Pre 64 Winchester - Does It Really Matter

I’ve seen post 94s with the screw. Angle ejection.

I have a 1915 Winchester Model 94 30-30 I got from my dad. Even after all these years it still fires.

Inherited a 1952 model 94 and I have a 1992 model 94, both are 30-30 and both have a set screw in front of the lever. Pre 64 screws behind the load gate are diagonal and post 64 are vertical behind the load gate. That is the difference on my two.

I have in my possession a 55 that my grandfather bought my dad at a young age. I have it now and had it since a early age, and remember shooting and training since about 7 yrs old. My 94 means a lot to me both sentimental and a right for self defense. Im on the older scale now, but I still remember going out with my father and grandfather shooting this rifle. This rifle will end with me. I have no children to pass onto. What a shame for such a fantastic rifle that is still strong today. It’s in perfect condition even though it’s almost 70 years old.

What’s the set screw for, in pre-1964 models?

I care

As a retired gunsmith.. yes it does matter.

I love the 30-30 model 94 , i have a 1945 that my dad got from his uncle who was a Canadian ranger and it works great still , it has the stamp on it from the ranger model thanks for interesting video

... there are pre-64 Winchester 94s, post-64 Winchester 94s and Miroku "Winchester" 94s ... I have owned all 3 categories ... of the 3 the Mirokus have the best build quality ... too bad Miroku "garbaged up" their 94s up with totally unnecessary lawyer parts (tang safeties & rebounding hammers)

I had a 1968 model 94 that came with a stamped metal cartridge carrier. It looked cheap but functioned just as good as my pre64. I wish I still had it. If I found a good deal on any year 94 I wouldn't hesitation to but it. (Even if it has a crossbolt safety!)

Ive got a beautiful 1956 in 32 and ive owned 1970s and 80s versions and have never noticed any difference when out deer hunting here in Southern maine, they've all done what they were designed for

The angled screws give it away. The strange thing is according to the serial numbers mine was made in 1931 and the screws are straight over. It’s a little confusing

The pre 64 is the ultimate in Winchester hands down.

To me it only matters if your a gun collector. As a hunter or even a target shooter it's not going to make much difference. I have a 1984 that was well made and shoots great. Have hunted with it since I bought it new . It still functions like the day I bought it with no issues .

Yea it matters. Who in the hell wants to have to squeeze the lever into the butt stock until the trigger will work. Marlin didn’t contest dumb shit.

My grandfather bought my now rifle in 1942. .30-.30

***** I LOST OUT OF A DEAL OF A 1955 30 30 IN REAL NICE SHAPE FOR 550 $$$ I JUST DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY AT THE TIME !!! ***

Thank you for this, I apparently have a pre-64 that by serial lookup I thought would be 1976

... there's the pre 64 Winchester 94s, the post 64 Winchester 94s and the post 2006 Miroku "Winchester" 94s ... if the post 2006 Miroku Winchester 94s weren't so garbaged up with unnecessary lawyer safety crap (tang safety, rebounding hammer) they would have been the best but alas it is what it is

... I don't know what those things Miroku is making they call Winchester 94s these days (post 2006) with the tang safety and rebounding hammers ... they are certainly nothing JMB ever designed

My winchester 94 30-30 would drop the next shell under the lifter. I had to disassemble the rifle to clear the jam.

I can't speak for 94's, but I've got both pre and post 1964 winchester 88s and apart from the stock checkering, the post 64s are the better rifle, mechanically.

Castings were different pre 64 means a lot in these models

Our family has two pre 64 model 94 in .30-30,mine is from 1947,and my brother has grampys circa 1950ish.🇨🇦

Just put money down on a 73- w94. 30-30. The frame was blued beautifully with dark walnut stock. I couldn’t pass it up 😍

Ive handled many pre and post and my 94 was built 1974 the qulity is just as good and i would say , my barrel is probably a little better.
I have seen some with imperfections from the factory so , maybee there was a quality controll problem at some point.
But mine is just as good if not bettet.

Good video. I would have liked a comparison of the weight of the metal pieces. I think that might show I good reason to question quality.

Two screw heads on the side of the receiver. If there are two and they are parallel, it is a post '64. It the screw heads are in a triangular pattern, it is pre '64. Simple and noticeable from any angle or distance.

I have a WIn 32 Spl and load my own as I live in California and they all but make it impossible to buy ammo. It is a pre WWII (1940-41) vintage and I bought it from the original owner. Probably paid a couple of hundred more than I should have but pre War are not easy to find and this one was in fine condition.

I believe stopped production in the US in 2006. Made in Japan.

Another distinguishing feature of the pre-64 model is the placement of two screws on the right side of the receiver, above the trigger guard. In the pre-64 version, these screws are set diagonally: the lower screw is positioned slightly closer to the barrel, while the upper screw is slightly further back toward the stock. In contrast, the post-64 model has these two screws aligned directly above and below each other, rather than diagonally offset.

When shooting it probably doesn't matter, when admiring it yes it would matter

I have my grand father’s 1954 model 94 in 30-30 and my father’s 1955 model 70 in 30-06 ( bought at the same time/ same store). They are used but great guns. Will stay in the family for years to come.

I have two winchesters 94's one made in 1971, and someone took steel wool to the barrel . I picked it up at a pawn shop 15 years ago (+/-) that looked like crap. $300 Got it pretty cheap. I had it cerakoted black and put a red fiber optic up front, $125 it looks great, total cost $425, everybody wants to buy it, NOPE it is my pig and deer gun for the river swamp, and the other is made in 1981. someone had got it for christmas and put it in the closet and left it for 35 years it is mint, two different pawn shops. I have the same money in both of them. The shop owner had a couple pre 64's he wanted high dollar for, I told him good luck with that

In terms of functional practicality, there is no difference. When it comes to special interest or genuine collector value - yes. I've handled and shot so many different m94's thatI can't tell a pre from a post in accuracy- or even noise or fit. Not all pre models were perfect, and not all post models are inferior. I'm down to one M94: a 1939. My son has a Classic with fancy wood, cresent butt, a musket fore end cap and a 20" octa barrel. If it had a 24, it would be like the original Model of 1894. Both are tack drivers within their limits. Both feed perfectly well, and both are well fitted. I like the Classic looks better than the carbine looks of the '39.

I have a Post-'64 Winchester 94, that I purchased from Bolsa gunsmithing in Westminster, Ca, back in 2009. The salesman had to check the SN, to make sure it wasn't a pre-64, as that would have affected the purchase price! $600, with a little bit of tax and fees. I have shot that rifle on many trips, and it has worked flawlessly. The accuracy is superb for a 100-200 yard iron sighted rifle. When it comes to function and reliability, this post 64 rifle has had zero issues. Let me repeat ZERO issues. I do understand that collectors value the pre-64, but in my opinion, it makes no difference. I will keep this old reliable 1965 Model 94 ( .30 WCF ) and will never sell.

Curious if you accidentally mixed some parts up, would they fit in either?

Having owned both the answer is yes. The early post 64's were made as cheap as possible. The Antique model used a cast receiver and loading gate was cheaply stamped. The cast receivers couldn't take bluing so they had a flash the receiver with a coating that would take to bluing. The cast receiver were weak. Where the hammer would come in contact with the cast receiver a crack would form. With very little use you will never get a crack but if used the rifle alot it would happen. I loved the Wrangler and Wrangler II. My Wrangler in 32 Winchester Special is the one I used a lot. I believe they c h angel back to forge receivers in the 1980's.

Jesss....where's the difference???

Screw all this pre and post 64 crap people talk about. I have a post 64, (have to look up the number again but it's late 60's early 70's) that I deer hunt with. So if it works and is acurate it works and is huntable, thats all that matters.

My .375 has no serial number. What does that indicate ?

It’s funny, I have a 1955 Winchester 94 in 32 and I have a 1971 Winchester 94 in 30-30 , thanks for the video 😁👍💪🇺🇸

Great video. I just acquired my grandfathers Winchester 94 - 32. Based on the set screw, I have a pre 64. How can I find the manufacturing date with the serial number? Hope to hear back from you! Thanks

Just like Fender guitars and basses, after 1964 they sold the company to CBS…

I have an old Winchester 3030 1894, that my Grandfather passed on to me, it was made in 1897, my Grandfather got it from his father, which my Grandfather said he paid $18.00 for it Brand new.
Now back then you could pay your rent for a month with $18.00, i think he made $9.00 a week at the time from what my Grandfather Said.
This one i believe is worth about $7,00.00 i wouldn't part from it because it was Passed On in the family which i will give it to my own son..
Very well made wasn't used a lot but I take good care of it, My Grandfather was born in 1900 even, i remember him use to say i follow the years so when he had his 76 Birthday it was in the year 1976 LOL
He passed away over 40 years ago, but this 3030 i have is amazing..

Yes it does matter, it's called quality

the one on the right looks like my 32 Winchester Special ... never had a 30 30 altho i would like to and i will never part with my 32 special its a great gun and open iron sights are dead on never have to ajust them thank you

YES🎉

pre 64 IS ONLY THE MODEL 70 not a m.94 i've seen Remington rifles say we're pre 64

I didn't know about the set screw, I would have mentioned the lack of paint on the reciever of the post 64. It was not a durable coating and I often see them blued and the reciever takes a plum color.