Winchester Lever Action Development: Model 1894 

"So, what made this rifle so popular? Well, it was a John Browning design..."

My 90 year old grandfather gave me a model 94 from 1912 for Christmas that hes owned since the 40s. It is my most prized possession.

100 years from now, one of Ian's grandkids will be doing a retrospective series just like this on the AR-15.

This may be the least forgotten weapon ever featured on your channel

Today I was finally able to get my great grandfather's 94 back. It had been stolen almost 10 years prior. I can't express what it means to get my family heirloom back. I especially can't be happier that it's a Winchester 94.

"If this pin isn't depressed, the trigger will not pull." Damn it, the rifle won't fire! Hey, pin, did it ever occur to you that all life is is just a slow march to the grave?

I personally believe that nearly everyone should have a model 94. It is a beautiful, refined, and fun rifle.

My dad gave me his Winchester 94 centennial 66. He bought it new and only fired 1 box of ammo in it. When he gave it to me, he told me to shoot a deer with it. I clipped a single point bungee sling to the saddle ring and went to the woods. I did shoot a deer on her second outing. Her name is "goldilocks" and I love that gun. And my dad. Happy Fathers Day!

"Assuming you watched the last two videos" Ian knows his audience well!

I have a 94 in .44 Rem Mag. It is late US production, and a wonderful gun. It is a Trapper model with a 16" barrel and a saddle ring. I just love it.

All you gotta do is handle and shoot one of these little iconic rascals and you're smitten. Even the 1964 thru 2006 models are still awesome. The handiness of these little rifles almost rivals the ease and ergos as an AR15.

One gun I really wish I had bought was a model 94 with a 4 digit serial number and the 26" octagon barrel. For $295 back in the '90s. They don't make 'em like that any more.

25-35 was the first smokeless powder gun offered by winchester. the 30 wcf came out 4 months later.

The rifle arrived today and I dialed in the scope just a couple hours ago ru-vid.comUgkxQt2uORDRfFOVSrO4idv4B90ThT6EOnEL . I haven’t shot with a scope in probably 25 years. The X on the left was my target. (the shot almost in the bullseye on the right X was my father in laws first shot after I made adjustments) The two shots circled are my first 2 shots. Then I brought it down - shot once. Then brought it over to the left. From there zeroed it in to dead center. This all was from 25 yards out. Follow instructions carefully when mounting the scope. So far I'm very happy with the purchase.

It was amazing how ingenious the design was all that time ago

Thanks Ian for the Henry/Winchester lever gun evolution. Fantastic history lesson. I've known all of those rifles, but never gave much thought into their evolutions, until now. Thanks again!!!! History is such a wonderful and fascinating journey, isn't it!?!?

Really loving this series, thanks for the great content Ian!

Picked up my 1899 model 94, in .38-55 a week ago, so excited to see what she can do

Well done Mr. King indeed. A simple dam improvement, but it improved it so much. Hell, it might even be the feature that made the rifle practical.

A wonderful series, loved the history brought to life, thanks!

I love my 94, I'm on the second one, first was an AE rifle in 357 which was a disappointment, latest one is a 1958 carbine made 30/30 and most of the reciprocating parts were heavily worn but the bore was fine, I guess an armchair cowboy had been cycling it while watching john wayne movies on tv. A new link and lifter spring brought it back to 100% and it's great for all I need it for.

Keep up the great content Ian. Nice to see a firearms channel that goes into details about development and implementation of different weapons from history.

holy hell I have a model 94 manufactured in 1897, it's so amazing to see something I own being reviewed by Ian.

My Grandpa left my Father and I a pre-64 Model 94 Carbine. It was the first gun he bought after he moved to America from Germany in the 50's. They truly are great rifles.

Once again, a great review by Ian. Thank you! Very good information on the 1894 Winchester.

I have so enjoyed this videos. You did just a wonderful job and you're fun to listen to!

My late father used the 32 Win special with a 20" barrel. He killed Grizzly, black bear, moose, elk and many, many, deer with his Winch lever. He was deadly with that rifle and I have never seen anyone who was as proficient as he was with that rifle...Faster than a bolt action since the cocking motion only takes two moves instead of 4 with a bolt action.. Light, handy, lethal, affordable, accurate enough for the range it was intended, a true American rifle that deserves it's place with honors in the firearm collection...

Loving the series. Looking forward to the 1895. Wasn't aware of the locking lug differences, etc from the 1892. Very well thought out. Great video as always. Thank you

Thanks Ian, another superb series. The '94's close to my heart (well, actually 4ft away in a locked cabinet in case the firearms guys are watching), mine's a modern version in .357 mag - but still great to shoot here in the UK.

The M94 was popular with Texas Peace Officers too. It was a big step up from the .44-40.

Great vid! I own a '94 and learned some new things about it here, awesome rifle.

I’ve got one,I just received it on my 14th birthday,it’s been passed down many generations and one day I will pass it down to my son or daughter.

Everyone says 30-30 is a deer rifle. Well where I live here in Canada the 30-30 has been taking Moose since its inception. I personally dont own a 30-30. My 94 is 32 Win special it has taken moose as well, not by me however but by my father and great uncle.

I enjoy all of your videos but your lever action series is so good it inspired me to support your channel on Patreon.

Outstanding video. Very informative and exciting. The Winchester model 94 is the greatest rifle ever manufactured.

I fired my first Winchester on a trip to Canada. Wonderfully balanced, light and came to the shoulder brilliantly!

Thanks for the great and informative video. I just purchased my first pre '64 '94!

Excellent series, many thanks for explaining about Winchester models. Really love that besides gun mechanisms Ian mentions a lot of historical background and facts about the firearms.

Just inherited my father's 1952 model 94. Loved that small, noisy rifle as a boy and look forward to taking it out for another hunt in the future.

Mine was made just a little over 2,000,000 rifles later.

I rewatch the Winchester series every so often because I love these guns, and it’s a well made series.

Ian you should be awarded a Doctorate in Firearms...all your series of reviews is top notch!

I'm just liking these videos even before I watch them now, Ian is that good, I know I'm going to like them and find them fascinating.

I'm 78 years old now and in the 60s I bought a brand new 30/30 Winchester model 94, and later bought a Winchester model 9422 LR. I just got an 1894, but it's a 177 co2 pellet gun. It works exactly the Winchester with shells and side loading gate and even ejects the shells. Lots of fun.

Last winter I found a .30 WCF Model 94 in excellent condition with a serial number 4369 mg on 1895. Great rifle. I have three all pre 1964.

Mine is a ,32 WS that's 111 years old. Father got it from a rancher in the late 50s when parts of L.A. County in CA were still nice places to live in with plenty of open spaces and lots of hunting. Anywayyyyyys...my father had it blued after he got it. The wood on it is shiny and beautiful, like it was polished recently. So it looks incredibly new! It was the very first rifle that I ever shot when I was 15 or 16. I only shot it once after my brother shot it, and I wasn't thrilled. That was a bad experience because it felt like I was being forced to shoot. I remember looking at it in my parents' closet as a child and looking at the cartridges for it like they were toys. It was always fascinating to look at the ammo and the gun. I knew even as a child that I dare not touch it. But it was always on a shelf and out of reach. I always thought that the Army gave him that rifle after he served as a paratrooper. I guess I thought that way because I would see his military clothes and other related paraphernalia near the rifle. After moving to another house, it was like it never existed. It was something that I hadn't even thought about because it was hidden away for a long time. Only a few years ago did I find out that he bought it in the late 50s after he did his service. After he left for a while for business, I looked underneath his bed and found it. I liked the feel of it and told him on the phone about it. He then gave it to me after I mentioned it. I was a little surprised but elated. I found out he had given it to a friend but then got it back after my mother got angry about it. I'm very fortunate to have received it. I shot it for the second time in my life a few years ago in the desert after having first shot it back in 1981-82. It seemed too powerful and scary to me at that time, so I never cared about shooting. I got the shooting bug a few years ago, and that's when I rediscovered the rifle and received it shorty afterwards. Shooting it several times a few years ago was really a pleasure. I was able to hit a small steel target about 300 yards away several times. It is amazingly accurate and easy to shoot. I was surprised by how little recoil it had compared to my shotgun. I stocked up on thousands of rounds of ammo for it several years ago because the ammo was so hard to find. It's one of my home defense guns, but I have more suitable guns for that. Nevertheless, it's something that might come in handy during a situation that I never imagined.

Damn, it looks like 12 more hours till the 1895 video. I can't wait! I've already seen his other 1895 video!

Sorry for the dumb question, how did they measure projectile speed back in those days? Maybe you should make a special episode on where you explain 1800's technologies and manufacturing techniques 👍

I've got one of these beauties in .44-40 Winchester. It's a 1977 Winchester Commemorative Cheyenne Carbine. Only 10,000 made and only sold in Canada. It had already been shot before when I acquired it so I shoot it as well, and it's great to take to the range.

The Winchester '94 Model in 25-35 was introduced in 1895.

I have one of these that's been passed down in my family. Amazing gun, even now

This gun is definitely not forgotten I still see a lot of the older people I know hunting with these

Thanks for the great video!

great presentation.. thank you

I saw a 100th Anniversary Model 94 in Iraq in 2003. It had gold inlay, a small gold commemorative plaque from Winchester (if I remember correctly, it was a presentation piece to a senior Ba'ath Party member), and was in a felt lined leather case with a sword cane and a riding crop with a concealed dagger in it. Those rifles definitely got around. If you count the Miroku-made guns as actual Winchester and not a name-only reboot of the brand, then the design is still in circulation.

I personally used one of these rifles which belonged to my dad for deer hunting and for small game. Had very little kick and shot almost like a 22. It was so darn accurate I wish I still had one! I loved it so much. (from Oregon)

I love the 30-30 my old man have been using it for moose hunting for at least 15 to 20 years and it’s still his go to rifle when he gets his license I haven’t seen him clean the gun once and the thing still runs like a dream and will cycle and fire every round you put through it

Very interest history great videos. Thank you.

I own a model 94 and I absolutely love it. it's everything I could ever ask for in a hunting rifle (aside from a scope) and it shoots like a dream. it was my grandfather's, and has a serial number from '41 and still lists its ammunition as 30 WCF lol

Inherited a 94 carbine take-down model in .32WS from my wife's uncle, serial #'s put it about 1920 mfr. Last shot it about 20yrs ago, shot great. Tightened up the lever mechanism about 10yrs ago. Gunsmith valued it at $1800

I like Hickok 45's demo's..... but I also love these videos by RIA.

My grandfather left me his model 94 which he bought new. Great gun.

Awesome video thankyou.

I have a model 94 from the fifties chambered in .32 special. I love it. I also have a 9422M. Love it too. Really fun firearm.

Just a great series, Ian. Thank you.

I sold mine after having it 45 years because my back has gone I miss it its a great gun

Thank Ian.

Cool! Thank you!

My 94 is not forgotten,, i still shoot it,, it will always be my favorite rifle....

Very well done video

this is the best. not enough ppl talk about the guns that are such a big part of our history(American).

I found a 38-55 Winchester the other day. Built in 1901, beautiful rifle.

Nice rifles, nice explanation, nuff said.

That hex barrel is a take-down! Beautiful.

I have a ~1901 'Sporting Rifle' with a 26" barrel. Its a *beast*

I have a model 94 made in the 30s. It was given to me by an old man. His dad had bought it for him new back then and it has a side mounted scope on it.

I own a few hunting rifles with scopes, detachable mags, etc, but I have to admit, for walking around the woods, nothing beats an 94 Winchester with iron sights. Light enough to not need a sling, accurate enough for inside of 100yds, and delivers more energy at 100yds than a 44magnum revolver at the muzzle. I want to go shoot my 94 again now lol

It is a fine rifle. I still have my dads 32 special version that he passed down to me. Has the original nickel finish that i restored and then i updated it a bit with a pearsons tac rail and a long eye relief scope. Ammo is still available for it but is getting scarce so i save all my cartriges for reloading, i also neck up 30-30 cartriges to make my own, since those are readily available. Funny thing is about the 32. At one point a study was apparently done, and they said that the 32 special has a 20% higher success rate dropping deer.

Best channel on the net.......

I went many many many years without ever owning a 94, ironically because most of my gun collection is made up of rarities and unicorns. But for whatever reason I never found one that spoke to me - until finally, only just this year. A beautifully finished survivor from 1959. I plan on making it fully my own. Am currently reprofiling the stock to accept a crescent buttplate (a preference) and plan on some inlay in the wood before staining red and finishing with BLO. Very excited to finally be part of the club!

Would you do a series on the Marlin rifles? I really an curious.

This collectors piece will never been forgotten. I use mine often, and so does several people I know.

My Winchester 94 is a 1939 model according to the serial number. It was my grandpas, then my dads. He gave it to me as my 1st deer rifle. Its still like new cus I take good care of it. Just a few dings in the stock. Its basicly the 1st assault rifle. 30-30 is smaller than the average rifle round, shorter brass, but still enough to get the job done without overkill. It is my primary emergency bug out gun. Its compact yet powerful, easy to find ammo for, easy to use, never jams, decent fire rate, very accurate... and its sucha well known model, for some reason it doesn't frighten squares like a modern rifle. It doesn't look "mean". Only complaint you can make is its kinda heavy compared to a modern assault rifle. Its that single chunk of machined steel reciever. And they make composite stocks with a dovetail rail, tactical grip and suppressor-ready barrels. Though a Tac'd out 30-30 looks kinda funny, we are so used to seeing the stock model. I trust my Win94 to work when I need it to, and thats invaluable.

A 1979 manufactured Winchester model 94 in .30-30 was my second centerfire rifle, after a Norinco Type 56 SKS. Definitely not a big jump in recoil, but a decent jump in power. My first experience with a centerfire rifle was with a Savage 99 in .300 Savage. A model I want to add to the collection.

Great job Ian. How about a comparison of a 2006 manufactured gun to a 1906 manufactured gun

I have one of these guns, a model 94 carbine made in 1965. less valuable than the than the pre 64 models mainly because the steel used in the different parts took the blueing finish with varying results. but still my favorite rifle. thanks Ian.

I bought one of these recently for 289 bucks chambered in 30-30 with a scope and sling. From what I can tell it was a new haven made one but the scope is made in japan. It’s my first John browning designer gun.

Ian, I have enjoyed this series immensely. Is there any chance you could do a follow-up on Marlin lever actions designed throughout the same era, then compare and contract them to the Winchesters you've are going through now?

At last, Ian covers a gun I already had. :)

I inherited one of these produced around 1930, in 32 Winchester Special. ammo isn't common, but still produced, it is by far one of the more fun guns I own. It's extremely accurate and came with a fantastic set of Redfield sights from the factory. No collection should be complete without adding one 94 to it.

It would be great to see unloaded brass cycle through the gun(s)? ... though, I can think of a few reasons why this wouldn't be possible/impractical... Loving the longer development series to really get an appreciation for the progression of ideas. Cheers from Australia!

The most comfortable rifle I have ever fired.

And lastly.... to paraphrase what I tell pretty much every waitress in every restaurant.... "Whatever we (in Patreon) are paying you...... it's not enough". Keep up the good work

How many here have one of these? Drop a like if you've got one.

I just found out mine was made in 1898! Still in great condition, too.

Coffee and guns, good morning America.

The Model 94 isn't forgotten by me! It has been my go to rifle since 1961. Has taken Mule Deer, Pronghorn and Elk, never let me down! Now I use it on feral hogs.

My dad has a 94' and i love that gun

A 3030 model 94 was my first gun. Which I stupidly traded. Recently I got a winchester legendary frontiersman model 94. No plans to trade it. I'll get another 3030 eventually, but right now im enjoying shooting and reloading the 38-55. Id love to get a pistol caliber takedown model also.

i have one of these and its a blast to shoot. The one I have is accurate, low recoil, and lighter than most other hunting rifles. And with 7 rounds in the tube it beats most modern rifles in capacity