber. The results were vastly different. The jugs exploded apart with a single hit. I can see why Hickok45 and others on YouTube get a big kick out of shooting water jugs.

The video below is a great example on what .30-30 rounds do the water jugs.

Wayne’s 100-Year-Old Winchester Collection

Video by Rugged Tactical.

Wayne’s 100-Year-Old Winchester Collection | Model 1892, 1894 & 1897

Summary:

In this interview, Wayne shares the incredible story behind three Winchester firearms that have been passed down through generations — each over 100 years old.

These heirloom guns include:

Winchester Model 1894 .30-30 lever action rifle

Winchester Model 1897 12 gauge shotgun

Winchester Model 1892 .25-20 lever action rifle

Each firearm holds a piece of his family’s history, connecting Wayne to his dad and grandpa.  They reflect the enduring legacy of America’s Western frontier and the craftsmanship that defined it. We talk about what makes these vintage Winchesters special, how they’ve been preserved, and the memories attached to them.

If you love classic lever actions, antique Winchesters, or family gun stories, this interview is for you.

Plinkin' Day Today

Above, the guns and ammo are ready to go. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, we'll be heading out to the shooting area near the community in the Cibola National Forest.

The weather should be favorable as it will be in the high 60s or the low 70s. The wind is forecast to be around 7 mph.

I have gathered the rifles I am planning to use along with the ammo. All I'll need to do is load the car with the guns and targets. We should have a good time shooting today. 

I am just going to shoot with the Winchester 94 and the Ruger 10/22 today.

Why Hunters Keep Coming Back To The .30-30

Above, my Winchester 94 with my grandfather's Winchester 62A I inherited. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Six years ago, I was staying in Albuquerque overnight as I had an early morning flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a cruise to Key West and Havana.

To kill time, I went to Ron Peterson's Firearms gun store to browse around. I spotted on a rack a Winchester Model 94 in .30-30 for sale. I had been looking to buy a pre-64 Winchester 94 for some time. I checked it out and it was made in 1962 (verified by its serial number) and in great shape. I put it on layaway and picked it up after I returned from the cruise. It is my favorite firearm.

Apparently, I was not the only one in recent years looking to buy a .30-30 lever-action rifle. Lever-actions have made a big resurgence in popularity.

The Avid Outdoorsman has posted an article on why hunters keep coming back to the .30-30. 

It begins with:

There’s something about the .30-30 that keeps it hanging around, no matter how many new cartridges hit the shelves. It doesn’t have the flattest trajectory. It’s not the hottest round on paper. But none of that matters in the woods where it counts. The .30-30 earned its place in deer camps because it flat-out works—and it’s never given you a reason to doubt it. You can talk all day about modern bullets and long-range performance, but for the kind of hunting most folks actually do, the old lever gun still makes a lot of sense. That’s why it keeps showing up in truck racks, scabbards, and meat poles across the country. And once you’ve taken a deer with one, odds are you’ll want to do it again.

To read more, go here. 

Curious Relics #121: Winchester Model 1894 – Part III

Above, the writer's grandfather's Winchester 1894. Writer's photo.

Part 3 of Curious Relics: Winchester Model 1894 has been posted at AllOutdoor.

It begins with:

Dating: Winchester Model 1894

Dating Winchester Model 1894 rifles comes with challenges. Over 7 million guns were produced across 130+ years. A significant portion of Winchester’s factory records were destroyed in a 1959 fire. The hardest part is that getting verified information involves spending money, specifically for factory letters from the Cody Firearms Museum.

Let me give you a personal example. This specific gun has always been in my family’s lore. It is “Grandpa’s 32-40.” As kids, me and my cousins always heard about it. When my grandfather passed, the oldest grandson inherited the 32-40. I made an effort to get the Cody Firearms Museum documentation, and since we all care about this extension of him, I pursued it.

As with part 2, the focus is on dating the rifle and factory records of the 1894.  Some records still exist, while some (as noted above) were destroyed in a 1959 fire. My Winchester 1894 was made in 1962, so records are still available. 

To read more, go here.

Monday Plinkin'

Above, yours truly at the shooting area last year. Photo by Larry Lucier.

Since winter is just around the corner, the group here in Jamestown decided yesterday to do some target shooting at the shooting area near the community. It may be our last chance to do so before winter weather moves in. 

We plan on doing our shoot this coming Monday. The weather should be optimal for the shoot. My Weather Channel app forecast 72° and, so far, the National Weather Service forecasts "near 68° on Monday.

The National Weather Service forecast:

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 69.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 68.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 68.

I haven't yet decided which guns I will be bringing. 

Buy A Chevy Truck and Get A Winchester 94 With It

Here's something from the 1980s.

1985 Chevy K10 Outdoorsman with Factory Winchester Rifle, video by High Caliber History.

Summary:

Get ready to explore one of the most unique special edition trucks ever made: the 1985 Chevrolet K10 Outdoorsman. Built for rugged adventures and hunting season, this rare classic came equipped with a Winchester Model 94 .30-30 rifle, mounted behind the seat from the factory.

In this video, we dive into the history, features, and collectibility of the Chevy K10 Outdoorsman - a true blend of American truck culture and outdoor tradition. Perfect for classic truck enthusiasts, Chevy fans, and gun collectors.

 Imagine the uproar if Chevy did this today. 

Field & Stream: 45-70 vs. 30-30 Cartridges

Above, .30-30 Winchester cartridges. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Field & Stream has posted an interesting article on rifle cartridge comparison.

It is a "competition" between the 30-30 Winchester and the 45-70 Government cartridges. 

It starts with:

Even though it seems like everyone is addicted to long-range shooting these days, traditional lever-action rifles remain popular. I think this is partly because as shooters become more familiar with different types of rifles, they begin to appreciate the fast-handling advantages that traditional lever-action rifles offer. I also think it is partly because everyone has a little cowboy in them. But deciding you want a lever gun is only the first step. Lever-action rifle calibers are primarily .30, .35, and .45, with the most popular and classic cartridges being the 30-30 Winchester and the 45-70 Government. Here’s how these two stack up.

To read more, go here. 

Curious Relics #120: Winchester Model 1894 Part II

Above, the writer's grandfather's Winchester 1894. Writer's photo.

Part 2 of Curious Relics #119 - Winchester 1894 has been posted at AllOutdoor.

This time, the focus is of the differing variations that the Winchester 1894 were made available over the years by Winchester. The explanations on the variations are the most well written that I have seen to date.

It begins with:

Welcome, if you are a newcomer to this fun bi-weekly segment of AllOutdoor.com! If you’re just joining us, we kicked off our deep dive into the Winchester Model 1894 in Part I, where we covered the history of John Browning’s legendary lever-action design. Today, we’re tackling what might be the most confusing aspect of the Model 1894/94: its variations. This is going to be a long one, so settle in.

Variations: Winchester Model 1894/94

Let me be honest right up front: Winchester offered an almost overwhelming array of options and special orders for the Model 1894. For decades, you could walk into a gun shop with a catalog and custom-order darn near anything you wanted: barrel length, barrel profile, stock configuration, engraving, you name it. The Cody Firearms Museum in Wyoming holds the special order books that document this insane variety, and trust me, those records are wild. For the sake of research sanity and word count, we’re focusing on the core production variations, ones I settled on, the actual cataloged models that Winchester manufactured as distinct versions. Everything else, takedown features, octagon barrels, stock options, custom short “Trapper” carbines were features you could add to these base configurations, not variations themselves.

What we’re covering here are the seven true variations of the Winchester Model 1894/94 that you’re actually likely to encounter in the wild.

Above, the Cody Firearms Museum is located at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 To read more, go here. A Part 3 will be posted when available.

American Deer Hunting Classics (Video)

American Deer Hunting Classics by Outdoors with Uncle Sergey.

It is interesting that the comments are from Russians.