Hello,
I've got a Winchester Model 94 serial#36210xx.
I understand that it was made in 1971 or 72.
That would make it one of those undesirable ones with cast or 'mystery' metal frames,and inferior interior parts.
But my gun has nice bluing,nice wood,works fine and shoots better then I expected.
Did Winchester mix different frames,parts,etc. on the assembly line? How can I tell if my frame is forged,or cast or 'mystery, metal?
Frank

Hello,
I've got a Winchester Model 94 serial#36210xx.
I understand that it was made in 1971 or 72.
That would make it one of those undesirable ones with cast or 'mystery' metal frames,and inferior interior parts.
But my gun has nice bluing,nice wood,works fine and shoots better then I expected.
Did Winchester mix different frames,parts,etc. on the assembly line? How can I tell if my frame is forged,or cast or 'mystery, metal?
Frank

i have one from 1973-74 and wonder the same things about mine.

I moved this Thread to the 'Winchester 94' Forum,where it belongs
Frank

Frank,

Cast receivers were used from '64 at and after serial #2,700,000 to mid '83. According to "The Winchester Book" your '94 is from 1972, it is a cast mystery metal receiver. I have several '94s from the different era's, I prefer prewars, but I do have a couple post-64s, not a thing wrong with them if you have a good one.

As I understand it, the only practical difference is if and when you have it re-blued the "mystery metal" guns are harder to get the color right. I've had several guns in this approximate age range that shot 1 1/4" groups or sometimes better @100 yards. If your gun has the stamped sheet metal lifter you may want to upgrade it to the forged lifter, but otherwise for a working or hunting gun there isn't any real difference as far as I can tell.

I've changed about 3 lifters, they have all been drop-in installation. I don't know if they all will be though. They cost less than $20 when I did mine. Brownells stock then, no doubt others do also.

The stamped lifters are blued, the forged lifters are "white" metal (not blued)