On 2/20/2013 2:02 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:
There was a documentary on Winchester that mentioned that 94s before a
certain year are more desirable.



1964 was the first big change.
Some of the internals that were forged before were changed to stamped
sheet metal (so we are on topic). Some solid pins were changed to roll
pins. All in order to reduce manufacturing costs.

All this went over like a lead balloon. Customers were offended - even
though it really made no difference in operation or accuracy.


The next big change was in the early '90s when Winchester redesigned the
action to allow the brass to be ejected to the side rather than straight
up. This was to allow the installation of a scope.

(Marlins have always ejected to the side (oh, and Marlin predates the
Winchester 94 by one year))

At the same time, a cross-bolt safety was added - which again upset a
lot of customers. While it adds a safety feature, the hammer still
releases when the trigger is pulled, but the gun doesn't fire.
Wasted shots were the big complaint. BTW, this is often referred to as
the "Lawyer's Safety".

In 2003 they moved the safety to a tang on the aft end of the receiver.
(Dunno if that locked the trigger, or just blocked the hammer)

Production at Winchester ended in 2006 and moved to Japan.