Used Winchester 1894 in .32 or new Marlin 336 in .30-30?

nntw

nntw

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I want a 'bush gun'. Figure I may eventually try hunting, but in the short term, it'll put my wife and mother at ease when we're at the cottage (intermittent bear problem, and yeah I know a 12 gauge would probably be more practical, but there's something about a lever action rifle).

I'm toying with the idea of this used Winchester I've seen in a local shop. It's fairly new production- not a collector item with some neat historic pedigree. It looks like new. It's .32 cal, and as a bit of a traditionalist, I was really thinking .30-30.

But, it's a Winchester 1894, and that is pretty cool.

On the other hand, I see that I could get a brand new Marlin 336(A) for maybe $100 more, or even the scoped version (I know, but my eyes are getting old) for a bit more.

I'd have to mail order it so I don't get to inspect the one I'm buying, but that's not really a significant downside.

I know .32's good- I just get the feeling .30-30's more readily available. And I think either rifle would be interesting.

But what do people think? Save $100 and go for the Winchester, its brand, and all its connotations? Or spend a bit more and buy a new Marlin?
 
I know what you mean about the feel. In many respects, although the marlin has the shorter throw, I liked the way the winchester felt in my hands.
 
One more thing: the Marlin is easier to strip down the action internals to clean out than the 94. Remove a few screws, drop the trigger group out along with the bolt and you can clean from the breech end rather than the muzzle end.

Which ever way you go, you won't regret it.
 
nntw said:
I want a 'bush gun'. Figure I may eventually try hunting, but in the short term, it'll put my wife and mother at ease when we're at the cottage (intermittent bear problem, and yeah I know a 12 gauge would probably be more practical, but there's something about a lever action rifle).

I'm toying with the idea of this used Winchester I've seen in a local shop. It's fairly new production- not a collector item with some neat historic pedigree. It looks like new. It's .32 cal, and as a bit of a traditionalist, I was really thinking .30-30.

But, it's a Winchester 1894, and that is pretty cool.

On the other hand, I see that I could get a brand new Marlin 336(A) for maybe $100 more, or even the scoped version (I know, but my eyes are getting old) for a bit more.

I'd have to mail order it so I don't get to inspect the one I'm buying, but that's not really a significant downside.

I know .32's good- I just get the feeling .30-30's more readily available. And I think either rifle would be interesting.

But what do people think? Save $100 and go for the Winchester, its brand, and all its connotations? Or spend a bit more and buy a new Marlin?
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Both the Winchester and the Marlin are great rifles. The Winchester tends to be lighter and more nimble when carrying, particularly through dense brush. The Marlin lends itself to taking a scope MUCH easier. The Marlin action tends to be stronger and aftermarket and factory parts are much easier to obtain. Sure lots of folks state that 94 parts are available everywhere, but have they tried to get some? I have and some parts are almost impossible to find in Canada.

As for 32 Special vs .30-30, I'll stick with the .30-30 as my go to gun. Great assortment and availability of ammo, and ballistically they are virtually the same, the 32 Special has only 38 ft/lbs more @ 100 yards using 170 gr bullets and the 30-30 shoots slightly flatter. I just priced ammo at Wholesale Sports and the 30-30 was $15.99/box vs $25.99/box for the 32 Special (Federal Powershok).

So in a nutshell I would go for a 30-30 in either the Winchester or the Marlin. Marlin if I wanted to scope it, Winchester if I planned to hunt in the brush/thick woods. Both should serve your purpose fine.
 
I know I'm complicating the comparison, in that one's .32, the other's 30-30. I figured that .32 ammo would be more expensive- a bit horrified that it's that much more. I can see any 'savings' from buying the .32 disappearing pretty quickly.

I'm suspecting that this may be part of the reason that the Winchester's available- the fact that it is .32. Sure is pretty though.
 
Either way you go you'll be happy. As said above, handle both and get the one that feels right. Finding .30-30Win ammo will be easier than the .32 Win Spcl.
Welcome to the Lever club!
 
so would $400 seem good for the Winchester?

I'm amazed at how comparatively cheap the Marlins are from mailorder places based out west.
 
The costs of the two calibers of ammo is very close to the same where I shop. You evidently are a fair ways away from a dealer, so having 32Sp ammo shipped would probably be the way you will get it.
I personally like the 32 Sp. because it is different and is so close to the 30-30 ballistics, "everyone" seems to have one 30-30 caliber of one sort or the other. I have a few of the 30-30 cal. rifles and carbines but like to take my 32 Sp. out "bushing".

One or the other, both will get the job done. It is also easy to scope a Winnie, as side mounts ( no d&t) are availabe. If the winnie is newer, it may be a side eject which simplifies the scope mounting to the top of the action.
 
nntw said:
so would $400 seem good for the Winchester?

I'm amazed at how comparatively cheap the Marlins are from mailorder places based out west.
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The last 94 I bought was in very good to excellent condition and I paid $250.00 for it. That was a couple of years ago and the prices seem to have gone up since then.

Try Complete Gunsmithing in NL. They used to offer used 30-30 94s for $250.00. They may still.
709-738-6310
I'm not sure if this address still works or not:
completegunsmithing@nfld.net
 
I think for a casual walk-around rifle, the 30-30 is the way to go due to easy availability of ammunition. Although I prefer Marlin, since you like the feel of the Winchester, I'd go with that. Don't limit yourself to only selecting the rifle that your store has... Winchester 94's are a-plenty in the EE and other online retailers. Fairly frequently I see pre-64 Winchesters in good condition in the $350 range.
 
I prefer the feel of a Marlin myself.
Now what I'd REALLY like to get my hands on is a Marlin 1894 in .45LC, but they're scarce as hen's teeth.
 
The logo 1894 was shortened to 94....They still are the same model of gun, but in 1964, the manufacturing process was changed to be cheaper. thus many parts are stamped articles rather than machined. My old 1906 rifles , both in octagon and round barrels, cycle and shoot like they were new. the pre 64s I have are used often and nary a problem. 103 years old and still going...says something about the product.
 
I think i heard the older Win 94 was better because the lifter was more robust. The newer ones tended to bend and jam. Gun smith repair only..
I like the Marlin my dad has. I find the action to be really smoth. Much better then my Win 94. Try the action on both and check out the lifer. Steel or white metal?
FYI I got my win 94 for $.10. Best deal i ever made...

Cheers
 
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