1964 Model 94

Junkballer

I have a chance to buy a 1964 Winchester 94 in good + condition at a decent price, that being a transition year should I expect any problems/gliches from the changes that were made (more than normal) ? Thanks for any replies [;)]

tsr1965

You should see no difference in operation, if it is indeed a 1964 vintage rifle. You might just check the serial number against the stick near the top of the experts forum. Since the dates, in OTHER refference sources, can be up to 5 years off, you could have a "PRE-64" on your hands. What a bonus, huh?

Best

EDIT 1

quote:Could you please explain your statement of the 64' being the "least" favorite with reasons. ???

It was, because it would be termed as a "transistion" model, where as they might use some left over parts, from one era, to build some of the first ones for the next era.

I totally disagree with the "more than $200.00", statement, and you can usually get 150% of that, for any servicable Winchester 94.

The interest really dropped in 1981, when the rifles transistioned from being Winchester made to USRAC made.

Best

EDIT 2

Bert,

Thank you for your correction. I stand humbled once again.

So basically what you are saying, is thatnot many parts from the Pre-64, to the Post 63 era will interchange? I am just curious, as if to some companies were hideous enough to stomp on their cranks, as some are now.

Merry Christmas!,
Tim

Junkballer

That would be nice [:)], I don't have it in my hands but was told the # dates to 64', good to know that & I will check the # out. Thanks for the tip, [;)]

Mod1892

Hello,

If the serial number is 2,700,000 or higher it is a 1964 or newer rifle. These rifles are not considered collectible and the 1964 vintage rifles are the least favorable to own. Anything over $200 would be too expensive.

Michael

Junkballer

quote:Originally posted by Mod1892
Hello,

the 1964 vintage rifles are the least favorable to own.
Michael
Could you please explain your statement of the 64' being the "least" favorite with reasons. ???

Bert H.

To start this off, there is no "transition" year. You either have a Pre-1964 classic, or you have a post-1963 clunker.

The following is a short piece that I wrote several years ago, as the question about what the difference is between a "pre-1964" and "post-1963" repeatedly gets asked;

"The correct terminology is "Pre-64" or "Post-63". Too many people get it wrong by saying "post-64".

The "Pre-64" Model 94 rifles & carbines were manufactured using forged steel parts that were individually milled and hand-fitted during the assembly process. In March/April of 1963, and in an effort to cut their production costs, Winchester temporarily halted production of the Model 94 and began a complete retooling with new equipment bought from Germany.

Specifically, the new tooling created a drastic change in the manufacturing process and methods. Prior to 1964, each individual part was milled and hand checked against a go/no-go gauge, and then it was further hand fitted to the individual gun. For the "post-63" Model 94, the receiver was no longer forged steel. Instead, it was made from a sintered cast steel (which was later discovered to not take and hold the bluing very well). A number of the other steel parts were now machine stamped using the new machinery. The new machinery was capable of turning out parts that were nearly uniform in size, and more importantly, they no longer required milling. To use those parts, many of the fit tolerances were opened up slightly, which eliminated all hand fitting & fine polishing. This same practice carried over to the stock making & fitting. The barrels continued to be manufactured in the same manner as before, so accuracy was not measurably affected. Similar cost saving changes occurred for all of the other various models in production at the time.

Production of the Model 94 was resumed in January of 1964. Serial numbers for the "pre-64" guns ended at 2600011. When production resumed in January of 1964, the starting serial number was 2700000."

Bert H.

quote:Originally posted by tsr1965
You should see no difference in operation, if it is indeed a 1964 vintage rifle. You might just check the serial number against the stick near the top of the experts forum. Since the dates, in OTHER refference sources, can be up to 5 years off, you could have a "PRE-64" on your hands. What a bonus, huh?

Best

EDIT 1

quote:Could you please explain your statement of the 64' being the "least" favorite with reasons. ???

It was, because it would be termed as a "transistion" model, where as they might use some left over parts, from one era, to build some of the first ones for the next era.

I totally disagree with the "more than $200.00", statement, and you can usually get 150% of that, for any servicable Winchester 94.

The interest really dropped in 1981, when the rifles transistioned from being Winchester made to USRAC made.

Best


Tim,

You are wrong. There was no "transition". If you compare a pre-64 to a post-63, you will see that the only parts that were common were the barrels, magazine tubes, and the butt plates,

The interest does take a very dramatic drop with the post-1963 production Model 94s.

As for the value, I certainly would not pay more than $200 for a 1964 production Model 94 unless it was NIB. If it has been used and carried in the field, and has typical wear, $200 is the limit.

Junkballer

Thanks to all, as said in my OP I was more interested in the functioning of the rifle made during that time period with "new" labor methods/parts that was coming along knowing well that "new" sometimes causes un-foreseen problems and headaches to the user. Thanks again, [;)]