Model 94 32 Winchester Special!!!
 

My Uncle just gave me my Great Grandfathers Model 94 32 special. I don't know much about it, other than its priceless to me. It was Manufactured in 1949, about 85-90% condition. It has a Williams Peep sight on it. How much would you say it is worth?? I am used to Semi-auto and Bolt-action guns and all my rifles are .308 or 30-06 except this one. How is this gun for deer hunting compared to a .308? Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

I've had a .32 Special for a backup for years. With handloaded and factory loaded jacketed bullets, it's got a little more oomph than a 30-30. I shot a huge black bear and quite a few deer with mine, as well as numerous rabbits & squirrels during small game season. All critters shot, dropped quickly. I bought a bullet mould and started casting my own bullets. I've got a light load with pistol powder that will put a cast bullet at 25 yd.'s in the same spot as a jacketed bullet at 100 yd. Experience hunting squirrels and rabbits makes for great training for deer hunting. The slower 1:16 twist gives great accuracy with cast bullets, with no lead buildup or jacketed bullets(hence "Special"). It's a great rifle.

I don't know what it's worth, but it will kill deer. I have a great uncle that still hunts with one and regularly gets his deer every fall! Also, hard to put a price on firearms that come from our fathers and grandfathers! Keep it and pass it on!
-Jake

Check factory loads. The 170 gr. .32 will invaribly be faster than the 30-30.

I have a Model 64 in 32 WS my father passed down to me. His was 1956. The 64 was only slightly different in it had a longer barrel, 3/4 length tube mag and a pistol grip. The action was the same.
I have never handloaded for it but I know it shoots very well with factory 170 gr. Silvertip. I have shot a few deer with it, a few elk and some coyotes.
There are very limited numbers of available factory ammo and very few component bullets for the 32 WS.

Don't worry I will never get rid of this gun, It will stay in the family.

Would you scope this gun? It would be more practical for me if I did for deer hunting, but at the same time I want to leave it stock.

I've got a Win .32 Spl (1953 vintage I believe) inherited from my Dad. It's a sweetheart and fun to shoot. It will easily kill deer and black bear within appropriate ranges. I've had a Burris FastFire red dot sight installed that greatly increased the sight visibility for my sorry. old eyes.

....Do yourself and the gun a favor and leave it just the way it is now. Those guns were basically short-yardage guns and that's what kind of hunting is best suited for them. Yeah, I can hear the keyboards being fired up right now by some who have killed deer at 150+ yds. with them. I own a 1949 '94 in 32WS..my backup gun for deer and black bear.
.... If you need a scope to kill a deer where you hunt, use your .308 or '06...

I will have to agree with Pawildman leave it as is. You should shoot it with the peep sight. I think you will be surprised at how accurate peep sights can be. I installed a peep sight on my 30-30 and it has helped me in my aiming. I don't care for buckhorn sights that much.

I've had one for quite sometime. I got it off the Ex's uncle. It was his wifes rifle. Unfortunately it has a recoil pad installed. I don't know what year it was made but I do know it's post WWII. It's a clean rifle. I wish I could find a replacement butt stock for it. I've never taken it out to try.

Got two of them here in my family and well they are good guns. They have put alot of deer down for us.

..... New and used buttstocks for 94 Winchesters are fairly common if you know where to look. You might try GunBroker.com, or Numrich Arms at e-Gunparts.com. Good luck.

...PS.. Just checked GunBroker and they currently have 19 Win. Model 94 stock-related items. One is a buttstock with buttplate for a pre-64 Model 94. It is item #229097787, and appears nice. I have bought a lot of things over GunBroker and have never had the slightest bit of a problem. Interested in how you make out... Don.

Thanks Don. I'll have to check them out. I've never bought from GunBroker. Cabela's a few years back had replacement stocks for the older Winchester's. The were new production.

I do appreciate your info.