In 2010, Winchester re-introduced the 30-30 lever action Model 94 in a Short Rifle version. But can it beat a gently used 50-year-old Sears 100?
By Robert Sadowski
There was time when every deer hunters’ gun rack held a 30-30 lever-action rifle, and red buffalo plaid was the only choice in a hunting coat. There are those hunters who still believe the 30-30 lever action is the ultimate rifle for a still hunter working in dense cover. The rifle’s light weight, ease of use, simple open sights, and fast follow-up shots make it a sensible choice for shots from 15 to 100 yards.
Over the years, numerous manufacturers have built 30-30 lever actions — Winchester, Marlin, Stevens, Mossberg, Savage, and others. In great-grandpa’s day, hardware stores and department stores with thick catalogs also sold 30-30 lever-action rifles. These department-store rifles were made by these gun manufacturers but were sold under the store’s in-house brand names, often at a lower price than their name-brand cousins.
The two carbines are nearly dead ringers, but one was produced in 1960s and the other in 2010. The Sears Model 100, bottom, relies on common sense and good gun handling skills for safety. We gauged it to be quite a bargain. The Winchester Short Rifle has modern enhancements, and a big price tag.
From the 1950s through the 1970s, Sears, Roebuck and Co. contracted with Winchester to build a 30-30 lever-action rifle similar to Winchester’s Model 94. Sears called it the Model 100 or Model 54. Ever mindful of marketing opportunities, Sears signed baseball great Ted Williams to endorse its outdoor products. Ted’s signature appeared on everything from outdoor clothing to rifles. In particular, there was a Ted Williams Model 100 rifle, a dead ringer for the Winchester Model 94.
Because we’re always hunting for bargains, we wanted to compare a used Sears Ted William’s Model 100 to a current-production Winchester Model 94 Short Rifle. Both of these rifles are designed around the iconic Model 94 first built by Winchester in 1894. It was the first centerfire rifle to use a then-new smokeless cartridge, the 30 Winchester or, more commonly, the 30-30. How would a 50-year-old Sears thutty-thutty match up with a brand-spanking new Shorty? Pretty dang well, as we explain below.
Winchester Model 94 Short Rifle No. 534174114 30-30 Win., $1230
In 2010 Winchester re-introduced the Model 94 in a Short Rifle version, a plain model that is reminiscent of the millions of Model 94 carbines the company produced a quarter century ago. Of course, the Short Rifle rollmark indicates manufacture in Japan rather than New Haven, CT. We thought it would be interesting to test this new Model 94 against a gently used Ted Williams Model 100. Both rifles were manufactured by Winchester and have similar features. We soon discovered the big differences between these two rifles were cost and safety features.
The safety enhancements to the new Model 94 were obvious. A thumb safety was nicely placed in the tang of the receiver so the traditional lines of the rifle were not sullied. The hammer was a rebounding type, so there was no half cock. It also used a trigger stop where only a fully closed lever allows the rifle to be fired. The Sears had this feature, too, as do many models of Winchester lever actions. Old-timers who tested the Short Rifle snorted with distaste at a Model 94 having a safety and rebounding hammer. It was blatantly not traditional, but the feature did make the rifle safer to use. The action was smooth, and like all Model 94s, would get slicker with use.
The bluing on the new 94 was superb. The wood seemed adequate. The owner of the rifle had hunted with it in the rain, and the stain on the buttstock looked like it was washing off, but we didn’t ding it for that. The Winchester and Sears both sported flat polymer buttplates that were quick to shoulder and did nothing to absorb recoil, but the 30-30 round is not punishing, and a heavy hunting coat does a lot to absorb recoil. The Short Rifle’s receiver was tapped for scope mounts, and empties were ejected to the right and not up and over like traditional Model 94s. Back in 1980s, Winchester called this “angle eject.”
At the range there was not a single failure. Cartridges were easy to feed into the magazine tube, and the bullet noses were not chewed up when we cycled them through the action. Old Model 94s at times could mangle the bullet nose, and this new Model 94 fixed that issue.
At 50 yards using a rest, we were able to achieve very tight three-shot groups using a scope. The hammer was tapped for a hammer extension. The scope was removed so only open sights were used in the test data. A Marbles front sight with a brass bead and buckhorn style rear sight offered a traditional sight picture.
We expected MOD (minute of deer) accuracy and were pleased at how a range of old-school soft points and newer all-copper Barnes and LEVERevolution Hornady bullets performed. For example, with the Hornady rounds, we were able to get a 0.5-inch group using open sights at 50 yards. We also noted the new Winchester achieved higher velocities than the older Model 100.
Off the bench, we fired some field simulations. As expected, the Short Rifle was fast to shoulder and acquire a target. Follow-up shots were likewise fast, and it was easy to cycle the rifle on the shoulder. Our Team Said: The Short Rifle was nicely built. The safety features were smart additions, even though purists were not happy. They did concede safety was important. Big knock: Most testers thought the price was far too much and knocked it down for that. If you want a new Model 94 that’s similar to your granddaddy’s rifle, this is the one to buy.
Sears, Roebuck & Co.Ted Williams Model 100, $199-$350
We found the price of Model 100s on Gunbroker.com ranged from less than $200 to close to $350 for a pristine specimen. This gently used carbine had nice wood. A plastic cap covered the end of the forearm. The state of the metal finish was like most Winchester rifles of that era. The metallurgy was a bit off, and the receivers often present white scaling.
Most of our shooters liked the way the rifle’s hammer worked. Some had learned many moons ago how to silently cock a hammer and during hunting used the half cock. These were the testers who felt the safety on the new Short Rifle felt odd. Still, most saw the safety features as enhancements.
When cycling cartridges through the action — the only way to unload a lever action like these — the Model 100 did chew a bullet nose. Like the Model 94, the Model 100 had Marbles sights. The rear sight had screws to loosen and position a small plate with the rear sight groove. At the range the Model 100 grouped similarly to the Model 94. Cycling was smooth and second shots were easy to perform. Our Team said: The guns performed similarly, excepted our shooters dinged the Model 100 for not having a safety. If you want a 30-30 just like granddad’s, this was the rifle to buy — and you would save hundreds of dollars in the bargain. Written and photographed by Robert Sadowski, using evaluations from Gun Tests team testers. GT Winchester Model 94 Short Rifle Sears, Roebuck & Co., Ted Williams Accuracy and Chronograph Data Gun test Value Code: Lever Actions
USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- The media will tell you that good guys with guns hardly ever stop attacks. Boy, are they wrong. According to compiled evidence by the Crime Prevention Research Center, some media outlets are underreporting the number of Defensive Gun Uses (DGU) by law abiding gun owners where attacks are prevented. Some media is reporting only 10% of the actual DGUs in America by citizens.
Could this be because DGUs by law-abiding citizens don’t support the anti-gun narrative, or could it be simply due to faulty information they are given?
A look into the data provided by the FBI shows that discrepancies in DGUs are often caused by the “misclassifying of shootings” and “overlooked incidents.” Research by the Crime Prevention Research Center shows us that in several incidents, the FBI didn’t list attacks that were stopped by armed citizens when police had later apprehended the attackers. According to Crime Prevention Research Center, the FBI also has misidentified armed citizens as security officials resulting in the elimination of them being qualified as “citizen defensive gun uses.” You may remember Jack Wilson, who stopped an attack at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas. The media narrative portrayed Wilson as a security guard when Wilson himself said he was just a parishioner who had volunteered to provide security during worship.
In some cases where armed civilians completely thwart mass public shootings (meaning, not even a shot fired), the FBI simply doesn’t report them. According to the Crime Prevention Research Center, the FBI missed 25 of these incidents that would likely have become mass public shootings had it not been for the good guy or gal with a gun.
Due to these reasons for non-reporting, the FBI only showed 6.6% of mass killings being stopped by armed citizens, while the Crime Prevention Research Center shows 49.1% being stopped. In these cases, approximately half of the thwarted attacks occurred in gun-free zones.
As for those locations where citizens were legally allowed to carry a gun publicly, the number of thwarted attacks by armed citizens increased by almost 10% to 58% in 2021. What does this tell us? It tells us that gun-free zones put people in danger, and the media doesn’t want you to know when good guys with guns stop bad guys with guns.
In March of 2013, 380,000 active duty and 70,000 retired law-enforcement officers were surveyed in a PoliceOne survey. 86% believed that casualties from public shootings could be reduced or avoided altogether if citizens were armed at the time of the attack. 77% supported the arming of teachers and/or school Administrators. Wouldn’t it make sense to consider the opinions of Police Officers and those who investigate these types of crimes on a daily basis?
It’s no surprise the media would use underreported data. But they and anti-gun extremists seem all too willing to put people in danger by spreading false information. The idea that gun-free zones are safe, citizens shouldn’t carry in public, and police departments should be defunded could be putting good people in some very dangerous situations without any way of protecting themselves.
Dan Wos is available for Press Commentary. For more information contact PR HERE
Dan Wos is a nationally recognized 2nd Amendment advocate, Host of The Loaded Mic and Author of the “GOOD GUN BAD GUY” book series. He speaks at events, is a contributing writer for many publications, and can be found on radio stations across the country. Dan has been a guest on the Sean Hannity Show, Real America’s Voice, and several others. Speaking on behalf of gun-rights, Dan exposes the strategies of the anti-gun crowd and explains their mission to disarm law-abiding American gun-owners.
In our previous caliber article, you saw the popular 9mm and .45 ACP cartridges as well as some different types of bullets such as the full metal jacket (FMJ) and hollow points.
Now, we drill down and recommend getting a 9mm for your beginner handgun.
Why?
The 9mm is easy to find and cheaper when compared to other calibers.
9mm vs .45 ACP
Its smaller size means it has mild recoil and higher capacity magazines (usually 15+).
9mm (115gr vs 124gr vs 147 HP)
Here’s me shooting one of my top suggested handguns…the Glock 19.
Not too bad…right?
Plus, the majority of police forces use 9mm and the FBI recently returned to the 9mm after finding that the current .40 S&W rounds were causing excessive wear on pistols and were less easily controlled by some agents.
Ammo: Hollowpoints or Bust
9mm 147 Federal Hydrashok HST
For home defense purposes, we recommend hollow point bullets for their stopping power (and ability to stop in drywall).
The most important thing about choosing the best handgun is fit.
Some of Our Handguns
We recommend getting a “full size” handgun which means close to 5-inch barrels.
Having a full-sized handgun makes it easier to shoot since there’s more mass to absorb recoil, a larger area to grip, and a longer sight radius from the front sight to the rear sight.
Glock 17 Grip (Fullsize)
But…if you think you might do concealed carry in the future and don’t want to get another gun…you can try out the compact size too.
You lose a little sight radius but free up some grip space which helps a lot in concealing. But you don’t want to go so small that your pinkie is left hanging.
Glock 19 Grip (Compact)
Safety
Here, we recommend a lack of an external safety.
WHAT?
We believe that the mind is the best safety and that in the heat of the moment during a self-defense situation, you might forget to disengage the safety.
This takes out a couple of possibilities including the venerable 1911 which we think is a little too complicated and finicky for the beginner shooter.
Sights
Easy, get the night sights since most self-defense encounters occur in dimly lit locations.
Trijicon Night Sights
There are usually night sight models for each of our recommended pistols. Or you can always purchase aftermarket sights and have your gunsmith install them.
Action
We recommend a striker-fired handgun for the beginner and home defense since the trigger pull is nearly identical every time (at least when compared to a double-action).
An easy way to tell if a handgun is a striker is that the back of the slide is flat and has no exposed hammer.
Here a Glock, there a Glock…
Double-action pistols such as the Beretta 92FS have a heavy first shot since you are cocking back the hammer.
We love them for their reliability and ease of dealing with malfunctions (just press again), but we don’t like their low ammo capacity (5 or 6 compared to 15+ for our recommendations).
The Smith and Wesson Model 686P
But we’ll be including one of our favorites that packs in 7 rounds of .38 Special or .357 Magnum goodness.
This leaves us with what many call the “plastic fantastics.”
So let’s look at the guns we recommend as the best for beginner-friendly home defense.
What’s your take on the compact and full-size 9mm Glocks?
Readers’ Ratings
4.86/5(2235)
Your Rating?
2. Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0
The newest version of the venerable M&P (military and police) is the M&P 2.0. If there’s a list of best 9mm handguns, this usually makes the top three.
I got the FDE color version…
Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0
It’s full-size and here is the comparison of my 1.0 vs a full-size Glock 17.
M&P vs Glock 17
The original version was rock solid but had a not-so-great trigger.
M&P Fullsize, Gen 1
The M2.0 takes care of that and also adds a more aggressive texturing while still maintaining the ability to swap out palm swells to match your grip.
M&P 2.0 vs 1.0
It fits very well in my hand and although I currently have the model with the safety…it’s easy to take off and get some inserts for the holes (and makes it exactly like the non-safety version).
M&P 2.0 Grip
A good choice to see if you agree with my thoughts on safeties since you can choose either or.
I choose it as my runner-up best beginner 9mm handgun.
We love to shoot the Sig P320 and so does the U.S. Army because they chose it as their new sidearm.
It’s a great alternative to the Glock, M&P, and XD.
Our Sig Sauer P320
Plus it’s the trigger system that is the serialized version so you can take it out and put it into different sized “grip modules” to have a full-sized or compact option without buying an entirely new gun.
Sig Carry Grip Module
We have a full written review right here…plus a full YouTube review:
There’s a lot of versions of the P320…but we like the original civilian one.
The Walther PDP might be our favorite striker-fired 9mm handgun with its exceptional trigger, ergonomics, and reliability.
Walther PDPs
You’ll have to take our word on the trigger…but it’s the nicest out of the box striker-fired trigger we’ve ever felt.
Dor the ergonomics…Walther made it extra grippy with nice molding that fit the gamut of hand sizes on our team.
Walther PDP Grip
And since it’s red dot ready…there’s also a nice pinky extension that helps you grip a little downwards that makes it perfect for red dots.
Walther PDP Grip with Pinky Extension
And check out the chunky (but super effective) slide serrations. If you can’t get a grip on it for racking…it ain’t the slide’s problem!
Walther PDP Full Size
There are also a couple of different grip sizes and barrel lengths…but we went with the popular combos of a full size with 4.5″ barrel and a compact with 4″ barrel.
Walther PDP Size Differences
Reliability is awesome with Sean having shot over 5000+ rounds and carried it as his duty pistol as a peace officer before he joined Pew Pew Tactical.
Walther PDP Shooting
Threaded barrels are coming out now and so far we’ve had great success with a suppressed compact version.
Check out our full review here as well as our YouTube video to really see the differences in racking and shooting vs other pistols:
7. HK VP9
HK’s VP9 is a great alternative if you want a polymer pistol but don’t want the Glock look/feel.
HK VP9
Chambered in 9mm, the VP9 is a striker-fired design measuring 7.34-inches in total length with a 4.09-inch barrel. It tips scales at around 25-ounces.
The VP9 ships with various backstraps and interchangeable side panels that should allow those with even the most atypical paws to find a combination that works for them.
How the handgun feels in your hand is probably the most important.
I have pretty big hands and like the chunkier and different grip angle of the Glock. But my buddy with smaller hands likes the feel of the Smith & Wesson M&P.
Different hands mean some guns feel okay in yours but not your buddy’s.
Also, keep in mind that the latest Glock & M&P versions have removable grip inserts that can customize the ergonomics even more.
S&W M&P Palm Inserts
The triggers all have a slightly different feel too even though they are all striker-fired.
For a home defense gun, we recommend not altering the trigger. After some use, the trigger will smooth out a little but pretty much what you feel at the store is what you get.
The prices are all pretty similar for the striker-fired pistols at around the $500 range. You’ll also be able to find some sales going on at your local gun store…but these are good starting prices.
Night sights will probably cost $50 to $100 more.
Accessories
Again, most encounters happen in dimly lit areas/times, and you wouldn’t want to shoot with just night sights without verifying your target.
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