What is the difference in the newer and older model 94. I have roughly a 84-85 ranger 30 30 which I'm pretty sure is a 94 what would the difference be between it and say a 1971-72 model? Not to sound like an idiot but I honestly have no idea.

I may be wrong but my understanding is that the Ranger models used a cheaper birch stock, compared to the other models which used a nicer walnut. i'm sure the lever mechanics are slightly different as well

71-72 Model 94's were top-ejects, with upgrades from the earlier 1964-70 "post-64" changes.

In 1983, Winchester changed ALL Model 94's, including Rangers, to an angle-ejecting Model 94AE, which allowed factory scope mount bases prep atop the receiver.

Ranger models were more basic, less expensive, utility guns made with the same actions, bbls, etc as mainline Model 94's & Model 94AE's, but with less polishing prior to bluing & non-walnut stocks.


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My ranger model 94 ejects the brass out of the top, so your telling me that my gun is older than 1983? The serial # is 5472482. Could you possibly tell me when it was made? I am just getting into guns and really like this 30 30.

The other posts are correct - but there's more. Your 84-85 model is a "6th model" - meaning it was a significant improvement over the older rifles (Not that THEY were not good pieces, though). The 6th model WAS angle eject, but also, was made of 100% forgings, like the pre '64s. I have a Ranger about the same age as yours, with the Birch stock. I replaced the rear sight with a slot blank and put a Williams FP aperture sight on it. It is my faithful companion and has taken more deer than all my other rifles combined. Good luck & good shooting.

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So my gun is a 84-85 model like I thought. The 100% forgings is a good thing huh? I'm a little lost on the ejection, mine does eject from the top, does it eject at an angle though?

If the top of the RH receiver sidewall is lower than the top of the LH receiver sidewall, AND the front receiver ring is factory D/T'd w/two holes for a scope mount base, AND the top/rear of each receiver sidewall is likewise D/T'd with one hole per side for the rear scope mount base - you have a Model 94AE (angle eject).
They eject out of the top, but at an angle ILO straight "up", like true top ejectors.

If none of the above - you have an earlier top-eject, post-64 Model 94.

It should be a 1983-84 Model-94AE, since Winchester changed from the TE M-94 to the M94AE in 1983 at around SN 5,300,000.


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__________________
Feed a starving man a fish & he will eat for a day - Teach the man how to fish & he will never starve again.

This is the only lever action gun I have so I can't really compare but it seems I have to sqeeze the lever fairly hard to get the safety pushed far enough for the trigger to pull all of the way. Is this normal?

I can't give you an opinion, since your "fairly hard" may equal my " normal" - IOW, YMMV.

If you have a local friend/aquaintance, or fellow gun club member, that owns a Winchester 94 - maybe they can render a hands-on verdict for you.



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Feed a starving man a fish & he will eat for a day - Teach the man how to fish & he will never starve again.

Well I cut, split, stack, burn and sell over 50 truck loads of wood a year. Swing a hammer for a livin for the last 23 years of my life and my arms measure over 17'' at the bicep. I assure you that this lever is a little too hard to squeeze to be the normal lol.

I have a Win94ae made in 1983 and the only time he lever is hard to squeeze is when the reloaded cartridge starts getting a bit long in the shoulder.

My bullets are new winchester brand. The lever itself works very easily it's just that some times I go to pull the trigger and I realize that the lever needs squeezed with alot more effort.

If that happens with Factory ammo, I would be looking at making sure both the ammo and the rifle is clean.

I want to thank all of you guys for your input.

This is an interestimg discussion. So if Winchester eventually made all of its 94s with AE actions did they remove the AE designation stamped on the barrel once all 94s came standard with AE or did they continue to stamp them as 94AE? I have several 94s. One is a pre-64 which I know is a top eject. The others were made after 64. One is checkered and stamped 94AE. Another is checkered and looks nearly identical and is stamped 94. Another has deluxe checkering and wood and is stamped 94. Are all AEs stamped as such or are there 94s out there that are AEs that are simply stamped 94?

Your rifle according to the serial number was made in 1987. I would be an Angle Eject model. The angle eject feature was available in 1983 on Big Bore models and all models had angle eject in 1984 and later. I hope that helps.