The same difference is buying an 1894 model Winchester versus just picking up a new one. Both will shoot a bullet but given the choice, I can bet what most people here would choose.
The Win 1894 had some significant design changes around 1964. Later models were not of the "takedown" variety as is my son's 1896 mfg date example (from his great grandfather). Yes it shoots fine, though we did fire it remotely the first few times.