16" Winchester 94 in 44mag!

[The_Next_Generation]

Hey all!

So my LGS has this new-production Winchester 94 in 44mag with a 16" barrel. WOW is this a cool gun!

They want $600 + tax (so $655 or so out the door). Is this a pretty good deal?

I'd also like to know how these things shoot. I have seen reviews for the longer barreled guns, but not for the 16" version. If I got it, I'd certainly use it for deer and for plinking. I am just getting into reloading so that will make the 44 mag fun as well.

Any other input or opinions on these guns would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
-TNG

 

[Welding Rod]

I didn't know those were back in production.

I have owned a few over the years. I enjoyed them a lot and wouldn't mind another.

My only word of advise is if you have a choice between a regular and large "Wrangler" loop, get the regular one. They are much more functional.

 

[Welding Rod]

Hmmm... I just looked and don't see them on the Winchester website. The only 94s they list are in the $1,200 range and no 44 Mag.

 

[Jackal]

Well, while the Winchester will have better fit/finish, the Rossi stainless model can be had for around $475.

 

[savanahsdad]

are you sure it is new ? I have a Marlin 1894 in 44mag and would like a Winchester to match ,

 

[243winxb]

Price is OK, but dont expect great accuracy at 100 yds. About 4" on average. Here are some for sale. http://www.armslist.com/posts/218435/ohio-rifles-for-sale--winchester-94ae-44-magnum-rifle-with-original-box-16--barrel

 

[The_Next_Generation]

Too bad about the accuracy. I was hoping for 2" or so at 100yards. I guess I'll hold back on this one, even though it is a VERY handy rifle and boy do I love the 94 action..

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

If I were looking for a .44 mag. Winchester I would look real hard at the model 92. I would take the 92 over the Marlin any day of the week.

 

[HOOfan_1]

If it was a real new production gun, it would be made by Miroku and would be a complete steal at under $800

 

[ECVMatt]

That is a great deal for my neck of the woods. I really like the 94 in pistol cartridges. I think you should take another look. You won't find one like that again for awhile.

 

[readyeddy]

I recommend using case lube when reloading even though it's a handgun cartridge and even though you will be using carbide dies. Trust me.

 

[jmr40]

Sounds like an older gun. I can find no new production 94's in 44 mag. The older guns, especially in 44 mag were not that great. If it truly is a new production gun it is a steal at that price. If an older gun I would pass, especially at that price. Maybe $400-$450 for one of the older versions in 44

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

The 1894 action was designed for a longer cartridge like the 30-30. Adapting it to shorter cartridges like 45 Colt or 44 Mag has always been a compromise. Very, very few Cowboy action shooters use a '94 chambered in short cartridges like 45 Colt or 44 Mag. If you want a 44 Mag, stick with a rifle that was designed for that length of cartridge like a '92 or Marlin Model 1894.

 

[220slow]

I have a 16 inch 44. I assume like the one you are talking about. It shoots great.
My hunting partners and their kids love shooting it. Very handy walking around in the woods. They all want it if I ever let it go. I would grab it if it is in new condition.

 

[Baba Louie]

I have a Trapper in .45 Colt. Love it. Also have one in .30-30. Love it too, but boy howdy does the .30-30 have some noise and flash coming from the muzzle... which I kinda love as well.

I doubt you'll find many at lower prices nowadays. If you reload and/or have other firearms using that cartridge, it's a worthwhile companion as a brush gun. As others have pointed out, it is a compromise that might have feed issues if you are playing Chuck Conner trying to feed and shoot fast, and the round has its limits (don't they all?).

From one POV, I can't see buying one if it's your only .44 magnum however. On the other hand, who makes them nowadays? But then, who cares what I think?

It will put meat on the table and a smile on your face and others who shoot it, for certain.

 

[rondog]

Like this? The 94AE Trapper? Mine was made in 1994. Been struggling to figure how how it shoots the best so I can take a deer with it, seems like it doesn't care for lead bullets. I'm going to try a range trip with only jacketed ones next.

 

[CraigC]

If it's new production and a .44Mag, it ain't a 94. Unless it's a Marlin.

 

[yzguy87]

Beautiful gun rondog!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Lots of negatives thus far about the short Winchester .44 magnums!

Mine is the Wrangler version with the large loop lever. I prefer the large loop to the smaller standard one like on the trapper...hand size and glove thing I suppose.

I consider it a keeper. I shelled out $340 for it about five or six years ago. I added the Williams receiver sight and Lyman front sight. That helped the accuracy considerably. The distance of the front sight to rear dovetailed sight on the 16" barrel is about the same as some of my .44 revolvers

The receiver sight stretches it out.

 

[Malamute]

As to the lead bullet comment above, sizing has to be just right for many guns to shoot lead well. That can mean slugging the bore to get actual groove diameter of your gun, not an assumed one from general info. Each individual gun can be a law unto itself. Many believe microgroove Marlins wont shoot lead bullets well, but many have good results when sizing to fit their gun just right, as in a thou or two over actual (not book)groove diameter.

I'd also suggest that the 44's may (or may not) shoot better than many assume if you work with the loads a bit, even jacketed. It may surprise you when you find what loads it likes.

 

[Riomouse911]

My pre-crossbolt safety 94AE trapper .44 is a great little packing gun. I also put a Williams peep on it, and replaced the rear sight with a folder from Brownells.

I like the handiness so much that I am sending one of my other 20" 94's in .30-30 to Brockmans Guns in Idaho to be made into a trapper-sized gun soon.

 

[rondog]

I took mine out again today, and it does MUCH better with jacketed bullets! I was only able to get a 25yd. range, the others were occupied, but all shots were grouped smaller than a playing card. She won't do that with the LSWC's I have. I hope to catch an open 100yd. lane tomorrow. At least I got the scope dialed in.

 

[The_Next_Generation]

Interesting. Maybe it was a 92. All I know is that it was a 16" bbl 44mag BNIB. I'll be at the shop hopefully by tomorrow so I'll let you all know which it is (if its still there!)

I'm considering a 357 levergun instead...hmmm.

Im just so tired of my AR15. I traded an M77 AW in 7mm Mag and a Gen 3 G22 for it, and it was a financially wise decision (very nice build and high quality components), but its just downright boring.

I could get at least $1250 if I sold it. I would buy a Garand with the first $650, and then look real hard at a nice levergun!

-TNG

 

[rondog]

From my post #22 above, this is my 25yd. target. I was able to get a 100yd. range the next day, and once the scope was re-adjusted the group wasn't much bigger than this. I proclaim it ready to slay deer! Just not with the lead bullets I have. These were Winchester Silvertips over 27gr. of Win296.

 

[hentown]

Too bad about the accuracy. I was hoping for 2" or so at 100yards. I guess I'll hold back on this one, even though it is a VERY handy rifle and boy do I love the 94 action..
__________________

I wouldn't accept one post on a forum like this as evidence of expected accuracy. Besides, you won't need benchrest accuracy for killing Bambi. If deer hunting were difficult, those 7-yr-old girls with their SKSs wouldn't be such successful deer "hunters".