A decision to make.

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Slum1992

Slum1992

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Nov 11, 2019
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Ontario, Canada
Hey folks. So this is my first post in the forums and I'm looking for all the lever gun guys opinion. I know in the end it's up to me to make the final decision but would still love to hear everyone's pros and cons. I have a Browning model 92 chambered in 44 and I have been eyeing up a JM Marlin model 94 chambered in 44 mag. Been debating parting with the Browning and going with the JM. Just looking to hear everyone's opinion and thoughts. The Browning has been decent, it's pretty accurate at 50-100 yards. It had a few hiccups when I first started using it. The round would bind when the round would start to enter the chamber and I would have to stop and push the rear of the round down for it sit properly before closing the action. Lately it has been ok knock on wood. But still does this from time to time.
 
I'm not especially a lever guy but if you decide to move ahead with Plan A, I suggest holding onto the Browning 92 until you've had a little experience with the Marlin.

Have you had the Browning apart recently? I took a Rossi 92 apart for a deep clean for my brother -- not the easiest rifle action to reassemble, but as I recall there were lots of places for gunk to accumulate that might impede smooth function. Disassembly may also reveal part wear or breakage that could be easily remedied.
 
I would go for the Marlin every single chance I got. I owned a Winchester Trapper 1894 in 357 mag at one time. Sold it. As Dave DeL. just mentioned, the Winchesters are a real bear to disassemble. Anyway, I went with a Marlin 1894CL 32-20 and never looked back. Since then, I added a 336 and a 39A to the mix. Love them all. The only Winchester Iever gun I have now is an original 1873 and it is just for show.
 
I would go Marlin if I was starting from scratch but since you have the B-92, I would put at least some effort into getting it reliable before buying what is essentially the same rifle. (Ya’ll don’t need to tell me. I am well aware of the differences).
 
I've decided to keep the Browning 92. It's practically brand new, so I doubt that there is any gunk or grime inside but just in case I will take it apart one of these weekends for a cleaning. I purchased it from a collector unfired years ago and then sold it to a friend who never fired it also while it was in his possession and then I had recently purchased it back from him because he is moving back to Europe. I feel like I would have an awful amount of regret if I was to let it go, there's something about it that just makes me fall in love with it everytime I look at it and fire off a couple of rounds.
 
Slum, I think you made the right choice. I had a B92 .44 years ago, and have owned a Marlin 94 .44 for years. I still have the Marlin because it is a TALO Ltd. edition with the unported 16" barrel I prefer. Much as I like the Marlin, the 92 is just a more refined/smoother action IMHO.
 
Slum1992 said:
I've decided to keep the Browning 92. It's practically brand new, so I doubt that there is any gunk or grime inside but just in case I will take it apart one of these weekends for a cleaning. I purchased it from a collector unfired years ago and then sold it to a friend who never fired it also while it was in his possession and then I had recently purchased it back from him because he is moving back to Europe. I feel like I would have an awful amount of regret if I was to let it go, there's something about it that just makes me fall in love with it everytime I look at it and fire off a couple of rounds.
Click to expand...
Don't sell guns unless you or the family are starving. Every single time I've sold a gun I regretted it. I don't know if it's just me, but I think of guns I've sold on a pretty regular basis. The short term financial wiggle room isn't worth the lifetime of regret, especially if it's an out of production/oddball/rare gun......
 
The Marlin 1894s are good designs. I have a Rossi R92 and have always enjoyed John Browning's designs for Winchester. If you're not wanting to disassemble you can reach out to Steve's Gunz in Port Arthur Texas to work on it. He's an expert in those lever guns.
 
HPJeep said:
The Marlin 1894s are good designs. I have a Rossi R92 and have always enjoyed John Browning's designs for Winchester. If you're not wanting to disassemble you can reach out to Steve's Gunz in Port Arthur Texas to work on it. He's an expert in those lever guns.
Click to expand...

I would love to reach out to him and send it in for him to look over but unfortunately I'm located in Northern Ontario, Canada. I read alot of good things about him on the forums.
 
In Ontario you should be able to find a gunsmith that works on Browning lever guns pretty easy. The Browning should beed factory ammo like butter through a goose. During the 60s and 70s we sold a bunch of Browning lever guns to Canadian iron workers, at the first snow fly. They liked the BLR in 7 RM. A lot of those guys were from Quebec and Ontario, I lived in New Hampshire close to the border at the time. Hunted with a few of them.
Sounds like the bottom of the extractor is hanging on the rim.
 
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