Jon Waite wrote on Aug 12^th, 2018 at 3:11pm:

Thanks guys. I live in central Illinois.  I would love to make it there but with a newborn at home it is gonna be tough. Will periodically shooting this gun hurt the value? It sounds like this is relatively a rare rifle. Also, where would be a good place to find out value for insurance? And maybe a line on cleaning rod and bayonet and sling?

Butlersrangers and I both live in Michigan (Me near Ann Arbor, and BR near Flint).  Where in Central Illinois?  My father was born in LaSalle and we still have family there!

I will let someone else more knowledgeable in values speak to that... but unless it's museum quality, shooting it won't hurt a thing, unless you physically damage it.  Try googling "Grandpa's Gun Parts" for a cleaning rod.  Not sure if he'll have one for the 1892/94, but he has just about everything else. 

As for the sling, there are several that are correct.  Originally, the 1887 sling would have been used. Later, the 1907 sling (for the 1903 Springfield rifle) was authorized.  If you do plan on shooting in competition like some of us do, you'll want to use the 1907 sling, which helps with position shooting.  As far as I know, Turner Saddlery has the best (Mr. Turner obtained all of the original Rock Island sling equipment and makes them to exact spec)!  Turner also has the 1887 sling.  All of my leather slings are from Turner.  There are several other sling companies whos products are good also.  Also legal by CMP rules are the web slings used on the Garand Rifle.

Hope this all helps.
Paul