Question on a old 30-30 I have

[LillDragun]

I inherited my dad's old Winchester 94 from my dad and I'm sure it has not been shot in about 20 years. Should I take it to a gun shop and have them look at it? or would that not be necessary? I do all my own basic maintenance on all my guns, but I don't have experience in lever actions. Are there springs that I need to replace? or should I just lube it up and take it to the range? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sapper740]

I inherited my dad's old Winchester 94 from my dad and I'm sure it has not been shot in about 20 years. Should I take it to a gun shop and have them look at it? or would that not be necessary? I do all my own basic maintenance on all my guns, but I don't have experience in lever actions. Are there springs that I need to replace? or should I just lube it up and take it to the range? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If you're ever unsure of the reliability or safety of an unfamiliar firearm, then by all means have a qualified gunsmith check it out. SAAMI recommends a lower maximum pressure for the .30-30 (42,000 psi) than most firearms, but it's significant and the venerable M94 doesn't have the gas ports and strong lock-up that most modern bolt-action rifles do to direct gas down and away from the shooter's face should something go awry.

 

[Moonpie]

If the gun is in good condition I would just clean it up and go shoot it.
The 94 is a good quality firearm and very few of them are actually worn out enough to pose a safety issue.
As far as replacing springs and such, hold off until you've run the gun a little bit. Probably won't have to do a thing.
Run a few patches down the bore to clean it first. If the bore looks good go for it.
I would recommend NOT tearing the gun down until you researched on how to do so. Lever gun teardown can be difficult for the inexperienced.

 

[shortround]

Unless the gunsmith offers to shoot the '94 as part of his inspection service, I'd just give it a thorough cleaning, oiling, and function check.

Make sure there are no rounds in the magazine tube!

(1) Unlock the action (pull the lever down), and verify the gun is empty.

(2) Put an EMPTY fired case into the chamber.

(3) Close the action.

(4) Engage safety -- pull trigger.

(5) If hammer falls with safety engaged -- take to gunsmith.

(6) If hammer stays locked, dis engage safety, pull trigger.

(7) If hammer falls, cycle action to eject empty case.

(8) If empty case gets ejected you are good.

If it has not been shot in 20 years, then your biggest concern would be corrosion. Springs at rest generally don't go bad. How much use did it have before it was put up for 20 years?

 

[Dawico]

I would shoot it unless you can visibly see a reason to get it checked.

 

[txbikerman]

GIve it a good visual inspection and cleaning. winchesters 94 are very durable. Should be good to go if it looks good

 

[LillDragun]

It has been in the closet. My dad only used it a few times for hunting. Other than that. It has NOT been shot that I know of. I have visually checked it and it seems okay to my eyes. And I am pretty anal about cleaning my rifles and pistols. I guess I'll take it to a friend at the local indoor range to have them look it over before I shoot it. better safe than sorry! Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[LillDragun]

HAHA!! spoke to my dad and he told me that it has been since 1979 since he has shot the rifle. And then he told me to quit being a pansy and to just clean the rifle "and shoot the son of a bitch"....his exact words. LMAO!!!