short barreled lever rifles

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okanagan hiker

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Hi all...

I have a question -

Can a standard 20 inch barrel Win 94 or Marlin 1894 have a 16 ( 16.25 in the case of the Marlin ) barrel swapped in? Similar idea to having a Rem 870 and buying a 14 inch barrel. I did Google this but no luck. I know I could have a gunsmith cut the barrel down to 18 inches, but that, for me, would not be worth the cost for just 2 inches.

Can such barrels even be found? If not, how would someone go about replacing their Trappers' barrel??

Anyone have a website?

Thanks,
OKH
 
okanagan hiker said:
Hi all...

I have a question -

Can a standard 20 inch barrel Win 94 or Marlin 1894 have a 16 ( 16.25 in the case of the Marlin ) barrel swapped in? Similar idea to having a Rem 870 and buying a 14 inch barrel. I did Google this but no luck. I know I could have a gunsmith cut the barrel down to 18 inches, but that, for me, would not be worth the cost for just 2 inches.

Can such barrels even be found? If not, how would someone go about replacing their Trappers' barrel??

Anyone have a website?

Thanks,
OKH
Click to expand...

I believe you can only alter yours to 18 inches if it's not a factory 16" but I'm not 100% on that.

If you are looking to lose precious inches consider shortening a standard 1894 barrel by 2". AFAIK cut and crowns are one of the cheapest tasks a gunsmith performs.

I alternate between carrying my 1894C [southern BC backcountry] To my 1894P in .44mag when I'm rambling closer to home [northern BC...grizzly country]
I barely notice the 2 inch difference between the two rifles, as they are carried in a scabbard and both pretty damn short! :p

If you want Big Power in the shortest legal rifle you can carry maybe just hold out for an 1894P?, I got mine off the EE and although it needed work it was well worth it. They are out there floating around. I am assuming by your username that you are backpacking with the rifle in question? How do you carry? I wish I could help you more with the gunsmithing part of your post, I would figure a re-barrel would run you close to 500$.


cgn012.jpg

Top rifles an 1894C with 18.5" bbl Bottom is an 1894P w 16.25" barrel
cgn015.jpg

cgn016.jpg
 
Thanks for the reply... the pics help too.

I carry either in my hands, or slung over my left shoulder ( I am right handed ), muzzle down. Allows for a quick 'draw'. I usually carry a Mossberg 500 12 gauge, 18.5 inch barrel. About 7.5 pounds loaded, 37.5 inches long.

How well can you draw the Marlin with that rig? Comfy to carry?

I guess if I want to go light and small, I can go with a Puma 92 ( around 5 pounds? ) 16 inch, about 33 inches long.

A Win 94 weighs about 6.75 lbs loaded, and about 37 inches long.

Basically, I am wondering about the ability / cost of making a 20 inch Win or Marlin a bit lighter and shorter. Seems like the easiest ( if you can get them ) is too buy a 'factory' 16 inch barrel ( and tube mag )
 
I've never seen facotry 16" barrels for 94's listed, but you might try Brownells?

Likely the easiest and most cost effective way of doing it woudl be to sell your current rifle and buy a "Trapper" model. I love my Trapper 45 Colt wiht 16" barrel.
 
I haven't found where to buy a 16 inch barrel either, but if they cannot be purchased, how would someone fix a damaged Trapper ( blown barrel, run over, etc. )?

Trappers seem to be hard to come by, and I am not sure when they were made ( any pre-64 trappers? )
 
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You could shop around for a trapper 94, they did make some. Personally I wouldn't bother, what you gain in portability you lose in sight radius, offhand steadiness, velocity and balance. To me a 20 inch 94 is just about perfectly balanced, neither muzzle heavy or muzzle light.
 
i just picked up a 16" puma 92 in 44mag, it makes the 94's feel big and heavy. points quicker, shoots just as good and i get 2 extra rounds over the 94. imo its the perfect little backpack gun if you dont need to worry about anything bigger than a black bear. at under 5lbs empty, it feels like a toy! unless i need the extra firepower i much prefer the handling of the 16" puma 92 to the winchester 94 (mines a pre-64 in 30-30 fwiw, and it also shoots great)

YMMV!
 
tenacious_G said:
imo its the perfect little backpack gun if you dont need to worry about anything bigger than a black bear.

YMMV!
Click to expand...

A 255 grain Kieth style hardcast bullet going well over 1200 FPS over a stiff charge of H-110 and I'm not worried about anything fuzzy on the continent of North America! ;)

Devestating penetration @ 25 yards
 
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Mount Sweetness said:
You'd be better off having a smith cut it down.
Click to expand...

It cannot be cut down below 18" or the rifle becomes a prohibited weapon. If a newly manufactured barrel is made at a shorter length it is OK (which is how you can buy a 12" 870 barrel).

Definition of a Prohibited Firearm
The Criminal Code states that a prohibited firearm is:

•a handgun with a barrel length of 105 mm or less;
•a handgun designed or adapted to discharge 25 or 32 calibre ammunition;
•a rifle or shotgun that has been altered to make it less than 660 mm (26 inches) in overall length;
•a rifle or shotgun that has been altered to make the barrel length less than 457 mm (18 inches) where the overall firearm length is 660 mm (26 inches) or more;
•an automatic firearm and a converted automatic firearm;
•any firearm prescribed as prohibited.
Click to expand...

From here: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/rp-eng.htm

Mark
 
Sun_and_Steel_77 said:
A 255 grain Kieth style hardcast bullet going well over 1200 FPS over a stiff charge of H-110 and I'm not worried about anything fuzzy on the continent of North America! ;)

Devestating penetration.
Click to expand...

That's a light rifle load at 1200fps, I can probably get close to that out of my 5" Redhawk.

My Hornady manual lists a 265gr JSP over 23.2gr of H110 at 1700fps out of an 18" barrel. A hard cast 255gr. bullet should have no trouble equalling or bettering the above numbers.

If you really want a thumper, Ben Hunchak casts up a 280gr. bullet with a big, flat nose on it. I have some for testing, but haven't got to them yet. I expect they would make a significant impression on whatever tried to eat you, as well.

Mark
 
I carry a Marlin Guide Gun in .45/70. Barrel is 18.5", and it shoots heavy bullets very well. As a hiking, hunting and defense gun it works splendidly. My Ebelestok X1 pack has a built-in scabbard and it works well.

In a rifle, I prefer this caliber to the .44 magnum or .45LC. Way more stopping power.
 
mmattockx said:
That's a light rifle load at 1200fps, I can probably get close to that out of my 5" Redhawk.

My Hornady manual lists a 265gr JSP over 23.2gr of H110 at 1700fps out of an 18" barrel. A hard cast 255gr. bullet should have no trouble equalling or bettering the above numbers.

If you really want a thumper, Ben Hunchak casts up a 280gr. bullet with a big, flat nose on it. I have some for testing, but haven't got to them yet. I expect they would make a significant impression on whatever tried to eat you, as well.

Mark
Click to expand...


The fact that more speed is achieved with a rifle barrel vs published data from a pistol barrel is certainly not lost on me. I so badly need to buy a chrono :redface:
I just load till I get pressure signs then back off a half grain...:eek:....THE HORROR!!!
I too have heard good things about Ben Hunchaks bullets.
 
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