RE: Save it or try it out?
Despite the buying frenzy of the last couple of months, with over six million 1894s produced, current ones are not going to increase in value in any substantial way in the short term. By short term, i mean at least the next 10 to 20 years. Just my opinion.
With Olin still owning the Winchester name, I cannot see Winchester leaving permenently. Somebody WILL buy the rights to the name, and I strongly suspect 1894s will be produced again, with the Winchester name on them.
If it were mine, I would shoot it.