A few thoughts:
1) 4-5 years ago there was a slump in Winchester lever gun prices and you could find an excellent condition pre-64 20" carbine in .30-30 for $550-600. I bought three of them during that period of time, one for my father in law that I got back when he passed.
That slump didn't last and they are now up around the $1000-$1200 range with pre WWII Winchesters bringing a lot more. The interesting part however is that during that same time I'd see 1964-1981 era Model 94 20" carbines in .30-30 right next to the Pre-64s for only about $100 less ($450-500) in just good condition.
At the time I thought that reflected two things:
- the increasing value of the the 1964-1981 Model 94s as they didn't carry a premium for collector value and didn't have the Angle Eject, rebounding hammer or safety systems inflicted on the later Model 94s; and
- the $1300 or so purchase price of a new Miroku made Winchester Model 94.
I don't think much has changed. The 1964-1981 Model 94s are excellent shooters with the classic Model 94 operating system and quarter cock "safety". Those features are in high demand and are unlikely to be made again by Winchester.
From that perspective, $650 for a 1972 Model 94 in that condition is a good price, even with the 4 holes from the infamous Weaver side mount. Weaver sold those unsightly things for a number of lever and bolt action rifles and who ever designed them should have been taken out and shot. That's especially true with the Model that already had three perfectly suitable holes for a scope mount.
2) Similarly, in the last couple years I have watched commemorative Model 94s, especially the less gaudy commemoratives, virtually disappear from local gun shops.
Lever gun shooters have figured out it is a great way to get what amounts to an "XTR" Model 94 for very decent prices as they never really appreciated much more than just keeping pace with inflation. It's also a great way to get a rifle or short rifle pattern Model 94 rifles without paying the $1300 plus for a new Winchester that will have a tang safety.
A few years ago I picked up a 1926 vintage Model 94 in the standard 26" rifle pattern, with a round barrel and a trap door in the butt stock for a cleaning rod. Other than the trap door it was pretty common but it was in very good condition. I paid $1000 for it IIRC and it was a very good deal.
Last November I bought a 26" Winchester Classic 94, which was a Rifle pattern Model 94 sold in both 20" and 26" lengths. They made 47,000 of them from 1966 to 1970. The Classic was more or less a non commemorative version of the Canadian Centennial rifle with semi fancy wood, some minor engraving and a gold plated loading gate. Still, it's not overly gaudy and with 47,000 made they are shooters, not collectibles. They were intended that way as Winchester tried to dig its way out of the hole it had dug with the 1964 changes. This 1966 model still had a stamped lifter but it didn't have the roll pins that were in the 64 models. The stamped lifter is a bit unsightly but it works just fine. At $600 it was also a bargain as it was in near mint condition.
It also shoots very well with 2 MOA 5 shot groups, on par with my 1926 Model 94 rifle, with a bore showing some evidence of corrosive priming and less than perfect cleaning. That's good news as it's job is to be the go too woods gun, rather than risk damaging the 1926 Model 94.
3). Accuracy wise, my pre-64 carbines all shoot 1.5 MOA 5 shot groups with Winchester 150 gr round nose soft point ammo or handloads with 150 gr RNSP bullets.
My 1964-1981 era rifle patter Winchesters (the Classic in .30-30 and a pair of Legendary Frontiersman in .38-55) all shoot 2 MOA. I think that reflects the more careful fitting on commemoratives along the lines of the XTR treatment in the years when that was a thing.
The two 1964-1981 non XTR Model 94 carbines I have owned (both 20") shot 3 to 4 MOA.
Consequently, the only reservation I might have with a 1972 Model 94 carbine would be in the accuracy department. But 4 MOA in a .30-30 Model 94 is still 8" at 200 yards and that's both about as far as you'll shoot one in practical hunting and it's good enough to hit the 10"-12" vital zone on a deer.
I'd remove the scope, put plug screws in the holes and drill and tap the tang for a Marbles Tang sight. You retain the wonderful handling of the Model 94, while benefitting from a tang sight that will maximize its accuracy and help older eyes focus on the front sight.
