HISTORY
Designed in 1894 by the prolific arms inventor John Browning, the Model 94 was the first commercial rifle to use the new smokeless powder. Originally named the .30 Winchester Centerfire cartridge, the name was changed to .30-30. More Eastern whitetail deer have fallen to this effective combination of rifle and ammo than all others. Where terrain is densely wooded and shooting is close, the Winchester 94 found a niche that still exists today.
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Hunters found the rifle potent, lightweight, comfortable, handy, and quick shooting. That may sound like an AR-15, but this rifle packs a punch with a bullet weighing three times that of the tiny .223 and can sling them downrange nearly as quickly.
MY IMPRESSIONS
My test rifle is old, with a serial number dating to 1957 or 1958. Its walnut stock shows nice wood grain darkened by years of handling. Its metal is still blued but shows light rust on the receiver and barrel. Clearly, this gun spent much of its time in the wet woodlands of the Eastern U.S.
If only this old gun could talk! Shouldering it, I notice how lightning fast it comes to bear with its semi-buckhorn sights clearly in view. The length of pull is short, allowing me to reach the trigger easily. The 94 is small, compact, thin, and light. I can imagine slinging lead quickly as I throw the lever forward and back again.
Triggers are important. This is no light target trigger. Despite breaking at over 5 pounds, it is clean with no staging. Once learned, it enables accuracy. Notice the lack of a safety lever or button. The hammer feels natural under my thumb. It can be lowered to half-cock easily, securely making the gun safe. Yet it can be cocked quickly without thinking or fumbling to make the rifle ready to fire.
The .30-30 cartridge is a long centerfire rifle round. However, the 94 holds seven rounds in its magazine and feeds them into the chamber smoothly. I like that. It is also convenient to load and top off through the side loading port. This adds up to a smooth, fast-shooting rifle.
Related Review: Old & Slow But Still Kicking – All About the .30-30 Winchester
The Sights
I love iron sights. The 94 Winchester is purposely designed for them, from a time when rifle scopes, red dots, and laser sights were merely science fiction. The barrel-mounted rear sight may look primitive, but it is not. The rear leaf is mounted under a notched slider that makes large elevation adjustments quickly in the field.
Notice the fine slotted screw on the face of the leaf. This will move the center notch micro amounts for fine-tuning. Now, check out that hooded front sight. The hood protects the delicate post bead sight from saddle scabbards or rough handling. When I bring the front and rear sights together, I see a precision picture as I squeeze off my shot. No scope is needed.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Caliber: .30-30 Winchester
- Overall Length: 38 inches
- Width: 1 inch
- Height: 4 inches
- Weight: 6.5 pounds empty
- Barrel: 20 inches (24 and 26 inches available)
- Sight radius: 17 inches
- Sights: Rear semi-buckhorn adjustable for elevation, front hooded post-bead
- Trigger: 5.5 pounds
- Stock: American walnut
- Hammer: Two position – safe and full cock
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Magazine: 7-round tubular, side-gate loaded
SHOOTING THE 94 WINCHESTER
I will test the 94 with a combination of ammo: Federal Power Shok and Winchester Power Point 150-grain jacketed soft point flat-nose bullets. These are typical Eastern whitetail deer hunting rounds. Traveling at 2,490 feet per second at the muzzle, they will expand effectively on deer-sized game. Many Arizona javelinas have fallen to the potent .30-30 as well.
The straight grip of the 94 is slim in my right hand. With its short buttstock, it feels pistol-like. The forestock blends smoothly into the forward receiver to provide a nice platform supported by my left hand. The trigger breaks cleanly, and I am pleasantly surprised by the lack of felt recoil. I expected worse from this little lightweight. The heavily checkered steel butt pad holds steady in my shoulder. Follow-up shots are quick, and the smooth action allows me to stay focused on the target.
Liquid-filled soda jugs explode with force as the exposed lead hits them. No wonder this is a favorite deer hunting round. Despite the open sights, the little rifle points well. I can acquire each bottle quickly as if I am shooting a pistol. Despite the relatively long lever throw, the action is smooth. I can manipulate it quickly between shots. Longer shots at the 40-yard steel are precisely controlled. Even the small soda cans blow apart without a miss.
I am impressed with the 94’s balance and controllability. Empties are extracted and ejected well clear of the action. No jams, misfeeds or failures to fire were experienced in today’s test.
PROS & CONS
