Winchester 94

[Macgregor]

My grandpa recently gave my Dad a Win 94 that was bouncing around for awhile and has been neglected.
My dad the gave it to me(probly because he wants me to clean the son of a beach).

It has been lubed with some gunk; duck shit, snot, engine grease, or cosmo I have no idea what it is and there is a ton of it and its OLD.
The stuff keeps the pin from going all the way back in the bolt(DANGER) and the block that keeps the bolt closed from going all the way up(even worse), the gun probly hasn't been cleaned in 20 years from when the gunk was slapped on it.
I could get adventurous and take the sucker apart but every time I open up the action I think WTH why would anyone ever design a gun like this?

Anyone know where I could find some good info on cleaning the sucker up?

[culpeper]

Get a few cans of carburetor cleaner from the auto part store or Gun Scrubber at Walmart and eat that shit off so you'll have a better idea what you're up against. BTW, the Winchester 94 is one of the best lever action designs ever. It was designed by John Browning. Same guy that designed everything from the Colt Model 1911 to the Ithaca Model 37 to the Browning (BAR). You've been handed a piece of history.

[Macgregor]

Thanks mate, will do that.
Do I soak the action in the stuff you suggested?

After I get it cleaned up I still have to figure out what I'm going to do with it, I want to put a mount on it.

There are quite alot of 94's floating around in the family, my grandpa bought a boat load of them back in the day.
The gun just seems alittle over engineered to me though, especially for a browning design.

[culpeper]

Carb cleaner and Gun scrubber come in spray cans. It should dissolve what was put on their to protect it for a long time. So, you'll want to do that outside some place.

[Macgregor]

Thanks mate.

Should I remove the furniture?
Just wondering if it will eat up the stock.

[culpeper]

Nah, it has acetone or something in it to make it evaporate rather quick. You could even spray the whole thing down with WD40 first to soak into the gunk and loosen it up first. You're going to have to refinish the stock anyway. Oil finish would look nice. Or just take the stock off the rifle. Clean the stock with very hot water to remove the gunk.

[Macgregor]

Thanks mate, I will post some results after I finish this project.

[Jhenry]

Stripping the weapon down is rather easy. A quick internet search will give you down loadable instructions for the M94. Once you do that, getting the accumulated crap off of it will be easy. Almost any solvent will work fine. Be sure to get the stock furniture off if you plan to use any aggressive stuff such as acetone etc. It will ruin the finish, or in your case the patina. From the sounds of it I would venture a guess that the barrel has never been properly cleaned. Likely copper fouled as well. This model cleans from the muzzle and not the breach, you must take special care to not mar the crown. I use a bore guide made from a 223 case with the base cut off. Soak it in solvent, scrub with a bronze brush and wipe it out. Then use Sweet's 7.62 or any other good copper cleaner and you will be surprised I bet at the amount of copper you will pull out. Unless the stock is ruined I would do nothing except dilute some Tru Oil with mineral spirits and give it a coat.

How old is this thing? Some can be quite valuable. Winchester's web page has information regarding models and years of production. The serial number tells the tale. Anything pre 1964 gets a premium. Pre WWII gets a larger premium. Very early stuff is getting expensive indeed.

Almost forgot, do be sure to use proper gunsmith screwdrivers. Thay are not expensive and are worth the investment. Use a penetrating oil on all screws prior to disassembly. Failure to do this and the use of regular toolbox screwdrivers will booger the screws for sure.

[LoganSackett]

The Winchester 94 is one of my favorite rifles of all time. My favorite variant (besides an original) is the .410 shotgun model they have. Fun little gun.

Congrats on getting an outstanding weapon!:)

[sixgun_symphony]

I want to put a mount on it.



A scope will ruin the fine balance and quick handling characteristics. It's better to go with a Marbles peep sight.