Backcountry Guns

Winchester 94-AE 30/30

 Winchester 94-AE 30/30

Although it had been in almost continuous production for 112 years, on Tuesday, January 17, 2006, the American Winchester lever actions were dropped from production. The Winchester Model 1894 (also known as Winchester .30-30 rifle, Winchester 94, Win 94,, .30-30 Winchester, or simply .30-30) is one of the most famous and most popular hunting rifles. It was designed by John Browning in 1894, and was produced by Winchester Repeating Arms Company until they ceased to manufacture rifles in 2006.

But many feel the rifle has been in decline since 1964. That's when Winchester changed production so it could be manufactured cheaper. Generally "pre-64" rifles command a premium price over post-64 rifles. This particular rifle was made in 1994 so it doesn't have the provenance of the older rifles.  Still, it's a Winchester and I have to admit that I bought it because of the name. (And I still paid a premium price even though I could have bought a new Marlin cheaper and probably better).

One of the drawbacks of the earlier 1894's was that the shells ejected straight up. Not a problem in 1894 but later when people started using scopes, a top mounted scope would get in the way of the ejected shell. In the early 80's however, Winchester modified the rifle with and angular ejection design allowing for the use of scopes.

The shell on the left is a standard .30-30 cartridge with a rounded tip bullet. That allowed for the cartridges to be loaded into the gun, one behind the other without detonating the shell in front. Recently Hornady developed the bullet on the right which has a "flex tip". These cartridges are more accurate than the originals.

Ruger Single Six Revolver

Number 26 on Field & Stream's Top 50 "Best Guns Ever Made", the Single Six is a traditional looking Western style revolver with a modernized mechanism.

The Single Six fires the rimfire .22 Long Rifle and .22 Magnum (WMR) cartridges. Cylinders were added to allow "Convertible" Single Sixes that could shoot .22 Short/Long/Long Rifle in one cylinder and .22 WMR/.22 WRF in another.

This is an original 3-screw model built before 1973 and is considered a clone of the Colt Model 1873 Single Action Army revolver. This means that they are loaded with the hammer in the half-cock notch and properly carried with the hammer down on an empty chamber.

This is an excellent "country gun".  Not too heavy, small caliber and excellent for plinking and target practice.