Pre-64 30-30

rballi

I came across a pre-64 30-30 with a serial number range of 1.3 million. That puts it in the "no record available" (40's) war years. The gun is mechanically complete, but, except for the wood, cosmetically gone. The asking price is $175. Good wood, maybe %20 finish left, no major pitting, but alot of wear.If I get it, should I keep it as is? Or, since it is in poor shape anyway, restore it as a shooter? I have heard that the metal on the old 94's is hard to work with and refinish.Roy

rballi

It's a shooter right now. The bore is dusty, not pitted, but not bright. It has not been cleaned yet. The action is good and still has closet lint under the sight hood. The wood can be cleaned up with some steel wool and tru oil. There is some adhesive on the rear of the stock where they had a foam slip on pad that stuck to the wood. The outside of the barrel looks like it has been cleaned up a few times with some steel wool and has about %10 to %20 at most left on it. The action, like Saxon says, has alot of wear from hand sweat and oils and has about %20 left on it and is "swirly" in color. Other than the adhesive, I would say the wood is in about %75 maybe %80 condition.

11echo

WHY BOTHER? I won't even talk about my basis against lever actions, BUT the 30-30 is a cartridge that should have died back when they stopped using black power! If your a cowboy born 100 years too late, and want to have a antique?? ...I can under stand. But if you want a potentate cartridge ...you better keep looking. My favorite is a .308, easy to find, you can shoot all day, and can take down any North American game in the lower 48 states (I won't want to take it polar bear hunting!*G*) OH... and you can add the 32 Special in that hate list of mine too, same reasons!!! Good Luck! ...MarkP.S. try looking for a Win model 1895 in 30-06, 348, or .35 ...that one lever action WORTH having! Smooth as silk and is a tack driver from what I hear!

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"FEAR the Goverment, that fears your ARMS"

rballi

Thanks for the replies Saxon.Jeez 11echo, I have plenty of 308's, just wanted to add a pre-64 30-30 to the stable to shoot whatever I want whether it be rabbits, javelina, deer, paper or cans. I know what a 30-30 can do and I know what a 308 can do and I also know what the two can't do. Each has it's own purpose. As far as what you hear, don't rave about it until you have experienced it for yourself. I'm sure there are other levers out there better than the 94, and some are also worse.A plane jane chevy pickup will get you down the dirt road, a decked out Z71 will probably get you there a little easier; both will get you there.Roy

talon

Is that a "Flat Band" carbine? If so it's worth a tad higher than others. (a flat band refers to the front band holding the mag to the barrel. Most were rounded over, but some were flat during the time period of yours.)

Sage

I would restore it to the way you want it to look. At the price you mentioned you can fix it up and have a real nice shooter all your own. I collect 94's , some because they are unique some because they are valuable but some just because they are so much fun. I have heard horror stories my whole life about how inaccurate they are. True some short barreled models are only good for 2 1/2- 3" at 100 yds but I have a couple that will group 1 1/4- 1 1/2", and I have one 32 special, 26" barrel, that will group an inch or less. And remember, more whitetail have been taken by 30-30's than any other caliber, period

11echo

Hey Roy you asked for some opinions, right? And as far as experience, my Dad had a 94 30-30, LOUD and a SHARP recoil! The opinion I stated about "should have died when they stop making black power cartridges" was from Gun-n-Ammo magazine, in an article entitled "20 worst cartridges". Like I said, if you want an antique ...GO FOR IT! To each his own. I'm NOT trying to step on your toes here, I just don't want to see you not get your moneys worth. I've got 40 years shoot'n experience behind me, from Alaska to Texas. AND I still think the 94 30-30 is only good for "playing" cowboy or wall hanging (where my Dad's is now!). As I said before ...GOOD LUCK! ...Mark[This message has been edited by 11echo (edited 03-05-2002).]

Tailgunner1954

If it wasn't for the advertising revenue ol' Guns and Blammo would put all the new RUM and WSM onto the worst list. Their goal is to sell the new stuff by trying to tell you how unhappy you are with what has been putting meat on your table for all these many years.

rballi

I have guns I like, and I have guns I use, some are shot alot, some maybe once a year. Thanks to all for the opinions of this pre-64 30-30 as a shooter. If I do get it, it will be placed in the safe next to my other not good for anything lever actions like my Checkered 94 XTR 30-30 and my 9422 with a K3, and my 9422M XTR trapper, and my Marlin 1894 357, and my Marlin 39, and my Marlin 336, maybe even a Browning 92 44 Mag. I wonder if it's good enough to put next to a Savage 99? I might even put it next to my Rem 600 308 so the 308 can teach the 30-30 how to shoot whitetails.Roy

andersk

You say: " I might even put it next to my Rem 600 308 so the 308 can teach the 30-30 how to shoot whitetails."As you have already heard ... the 30-30 already knows how to get the job done! Maybe it will talk with the other guns or at least swap some hunting stories.Sounds like your gunsafe is fuller than mine.Bonne Chasse!

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Ken