I'm hoping you kind folks can help me out... While in my local gunshop yesterday, my husband and I were looking through the selection of lever-action 45LC's, and we spotted a Winchester M94 Trail's End 20" 45LC rifle with the octagonal barrel. The store has two of them left, brand new. They are asking $1000. I can't decide if that's too high, or just the going price of the last remaining new in the box Winchester M94's.

I'm aiming to actually use this rifle occasionally rather than keeping it stashed away somewhere. I've looked through quite a few gun broker sites and auctions, and the prices seem to vary quite a bit. The idea of getting a Winchester while I still can is appealing, but how reasonable is this price?

Welcome to the club, Cowgirl. Yes the price is unreasonable, but that is how most of them are since the company quit making them 2 years ago. Everyone who has one for sale thinks it is just a little less valuable than the Holy Grail. There have been continuing rumors that FNH/Browning will resume production, but who knows? A new octagon barrel rifle will command top dollar. I guess you need to decide how much it means to you. There are 20" barrel 45s on the used market, but most of them are round barrel carbines. Good luck.

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I agree with Quarterchoke, the price is high. A Winchester Trails End will hold it's value only in unfired condition and in the box. If you intend to use it buy a used one in like new condition and enjoy it. Used 45s go for $500-$600 in this area but they are very hard to find.

If Winchester starts making the Model 94 again it will have absolutely no affect on collector value of the pre-2006 guns.

Welcome to the Campfire.

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Thanks for the help. They sure seem difficult to find around here. I'm not sure whether I'll jump on this sale or not. It is still pretty tempting even at the high price.

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.......And they ARE a lot of fun!

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Frankly, you'll have a whole lot more fun with a 1873 copy at about that price in that caliber. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the 94 Winchester (I own 30 of 'em), but what were those folks smoking when they took a gun designed for long rifle cartridges and cobbled it up to work with pistol cartridges?

Well, we did end up picking up that Winchester, but also got an Uberti 1873, and the only thing I had actually planned on getting, an USFA Rodeo II. All of them are great, each with their own merits (haven't taken any to the range yet). Honestly, the Rodeo II is the darling of the collection right now.

I haven't decided if the Winchester will be kept pristine or not. Fortunately, there are other things that'll keep me occupied, like starting work on building a leather holster or two. :)

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That should keep you entertained for some time. You are right, all of them are great! Let us know how they shoot, we will be expecting a range report soon.

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