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Posted: 1/15/2011 4:52:22 PM EDT
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I was at a pawn shop today and looked at very clean Winchester Model 94AE in 30-30. I've always been a Marlin guy but was hoping you could tell me a bit more about this rifle. It had a frame style cross bolt safety and the owner told me it had a top (not an angled) ejector. I think the serial numbers started with 683..... but I could be mistaken. From what I gathered (online) that would make the rifle a 1999? Is it possible that a 1999 Model 94 doesn't have an angled ejector? Any issues with this age group? After talking to him for a while he said he'd come down to $275 including tax. What does everyone think? Anything I should be looking for or watching out for?
Thanks. |
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If it is a 94AE then it should have the "Angle Eject" feature as that is what the "AE" stands for in the model designation. But without actually seeing the rifle, it would be hard to confirm this 100%. I have a couple of 94AE's.....one has the cross bolt safety and one does not......
As long as it is in good condition, I think $275.00 is a great price. |
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I recently picked up a 94AE Ranger, and I've always been a Marlin guy. I actually really like it.
The only negatives with the one you are looking at are the rebounding hammer, crossbolt safety, and take down. The rebounding hammer is safer, but it comes at the price of a not-so-great trigger. The crossbolt is just ugly, but doesn't affect function. Taking down the 94 is much more involved than a 336, but its not as hard as people make it out to be. The owner sounds confused because a model that late will definitely have angle eject (What the AE stands for). The only way it would not is if he replaced the bolt with a older bolt, and modified the extractor groove (highly unlikely). For $275 OTD, I'd pick it up. You will have some purists tell you it sucks because its a Post-64, and it sucks even more because it is a USRAC model. Fact is they are good shooters, have forged receivers instead of the sintered steel receiver, and its really not a PITA to mount a scope if you want. |
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Thanks for the responses. I'm kinda thinking he's not too familar with the firearm. He thought it was a model made during the last year or two of their production but then it has the wrong safety for that. As far as the condition, its 95%+ or better. Very little signs of wear or even use. Kinda average wood but the bluing is perfect. Sounds like I should go grab it for the $275. Does anyone have any recommendations for a peep sight? I would like one that is low profile and mounts infront of the ejection port. (I think the Williams location and size is less than desirable but if its the best I would stick with that)
Thanks. |
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XS sights systems offers a scout rail that you could probably mount their ghost ring sight on. I am not sure how well the sight would work for you being so far forward. They also make a peep sight that mounts on the receiver towards the back similar to a Williams version.
XS Sight Sytems I have a couple of my 94's set up with the Williams peep sights and they work great. Starting from the left, #3 & #4 both have a Williams peep sight: 
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| I believe that the Ranger model is the bottom of the barrel offering from Winchester. To the OP, I would jump on it for that price. I love Winchester levers, and I own 11 of them right now. I love the way a Winchester carries. Great feel. They are all good shooters too. |
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Quoted:
I passed on a nice ranger for $200 - it seemed to be made very cheaply and rattled like a snake. I would not pay $275.00 for that 94 No difference between the Ranger and any other model 94 mechanically. Just had a cheaper stock and not as nice a polish to the metal before the bluing process. Most Winchesters rattle a little bit, but QC started to slip a bit in later production years too (kinda like Marlin is going through now i reckon) |
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Quoted:
XS sights systems offers a scout rail that you could probably mount their ghost ring sight on. I am not sure how well the sight would work for you being so far forward. They also make a peep sight that mounts on the receiver towards the back similar to a Williams version. XS Sight Sytems I have a couple of my 94's set up with the Williams peep sights and they work great. Starting from the left, #3 & #4 both have a Williams peep sight: #2 in that pic, I want it! |
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