Model 94 (project gun)???

[kalboy]

 Took a trip today to a LGS (the one with the $139.00 HP 995, figuring on buying it) and saw a mechanically excellent condition Winchester 94 30-30 for $145.00. Only problem is some goober had painted the entire surface,every square millimeter, flat crinckle black! After thinking what a dumba**) for a minute I began to consider. The wood would be no problem,and "old slabside" would be as easy as any repeating firearm could be to strip the awful paint job from. Serial # is in the high 4 million range and dates this gun to 81 or so(I didn't write it down so that's as close as I can get from memory.) I know that certain years of post 64 94 receivers Win. used a manufacturing process / materials that are hard to refinish . Anybody have any thoughts? Any help or comments very much appreciated! I am certainly not a gun snob,but I may be a gun bigot as I thought "How does someone do this to a good gun"? The surface both metal and wood do not appear  in bad shape as close as can be told through the paint. This mod would be at home on a HP carbine or maybe a Romanian AK but on a New Haven Winchester? I know the 65-80 something years weren't Winchester's finest hour, but damn it this ain't something that looks right on a lever even if done very well.YMMV

PS  I could fire this gun before purchase ruling out functional problems

[don3]

Sounds like a great deal! you could replace the stocks for not much or like you said a good project. you could have it refinished, might cost a little but even new [1980ish] winchesters are going for a good price. Does it have the push button safty on the receiver?[I do hate that] I would guess its a angel eject? There are inexpensive refinishes out there. Go for it, you will always get your money back as long as it works. Post some photos as you go with this!

[kalboy]

 Thanks for the input, I'm happy to get it! The rifle has no external safety. As to whether it's an AE, I'll have to admit that I didn't notice. Too absorbed in overall appearance I guess. The action was smooth and slick,better than the later guns (with safeties both push button and tang) that were kind of well...... sticky or rough. The internals looked minty. Pics before, during and after will be posted , if I proceed with this(and it's still there tomorrow).  Kind of thinking that I'm going to try to do this all myself in an attempt to see what can be done by a "shade tree " gun refinisher and to demonstrate what can be done at very little cost, with a little help from Brownells. Then maybe if it doesn't look good to think of professional work. A kind of  Cinderella if you would. It would be sort of neat to parade a decent looking (assuming I can do it reasonably well) Pheonix just rescued from the ashes. I've reblued (with cold blue) several guns for myself and others and if done correctly ,using the better products of this type, surprisingly good results can be obtained. Not professional hot blue, but far better than most would think possible with something from a bottle. We'll see how things go.Thanks again Don, I do appreciate the input!
                                                                                              KB

PS Thinking I can keep this around $165 or less total when finished. Have most supplies already.

[MxdAzn9]

Ya better have pics of a finished product! 

[kalboy]

Ya better have pics of a finished product! 

  Mxd, if I do this you'll see enough pics to gag a maggot! Especially the before pic. You won't believe what some will do to a gun.

[kalboy]

 Update... this may be on hold pending further developments(like a 357 mag).

[erc]

 

[Ape]

First off..... I'm with ya all the way on painting a gun like that! 

Secondly....... I don't understand where the reservations and quandry's are coming from!?!? 
145.00 and the bore, metal and action are all in good shape!?!? And yet we're not ,ooking at pics of you fondeling it at it's new home!?!?

I'm a cheap SOB and I'd have brought that one home!   lol 

[kalboy]

Update... this may be on hold pending further developments(like a 357 mag).

Ape, the same day I saw this gun I also (in another shop) discoverd a very nice Winchester   Model 12, 12 ga Nickle steel 30" full choke barrel shotgun that is to go on sale soon at a very nice price. Also on Whittaker's website I saw a couple 357 revolvers that were well priced and in mint condition. Both discontinued mdels here too. Well, I'm not rich so some hard choices were in order. I also had a Ruger Blackhawk on layaway and just had too many irons in the fire to get the 94. I have been wanting a Model 12 for some time and also have been looking for a K-frame S&W, preferably in 357. Got the S&W Model 13 from Whitt., traded an H&R 22 Hornet for the balance of my layaway on the Blackhawk($175) and am in negotiations on the Model 12. The guy with the Model 12 also just got in an older 870(late 50s /early 60s) in nice shape and may go that route instead, ( at about half the cost). Still the Model 12 at $450 is just a pretty good bargain for what it is. Whittaker is asking $100-$200 more for similar. It would help to be rich and if you would like to make a donation I'll pm my address.

[Ape]

Ahhhhhhh.... Well if I had a shop out here that had a lay away plan I guess I'd have to many irons in the fire too!   lol

I have a model 120 I'll sell ya for less than the model 12! 

[kalboy]

 Well ............ uhh.......... thanks , but you need that shotty!

[Ape]

Ya I'd never sell her! I was just puttin a tease out there for ya. 

I actually love that shotty! She's taken many a upland game down for me and the family over the years. And she does pretty dang well shootin clays too! 

[kalboy]