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S

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Well i am new to the winchester world however not too lever guns, being a henry guy i was tired of the loading method and wanted a good reliable, quality rifle. I bought this mod 94 AE trapper in .44 cal wednesday and shot it today. it did ok but i had some issues. first thing i noticed if you dont push the cartridges firmly within they would come out of the magazine without being cocked, and after the lever was worked the next round would come out prematurely. however after more loading the problem diminished ( i may add this was with .44 special rounds, lead tip cowboy loads). I shot .44 mag ultramax cowboy loads and Mag tech .44 special cowboy and when inspecting the spent brass i noticed sooty black marks on one edge off the brass. other than that this rifle is very accurate for size IMO. I was told by a local gunsmith this was not the factory finish and it was nearly 1.3 the value of the same gun blued. However the man i bought it from whom i am close with and work with him at his shop alot assured me its factory. i could careless but want to know which is right just for the record. The serial is 5619XXX. Any input is welcome thanks all.
 
W

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#2 · (Edited)
The Winchester can be sensitive to cartridge overall length. I believe you will find it will feed any style bullet when using 44 Magnum brass. EDIT] I intended to say the Winchester can be sensitive to short cartridge length. It is very hard to get a 44 Magnum cartridge too long for this action.

The soot on the out side of the cartridge case is from low pressure loads and is nothing to worry about.

Your rifle is a little newer than my wife’s 45 Colt Trapper, her serial is 6247XXX this one is color case hardened with nicer checkered wood. I have never seen a Silver Trapper - dull pewter finish?
 
HardBall

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#3 ·
It's not uncommon for a lever-action rifle, designed for a longer cartridge to have difficulty with the shorter "special" length cartridge... heck my old Rossi Model '92 clone, in .357, had trouble feeding everything! The manufacturers have to strike a balance with regards to feeding and often, the shorter "special" length will have some issues where as the "magnum" length won't.

Some one with more knowledge of pistol cartridge '94s might have better insight than I, as my '94 was in the red-necked special 30-30 cartridge.


As to the "soot"; Lower pressure loads often don't expand the case fully enough to stop all the gases from blowing back a bit. It's nothing to worry about- it's normal. Full power .44mag loads will probably come out bright and shinny since there's enough pressure to fully expand the case thereby sealing it against blow-by.


Hope this helps....



...
 
S

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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
Thanks. It is a silver finish but not shiny. the gun shop owner called it "silver nitrate". What year range would that put my rifle, William? your right the 10 .44 mag shells I shot fed perfectly. Where is a good place to buy parts and items for these guns?
 
W

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My wife bought her rifle in 1996; it was new in a “limited” run. I assumed Winchester was practicing with color case hardening (actually a “paint” or chemical process on these new rifles), prior to making the case color cowboy rifles.
For accessories, there are a number of places. The only thing my wife has let me do to her rifle is to remove the saddle ring and install the domed blanking screw from Brownells. I believe this rifle could use a William receiver sight to good effect but she is happy with the open sights for her swingers and clay birds on the bank.

You can still buy most parts from Winchester parts or from Numrich - although Numrich is running short on some parts. Winchester still has just about every thing but some items are restricted to gunsmiths only.
 
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Yours could be older. Winchester was going through some strange times and your receiver could have been held back or its possible one of the after market “commemorative" makers built up your rifle - although these are generally marked as such.

The saddle ring is easy and probably available from both Winchester parts and Numrich. The late saddle rings leave a bit to be desired as they are not as free swiveling, nor do they have the range of movement on the stud as the older rings. I assume this it to prevent the ring from marring the side of the receiver.

The lever is another story. You need a specific lever intended for the 44 Magnum as the shorter cartridges in the Model 94AE have a small spring made of brass, which assists in holding the cartridge level and aids in chambering the round. Check the parts listing at Winchester parts - it might be available.

Remember the large loop lever may look cool but it actually hinders rapid operation of the lever when the rifle is at the shoulder. Someone, I believe Dave Scovill, has finally written about this - in the latest Handloader I believe - but it is unlikely his words will discourage those who like the large loop levers. I am not describing those levers made for the Marlin rifles which are only slightly larger and allow room for the hand wearing gloves or mittens. The large John Wayne type levers slow the cycling of the rifle from the shoulder.
 
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