Winchester '94 vs. Marlin 336

[eastbank]

the newer 94 winchesters in pistol calibures have been known to have feeding problems, but so did the 336 made in 44 mag. i think it has to do with the long action in the shorter cases. i own both marlin 94,s and 336,s and winchesters and in 92, 94,s and a 1876 ,and reload and shoot both. they both have there +, s and -,s,but i prefer winchesters. one of the nice things about the win is that you can watch the shell go in as you lever it and also see if its loaded or unloaded by looking down,and you can slip one round in the chamber easier if need be. i don,t like the new safety on either,but admit with a novice it is a good thing when unloading or loading. to each his own so buy what you want and enjoy the feeling of the old west. eastbank.

 

[streakr]

Old Time Hunter:

I was not joking. The Marlins are easier to tune and smooth and remain so. New springs and one-piece firing pins go a long way (and cheaply) to improve the Marlins. Mine are not "clunky" and will serve up rounds faster than an equivalent Winchester with less effort (one finger).

If you feel the need to embarass me, by all means go ahead and repost wherever you like. I can easily defend my positions. Have at it. You'll find me on leverguns too.

I have no hatred of the Winchesters; I think they are overly complex and have more flaws than a Marlin. That said I do like my 1873 Italian Uberti replica; it is tuned to be very fast. However, my Marlins are able to match this performance and I did the tuning myself.

Questions for you:
Why are Marlin 336s still produced and sold while Winchester 1894s are not?
Why do Cowboy action shooters prefer the 94 Marlins?

s

 

[Art Eatman]

Well, as usual with lengthy threads, folks start getting personal--and nobody's changing their opinions, anyhow.

Enuf.