I recently got the itch for a new lever gun and decided on a Winchester Model 94. Not being a pre-64 collector, my focus was on finding a more recent model that would make a good heirloom gun. While skimming the net, I ran across a listing on the Academy website for a Wells Fargo Commemorative model. Then I got a little confused when I found that Winchester stopped making the gun back in 1977, the same year I graduated from high school. Just for grins, I called the number on the Academy website for ordering the rifle and put the wheels in motion.

Earlier today I picked it up at my local store and found it to be just what I expected, a NIB Wells Fargo Commemorative Model 94 with all the paperwork and original packing. The box was just a slight bit worn, but hey, it left the factory some 39 years ago. The rifle itself appears new and mint. The guys at the counter admitted their disappointment at me picking it up. It may have never made it to the display rack.

While the gun originally sold for $350 almost 40 years ago, the $799 price is the same I have seen on the net for well used models. I will most likely never fire it.

Anyone have an idea as to where a retailer would find such a gun and why they would even bother selling a model that's been out of production for almost 40 years?

Dang, Dan...sounds like quite a find. I'd wanna know how and why it was still available. I think it's a shame you don't intend to fire it, though. I guess it's that "approach" thing I've mentioned a number of times.

Could be wrong, but I can't see a retailer going through the hassle of dealing with individuals to buy such out-of-production models. You would think they would only be interested in current production models sold by the manufacturer or major suppliers. Perhaps a major supplier found a small number of them and worked out a deal with Academy to market and sell them.

For anyone else who might be interested in such a purchase, the Academy website shows conflicting order information. The same page gives a telephone number to order, and in another place claims it's not available online. It was only because of pure curiosity that I called the number given to find out which was correct.

Winchester Model 94 Wells Fargo Commemorative

An article I found on the rifle:
http://www.gunvaluesboard.com/what-is-th...ative-2065.html

Great find Dan. Congrats and thanks for sharing the info.

Found that article myself before buying this one. The later responses to the author's comments made me go ahead with the purchase. I found where a NIB gun sold about a year ago for the price I paid, and Cabelas has a used one listed now with no box or papers for the same price.

My point was more to educate others that somehow, Academy is able to offer such out-of-production models that are new and still in the original box at a fair price for those interested in finding one.

Appears they have quite a few other models.

Thanks Dan. Academy customer service said that there was not one within the state of Texas and they would be transferring one to my local store.

Wow, that's really cool. Do you know if they have anymore in stock? I might be interested.

I was told it could take up to 3 weeks on the transfer to my local store and that it wasn't guaranteed.We shall see.

Just to update... Received a call from Academy today and they have the inventory and will be shipping my rifle to the local Academy store.

Just a heads up. Cabelas apparently got a bunch of old Winchesters as well. I think they're quite a bit more expensive than the one on Academy.

Isn't everything at Cabela's? Thanks for the heads up.

Winchester must have found some new old stock of these and pushed them out. From my experience from working as an assistant buyer at Academy corporate, they are pretty diligent when it comes to selling through old inventory. Plus, Cabela's having some too further collaborates my theory. Just my 2 cents.

Went and picked up my rifle today. Very nice! Not sure how it will last without me shooting it though. Must resist...

I bet the collectors are loving all of these NIB rifles getting dumped into the market!

It seems the market tanked on the commemorative guns. Didn't turn out to be the cash cow everyone thought it would be.

That's what I'm thinking. These were not selling good, so they pulled them and put them away for a few decades until conditions improved and are now releasing them as new old stock. Not a bad move IMO.

It wasn't a collector issue for me. I am sure that I overpaid for it. For me it was a really cool looking older BNIB gun for me. Something different. My son can have it when he gets older.

Sometimes money is not the deciding factor. I bought a John Wayne commemorative and paid more than I wanted but still cheaper than they were new.

The Academy price is the same as what I have seen near mint guns go for without the box and papers.

I'm completely satisfied with the Model 94 Academy sold me.

Nothing wrong with that!