Winchester 94A

[MSA77]

My first rifle was a Remington 540 .22 Long target rifle, as I was doing competition target shooting in high school. My second rifle was a Winchester 94A. The A designation was for "antiqued," and it had a different finish then the regular 94, and a brass saddle ring. Mine was a 30-30, but I think they all were back then. No internet, no way to research. My parents got into a messy divorce when I was 16, and my father wouldn't let me have my rifles. I have made up for the loss of my first two! I tried to find a replacement and they now have three calibers, multiple barrels, etc. Anybody have one? Care to review?

[Win1300]

This site has a good overview of all the different variations of the Winchester Model 94.


I have a Trapper model in .30-.30. It has a 16" barrel. It's not the most accurate rifle I own but it is fun to shoot.

[MSA77]

This site has a good overview of all the different variations of the Winchester Model 94.


I have a Trapper model in .30-.30. It has a 16" barrel. It's not the most accurate rifle I own but it is fun to shoot.

Thanks, and welcome to the forum!

[Win1300]

Thanks, and welcome to the forum!

You are welcome. Something to keep in mind. The later variants are typically Model 94 AE where the AE stands for Angle Eject. Earlier models - are top eject. Top eject models eject shells straight up so the only scope mounting option is one that involves the scope cantilevered out to the left side of the action. If you think you want to mount a scope - look for an angle eject model if you don't want to deal with a side mounted scope.

[NYDeer]

Exactly why older 94s usually have peep sights installed.. They're great little guns, awesome backup gun to tote on hunts because it's so small and lightweight.

[MSA77]

I am pretty sure I had ejection from the top. It has been over thirty years since I saw it. It was interesting, to say the least, moving up to my first centerfire rifle at the age of 14, more or less. I found 30-30 to be quite different then I expected. It didn't bother me, but I thought it would be a little jump up from my .22, but not that much of a jump. I compared the cartridges, but didn't expect the recoil. The first time I used it, I came home black and blue, after putting almost 100 rounds downrange, which I wore proudly. A good friend's father took us shooting, as he was tuning up for hunting, and I got to try my first time with a 30-06. I went into that expecting it to be the same as the 30-30. I didn't load it, and I figured it had to be the same as the Winchester. I was somewhat surprised again...LOL.

[bigbore44]

Yeah, they're definitely NOT in the "plinking" category of firearms lol! I know exactly how your shoulder must have felt. Ouch.

[MSA77]

I picked up .308 to give my daughter a chance to move up from .22 LR, but while I love it, and it is just another addition, I think maybe I will grab a Remington 700, or Savage 11 in .243 for her next step up. Certainly not ready for 30-06! I love .223/5.56, but that is a plinking round on the current platforms. I was going to get a dedicated .22 upper, just for practice, but it is easier to get .223 now. My next toy will be a .338 Lapua. I am still on a quest to get my ass kicked by 5 boxes of 20 something! And yes, I have done the .50 BMG thing.

[Grifhunter]

Man, the story about the loss of your first 2 rifles is really bumming me out.

When I was in my mid twenties I had accumulated a nice collection of guns, but ending up forced to sell them to pay for tuition in graduate school. Painful, but I've spent the next couple decades slowly re-acquiring the same model rifles and handguns I gave up. You should definitely look out for a replacement 94A.

[MSA77]

Man, the story about the loss of your first 2 rifles is really bumming me out.

When I was in my mid twenties I had accumulated a nice collection of guns, but ending up forced to sell them to pay for tuition in graduate school. Painful, but I've spent the next couple decades slowly re-acquiring the same model rifles and handguns I gave up. You should definitely look out for a replacement 94A.

Exactly Grif, it dawned on me that out of everything I have purchased to make up for losing my first two (which is just rationalization to spend more money on a great hobby) I never thought of getting a new lever action. I probably will go with another Winchester, but will look at the Marlin, the Henry, etc. but I do want to replace the 94A. Of course this is my brain getting me to buy two new lever actions!