Since the Marlin site closed I found this place! This site seems bigger and better than the Marlin Talk site! I recently bought a used 94 at my local gun shop. I have always wanted a lever action, but the budget always said no. So one day I had some extra cash and there was an old 94 in 30-30 sitting in the used rack for $200. So on a whim, I bought it. After bringing it home, I looked up the serial number and started reading up on winchesters. It was made in 1964, oh well. When I bought it, I didn't even know about the pre-64's. The gun is in real fine shape. No scratches on the stock. The only problem is that some of the blueing on the receiver looks like it was rusted/corroded off and it looks reddish. There is really almost no pitting. I read that there was some kind of plating on the receiver and it won't take a re-blueing after a problem like this. Well, I might just leave it. It makes it look like an antique. Also on the Marlin Talk site, many folks posted about problems with the winchester 94's, I started to worry that maybe I bought someone else's problem. I bought some metal snap cap 30-30 cartridges and cycled them through the gun. Everything works fine. I hope to get to the outdoor shooting range this summer and try it out. I know it's not much of a collector's gun, but to me it looks real cool. I'd rather have this one than a new one with the cross bolt safeties. And I'm alright with the top eject, I plan to just use the factory sights. Maybe in the future I'll be able to get a pre-64 winchester. But for now, this one will do.

Since the Marlin site closed I found this place! This site seems bigger and better than the Marlin Talk site! I recently bought a used 94 at my local gun shop. I have always wanted a lever action, but the budget always said no. So one day I had some extra cash and there was an old 94 in 30-30 sitting in the used rack for $200. So on a whim, I bought it. After bringing it home, I looked up the serial number and started reading up on winchesters. It was made in 1964, oh well. When I bought it, I didn't even know about the pre-64's. The gun is in real fine shape. No scratches on the stock. The only problem is that some of the blueing on the receiver looks like it was rusted/corroded off and it looks reddish. There is really almost no pitting. I read that there was some kind of plating on the receiver and it won't take a re-blueing after a problem like this. Well, I might just leave it. It makes it look like an antique. Also on the Marlin Talk site, many folks posted about problems with the winchester 94's, I started to worry that maybe I bought someone else's problem. I bought some metal snap cap 30-30 cartridges and cycled them through the gun. Everything works fine. I hope to get to the outdoor shooting range this summer and try it out. I know it's not much of a collector's gun, but to me it looks real cool. I'd rather have this one than a new one with the cross bolt safeties. And I'm alright with the top eject, I plan to just use the factory sights. Maybe in the future I'll be able to get a pre-64 winchester. But for now, this one will do.

Welcome to the lever .
Now you need to be careful cleaning the gun. I recommend that you get a cleaning rod that is coated and also has a cone that will sit on the end of the barrel when you are cleaning it. Many a winnie will not shoot properly when the end of the barrel or the crown has been scratched by a cleaning rod.
Now you will need to research if you want to shoot factory ammo or want to reload.
If you reload then you will also be able to shoot more. the more you shoot , the more handier you become with the rifle.
Then again you can save by shooting cast lead bullets that have a gas check. This way you can save your cases and reload and not break the bank shooting a couple hundred rounds per week.
This might make the differance come hunting time and a snap shot at a deer comes your way
In other words -know your rifle.
:D :D
Oh ya!! be warned that this sort of thing is habit forming. Next thing , you will want another rifle , more dies and so forth. Then you will some day see a cowboy shoot and , then comes the lever in pistol calipier, a set of revolvers and a shot gun. :) :)
The nice thing is -we help you along your way.
Welcome a board
HAPPY

Harry is right. Once you get bitten by the bug your in trouble. Many years ago I would have never thought about owning a lever gun. After buying a Marlin some time ago, I can’t keep my hands off of them. I am the epitome of a “gunoholic”, and the hardest part about being a gunoholic is not being able to stop buying guns. I have lots of guns, but I like my lever guns the best. I am also in the market for a new lever gun, and I will be picking up my new Model 94 shortly as well. I'm so... excited!

If you are going to be doing much shooting, do as Harry says, handload load your ammo. Not only will it save you money but it will also allow you to utilize the full potential of your rifle, plus it is lots of fun.

Well Hobo, I do hope you enjoy yourself with your new baby. I don’t think you will be disappointed with your purchase. Like I said, lever guns are a lot of fun, and in a practiced hand can produce some very satisfying results. Enjoy!

Hobo
Just a couple of recommendations. Save yourself some trouble with the cleaning chore and buy one of the bore snakes. They combine a long nylon swab with a short section of bronze brush, and the whole rig is a pull through. No problem with muzzle wear or disassembly in order to clean. Also, you will be able to improve your accuracy with a receiver sight such as those from Lyman and Williams. The receiver is already drilled and tapped for it. The bore snake is a regular item at Wal-Mart and the peep sights are available through Brownells or many of the other mail order suppliers. Good shooting.

Thanks for the replies! I don't handload (yet). I mainly got the gun for the sake of having one. The price was probably about right. Collecting/shooting/buying/hunting seem to be a great hobby and past time with all the stress in this world. Threats of layoffs at work, the wife's health problems, my son is in the National Guard and is being mobilized, ect... In fact my brother is donating a nice used gun to my son's very small collection. It's a Savage 30-30 pump. And if I don't get laid off in April, I want to add a .22 lever gun to my collection! I know, it's like a fever that never ends! I was thinking about a winchester 9422 ($359 new), a Marlin 39a ($369 new) or a Henry. But today I read that the Henrys have plastic parts on the inside so forget it. One reason that I want a nice .22 is so I can shoot it at the indoor ranges by my house.

Marlin 39A - you won't regret it!!!!

If you want a cheap .22 that is amazingly accurate, scout around for a surplus Romanian .22 trainer. They are less than a hundred bucks and will shoot rings around most .22s on the market today.

Downside - apparently the stock finish of choice was creosote. They are a little rough looking but will shoot......

Hobo,

What is the serial number, is it below 2,600,011?
Post-64 and pre-64 are collector terms referring to the features and manufacturing processes the gun had, not necessarily when the gun was made. The last of the pre-64s were actually made in 1964.

Hobo - I've got a '94 from '65 (I think) and think it's GREAT!!! Soooo... get out and shoot it, you are going to think you died and went to heaven. The recoil is so mild, it's such a pleasure to shoot!

Hey guys, my '94 serial number is 27xxxxx, so I'm sure that it is not a pre-64. It's gonna be awhile before I shoot it. Here around Chicagoland, the nearest outdoor range is 2 hours away. I have 2 close indoor ranges, so my next lever rifle is going to be in pistol caliber. I hope to get to the outdoor range over the summer. Probably make a family event of it. Maybe if my son can get home on leave (from Fort Carson), he can shoot his newly aquired 30-30 Savage pump.

I hope to buy a new lever gun soon. I'm thinking about a .22lr or maybe a .357. I can shoot them indoors. I'll probably end up with a .22 Henry. The budget says so!

And someday I hope to live somewhere that I can shoot any of my guns at any time!