Did winchester improve the quality of the 94's around 1972 ? I just bought a rifle made in 1973 and it looks great. I read winchester improved the 94 quality around 1972 but I wasn't sure of the source. Thanks!

My favorite cousin got a new Winchester 94 in 1971 for HS graduation. It seemed cheaply built compared to Grandad's old carbine. But he killed a stack of mule deer with it. Finally traded it off in the 1990's for an angel-eject model 94. His middle-age eyes need a scope sight. I've experianced the same aging annoyances.

I'm not aware of any big changes in 1973. Sometime around 1979 they built the widened receiver model for the 375 cartridge. In about 1982, the angle-eject model 94 was introduced. But it rec'd almost no press at the time which amazed me. Here was the most widely sold and distributed sporting rifle of all time suddenly built to accept standard scope outfits. Yet no hunting magazines tested the carbine in actual hunting situations. Still perplexes me.

The 1964-1982 model 94s have been critisized by gun buff snobs. But a guy who enjoys the adventure of hunting will still succeed with his 30-30 carbine regardless of fit and finish details. I encourage you to practise with your carbine every chance you can. Your goal should be hitting an empty gallon size paint can at about 100 yards each and every shot. Ear protection and a slip on recoil pad are helpful items.

Good hunting to you.
TR

Somewhere around the late 70s they did away with the stamped carrier and replaced it with a cast one.
The finishing seemed to improve as the years went by, but overall, they didn't change anything from 64 to 82.
There were good ones, and bad ones during those years, and I've had examples of both.
But for the most part, they work just as good as the pre-64s.

Lord how I hate to say that. Now for pennance I have to go wipe down my 1950 Win 94 and tell it how nice it is 50 times.


Joe

Did winchester improve the quality of the 94's around 1972 ? I just bought a rifle made in 1973 and it looks great. I read winchester improved the 94 quality around 1972 but I wasn't sure of the source. Thanks!
Dash
Some 'Purists'have critisized the Win'94's made in the 1970'.
But mine was made in 1972,and looks good,hndles good,functions good and shoots good.
I have the side-mounted scope on it that places the scope to the left of the sights.(offset)I find it just as quick as an overbore scope to get on target.
Frank