Winchester 94 Lever Action Rifle Owners Manual

							9
the inside of the barrel, receiver, cartridge feed mecha-
nism and the action/chamber areas. A high quality, light
gun oil should be used to remove this compound and to
give your new gun its first lubrication. Clean the barrel
using a cleaning rod and patch as explained under
ÒCleaning and Maintenance SuggestionsÓ found later in
this manual. First lubrication suggestions are outlined
below.
If your new Model 94 is for collectorÕs purposes only, it is
permissible to leave the rust preventative compound in
place and keep your Model 94 in its box for maximum
protection during long term storage. 
OILING THE ACTION
Before the first firing of your Model 94 you should first
wipe the mechanism completely clean, clean the bore and
apply a few drops of quality oil on the following surfaces
(See Figure 2):
¥ Along the breech bolt surface.
¥ On each side of the vertical locking lug on the top and
bottom.
¥ Along the breech bolt rail surfaces.
Avoid applying too much oil. Only a light film is neces-
sary. Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions should be
followed before each oiling.
OPERATION OF THE HAMMER
The Model 94Õs Rebounding Hammer is a safety feature
designed to protect the firing pin from being struck by the
hammer when the trigger is not being pulled. After firing
your rifle the hammer immediately moves to the rebound
position. From this position, under normal conditions, the
hammer is prevented from moving forward and striking
the firing pin. The rebound position and the manual ham-
mer stop are intended to work together to provide protec-
tion against unintentional or accidental firing.
FIGURE 2Lightly oil the action
at these points 
						

							10
HAMMER POSITIONSÑ
The rebounding hammer on your Model 94 has two 
positions as follows:
1. Rebound or ÒsafetyÓ position. This position 
(See Figure 3) takes the place of the dropped and half-
cocked positions found on earlier models. The rebounding
feature of the hammer essentially eliminates the dropped
position. The hammer only travels to the dropped posi-
tion momentarily after the trigger has been pulled withthe hammer cocked. The hammer then automatically
moves to the rebound position.
THE REBOUND POSITION IS CONSIDERED
THE SAFETY POSITION. IT IS THE RECOM-
MENDED POSITION OF THE HAMMER AT ALL
TIMES AND SHOULD BE IN THAT POSITION
EXCEPT (1) WHEN FIRING IS IMMINENT (2) OR
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACTION HAS BEEN
CYCLED.
2. Cocked position. This is the position that the hammer
is moved to when firing is imminent (See Figure 4). It is
also the position the hammer moves to when the action is
cycled using the finger lever.
WHEN THE HAMMER IS IN THE COCKED POSI-
TION THE HAMMER STOP SHOULD BE IN THE
ON POSITION UNLESS FIRING IS IMMINENT.
FIGURE 5A
Hammer stop in on
(safe) position
FIGURE 4Cocked position of
hammer. 
FIGURE 3Rebound position
of hammer 
						

							MANUALHAMMER STOPÑ
The manual hammer stop is a modern feature built into the
action of your Model 94 to provide an additional level of
safety when it is in the on position.
ÒOnÓ Position.When the hammer stop is pushed all the way
to the right it is in the on position (See Figure 5-A). In this
position it blocks the hammer from striking the firing pin. 
THIS IS THE RECOMMENDED POSITION OF
THE HAMMER FOR ALL TIMES EXCEPT WHEN
FIRING IS IMMINENT. 
ÒOffÓ Position. When the hammer stop is pushed all the
way to the left it is in the ÒoffÓ position (See Figure 5-B). 
This is the position of the hammer stop when firing is
imminent. 
To place the hammer stop in the ÒonÓ position: 1. First, 
POINT YOUR RIFLE IN A SAFE DIREC-
TION, THEN PLACE THE MANUAL HAMMER
STOP IN THE ÒONÓ POSITION 
by pushing it from
left to right with your thumb or finger (the thumb works
well for right handed shooters) until the red ÒwarningÓ
ring disappears (Refer again to Figure 5-A).
2. When the red ring is visible on the left side of the man-
ual hammer stop, it is in the ÒoffÓ position (Refer again to
Figure 5-B). It is placed in the ÒoffÓ position by pushing
the stop with your finger fully to the left until the red ring
is showing. The manual hammer stop can be actuated with
the hammer in the rebound or cocked position.
LOWERING THE HAMMER
At any time the hammer can be cocked either manually or
by cycling the finger lever fully. Unless shooting is immi-
nent it is important to move the hammer immediately to
the rebound position from the cocked position. To do this: 
1. Make sure the barrel is pointed in a safe direction and
that the hammer stop is in the ÒonÓ position.
2. Get a stable grip on your rifle with your hand in shoot-
ing position. With slight upward pressure from your fingers
push the finger lever upward against the stock (this releas-
es the trigger stop as explained later). Place your thumb on
the hammer and firmly hold the hammer back slightly
with your thumb (See Figure 6-A). 
11
FIGURE 5B
Hammer stop
inoff (fire)
position 
						

							12
3. While holding the hammer back apply just enough
pressure on the trigger and finger lever to release the ham-
mer from the full-cock position. Immediately remove your
finger from the trigger and slowly and carefully allow the
hammer to lower into the rebound position 
(See Figure 6-B).
TRIGGERSTOP
It is important that the breech be fully closed before your
rifle is fired. To help assure that this is always the case,
your Model 94 has a trigger stop mechanism. To fire your
rifle it is necessary for the finger lever to depress the trig-
ger stop (See Figure 7). The trigger stop is not a safety. It
is simply an interlock to assure that the breech is fully
closed before a cartridge can be discharged. Never rely on
the trigger stop to prevent accidental discharge.
When wearing gloves, a portion of the glove may get
between the lever and the lower tang preventing the lever
from depressing the trigger stop Ñ making it necessary to
squeeze upward on the finger lever.
REMEMBER, NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON YOUR
FIREARMÕSMECHANICAL ÒSAFETYÓ DEVICES. 
As is true with other firearms, when the safety mechanism
Trigger Stop
Finger Lever 
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 6B
Remove your finger
from the trigger and
lower the hammer to
the rebound position
Be extremely careful!
FIGURE 6AFirmly hold the
hammer back 
						

							on this rifle is engaged, it is designed to prevent acciden-
tal discharge. However, this mechanism will not necessar-
ily prevent the accidental discharge of this firearm as a
result of jarring or abuse such as occurs when a firearm is
dropped. 
ALWAYS ASSUME THAT YOUR GUN CAN BE
FIRED AT ANY TIME, EVEN WITH ALL SAFETY
MECHANISMS ENGAGED. 
Whenever you are not actually firing your rifle always be
certain that your gun is pointed in a safe direction.
Continually be aware of the position of the manual ham-
mer stop on your rifle. Check it both manually and visual-
ly to avoid any chance of accidental discharge. Always
keep the manual hammer stop in the ÒonÓ position unless
you are actually firing the rifle. It is a good idea to keep
the action open (with the finger lever down) at all times
other than when you are in the field and shooting is
imminent.
IMPORTANT: IT IS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED
THAT THE ACTION BE KEPT OPEN AT ALL
TIMES WHEN YOUR RIFLE IS LAYING ON ANY
BENCH OR TABLE AT A SHOOTING RANGE
OR OTHER FACILITY.
ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR RIFLE
POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. FAILURE TOFOLLOW THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS COULD
RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOURSELF
OR OTHERS.
ASSEMBLY/ DISASSEMBLY
Your Model 94 comes fully assembled in the box except
for the installation of the scope and mounts included 
with some Ranger models. No assembly to the rifle itself 
is required. No disassembly is required for normal 
maintenance.
If your Model 94 requires disassembly for any reason (such
as requiring extra cleaning after being dropped in water)
it should be performed by a competent gunsmith, 
by one of our Authorized Repair Centers, 
or by our service facility.
INSTALLING ASCOPE
This installation procedure applies to Model 94s that
have been drilled and tapped at the factory. General
instructions for the scope mounts provided with some
Model 94s are outlined below. Be sure to also follow the
instructions provided with your mounts.
1. Remove the plug screws and de-grease the holes in the
top of the receiver.
2. Each mount comes in two pieces. Remove the mount
caps (top parts) and fasten the mounts (bottom parts) to
13 
						

							the top of the receiver. (You may want to apply a remov-
able locking compound to each screw to assure they stay
secure under the effects of recoil). The mount with two
holes parallel to the receiver is mounted on the front of
the receiver. The mount with holes side by side (perpen-
dicular to the receiver) mounts at the back. 
IMPORTANT:  The Òsee-throughÓ mounts provided with
some Model 94s are slanted front to back. They should be
installed with the slant toward the front. 
3. Once the mounts are in place, lay the scope inside the
stirrups, replace the caps and lightly tighten the cap
screws.
4. Before fully tightening the cap screws adjust the scope
forward or backward to achieve the proper eye relief (eye
relief is the distance your eye must be from the rear lens of
the scope to bring the entire field of view into focus).
Proper eye relief is extremely important with heavier cal-
ibers. To prevent injury resulting from the rim of a scope
hitting your forehead, follow all instructions concerning
eye relief provided with your scope. 
5. When the proper eye relief is found, tighten the cap
screws in a rotating, crossing pattern. (Do not over tight-
en so as to strip the screws or damage the scope tube).
6. Bore sight your rifle by placing a target 50 feet away
and aligning the open sights to the target. Now adjust the
cross hairs of the scope (as explained in your scopeÕsinstructions) to center on the bullÕs-eye. The rifle must be
held extremely steady during this operation. If you have
Òsee-throughÓ scope mounts it helps to first fire a group at
50 feet and then adjust the open sights to put your group
on the bullÕs-eye. 
With the cross hairs adjusted as explained above, test fire
a few shots using the scope to confirm that you are shoot-
ing on the paper. 
7. Now carefully follow the instructions on sighting in
provided with your scope.
Important: If you are using a scope, you may consider
using a hammer extension. Refer to the instructions on
mounting a hammer extension later in this manual.
GENERALOPERATION
ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A
SAFE DIRECTION. 
Prior to using live ammunition, it is essential that you
familiarize yourself thoroughly with these operating
instructions. Get accustomed to the feel of your new gun. 
¥ Know the forces required to operate the action
¥ Know what forces are required to pull the trigger
¥ ABOVE ALL, KNOW HOW TO PLACE THE
HAMMER INTO THE SAFETY (REBOUND)
14 
						

							POSITION AND THE MANUAL HAMMER STOP
INTO THE ÒONÓ POSITION.
Throughout this manual the ÒactionÓ refers to the mecha-
nism of a firearm which loads and secures the cartridge in
the chamber. If the action resists closing, do not force it.
Small pieces of grit or other obstructions can make it diffi-
cult to close the action. Make sure all surfaces are clean if
any unusual resistance is felt. However, remember that
this is a finely fitted action purposely made with tight fit-
ting tolerances. This assures your gun of good part-to-part
fit for many years to come and is the sign of a finely craft-
ed firearm. 
LOADINGPROCEDURES
USE THE CORRECT AMMUNITION AS INDI-
CATED BY THE INSCRIPTION ON THE BAR-
REL. AS EXPLAINED PREVIOUSLY, BEFORELOADING YOUR RIFLE MAKE SURE ALL
GREASE AND OIL HAS BEEN REMOVED
FROM THE BARREL AND CHAMBER, AND
THERE ARE  NO OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE BAR-
REL OR ACTION AREAS. 
LOADING THE CHAMBERÑ
The chamber may be loaded two ways:
(1) Load the chamber by placing a cartridge directly into
the chamber through the opened action (See Figure 8), or
(2) load the chamber by transferring a cartridge that was
previously loaded into the magazine (See Figure 9) to the
chamber by operating the finger lever. 
IN EITHER CASE, ALWAYS FIRST PLACE THE 
15
FIGURE 8FIGURE 9
Loading directly into the
chamberWorking the 
finger lever
Loading a 
cartridge from 
the magazine 
						

							MANUAL HAMMER STOP IN THE ON POSI-
TION, AND THEN PLACE THE HAMMER INTO
THE SAFETY (REBOUND), POSITION UPON
CLOSING THE ACTION.
LOADING THE MAGAZINEÑ 
The magazine is loaded through the port on the right side
of the receiver. 
1. With the action closed and the manual hammer stop in 
the ÒonÓ position and the hammer in the safety (rebound)
position, press the spring cover inward with the tip of the
first cartridge until all but the rim has entered the loading
port (See Figure 10). 
2. Then, insert the next cartridge in the same manner,
pushing the preceding cartridge into the magazine. 3. Repeat this procedure with each cartridge, but push the
last cartridge past the end of the spring cover, allowing
the cover to snap closed (See Figure 11). Do not exceed
the recommended capacity of the magazine.
BEFORE LOADING, ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO
ALWAYS PLACE THE MANUAL HAMMER
STOP IN THE ON POSITION, AND THE 
HAMMER INTO THE SAFETY (REBOUND), 
POSITION.
CAUTION: ALWAYS MAKE SURE THE CAR-
TRIDGES ARE OF THE PROPER CALIBER FOR
YOUR RIFLE. CHECK THE AMMUNITION DES-
IGNATION ON THE BARREL. FAILURE TO
FOLLOW THIS INSTRUCTION CAN RESULT IN
SEVERE DAMAGE TO YOUR GUN AND POSSI-
16
FIGURE 11FIGURE 10Insert the cartridge 
to the rim (no farther)
Push the last cartridge fully in,
allowing the cover to close Cover closed 
						

							BLE SERIOUS INJURY TO YOURSELF OR
OTHERS. 
UNLOADINGPROCEDURES
Fully unloading your rifle when storing your rifle or in
other appropriate situations is essential to safe gun han-
dling. 
BEFORE UNLOADING, CHECK TO ASSURE
THAT THE MANUAL HAMMER STOP IS IN THE
ON POSITION (SAFE) BY PUSHING IT FROM
LEFT TO RIGHT. KEEP YOUR FINGER AWAY
FROM THE TRIGGER WHEN CYCLING THE
ACTION.
IMPORTANT: 
1. With the gun pointed in a safe direction and your fin-
ger off the trigger, swing the finger lever downward fully.
This will extract any cartridge from the chamber and
eject it. Capture (or pick up) the cartridge and return the
finger lever fully upward. 
2. Proceed to operate the finger lever in the same manner
transferring all the remaining cartridges from the maga-
zine to the chamber and then eject them out. It is possi-
ble, with practice, to carefully work the lever and capture
the loaded ejected cartridges with your other hand.
THROUGHOUT THE UNLOADING PROCESSMAKE SURE THAT THE MANUAL HAMMER
STOP STAYS IN THE ON POSITION AND
THAT YOU KEEP YOUR FINGER AWAY FROM
THE TRIGGER AT ALL TIMES.
When cartridges no longer eject when you cycle the
action, further assure that no cartridges remain by open-
ing the action and visually checking the chamber and
feed/magazine mechanism to be sure no cartridges remain
(See Figure 12). 
IMPORTANT: ALWAYS VISUALLY NOTE, BY
LOOKING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE OPEN
RECEIVER, THAT THE MAGAZINE FOLLOWER
IS SHOWINGÑAND NOT A CARTRIDGE BASE. 
ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THAT NO CAR-
TRIDGES REMAIN.
After the last live round is moved out of the magazine
17
FIGURE 12
Check the 
magazine follower
Carefully inspect the 
chamber and feed/magazine 
mechanisms for any cartridges 
						

							and ejected, immediately lower the hammer to the safe
(rebound) position as explained previously.
IN THECASE OF AMISFIRE
Only rarely will modern factory ammunition experience a
misfire. If this ever happens to you when shooting your
Model 94 please follow these instructions carefully. 
CAUTION: IN CASE OF MISFIRE, KEEP THE
BARREL POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION,
PLACE THE MANUAL HAMMER STOP IN THE
ON POSITION AND CAREFULLY OPEN
ACTION WHILE AVOIDING DIRECT EXPOSURE
TO THE BREECH BY YOURSELF AND 
OTHERS. 
Carefully inspect the ejected cartridge. If the primer is
indented, the cartridge should be disposed of in a manner
that would prevent accidental injury to you or others. If
there is no indentation, your gun has malfunctioned and
should be serviced by a qualified gunsmith. If the gun is
under warranty, it must be serviced by a U.S. Repeating
Arms Company, Authorized Repair Center (ARC).
FIRINGPROCEDURES
IMPORTANT: WHEN YOU ARE PREPARING TO
SHOOT, IT IS ALWAYS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU
BE TOTALLY SURE OF YOUR TARGET.
ALWAYS BE AWARE OF ALL OBJECTS
BEHIND YOUR TARGET. KNOW THE EXACT
LOCATION OF PERSONS WITH YOU AND ANY
OTHERS IN YOUR VICINITY. PICK YOUR TAR-
GET WISELY AND CAREFULLY. 
With a loaded cartridge in the chamber, the manual ham-
mer stop in the ÒonÓ position, the hammer in the safety
(rebound) position and your finger off the trigger:
1. Firmly position your thumb on the hammer and draw
the hammer back to the full-cock position 
(See Figure 13). 
18
FIGURE 13Cocking the hammer to fire
Top view