Where is the Winchester Model 94 Action most likely to fail?

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Unless someone shoots an unbelievable amount of ammo, or is an idiot, "lets throw in a few grains over max" reloader, the 94 is unlikely to fail.
Your grandkids should enjoy a well used 94 as much as your grandad did, with regular care and cleaning.
Might get a little loose.
 
The Winchester Model 88 also locks up like a bolt. But I am concerned with the strength of the rear locking lug of the Winchester Model 94.

This discussion has given me a new appreciation of the genius of John Browning and the elegance of the Model 94. I wonder if he blew up any actions when he was designing the Model 94.
 
To Dr T. You may be interested on this brief clip on the Winchester Model 1886. It was John Brownings first repeating lever action rifle design. The design led to the Winchester Model 1892 and Model 1894.

Winchester Model 1886 Video.
 
About ~25yrs ago there was heavy discussion about every manufacturer trying to adapt their existing levergun designs to the .454 cartridge, along with a multitude of gunsmiths. The Freedom Arms guys were present, along with John Taffin, Mic McPherson and others. Ruger had just started building the SRH in .454 and a lot of folks wanted a companion levergun. None survived at 65,000psi, let alone the +90,000psi proof loads. The problem with the Winchester 94 is not just the rear lockup but the angle of the locking lugs. Because they're not vertical like the 1886/1892, they basically gradually splayed the receiver apart. Even the fatbody Big Bore version. Gunsmith Keith Dehart offered a conversion of the Big Bore 94 to .454 but pressures had to be kept around 50,000psi. None of the Marlin actions fared any better. The only action that would live with the .454 was the 1886 but it's obvious that there'd be no point in that. That's why the Big Horn Armory leverguns are basically a hybrid 1886/1892 action. Falling between the two in size.
 
CraigC said:
About ~25yrs ago there was heavy discussion about every manufacturer trying to adapt their existing levergun designs to the .454 cartridge, along with a multitude of gunsmiths. The Freedom Arms guys were present, along with John Taffin, Mic McPherson and others. Ruger had just started building the SRH in .454 and a lot of folks wanted a companion levergun. None survived at 65,000psi, let alone the +90,000psi proof loads. The problem with the Winchester 94 is not just the rear lockup but the angle of the locking lugs. Because they're not vertical like the 1886/1892, they basically gradually splayed the receiver apart. Even the fatbody Big Bore version. Gunsmith Keith Dehart offered a conversion of the Big Bore 94 to .454 but pressures had to be kept around 50,000psi. None of the Marlin actions fared any better. The only action that would live with the .454 was the 1886 but it's obvious that there'd be no point in that. That's why the Big Horn Armory leverguns are basically a hybrid 1886/1892 action. Falling between the two in size.
Click to expand...
I wanted one. But research changed my mind.
You hit every point that I found on why I don't need one.
 
Bfh_auto said:
I wanted one. But research changed my mind.
You hit every point that I found on why I don't need one.
Click to expand...
A .454 levergun? You can get a lot done with the various .44 and .45Colt versions, without beating yourself to death. The Puma .454's are cool but even they are a wee bit slow on the twist rate.
 
Here is an interesting old thread that is related to my query.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/how-hot-to-load-30-30s.463899/

To me, the interesting thing is once you get past the published safe maximum, pushing the cartridge further buys you a lot more pressure (and a lot less safety) than it does velocity. Since my back of the envelope estimate is that 100 fps more in velocity buys you 10 yards more in point blank range, the risk is not worth it.
 
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Dr T said:
Here is an interesting old thread that is related to my query.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/how-hot-to-load-30-30s.463899/

To me, the interesting thing is once you get past the published safe maximum, pushing the cartridge further buys you a lot more pressure (and a lot less safety) than it does velocity. Since my back of the envelope estimate is that 100 fps more in velocity buys you 10 yards more in point blank range, the risk is not worth it.
Click to expand...
I went back and read the thread. It was interesting. I agree with you.
 
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