[chaim]

I really love my Winchester 94 in 30-30. However, the hours of the public outdoor rifle ranges and my hours don't mesh very well so I usually only get to the rifle range a couple times a year (I guess 4-10). I can't shoot 30-30 at the pistol ranges so I was thinking about getting a .357mag or .44mag lever rifle.

What do you guys think of some of the more common choices? Uberti is out of the question because they are currently out of my range.

I'm primarily considering Rossi/Puma because their prices seem to be the most reasonable. I'd also consider Marlin and Winchester if I can find one (preferably a .357) in my range (max $450-500, prefer much less).

What do you guys think of these guns? I don't hunt and I have the 30-30 anyway so this would primarly be as a fun gun that would get a lot of use (like a range visit almost every week).

[jjmorgan64]

I have the Winchester 94 in 45 colt, Absolutely love it. I think you'll enjoy the heck out of one in 357.

[Mal H]

jj took the words out of my mouth. I've also got a Winchester '94 AE in .45 Colt and you couldn't pry it away from me. I swear it seems like the bullets flock to the 10 ring like they had eyes of their own. I have added a Williams peep to it which helps a lot.

[PATH]

I like the .357 myself. I have the pistol and have shot the Winchester. I hope to get one eventually!

[jsalcedo]

I bought a NIB winchester 94 .44mag for $300.

The rifle is beautifully made and can reliably hold 10 .44 specials
or 9 .44 mags in the tube.

This gun shoots better than I can I can get 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards with my handloads.

The one thing I do not like is the push through safety and if you
do not grip the lever tightly it will not disengage the other transfer bar safety.

It has a saddle ring and excellent white dot sights

[10-Ring]

I have been contemplating a lever action 357 mag too. I have a couple questions to pose to the group...
1. What kind of accuracy can I expect from 25 to 50 yards?
2. I've narrowed my choices to Winchester or Marlin. Which is the one to get?
3. Will I need to scope the gun?

[thisaway]

I have a Rossi M92 carbine in .45 Colt. It is a fun and accurate rifle.

[rage]

My Marlin 1894C(.357mag) is so much fun to shoot, accurate up to 100+ yds., fits well with GP141 and S&W 586, easy to clean, compared to a Winchester(one screw disengages the lever and bolt)...I ordered a Bushnell/Eotech HoloSight and a weaver mount. I think the sight cost more than the rifle...it's that much fun. ;)

[dev_null]

I have a Marlin in .45LC and love it.

-0-

[10-Ring]

1894C(.357mag)

Rage - the "C" denotes carbine , correct? Is there a long barrel version available? Does Marlin have a website?

[Marshall]

Marlin (http://www.marlinfirearms.com/) ;)

[Deadman]

I've had a Marlin 1894CP for almost a year now, that I absolutley love. Well as much as a man can love a rifle anyway, *cough*cough*.

In fact I never intended to buy this rifle, but when I held it in the gun store, due to the fact that it is so light and compact, I couldn't resist and bought it then and there.

And yes the 1894CP is the version with the dreaded, evil ports.
Which I've never had a problem with, but quite a few times people have asked if I'm using a 30-30 rifle :confused: :p

The ability to take .38spcl as well as .357mag is a great feature IMO. Plus its a damned fun rifle to shoot as well.

[Marshall]

Them thar holes in da barrel don't buther me nun atol! :D

[FPrice]

I have a Marlin 1894 in .44 Magnum and find it a very nice rifle, easy to shoot and accurate. I generally shoot .44 Specials but it will handle the magnum loads quite well also. You may find yourself drawn towards getting a pistol in the same caliber if you don't have one already.

[Braz]

Chaim,

I bought a .44 Win Trapper with a 16" barrel. The crossbolt safety button is silly, but this year they are doing away with them. This lil' critter feels like a large revolver and handles with ease. It's accurate at 50 to 100yds with the iron sights. I'd always wanted a Winchester.

But Marlin is the better weapon, imo. More rugged and with a smoother action, plus the side eject for scopes.

If you plan to get into Cowboy action shooting, the Puma is getting good reviews. I've not shot one, but handlling one was sweet. Action like butter, and the octagon barrel rocks. The wood and finish seem to be better than Winchester's. Have fun!

[Smoke]

Um.....ditto,

I have a .45LC Winchester. Its a blast. I just use it for fun, and occasionally as a truck gun.

[BigJake_old]

Got a .357 marlin levergun, love it! its already been said, but the choice of .357 or .38 spc is a great feature too. as far as acuracy goes, i've given woodchucks headaches at 75 plus yards without much trouble. never really saw a need for a scope, the ironsights have always got the job done, and i think a scope on a lever defeats the purpose and kills the whole nastalgia thing. scopes a fine thing on a bolt gun, but on a lever action it just looks silly IMO. Being .357 also makes it a nice companion for me colt python since they both have the same appetites :D

[SASS#23149]

My Win. model 94 Trails' End puts em where I point it.I use it for cas shooting and it just keeps on ticking.I have a Rossi that is more "cowboy" looking ,but the winchester is my favorite...Hey,it IS Winchester.:)
If your out for speed the Marlin has a shorter lever throw,and the Rossi's sometimes need a spring kit or action work to smoothe em up.
for just plain fun shooting the Winnys are fine.
AS to mounting a 'scope on one?? I think NOT!!

[chaim]

For me a scope is a non-issue since this will usually be shot at 25yd indoor ranges and occasionally it will come with my 30-30 Win 94 to the 100yd outdoor range.

I was largely thinking .357mag since I already have two revolvers in that chambering that it could share ammo with plus a .38spl it could share .38s with. However, I may get a .44mag or .45lc since I might get a revolver in those chamberings (and .45lc seems more common).

Another question- how do the three biggies (Rossi/Puma, Winchester and Marlin) compare in price? Around here I mostly see the Rossi/Puma (unless I want to spend about 80% more and get an Uberti) so if I go w/ a Winchester or Marlin in a pistol caliber I'll probably have to order it and I want to know how it should compare to the Rossi/Puma and the Uberti.

[Braz]

Chaim,

Try the SASS board too... http://www.sassnet.com/

They're lever experts, and work 'em hard. Friendly bunch'a folks too.

In LA, the Puma case hardened 24" barrel in .45 Colt is running close to $600. The Marlin 1894C (.38/357) is around 450ish. The Winchesters are $320-350ish. Back east ya might do better.

Check out the games SASS plays. It's great fun, I'm going to End Of Trail in a couple'a months. Imagine several hundred duel six-guns, double barrel coach guns and lever actions roaring away.

[Nightcrawler]

The Winchester should be your last choice, and here's why. I've owned two Winchester 94 Trappers, one in .357, and the other in .44.

Both had he worst triggers you can imagine. Not just a typical shotgun style trigger. The trigger had spring-loaded slack built into it. Meaning, you could pull the trigger back quite a bit before it'd actually drop the hammer; releasing the trigger before hammer drop woudl cause it to spring forward again.

Just take a look at pictures of new Winchesters vs. old ones. On the old ones, or on new production "high grade" models, you'll the that the trigger seems to be farther forward than the one on the older/high grade model.

I don't know why they install this on the new 94s. Some kind of lameo safety feature, I suppose.

The Marlins and others don't have this feature, nor do all 94s, just the very recent production basic stock models.

[10-Ring]

Good thread everyone! I'm learning a lot. This is one of the main reasons I like THR! There are so many knowledgable members sharing their wisdom :)

[Sven]

Model 1894C

Chambered for 357 Mag./38 Spl., the 1894C is the natural sidekick to the 357 Magnum or 38 Special revolver. An 18.5" barrel with deep-cut Ballard-type rifling, and superb balance, together with six machined solid steel forgings and a checkered American black walnut straight-grip stock, make this an extremely quick-handling little carbine.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/images/firearmImages/1894C_Th.jpg from Marlin.com (http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/1894_centerfireRifles/1894C.htm)


Caliber: 357 Mag. / 38 Spl.*
Capacity: 9-shot tubular magazine
Action: Lever action with squared finger lever; side ejection; deeply blued metal surfaces; solid top receiver; hammer block safety.
Stock: American black walnut straight-grip stock; cut checkering; rubber rifle butt pad; tough Mar-Shield® finish; swivel studs.
Barrel: 18.5" with deep-cut Ballard-type rifling (6 grooves).
Twist Rate: 1:16" r.h.
Sights: Adjustable semi-buckhorn folding rear, ramp front sight with brass bead and Wide-Scan™ hood. Solid top receiver tapped for scope mount; offset hammer spur (right or left hand) for scope use.
Overall Length: 36"
Weight: 6 lbs.

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I really like the idea of this as a truck gun.

Why did they discontinue the porting?

[Ohen Cepel]

I have a Marlin in .357. I think it's the way to go if you like the caliber, and for your use on the indoor range I don't think it can be beat.
A box of .38's is MUCH cheaper than .44's or .45's!

I would get the peep site put on it, I have a Williams on mine. Real easy to put on yourself, you get a much better sight picture, and about 4 more inches of sight radius.

I think the Marlin is better than the Winchester and much better than the others you have mentioned. The imports just seem rough.

If you get the Marlin I don't think they want you to shoot lead bullets in it due to the rifling, was never a big deal to me. Check into that if it's an issue for you.

Good Luck,

[Jack19]

I had a Winchester Trapper in .357 for awhile, a nice little carbine. if I had it to do overagain, I'd go with a Marlin.

[jjmorgan64]

If you get the Marlin I don't think they want you to shoot lead bullets in it due to the rifling, was never a big deal to me. Check into that if it's an issue for you.

This really shouldn't be an issue unless you're shooting full bore 357 with soft lead. If you ge excessive leading, try a different brand of bullet before you give up lead.

My micro-groove 30-30 shoots lead like a top. no leading issues