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Winchester 94 375 Win with bad stock

farmplinkerfarmplinker Member Posts: 245 ✭✭
edited October 2007 in Ask the Experts
I inherited a Winchester Model 94 from my uncle. It is a "Big Bore 94" in .375 Winchester caliber. I have no interest in owning a rifle in this caliber. One problem, however is that my uncle added on a very amateurish stock lengthener, as can be seen in the photos. He left the masking tape on the original stock, and it's left behind a terrible residue. The butt stock has some scratches in it, but the front stock is in pretty good shape. The metal parts are in good condition. There are a few light scratches on the receiver, but the bluing and bore are in good condition. The front and rear sights are missing, and a cheap burris scope is attached.

I need expert advise on how to proceed:

1. Sell the gun "as is", realizing it will sell at a big discount due to the stock.

2. Take off the recoil pad and stock extension, remove the tape residue, and re-attach the recoil pad. How do I remove the tape residue without messing up the stock finish?

3. Do the #2 items plus remove the scope and buy and install front and rear sights.

4. Do #3 items plus buy and install a new butt stock. Are all Model 94 butt stocks the same, or is the "Big Bore" stock different?

5. Leave the scope on and replace the butt stock.

Finally, what do you think the gun is worth?

http://img211.imageshack.us/my.php?image=winchester94aj8.jpg


http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/662/winchester94stockfz3.jpg

Comments

  • gearheaddadgearheaddad Member Posts: 15,091 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Holy cow!! Was your uncle the Jolly Green Giant?
    My thought would be to put the stock back to as close to original as possible. The tape residue will probably come off easily with WD-40. If the stock wasn't cut, I imagine you could get a replacement butt plate for it from Gunparts. I'd probably leave the scope and sell it as is.
    Good luck!!
  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,029 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I THINK YOU'D BE BETTER OFF SELLING AS IS, YOU'L HAVE A GOOD CHUNK OF CHANGE REPLACING THE STOCK AND ADDING SIGHTS. YOU'D BE SUPPRISED WHAT THIS WILL BRING ON THE AUCTION SIDE FROM SOMEONE LOOKING FOR A 'BARGAN'. I'LL GUESS ABOUT $350/400 AS IS AND YOU'D HAVE TO SPEND OVER $100 FOR A STOCK AND SIGHTS TO GET $450/500.
  • givettegivette Member Posts: 10,886
    edited November -1
    I'll bet the recoil pad/stock extension is installed with long bolts/screws.

    Remove the tape/stock extension. Is the recoil pad glued, or screwed on? I'd make the attempt to get rid of that ugly stock extension. Then you will have a more "sellable" rifle. Joe
  • farmplinkerfarmplinker Member Posts: 245 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thank you to you all. I took your suggestions and removed the recoil pad, removed the ugly spacer, removed the tape residue and re-attached the recoil pad with shorter screws. BTW, WD-40 wouldn't remove the tape residue, but I rubbed it with Hoppes #9 and it came off with some elbow grease. I then rubbed the stock with gun oil and it looks pretty good.

    Again, this gun has some scratches on the stock and receiver, but it looks in pretty good shape. The blueing is good, except it is worn at the crown. There is no rust and the bore looks good. Based on my reading of the Blue Book, I would say it is in +/- 80-85% condition. The pachmayr recoil pad isn't what I would call a perfect fit, but it's pretty close. The gun is clearly a hunting gun, not a NIB collector's item. On the other hand, aren't Winchesters in demand now? I wouldn't want to mislead anyone, so any suggestions on how to grade or describe the condition are appreciated.

    I looked at completed and live auctions on GB, and it looks like almost all 94 Big Bores are selling for more than $500. Does that sound right?

    http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/871/winchester94stock2rbm0.jpg

    http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/719/winchester94rah0.jpg
  • givettegivette Member Posts: 10,886
    edited November -1
    Really neat looking rifle now. Sell it (here on GB) for what you are comfortable letting it go for. No reserve. 14 day auction, perhaps.

    The trick is to get the bidding started. Once it starts, it'll take off on its own. Best, Joe

    PS..you've indicated that you have been looking at prior auction selling prices. If you say they are going for more than XXX dollars, then use a starting bid a few dollars less. Again, the trick is to get the bidding started. And, don't forget, let us know on the general discussion forum of your GB auction, so we may have a chance to bid on it.
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