After sighting in at 60 feet, I could easily cover 5 shots with a nickel ukposts.infoUgkxQt2uORDRfFOVSrO4idv4B90ThT6EOnEL ! Truly a pleasure to shoot! Scope was easy to adjust for eye relief. Only problem the varmints must have seen it delivered lol!Update: So impressed with shot groups at 30 yards I purchased a Hammers 3×9 with adjustable Objective scope! Now a true nail driver!

I absolutely love this rifle. I recently saved one from a turn in after the owner passed. Dumb luck really. I worked with the owner's daughter and the mother found it buried after turning in all of the other weapons he owned. My friend asked if I wanted it and gave it to me not knowing anything about it. I ran the serial number on Winchester's site and it said was manufactured in 1895. I wouldn't let her just give it to me so I had it appraised and gave her a fair price for it. It is in amazing condition.

One of the greatest guns ever made, mine was made in 1950 it belonged to 2 grandfathers (both sides of the family)and my dad, now it’s mine so it means alot to me, it’s in immaculate condition

Just got my 94 at a swap meet for $300. It was made in 1909 still shoots beautifully.

The 150 grain bullets usually end up inside and next to the hide. The 170 grain bullets go thru the deer. Love the rifle handles well when stalking thru the woods with one hande. Now unload the rifle by holding it in my left hand and my hunting hat under the gate. Point it in a safe direction and cycle the lever and the cartridges will drop into the hat. This keeps the cartridges clean and off the dirt.

Been spring loading mine for decades. If you practice, it's much easier to load 3/4 shell and slide next one in same way. Can load it much faster.

My ‘94 was made in 1923 in 38-55 cal. Has a Lyman tang sight and in excellent condition.

Got a '94 "Trapper" model. Takes Blacktail on the West side of the Cascades, and Whitetail on the East side. At close range, 100 yds, or closer, it'll drop Mule deer, and even Elk. Also Black bear, with heavier grain 30-30 rounds. Great all around hunting and defense carbine.

Well, you're half-right. Most, if not all, older Model 94s will load as you describe. Many newer Model 94s will not load a cartridge into the magazine once the previous cartridge is fully loaded into the gun. I have one of each. In fact, Winchester states in the owner's manual to leave a portion of the previous shell sticking out of of the magazine to load the next. I agree, this is super annoying when you see other 94s that don't have the issue. There are numerous fixes on the internet that suggest polishing the back side of the loading gate, and/or shortening the magazine spring to let off tension so the shells can be loaded easier. I guess my point is, there are some 94s that no matter how hard you try you cannot perform a tactical reload. It's not necessarily the intelligence of the owner.

The best way to unload with absolute safety involved is the method I use. Lever out your chambered round, then bring your next round up and start the slide to the chamber but do not chamber it, bring your lever back all the way cover the opening with your hand and jiggle out the round. This way also saves on the rim of the cartrige as it never engages totally with the cartridge.

I got one about 3 years back from a client I was doing a job for. Fell out of his closet and asked if he'd be interested in selling it. Sure enough he was willing to part with it and I got it for $150. Mine was made in 60s. Favorite rifle to shoot though that's for sure!

As the proud owner of a gorgeous, unrestored 1956 Winchester 94, I greatly appreciate the tutorial. Informative and beneficial. Because of its beautiful condition - original blueing, very slight gate wear, in-tact sight cowl, and perfect stock - I'm always reluctant to fire this piece of Americana. I should get over that, huh?

I just got a Pre 64 Winchester 94--- so stoked. My first lever action. 1955 made.

My Grandfather owned the same Model 1894 saddle ring carbine in .30-30 from 1936 until 1993. I have a photo with him and that gun from 1936 with a large deer, and he hunted with it until he was 79. He killed just about everything with it. Deer, bear, grouse, rabbits, everything. He told me that there was no gun as versatile as the Model 94 and he was right. I've owned probably a dozen or more over the years in a variety of calibers, these days I have two, a Model 1894 rifle in .38-55 and a SRC from 1921 in .30-30. There are few guns that can keep up with the Model 1894 when it comes to reliability, and in .30-30, probably one of the best all around calibers you can get.

Nice video. Have one manufactured in 1937. 85 years old and still in original condition. Shows a little wear, not much. Passed down through the family. Again, great video.

I find holding the rifle with my left hand (I'm right-handed) with my pinky wrapped around holding the neck of the cartridge just pushed 3/4 of the way into the port, chasing each succeeding cartridge with the next until the last one, which can just be pushed beyond the gate nose with my right hand. Simple as pie. Works on any gate-loaded lever action.

the reason that the guy on the video was pushing the rounds in with the next round was to prevent finger pinching and probably need to perfect it..some loading gates are more forgiving

I can tell you why the guy was loading it the way he was (which is the same way I do it). You can push it in far enough for the loading gate to barely close behind the base of the cartridge, but it is not far enough in to catch on the mechanism that controls when a round backs out of the magazine tube into the action. When that happens and the loading gate closes, the cartridge slips back into the action a little bit and then blocks the loading gate from opening. At that point, you can't add more rounds. Mine was made in 76 with a lot of stamped parts that sometimes have sharp edges. You don't want to be shoving any of your appendages inside the action through the loading gate to get the rounds far enough forward that you can let the loading gate close between inserting rounds.

I added the Williams aperture sights to one of my 94s also for the same reason - aging eyes. It already had the two drilled/tapped holes on the left side of the receiver for it.

I brought mine new in 1978 in 44/40, a fairly uncommon calibre in that model. It was stolen in 1989 and because I still had the receipt I got it back in 2002 (long story) I've got 10 other Winchester lever actions in all models but the little 94 is the first one I grab from the safe when I need a rifle in a hurry on the farm.

I appreciate these simple videos because there's a lot of young guys that don't know these things

Very nice video. My family ‘94 was built by Winchester in 1898 and was restored over the years, primarily in Japan which has the best wood and metallurgy experts. Tigereye Maple stocks, complemented by serious silver inlay engraving. In 32-40, I cast my own 165 grain bullets for it.

I prefer my Marlin. It side ejects instead of top eject. Optics options. And it loads easily, like you demonstrate with this Winchester.

The ‘94 is a fantastic rifle for thin skinned game. I have a reviver mount Fast Fire 3moa on mine that is great for old eyes. Have used a Remington M7 for years, by the older I get the more fun I have getting close. A good red dot on a 94 is now the hot ticket For heavy cover.

I have the same Williams site on my 94. Fun fact. If you unscrew and remove the aperture piece, you now have a,”Ghost Ring,” rear site which is as fast an iron site as has ever been invented. It’s just as accurate, IMO, as the eye naturally centers the front site.

I have always loaded mine the way you show and I have had mine since 1985. One thing though doesn't the manufacturer recommend loading the magazine with no more than six rounds. I have always went with 5 rounds in the mag as to lesson the compression on the magazine spring and hopefully make it last longer. Just my own precaution. Great vid. Thank you.

Very informative video. I just bought a 1957 Model 94. It's in as new condition. Going hog hunting this week with it.

I just found your video tonight because my wife and I went to this police/military store that also sold guns. Found a 1971 Winchester Model 94 on a rack with shotguns today on 12/21/22. The tag said it had been there since November 3rd. Someone glued a diamondback rattlesnake hide on the forearm. Now I'm learning all about it.

A couple of different with mine. I have an 1892 in .357. Depressing the gate is like pushing back a rat trap spring, so the half out works well with that size cartridge.

Originally made in New Haven,Connecticut and they employed a lot of craftsman , both man and women.

Just bought an original 1899 .38-55 model 94, such a pretty gun

Beautiful furniture on that rifle. I have a '58 and a '62.

I would love to get a older one. The Winchester is amazing to me and the only lever I really like because of the light weight and handiness when carrying in the woods or to the range. Nothing else compairs

For those who wear glasses to see distance, you can aviod putting an add-on peep sight on the rifle by cutting a square of black electrical tape, punching a clean, sharp 1/16" hole in the middle of the square, and simply sticking onto you right lens. As you lean into the stock, you willneed to place it in the upper, left corner of the lens because that's where youer eye will be aiming from. Fiddle with the placement a bit, til the hold is natural. This method places the light refractory at your prescription focal point for best effect, rather than having to adjust your hold to fit a static rear peep placement on the tang or reciever. The hole will always be placed correctly, no matter what rifle you shoot. Works for pistols, too, but you place the tape more to the middle of the lens. Your prescription will focus the distant target and the peep will focus the sights, with less focal confusion in between. Less than a penny. The M-94 in .30WCF remains a very viable general hunting rifle and cartridge, with about the same ballistic s as the 7.62x39. I love mine, born in 1939. The 94 is far stronger than it needs to be for the .30WCF, but it does not compare to the Savage 99, though, which is my all time favorite lever gun in .300 Savage.

Finally after 30 years I know how to load without the spring pressure

I have a pre 64 , just like me! Love carrying it, sweet rifle !

Love my ‘ol ‘94 in 32 Special!

First deer rifle I owned , have always had one. Need to push second cartridge in following the first and so on , otherwise gate is a pain to get Next cartridge in if loading gate closes!

I like the tube fed levers of Henry but their both great I like em no matter.

My dad gave me one in 1973. I’ve down a number of deer with it. I hunted in hilly heavy brush and this was the perfect rifle. Winchester later started putting those silly safty features which ruined the gun.

you can unload em without chambering each round. Open lever, turn upside down and wiggle it out. Close lever and next will arrive out of magazine. Open lever, do not close, use fingers to wiggle out next round. Might take an extra minute, but no rounds going into chamber.

This is my all time favorite rifle! I will forever say it’s the most versatile one in my collection

Thank you for the video 👍

I don't know why, but most of the time when I see "gun channels" with lever actions they don't even know how to properly cycle a lever action. Or when they fire a round they drop the rifle from their shoulder and cycle a round.the rifle should stay on your shoulder and the lever should be run with authority in a quick, smooth arc. Love my levers, have a couple of several manufacturer's with the savage 99 and the Browning blur at the top of the list, 99 is a 250 savage and blur is a .358win. Thanks for a very good tutorial on loading and unloading a 94.

Enjoyed your video, very well done

I’ve got a 94 AE version too but mine doesn’t have that silly safety. The 30-30 is no Nancy round, definitely will get the job done up to 200 yards.

My experience is that it sucks loading if one compares to other rifles. I have had a -94 and I now have a Mossberg 30-30 and that one has an ejector on the side. Furthermore it can only do well with winchesters silvertip. Other tumble like hell. Anyway it’s my number one weapon. One can learn to shoot with whatever if one only practice

I love my 94’s, and 92’s, and my one and only 95.

Thanks for teaching me

Great video, thanks for the tips. What's that ammo holder on the stock ? It looks nice.

both of my daughters were made in New Haven Connecticut ! nice, thx!

The ones that are made in Japan are built by firearm experts and they are incredible rifles.

Love your Love of the 94

I just bought a winchester 94 that was left in a barn in Florida for a couple years. Made in 1958 it's been soaking in PB blaster and is starting to come loose. All the furniture needs replaced but beyond that and ordering new screws it's looking like it can be saved

Got my grandpa's 94. He installed the same peep sight, I imagine for the same reason you did! I have a hard time hitting the target consistently with the rifle and I wonder if it has something to do with the wider rear aperture? Wonder if Williams make a smaller aperture to switch out?

I own a .356 lever gun in a model 94 and it's enough to stop a freight train. I do beg to disagree however, the 1873 is the rifle that won the west. I have one clone made by Uberti (Taylor's and Co.) and also an 1866 Yellow Boy by Winchester, both in .44-40. All are a real hoot to shoot.

Did you have to put on a taller front sight when you put on the peep site? I put an XS ghost ring sight on my trapper and it shoots too high to sight in now. So I'm going to get a differnt front sight or rear sight that works with what I have.

Wow...genius!

I was always taught to hold it upside down when unloading live amo

My father just gave me a 1902 94 32 special made in New Haven CT. Cannot find ammo in Canada for this baby.

Great video! Where did you get your gun cuff from?

My 94 is probably my fav thing ever.

did it the wrong way with a marlin as a kid even though my dad showed me that way. one time i was doin it the wrong way n as i was pushing the first cartridge in with the second, i slipped n the first cartridge sprung back behind the loading gate. daddy wasnt happy when he got home. took him forever to get that cartridge out.

I have a newer 94 I bought in 2004 and removed the rear tang and installed a decent optic on it. Its surgical out to 200 yards...ive not tried further. I hunt in Alberta using Hornaday Leverevolution rounds and every deer Ive killed with the firearm is DOA. Since I started with the hornaday ammo ive fired 4 rounds and killed 1 fence post and 3 deer all over 100 yards. I recommend it however Ive not successfuly been able to load the new ammo as youve shown in your video. If I let the door close thats it.. I m going to try my old round nose tube magazine rounds the way you've shown and see if that works. Maybe the points on the hornaday rounds are the issue? I never load more than 5 rounds anyway. If you need 10 there's a problem. Also fyi the 94 with a decent 10 power scope looks beautiful, handles well and is quick on target plus beats carrying a cannon in the Rocky Mountains. Greg. Alberta.

I will never understand why people insist on removing safeties simply because the initial version of the gun had no safety. Like the guys that do cowboy shoots with new production single actions. It makes no difference in the performance of the gun. Nothing is improved by removing the safety. Trigger pull is still the same. In your case you have even made the gun unsafe for someone to use it by leaving the crossbolt in place. What if someone has the crossbolt in the safe position and accidentally fires the gun? That responsibility falls on you the gun owner if anyone is hurt.

You had my subscription at “deer sized targets” lol

Feel fortunate to have one bought it at k mart twenty plus years ago

Wow very informative. Have one from about 1954. Grandpa’s 😢

It looks like you load your Winchester 94 the same way I load my Sears Ted Williams model 100 by using your pinky to push the around in further. 👍🇺🇲☮🍺

I have the Ranger, not sure the difference but in any case its friggin awesome.

Can you tell me if the bolt is supposed to rub the top of the trigger when chambering on a 94?

Never overlook a Classic Winchester 94. Or lever rifle is its your only option. In an emergency the .30-30 Winchester can outperform the 5.55x45mm and 7.62x39 within a 100 to 150 yards. I've read that the AK's 7.62x39 is about 20% more powerful that the 5.55x45mm and the .30-30 Winchester is about 20% more powerful than the .30-30. Depending on ammunition and of all being the same type of bullet.

Most dangerous rifle in the world. Was great for the old West, but I stay away from people carrying these.

I bought one of these way back in the 1900s. Paid $150 at a gun show. My former supervisor told me that they had skyrocketed in price and were selling around $600 or $700. He offered to give me my money back for it.

Are you able to make a video on how to properly clean and lubricate this rifle?

My rossi r 92 lever action 45 colt is a nightmare to load my Henry 45 with the side load gate is way easier to load the other benefit is on the Henrys you can just pull the tube out and dump them out they hold 10+1 I love lever guns !! 😊 If your in a bind you can crank some rounds out now someday I would love to get a authentic Winchester but for now my rossi and Henry a pair of uberti 45 shooters and a stoger coach side by side is what you will find hanging off my truck rack or my saddle scabbard And they have saved my life a time or two from rattlers and other threats when I was bringing in stock mending fence or plowing

Tge essential rifle for anybody anywhere

I've left you a comments in the past about sites. Can you also tell me where I can get a stock cover like yours

Best rifle ever. John brownings genius on display...

Nice vid I load my 1951 .32 Special that way . Easy peasy. BTW I use 170 and 200 grain loads.

when unloaded, is good to keep safety plug on, right?

Optometrist here--Unbelievable that shooter of Winchester wore no safety glasses. 😐

The ammo holder on the butt looks very stable. What brand, where did you purchase?

I've hear the ammo sleeve can slide up and get in the way of the lever. I'm going to try tying of the end somehow so it doesn't catch on a branch, like right when Mr. bear is attacking and ruin my bruin.

Can you suggest a Better iron site, then the ones that came with my 30-30.

I bought a 94 from a friend who was going through a divorce. Later he bought it back. Later on I bought it back and now it is a keeper.

I inherited my father's model 94 ranger

The loading technique works on older 94’s, but on every 1970’s vintage one I have owned, the first round loaded blocks the loading gate from opening again. If you mess up, sometimes an energetic shake will move the round enough to open the gate again, but usually you have to cycle the round through and start over.

To UNload, turn the rifle upside down pointing towards the ground in a safe direction, and place your hat beneath the Breach, holding it by the brim. Lever all the rounds into your hat then into the box. The Brim of the hat faces Forward except when using a face shield.

What is that brand of ammo holder/sleeve?

I unload mine from the gate. That way i only have to lever it one time

Good video

The butt stock on mine seems loose and wiggles. Any ideas on how to fix it? Surprisingly, it doesn't seem to have affected the accuracy as long as I hold it so the stock is stable to one side or the other.

You’ve probably found this out by now but that elastic cartridge holder on the stock will wear off the finish. I found this out the hard way

My Wonderful Father gifted me this rifle at 15 and I still have it @ 34yr. I never learned how to clean it after shooting. I also dont know where To find cleaning tools? Another question? Where can I find the extra accessories for the rifle?

I seen a guy struggle to load one of these too……..right about the 1:28 mark. Lol. Just messing with you. Lol

I got a 32 win special late 1897 ser 118335. All original round barrel. The didnt make many of those. And yes the barrel is original

So Springfield armoury no longer supplies parts????

Winchester and Henry rifles are excellent !

If the rounds pop back out can you unload through the loading port?