My local gun shop has a pre-Angle-Eject Winchester 94 (Unsure if it's pre- or post-64) in about 97% condition for $325. I was planning on getting a 44mag revolver/levergun combo, but since I decided not to opt for a handgun, I'm looking at other calibers as well. I don't like pistol-gripped leverguns, so the plain-jane Winchesters look like a good choice. It doesn't have the rebounding hammer, so I'm unsure if I could carry it uncocked with a round in the chamber safely. Is this possible? It looks like it would make a good "truck gun", or in my case, a "station wagon gun" :p

TC_addict,

Under NO circumstances cary a pre-rebounding hammer Win 94 with a round in the chamber and the hammer down. That is the best way to have an negligent discharge.
The best way is to cary it hammer down on an EMPTY chamber.

If you are actually in control of the gun and in a position where you want and need to cary it with a round chambered, cary it with the hammer on half cock.

The old style 94's are like old style single action revolvers. If you lower the hammer on a loaded chamber, the hammer is resting on the firing pin, and that is resting on the primer. Not a good thing to do.

I feel the same way you do about pistol grip leverguns. They just don't feel right.

Joe

Thanks...I'll just see if I can't find an AE model without the crossbolt safety. But if that Winchester just keeps sitting in the used gun rack like it has for the past month, I might just snatch it up. The only reason I was wondering about the whole "round in the chamber" deal was because I don't like the idea of spooking game by working the lever. But I suppose for the kind of still hunting I usually find myself doing, I could just keep it loaded and on half-cock...and when using it as a camp/car gun, I'd just lever a round in and fire then and there. Thanks again...

TC_addict,

Since I've been using old style Winchesters, Marlins, and a Rossi for over 30 years, I don't 'think' about doing it. It's just natural.

I wouldn't wory about it. But what you want, and learn the proper way to use it. These new fangled actions that are lawyer inspired are not an answer to any real need.
Just look around to the various manufacturers and you'll see that none of them are doing the same thing.
So don't turn your back on an old Win 94. They been doing in the game for well over a hundred years.

Joe