Author Topic: Win. Trapper in 30-30 for $340. Good deal or pass? (Read 878 times)

Ridge Runner · « **on:** June 20, 2006, 04:08:02 PM »

I have only owned Marlins, but I found a nice little 16" 30-30 Trapper today for $340. It seems to just a quarter inch scratch on the receiver. Everthing else looks great on it.

Is this a good deal? Is it a reliable rifle? Any cons to it? The cross bolt safety looks pretty cheap, any problems with the design?

If anyone could give me their impressions of the rifle I would appreciat it.

I live in the NE and it would seem to be a handy woods rifle for mid size game.

CyberSniper · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2006, 05:59:21 PM »

I recently paid $390 for a new Model 94, 20 inch barrel, in .45 Colt caliber.
Sounds like the Trapper you saw is used.
So, I consider it an ok deal, but not a great deal.
Based on what I've seen here on the forums lately, some Model 94s
have been going for as much as $600. This due to the fact Winchester
has shut down I suppose.Generally speaking, the model 94 is a
reliable rifle. After all, they've been in use since 1894.
The only con might be the 16 inch barrel in .30-30 caliber.
Specifically, the muzzle velocity will be somewhat less than a 20 inch barrel.

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2006, 11:33:09 AM »

Ridge Runner - that is not a great deal on a used rifle but it is not a bad deal on a used Model 94 Trapper, either. The Model 94 is reliable - this one may not even be broken in yet actually, although it is used. My two 94 30-30s are slicker'n a whistle and both are accurate. My Saddle Ring Carbine sports a 16" barrel like the Trapper but she will hit the bullseye at 100m. The cross-bolt safeties all look crummy but I just work with those on my 94AEs.

I have found the 16" rifle to be very 'carry-able' in the NE woods. It is light, easy to shoulder and the 30-30 has all the ooomph you need for anything you will encounter there.

I would get it (for less if I could...), take a little cold blue to the scratch and enjoy it. JMHO. Mikey.

handirifle · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2006, 05:48:20 PM »

I paid $300 for my used Trapper in 44 Mag and it is about 99%. So far it shoots very well. It was PRE-crossbolt safety, but had the rebounding hammer. I have since replaced it with the half cock version. I actually like the fact that it is an Angle eject model, cause I wanted to scope it and I have. Put a nice Weaver 2.5 on it. Out to zero it tomorrow.

$340 is a fair price IMHO.

ScoutMan · « **Reply #4 on:** June 25, 2006, 04:17:22 AM »

Ridge,

I have the Trapper (Brooklyn Special) in 30-30. It carries a Williams 5D rear sight and a post front. Mine also is the AE with rebound hammer but no CB safety.

I got my trigger pull down to 3 lbs 13 oz. What I did was to insert a piece of gas line hose between the hammer and the breach face. This took the trauma off the breach face. I then sat in front of the TV and dry fired it about 1,000 times.

If yours doesn't have a good trigger, then you will need a trigger job.

I didn't scope it because a scope adds about 1 lb to the weight and tends to clumsify it. You will however, need a good aperture and post front sight.

handirifle · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2006, 05:06:50 AM »

When I did the conversion on mine, I was told it would lower the trigger pull substantially, and it did. Very happy with this rifle now.

I just ordered the Kick Killer, lace on recoil pad from Cabelas for it too.