Marlin 1894/5 vs Winchester 94

mr00jimbo

mr00jimbo

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Pros and cons of both?

I've heard about Marlin's infamous "Marlin jam" that requires parts to be replaced to avoid a supposed inevitable jam with two live rounds?

On the contrary, Winchesters are supposedly not built as "tightly" and eject from the top? I could see that being a problem since I kind of like my face.

Looking into a 30-30 or .44 mag of either. Any help would be appreciated.
 
The only thing the Win.94 has/had going for it is the nostalgic look and possibly feel....the Marlin '94(.44) or '95(336/30/30) is a much better all around rifle, made better, easier to disassemble/clean from the breach, probably takes more pressure, etc.
 
I have only had experience with marlins in pistol calibers and in my opinion the marlin is better than twice the gun that the Winchester 94 is. I have a marlin in .357 and a winchester in .45 colt. The newer winchesters are all angle eject, not top eject. My Winchester has let me down in competition a couple times (live round tipping up and jamming the bolt), but that was possibly operator error - the marlin has never done this to me. I have seen a more than a few broken elevator levers in Winchester .44's. I do have a M94 in .32 spl and find you have to really be deliberate (slower) on the lever to avoid jams - it is still plenty quick for hunting.
 
The '94 Winchester was designed around 30-30 class cartridges. If you want a Winchester for short cartridges go with the '92.
I have several, and in fourty plus years of hunting some competition, and target work, have never had a single jam. Having to work the lever deliberate and slower, is BS the Winchester wants firm deliberate fast strokes, not baby strokes. If your Winchester is not functioning properly, it needs work.
Short stroke any action and it will not work.
The so called Marlin jam, is serious, BUT a lot of people will use their Marlins a lifetime and never experience it. Still, if it happens on a hunting trip, it's bad news.
Lots of people like Marlins fior their eye apeal. BUT beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I much prefer the trimmer lines of the Winchester.
The Marlin MAY have a SLIGHT edge in accuracy.
Strength? I doub't there is anyone that can prove that one is stronger than the other for sure.
The Marlin tries to keep the dirt out, with it's closed design. The Winchester lets dirt fall through. Both are acceptable systems that work well.
Throw some debris in a Winchester, it will likely cycle it out the bottom in a couple of strokes. Do the same for a Marlin, you'll be taking it apart. Not that anyone would do such a thing.
Winchesters and Marlins of NEW design can both have low mouted scopes, as both eject their cartridges to the side.
 
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