Wincheater .357 Lever gun

[ap3572001]

Can someone tell me what are the major differences between a Marlin JM .357 lever guns and Winchester (USA made) .357 lever guns

[smle-man]

Different type of lever action. The Marlin's bolt is easily removed for cleaning from the chamber. The Winchester 94 is not.

[Oceanbob]

Winchester s are more expensive. It wasn't that way 15 years ago.

Winchesters eject out the Top of the action. They are quality.

Marlins eject out the right side of the action, allowing room for a scope mount on top.

I've owned both, but now only own Marlins.

[ap3572001]

What should I expect to pay for a clean USA made Win 94AE in .357 with 16 inch barrel ?

[mjmagee67]

I'm still trying to figure out what a Wincheater is?

But if it is what I think it is, then as the owner of both a Marlin and Wincheater they are both guns and you can't go wrong with either.

[rromeo]

Marlins were made better, but Winchesters were marketed better.

[steel30]

Cant go wrong with either, a big difference is where the casing ejects...
Marlin lever action is a side eject...look for one with a JM stamp,
Winchester lever action is a top eject...look for a model pre 64'
Older ones seem to be more sought after

[23 Blast]

What does the "JM" stamp on a Marlin rifle indicate?

[joemoia]

What does the "JM" stamp on a Marlin rifle indicate?

"JM" proof mark indicates the rifle was manufactured prior to the company being bought by Remington. Marlin rifles manufactured after Remington bought the company and moved manufacturing have a "REM" proof mark

[23 Blast]

Ah - okay. Thanks. Has the quality drop-off really been that drastic?

[kendog4570]

The main difference between the two is receiver length and associated feed parts. The Marlin was designed around pistol length cartridges, and the 94 Winchester designed for rifle rounds like 30 WCF, 38-55, etc. The Winchester is a little clumsier handling the shorter rounds.

[Ronin2]

The older Marlins also experimented, unsuccessfully IMHO, with "micro grove" rifling technology.

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/fryxell/microgrove-barrels.htm

[hambam105]

Winchesters are top eject. Top eject does not allow a rifle scope.
Marlins are full frame. A full frame allows rifle scope. Full frame means stronger frame in my book.
My book also claims Winchesters are strong enough, don't need rifle scope on lever rifle, and Winchesters handle better than Marlins due to World-According-To-Me standards.

But the number #1 reason Winchesters are better is because John Wayne never used a Marlin. Now that is a television fact, Jack.

If you take the middle of the road stance you get hit by cars from both directions.

[ojisan]

I bought a Winchester, my buddy bought the Marlin.
We shot them both a bunch.
Each has its advantages.

Early Winchesters were top eject so no scope.
The early ones were beautifully made and tightly fitted.
Later ones, the "AE" models, were Angled Eject so a scope can be used.

The Marlin action is beefier if you want to hand load something like the 30-30 to max.
The whole gun is a bit heavier and thicker in the hands compared to the Winchester, and slower handling (but not by much).

[John Browning]

In a .357, get the Marlin. The 94 is not built for pistol length cartridges and you'll run into problems. There is literally nothing the Winchester does better than the Marlin in a .357. I've owned probably 20 94s over the years and have some still and they are great, the just aren't great as a pistol caliber.