Wincheater .357 Lever gun

[joemoia]

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

Initially quality went down the tubes. I bought a NIB Marlin 1894 (44 mag) in Jan. and the rifle is flawless. G&A reviewed the 1894 and Remington reported what they did to improve quality

http://www.gunsandammo.com/reviews/marlin-1894-review/

[joemoia]

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.

While the Win 94 was designed for rifle cartridges, the Winchester Model 1892 WAS/IS designed for handgun calibers, as was the Winchester 1873

[nickel plate]

You can easily tell the year of production on the JM roll marked .357 Marlin model 1894 by taking the first two digits in the serial number and subtracting them from 100 and you have the year.
100 less 21xxxxx equals 1979.
The .357mag model 1894 by either manufacturer are hard to come by and the most frequent that come up for sale are the "crossbolt" safety models which a lot of folks don't care for-something to do with the historical beginnings of the model 1894, ugliness, corporation lawyers and such.
If that model rifle has to have a safety, I would prefer the "tang" safety on the Winchester as it is less obtrusive being placed behind the receiver and on top of the stock and introduced in 2003 while still being made in the USA. In 2010 Winchester shifted production to the Miroku company in Japan.
After looking for about a year, I just picked up (not yet in my hands) an unfired by original owner .357 Marlin model 1894 NIB without a safety. Serial number 19xxxxxx.

[sealocan]

something that no one's mentioned (I heard this on an gun internet forum so I could be wrong in this) but if you're really want a shorter than normal barrel for your lever gun rifle...

the Marlin you can get new or used in a youth style 16 inch barrel model for not too much money and change out its short stock if you need the extra length.

to get an original short barreled Winchester I think it's going to cost you more.

for all I know, Winchester could be making a handy style short barreled rifle these days but I doubt it.

[John Browning]

The 92 and 73 are designed for pistol cartridges, but are significantly weaker and come with a whole host of issues. I own lots of Winchester rifles and as an iconic piece of American history they are tops. In terms of shooting, the Marlin beats them in every quantifiable way.

[joemoia]

The 92 and 73 are designed for pistol cartridges, but are significantly weaker and come with a whole host of issues. I own lots of Winchester rifles and as an iconic piece of American history they are tops. In terms of shooting, the Marlin beats them in every quantifiable way.

The Winchester Model 1892 has the same "locking block" action John Browning designed for the Model 1886, not the previous "toggle link" action used on the 1873. The Rossi R92 is a copy of the Win 1892 action. The Win 1892 is not weak

[John Browning]

The 92 is stronger than the 73 by a mile (thanks JMB)...but it is not as strong as the Marlin.

Winchester 73<92<Marlin.

[ap3572001]

What should I expect to pay for a nice, used 16 inch ,.357 magnum, Win.94AE? ( USA made)

[2761377]

The 92 is stronger than the 73 by a mile (thanks JMB)...but it is not as strong as the Marlin.

Winchester 73<92<Marlin.

how much stronger do you think the Marlin is? from what I can see, the Winchester '92 has at least as much locking lug engagement as a Marlin.

[kendog4570]

The guy asked about the major differences between the (modern issue) 1894 Marlin, and the "Winchester (USA made) .357 lever gun", hence the '94 because there are only post -64 M-94 .357's, and no US mfd 92's in that caliber either. All the Jap 94's are in rifle length cals.

The main difference is the receiver design length.

[nickel plate]

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

Winchester didn't produce a model 1894/94 in .357 mag caliber before or even anywhere near after 1964.

[midvalleyshooter]

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.

I think it is this:



Two review article links:

http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2013/10/24/winchesters-new-model-1873/

http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/winchester-model-1873-cowboy-rifle-new-gun-review/

[23 Blast]

^A '73 is definitely on my "if I win the lottery" list.

[rromeo]

I didn't see anybody mention it, but this is Calguns, so I'll throw in the unsolicited advice to get a Henry Big Boy Steel. The action is a copy of the Marlin, so it's plenty strong. It will most likely save you a few hundred from either the Marlin or Winchester and it's American made.

[John Browning]

how much stronger do you think the Marlin is? from what I can see, the Winchester '92 has at least as much locking lug engagement as a Marlin.

I would say the 92 vs the Marlin is splitting hairs on strength and that the real world difference is probably not noticeable.