I understand that pre 64 levers are the way to go for quality as they had to cheap out to remain competetive in later years, how are the dwindling stocks of brand new ones? Is the quality better? Which ones should be steered clear of?
Winchester 94 questions
- Thread starter Oddbawl
- Start date
Virtually everyone has a horror story about 1 or more firearms that they have owned. He's my lever horror story;
In '94 I was looking for a lever in .357 because I was doing alot of .357 shooting out of my M66 and wanted a cheap and easy round that I could reload in abundance. After looking around for about 6-8 months I couldn't find one, I even phoned Winchester! The nice lady said that they didn't have enough calls to start manufacturing them again. Remember this was before Cowboy Action got bigger.
I finally gave up on .357 and found a Winchester Wrangler in .44 Magnum. Shades of John Wayne that large loop lever was kewl! Little did I realize that with 2 years, I'd start shooting Cowboy Action. I did lots of testing and came up 7.2 grains of Unique pushing a 240 grain LSWC bullet as an accurate target load.
Within the first 20 rds down range, the pot metal feed ramp broke. Off for warranty work! Eight months later I get the rifle back. After every 50 rds the rear sight elevator would fall off. So we have to install a Williams rear sight! Shooting again after every 50 rds the screws in the receiver would work loose. Locktite!! After 1,500 rds the tubular magazine spring gave up the ghost! Wolfe Gunsprings to the rescue. After this the Lever Link broke, 3 months and 5 nasty letters later, Winchester told me they would sell me the part but without warranty! They wanted me to send the gun to the warranty centre again!
That was the last straw, I found a sucker to buy the Winchester and bought a Marlin M1894S, after 8,000 rds through it, it broke a firing pin. I love the quality Marlin builds in.
P.S. My Wrangler was one of 4 Wranglers in town with the same problems.
In '94 I was looking for a lever in .357 because I was doing alot of .357 shooting out of my M66 and wanted a cheap and easy round that I could reload in abundance. After looking around for about 6-8 months I couldn't find one, I even phoned Winchester! The nice lady said that they didn't have enough calls to start manufacturing them again. Remember this was before Cowboy Action got bigger.
I finally gave up on .357 and found a Winchester Wrangler in .44 Magnum. Shades of John Wayne that large loop lever was kewl! Little did I realize that with 2 years, I'd start shooting Cowboy Action. I did lots of testing and came up 7.2 grains of Unique pushing a 240 grain LSWC bullet as an accurate target load.
Within the first 20 rds down range, the pot metal feed ramp broke. Off for warranty work! Eight months later I get the rifle back. After every 50 rds the rear sight elevator would fall off. So we have to install a Williams rear sight! Shooting again after every 50 rds the screws in the receiver would work loose. Locktite!! After 1,500 rds the tubular magazine spring gave up the ghost! Wolfe Gunsprings to the rescue. After this the Lever Link broke, 3 months and 5 nasty letters later, Winchester told me they would sell me the part but without warranty! They wanted me to send the gun to the warranty centre again!
That was the last straw, I found a sucker to buy the Winchester and bought a Marlin M1894S, after 8,000 rds through it, it broke a firing pin. I love the quality Marlin builds in.
P.S. My Wrangler was one of 4 Wranglers in town with the same problems.
I have a 1951 model 94 in .30-30 that works great, and I have seen many others from old to new that are ok. That said I like the feel of my old rifle better than most newer ones that I have handled. I refinished the wood, and gave the bluing a touch up, and now it looks almost new.
Win94 said:
ditto...I've heard these stories from others...for a pistol caliber lever gun you can't beat a Marlin '94...unless maybe with a Win '92 or a Browning copy of same...and I've heard that the rare and elusive Marlin 336 in 44mag is OK...
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I do not completely agree with the above statements. I have a 1983 made Wincheater Trapper in 44 magnum that I purchased off Silverback some years ago. I have had to locktite some screws but other than that I have had no problems. And I have used fairly stiff handloads in this rifle too boot. It feeds and extracts without fail, accurate at expected useage ranges.
PS The majority of complaints I have heard of, have come from, recent owners of the 357 rifle/carbine.
PS The majority of complaints I have heard of, have come from, recent owners of the 357 rifle/carbine.
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gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
I had a 94 that I had bought used from a member on this site, the rifle looked virtually brand new inside and out. Took it out to shoot it and found out that the cartridge link was crapped out. Replaced it with a Pre-64 link and sold it. Quality control problems shouldn't be the customer's concern.Brutus said:
Greenhorse six
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Most of the problems with the .357 Trapper come from using some brands of .38spl in them,not all just some.
My Trapper is my most used gun I have,and aside from some feed problem with .38spls its been great,it doesn't get as much use as some cowboy action shooting ones do,maybe only 2-300 a year.no parts braekage ,yet.
My Trapper is my most used gun I have,and aside from some feed problem with .38spls its been great,it doesn't get as much use as some cowboy action shooting ones do,maybe only 2-300 a year.no parts braekage ,yet.
Greenhorse six
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Thats a pretty sweet looking Rifle.
the 94 is slimer then the marlin.
Ah,crap,get both,I want both,the marlins cost more,don't they???
the 94 is slimer then the marlin.
Ah,crap,get both,I want both,the marlins cost more,don't they???
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
The Winchester model 94 was never designed for pistol length cartridges. That is where most of the jamming issues lay. It does look like some quality control issues are at stake also.
Darryl
Darryl
Calum said:Darn I really wanted a .357 Trapper.
Would this be a better choice?
Hands down the Marlin 94 is "LIGHT YEARS" better then the 94 Winchester when using Pistol Cartridges.
The M-94 was Designed around the Shorter Pistol rounds while the W-94 is a Rifle Cartridge design (30-30/38-55 case etc.) which was Factory Bubba'd to Cycle the shorter Rounds.........they are Crappola.
I've owned quite a few of both Models (357's, 44 mags, 44-40's, 45 Colt etc.) and the Marlins are Better in every way
i have a .45 trapper and i find that most jamming is from the lead being pushed into the case causing a lip to catch upon loading. I think it is when i fill the mag and the spring pressure is too much.
As suggestions on better bullets. I have been using factory remingtons.
As suggestions on better bullets. I have been using factory remingtons.
Win94 said:
Rembo said:
I've seen/heard of problems with the '94's in .45 Colt & .44 Mag. But I've had a trapper model '94 AE in .357 Mag for several years without any issues, especially feeding/functioning with 158 gr semi-waddcutter .38 Special loads...
I once had a Browning B-92 .357 Magnum... now that was a sweet little rifle.
And I agree with the statements regarding overall quality of the Marlins, too.
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- Location
- New Brunswick
I had a Trapper in .44 mag and a Marlin in .357, both of which I couldn't find an accurate load for using cast bullets. The Marlin was OK with jacketed. I now have a '94 made in '76 in 44-40 that has cycling problems, although it is somewhat more accurate than the others.
