Winchester 94 Trapper.... good rifle for $350?

[DHart]

I had been considering buying a Winchester 1892 LTD (Miroku-made) Trapper 16" in .45Colt when I came across a Winchester 94 Trapper 16" in .45Colt in a gunshop for $350. The 1892 would cost me about $850. I know the Miroku made 92's are great, but would the Win 94 function equally as well? At a $500 savings, it's pretty attractive. Are there any significant differences?

I get the impression that the '92's lever throw is shorter (a negative for the 94) and the '92 action may slick up even slicker than the 94.

Any thoughts? If there wasn't a big price difference, which one would you go for?

 

[Cortland]

The '94 will never be as slick as a 73 or 66 (or 92 I guess), and the crossbolt safety is a deal breaker for a lot of folks. The slickest, shortest stroke levergun I've ever fired is a '73. Unless you're getting the '94 as a cowboy action gun, though, I doubt it'd make much of a difference.

 

[DHart]

Nope... it won't be used for Cowboy action... just a camp gun and defense rifle. The 66 and 73 are too big and clunky for me and I've got several Marlin 1894's in .38spl, .357, .45Colt, and .44mag already... so it's down to just the Winchester 94 and the 92. I don't mind the safety feature. I have a Browning B-92 (before the safety) w/20" barrel in .357mag (Miroku made) and I had the action slicked by a cowboy gunsmith... wow is it slick. So if I got the Winny 92 (same gun, same maker as the Browning B-92, Miroku) I'd definitely want my favorite caliber, .45Colt, and I'd want the 16" Trapper length for sure.

Now I'm leaning toward the 92 because I understand it's a better design for pistol length calibers (like the .45Colt), but I know a lot of folks have had good luck with their 94's in pistol calibers - .45Colt. So...tough call! I'll spend the extra $$$ for the 92 if I can have a noticibly nicer action, shorter lever throw, and enhanced reliability. I'm not too concerned with long range accuracy... for me this will be a close range gun.

 

[AK103K]

I've owned a .44 mag Trapper and now own one in .45 and never had any trouble with either as far as function or accuracy. I keep hearing that the 94's action is trouble for pistol calibers, but I dont know where thats coming from as every one I ever shot worked fine. I'm suspecting its more just passed on misinfo than truth. They are real handy little rifles. I added an AO ghost ring sight and a sling to mine. That big ghost ring is well made and makes it a real quick shooter and doesnt take away from the gun like the other, older, peep types available. Its also a 5 minute install on the newer rifles. $350 seems a little high for price, I paid $250(used) for my .45 and it was in "as new" shape. Its an older one without the cross bolt too.