do we have a Winchester lever action guru here?

[wolfee]

I dont wanna join a Winchester group just to ask one question. Hoping someone here can tell me.

My local Cabelas has a bunch of Winchester model 64 exclusives. All chambered 30-30, 24" barrel. You can see one at their website. They look like a 94 with pistol grip and short magazine. The action appears identical, including angle eject (but not drilled for scope mounts). The left side of the receiver is drilled and tapped for a Lyman 66 type peep sight.

Are these in fact just 94's with some detailing differences or was their some difference in the action? Is this a completely new model number made up for the run of Cabelas special spec 94's? Web searches for "Winchester model 64" just brings up a bunch of "pre 64" stuff.

 

[WIL TERRY]

THE model 64 winchesters are the RIFLE version of the 1894 carbine we all know and love. The 64 was made intermintently over the years so they are anything but rare and seem to be no where as popular or the worth of a '94 carbine in equal condition. The serial numbers of those at Cabelas can tell you all the details on that batch.

 

[wwb]

The 94 was offered as both a rifle and a carbine until the introduction of the 64, after which the 94 was only offered as a carbine.

I collected Winchesters for many years, but sold almost all of them (for a tidy profit) over the last 10 years. Collectible Winchester rule No. 1: I want to see a letter from the Buffalo Bill Museum before I'll even consider it (unless it's an obvious steal). Any deviation from factory REALLY hurts the value. The early Winchesters were offered literally any way you wanted them, and some special order features are very rare and worth a bundle.

If theese are true "angle eject" models, then they are current (or recent) production, and are nothing special.... note the value of a pre-64 Model 94 vs. a later one.

 

[tom black]

I've got one of the last pre-war Deluxe Model 64 carbines in 32 Special to be made and a Deluxe Model 64 rifle in 30-30 made in 1954. They are excellent rifles and fit me much better than the standard grade 94 carbine. I really do love them. The Model 64 was made from 1933-1957, a total of 66,783 were built. There was a short run of them in the 1970's but their quality doesn't compare to a pre 64 made gun. Hope this helps.
Tom Black

 

[wolfee]

Thanks, you guys cleared it all up for me. These are definately new production. They are Miroku guns and look nice. Cabelas says "grade II/III walnut" but it looks pretty ordinairy to me--just no filling checks, birdseyes, knots etc. I am a sport shooter, not a collector and am thinking of one just for plinking. I prefer the pistol grip vs straight grip. All the "cowboy" calibers are too expensive if you are shooting factory ammo. This looks like the only new production that comes in a cheap-to-shoot chambering and has provision to mount the Lyman peep sight. btw, do you guys have any rec on the peep? I know some people say the Lyman is built kind of cheap. Don't really care as long as it mounts correctly and shoots straight. Is Williams better?

fyi, here is the link to Cabelas listing
http://www.cabelas.com/product/WINCHESTER-MODEL-LEVER-ACTION-RIFLE/1784396.uts

 

[tom black]

I have Lyman 66's on both of mine and they were made years ago, quality is excellent. I do much better shooting with a peep sight than I do barrel sights, especially since I'm getting long in the tooth.
Tom Black

 

[Paul B]

Wolfee. I have two original M64s in 30-30; one made in 1938 and the other in 1951. Just my opinion but of all the 94's, 64's etc, the M64 has the best feel of the herd. Next closet was an M55 I got to handle. Nothing more than a 94 with a round barrel and half magazine. If you're interested, and can handle on, that'll tell you more that my words can. My 1938 is Deluxe version and the 1951 is a standard version. Big difference is the Deluxe comes with sling and swivels and is checkered. Those that were made in IIRC the 70's have the same general feel but not the quality of the pre-64's.
Paul B.

 

[bogus bill]

I have on in new shape built in the early/mid 50`s. I had one that was made in the 70`s. I also have a 94 that I bought new when I was about 16 years old back in 1956 or 57. I was a bid kid and had a pad put on for LOP and a Williams Fool proof peep. I have NEVER had to re adjust the peep and its a lot more accurate than the original open sight.

 

[Paul B]

Bill. That's a damn fine M64 you have there. My standard model is in about the same shape but my 1938 gun looks rode hard and put away wet. But it's a solid shooter, built in the year I was born. As faras I'm concerned it has character and it's a keeper. :lol:
Paul B.

 

[bogus bill]

Thanks. I bought that gun about 30+ years ago. Some widow had brought it into a friends gun shop. It looked unfired. I shot around 10 rounds in it at the most just to try it out. I have other rifles to shoot so made it a safe queen.

 

[6gun]

Wow that's a lot of money for a Japan Winchester, even in the early 2000's you could still buy a USA made Winchester in the same configuration as the Cabala rifle but they went for $350 new, it's unreal how much they want for them now, personally I don't like the half magazine, I will only buy Winchesters with full length magazine's, I've been wanted to see the new Japan made model 73 I read it comes in 357 that would be a bit more affordable for a plinker, but 30/30's are fun to plink with and great for deer hunting.

 

[Paul B]

6gun. If you've never handled an M64, you have no idea what you're missing. They do handle much better than the M94 carbine and only 5 shots is no handicap unless you're a lousy shot. :lol: Granted they were used mainly back east where the earned the name, "The Deer Rifle. Note the shape of the stock. It was the design of Col. Townsend Whelen. He also did the Winchester M71 .stock. I understand looks of a firearm can be important but so is handling and the M64 handles very well. :wink:
Paul B.

 

[6gun]

6gun. If you've never handled an M64, you have no idea what you're missing. They do handle much better than the M94 carbine and only 5 shots is no handicap unless you're a lousy shot. :lol: Granted they were used mainly back east where the earned the name, "The Deer Rifle. Note the shape of the stock. It was the design of Col. Townsend Whelen. He also did the Winchester M71 .stock. I understand looks of a firearm can be important but so is handling and the M64 handles very well. :wink:
Paul B.

marksmanship has nothing to do with the need for a full magazine some of us out west have more than 5 things at a time to shoot without reloading and don't use them just for deer, I suppose you think ARs. and AKs should only have 5 rounds mags. or your a bad shot also :roll:

 

[Paul B]

My, ain't we touchy this morning. :lol: Son, I was shooting stuff out west, probably years before you were a gleam in daddy's eye. During almost a full ten year period I was market hunting jackrabbits in Nevada to sell to trappers come fur season. I've hunted deer since I was 11 years old and that was back in 1949. Until five years back I did all my big game hunting with a Ruger 1 in one cartridge or another. Only reason I quit using a #1 is the ranch I now hunt on does not allow the use of single shot rifles. It's their ranch so their rules. In that five years I've done four hunts and I've taken four elk, one shot each. I don't consider myself a very good shot but I do know when I can make a shot and when to hold off.
I am sorry I ruffled your feathers though. Guess some people don't recognize smileys and their use. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Paul B.

 

[bogus bill]

I dont and wont own a black rifle. Same for plastic pistols. Have had a couple pass through my hands. I was raised in wisconsin. Used to see some 94`s with the tubes cut back. Injun say one shot, one deer. Two shots maybe one deer. Three shots, no deer.
That 94 cost me about $60s new back in 1956. I remember paying $200 for the 64 in about 1972. (It`s DOM was about 1954.) Here is a model 95 saddle ring carbine in 30/40. I have the top handguard for it but when I bought it the rear sight was missing. I had a friend who had a Buffington sight and it went on without drilling. The handguard wont fit over it. I would like to fantasize that the gun was either a Texas or Arizona rangers gun as it came from that part of the country. I have owned it for about 40 years.

 

[bogus bill]

I like levers. Dont worry, also have some bolts, a Remington pump 30-06 and a Belgum Browing BAR too. I aint into relying on garden hose`s though. I was the mustache and aviators glass`s crowd, not Martian glass`s on top my chrome dome and black swatt cloths.

 

[6gun]

My, ain't we touchy this morning. :lol: Son, I was shooting stuff out west, probably years before you were a gleam in daddy's eye. During almost a full ten year period I was market hunting jackrabbits in Nevada to sell to trappers come fur season. I've hunted deer since I was 11 years old and that was back in 1949. Until five years back I did all my big game hunting with a Ruger 1 in one cartridge or another. Only reason I quit using a #1 is the ranch I now hunt on does not allow the use of single shot rifles. It's their ranch so their rules. In that five years I've done four hunts and I've taken four elk, one shot each. I don't consider myself a very good shot but I do know when I can make a shot and when to hold off.
I am sorry I ruffled your feathers though. Guess some people don't recognize smileys and their use. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Paul B.

Son :shock: what's with the name calling :? maybe your calling me that cause I'm far brighter than you, but you sure aint old enough be my pappy if that what your trying to say unless your in your 90's and that could explain your dilutional response.

 

[Ruger Packer]

I have never owned a 94 or 64, but have shot both models. The 94 I shot was a pre-64 that belonged to a friend. From 100 yards I could keep all shots on a paper plate with open sights. The 64 belonged to a different friend and was made in the 1930's, I forget the date... seems like he said 1936 or 38. From 100 yds I could keep all my shots on a paper plate with the peep sight.

But if I was to have a choice between the two, I'd take the 64. It fit and handled better than the 94. The 64 has a rounded fore end (vs the 94's oval fore end) that fills the hand better and the stock put my eye it the right position to pick up the target quickly.

I had a chance about 20 years ago to buy a 64, but was divorced and shelling out child support money at the time, so funds were tight. I sure wish I could have gotten that one. I have a couple lever guns though... a Marlin 1894C and a Browning B-92. The Browning is a slick one!

 

[wolfee]

Thanks again. Really enjoyed hearing from all you original owners. Am I likely to be able to use the factory front bead with the Lyman 66? btw, the new production has a sliding tang safety, no problem, but I am curious if these were fitted on the originals.

 

[bogus bill]

Probley can use the Lyman. A lot of the older lever action guys lament the newer stuff as they dont like the rebounding hammers nor the useless ugly safety`s. I have a Puma in .357 and the browning 92 in .44 mag. The .357 mag is sweeter shooting.