Which of these leverguns do you guys like?

[shotgunner]

I'm getting both combinations. A revolver of each caliber and a levergun of each. This way I have a B.U.G. that shares the ammo with my choice of rifle for my given situation.
Here are my choices for a .357/.38 levergun.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/1894_centerfireRifles/1894C.htm
http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=534&type_id=094&cat=003C
http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=534&type_id=093&cat=003C

I think that Winchester "Trapper" is an absolutely beautiful firearm.

Here are my choices for a .44/.44 SPL levergun.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/1894_centerfireRifles/1894.htm
http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=534&type_id=094&cat=003C
http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=534&type_id=093&cat=003C

Again, I think the Winchester "Trapper" is a beauty, but with only one downfall for each caliber. The 9 shot capacity, the Marlin, and the Trail's End have a higher capacity. Also the Trapper has a 16" barrel, vs. the other two that are longer than 18. I also hear that the Winchester models may have accuracy issues in the .44 if 300 grain bullets are used due to improper twist. Any ideas on that?
And finally, can all of these rifles handle +p+, both in 38/357, and 44/44spl?

I would really appreciate detailed feedback, really though, my main concern is that I have a rifle that can shoot all the variants, different powder types, and especially +p+ for all calibers. This way, I can basically shoot any manufacturer's ammunition without the gun's barrel peeling back like a banana and killing me in the process.

Thanks !

 

[TMM]

i like pistol grips, not straight, but i'd go for the higher capacity, which would be the Winchester. incidentally, Winchester is higher end than Marlin.

they're all beautiful firearms, but the marlin is kinda chunky looking. it has an "Olde West" look, and you'd probably be less afraid to beat them up, but i'd probably go with the Winchester.

~TMM

 

[BryanP]

The Marlin 1894C .357 magnum is reliable, accurate and an all around great piece of work.

incidentally, Winchester is higher end than Marlin.

You mispelled "overpriced compared to the"

 

[Souris]

DISCLAIMER: This is purely personal experience. I may have gotten a lemon.

I bought a Win trapper in .357. The price was the only thing decent about it.
It was so safe that it had what felt like a 20 Lb trigger pull. I could bounce the gun on the trigger and not make it go off. It had a thumb safety, a diconnect safety and a rebounding hammer safety. My buddy managed to knock the main spring off it's hooks simply by working the lever. I have a crossman BB gun that felt better in my hands than the trapper. I traded it in a month later on a cheap shotgun. I will never buy another new Winchester firearm.
That said, the Legacy winchesters are "supposedly" better built since they are mainly for the CAS shooters.
I replaced the Win with a Marlin 1894 Cowboy in .357 and I LOVE it. It has the 24" barrel but if I was going to hunt with it I would prefer the 18" that is out now. I feel that the Marlin firearms are built far better than the winchester guns these days.
Check out the Marlin Guide Gun in 44 Mag. It fells so much more solid than a Win trapper and is about the same size.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

I bought a Marlin 1894C and liked it so much that I bought another one.

Solid, reliable, incredibly fun, and "cute" (as my wife put it, which earned her an 1894C of her own).

 

[Titus]

I have the 1894c and a .44 Trapper and like the Marlin better. I don't know if I'd call either one "high end", but if I did, I would go with the Marlin. Unless you have some specific velocity number you're trying to make, I think you'll get good velocities out of either.

One nice thing about the Marlin was the ability to put a Wild West Trigger Happy Kit in it. That makes a world of difference!

 

[Father Knows Best]

Get the Marlins. Winchester 94's can be good guns, but not in those calibers. The Winchester 94 action was originally designed for longer length cartridges. The JMB-designed model 1892 Winchester handled the shorter pistol-length cartridges. Winchester later rejiggered the 94 for shorter cartridges and dropped the 1892.

Unfortunately, it's never worked well. The Winchester 94 action just doesn't handle pistol-length cartridges very well. It is balky and prone to jamming, especially when you work it quickly (as you will under stress). That's why you almost never see them on the cowboy action circuit. You see lots of Winchester 1892 reproductions, as well as Marlins and the old toggle link Winchesters, but the only guys using 94 Winchesters are new guys who haven't saved up enough yet for a decent rifle.

The Marlin 1894 is an excellent choice, though. They should be smoother up a little, and have one piece firing pins installed, but they'll generally work well right out of the box and they are much less likely to jam under pressure.

 

[shotgunner]

Yeah but guys, can they all handle +p+, and what about the supposed .44 caliber 300 grain issues with accuracy in the winchesters?

Thanks

 

[Matthew748]

According to Buffalo Bore, either rifle can handle .44 Mag +p+ loads. I do not see .357 ammo offered at their site, but here is the page on .44 Mag loads.

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#44P

 

[Gewehr98]

The Marlins are the rifles that have problems with 270+ grain bullets.

Rate of twist = too slow.

If you're running CAS-queef loads, then by all means get one of the replica Model 92 rifles as offered by Rossi, EMF, Navy Arms, and Armi Sport.

If you're running +P+ .44 Magnum or .357 Magnum loads, then go with the Winchester 94 or Marlin 1894 actions. Either was made for higher pressure rifle loads, and are better suited for the hot magnum revolver loads. I prefer the Winchester, it has clean and trim lines, less "chunky" in weight and size, and I have no problems finding parts or gunsmithing a smooth trigger on it. If you keep your eye open, you might even find an older specimen without the silly crossbolt or tang safety for fairly cheap.

 

[grimjaw]

Out of the box triggers on any new production Marlin is going to beat a new production Winchester hands down. The Marlin doesn't require as much work to smooth the action out, if it needs it at all. The Marlin (any of them) will be simpler to field strip and clean than the Winchester.

I do think the Winchesters are more attractive rifles, even more so than Marlin's cowboy versions, but that's one of the few places I think it's a better rifle. YMMV. I liked the feel and handling of the Winchester, light and quick, but I don't think it's better than the Marlin.

Father Knows Best, I did not experience any jamming problems when I worked my Winchester Trapper action quickly. In fact, that's the one way I could usually count on it to work as designed. It would only do this with .357 ammo, though, not .38 Spec; problematic with ejecting those.

jmm

 

[The_Antibubba]

Aside from quality issues, make sure the gun in question is right for your stature. I've got a Rossi 92 in .357, and I love it, but I need to lengthen the stock (length of pull is the correct term, right?).

 

[Rexrider]

All I can offer you is I love my Marlin 1894c in .357 mag. Shoots great, accurate, seems well built.

I do not have any experience with Winchesters.

I think you will find most people will lean towards the Marlin for pistol calibers.

 

[el44vaquero]

Another vote for Marlin

I also have a Marlin. It's a fine rifle. I really enjoy shooting the .38 spls through it. I also have a Rossi .357 lever gun that I like equally as much or more so with it in mind that I got it for a third of what I payed for the Marlin.

 

[Luchtaine]

I like the Octagonal barrel Marlin the best if your gonna get a cowboy gun get a cowboy gun .

I always have after thoughts, what about the Henry Bigboy .44?

Admittedly I don't know anything about level guns yet so sorry for even commenting, there is one in my future though so I thoughts I would take advantage of present thread. ITs somewhere on the list after the FAL and a CCW when I am in a place that is more friendly to the practice.

 

[Brian Williams]

I prefer a Marlin over a Win, that said if a pre64 win 94 in 30-30 walked thru the door I would almost fall over my self getting it. For Pistol length cartridges I would get a Marlin 1894 or a Win 1892 clone.

 

[Rupestris]

Trigger jobs for Winchesters are hard to come by and are quite a bit more costly than trigger jobs for Marlin.

Something to keep in mind if you ever want to improve one.

I'm not a fan of the new tang mounted safety on the Winchester either.

In this case, I gotta say I'd get the Marlin. (this comming from someone that has two Win 94's and loves 'em. Go figure... )

 

[brickboy240]

I own several Marlin and Winchester lever actions, including a 1894S Marlin in 44 magnum.

The 1894 is one of my alltime favorites and is a super nice rifle. Accurate, powerful and fun to shoot. The 1894 Marlin action was designed for a pistol-length round, the 94 Winchester was not, therfore, some 94 Winnys have feeding problems.

All the bigtime Cowboy Action Shooters I see around here use Marlin 1894s..either 38/357s or 45 Colt calibers, but some use 44s with the light 44Spl cowboy loads.

I really don't think you could go wrong with a Marlin 1894 lever-gun.

Don't get me wrong, the Winny 94 is a great rifle, but think "older is better" with the 94 and stay away from the pistol caliber Winny 94s and you'll have a good experience with the Winchester 94. A pre-angle eject 94 in 30-30 or 32Spl is a thing of beauty and a great shooter, while the newer angle eject models inthe pistol calibers just don't appeal to me at all...sorry. The quality is not there anymore.

-Brickboy240

 

[DHart]

The Winchester 94 Trapper is my favorite lever rifle... they are gorgeous and feel wonderful in the hand. Chambered in a big bore caliber (.45 Colt or .44 mag) they function wonderfully. I've got one in .45 Colt and another in .44 mag and couldn't be happier with them.

Some of the 94's in the smallbore .357 chambering have had some feeding issues, but a great many people have 94's in .357 that run just flawlessly. Winchester slightly modified the action a number of years ago to better acomodate the shorter pistol calibers and the result has worked wonderfully, especially for the big bore cartridges.

Overall, I would lean toward the Marlin 1894CS for a .357 lever rifle and toward the Winchester 94 for .45 Colt or .44 Magnum. The new Win 94's are really beautiful rifles... I really, really like mine!

The Marlin 1894's tend to run very well, but have their own peculiarities as well ("The Marlin Jam"). Marlin is an outstanding company, takes good care of it's customers and makes a good, all-american product. I have quite a few 1894 Marlins and they're nice rifles. But they just don't have quite the appeal to me that the Winchesters do. Nothing wrong with them, though.

I like both brands, but they differ greatly in feel, handling, and looks. In that regard, I really prefer the size, shape, look, and feel of the Winchester 94. The Marlins have a "chunkier" more clunky feel in the hand (owing mostly to the thicker forestocks they have) and the Winnies have a slimmer, sleeker feel. But the Marlins are easier to clean. So there ya go... no perfect solution... just a few great and different rifles. They're both great guns. Pick whichever one feels best to you. Funds allowing, get both!

 

[JohnKSa]

If you get a .357mag or 44mag levergun, be sure the specs specifically state that it will shoot .38/44spl. Some leverguns are sensitive to OAL and won't handle shorter than normal ammunition.