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I'll agree the Win 94 feels lighter and handier, if not a bit clunkier when working the action. Now the pre-64 winchester 94 ... Thats a whole different story. It's a very smooth action.


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My 1956 Winchester 94 is only 2 ounces heavier than my marlin 1894 c in 357. The marlin is a bit is easier to lever but not all that much easier to handle the advantage is shooting 30-30. It’s much harder hitting. But that may or may not matter.

The 336 is really totally different in its handeling, but it’s more bank vaults feel, it’s gets back to what you want, scoped primary hunting rifle? 336 is what you want, for me that will never be my use of a lever gun. Plinking and classic lever action experience is my desire. Handiness is next

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Originally Posted by Frontiersman
I'll agree the Win 94 feels lighter and handier, if not a bit clunkier when working the action. Now the pre-64 winchester 94 ... Thats a whole different story. It's a very smooth action.
I have two model 94's. One made in 1949 that has seen much use in my hands since I bought it in 1982 and one made in 1979 that I bought just 6 years ago in like new condition. Despite much less use, the 1979 gun is much smoother operating. That is by design, as one thing Winchester did with the post 64's was switch from a relatively stiff, flat hammer spring to a coil spring, which requires much less effort to cock the hammer.

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Surprised that no one mentioned the Winchester model 64. Had one. 32 Special. Loved it.

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I'll mention the Mod. 64. I have one in 30-30 made in 1951 IIRC. With the Lyman peep on it is a 1.5" gun with my eyes, I have also always preferred the 94 to the Marlin. The Marlin always felt chunky to me compared to the 94. Now that doesn't mean I don't like Marlins because I do. I would really like a the Marlin Cowboy in 45-70. That one is trimmed down on the forend and feels really good. If Marlin did that with the rest I might consider them more.

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I had both for years. Both great rifles. Both 30-30. The 94 fits me better and is quicker to get on target with.

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The Winchester 94 is in a world of its own.


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Originally Posted by cumminscowboy
the last year the lever action bug has bitten me. I first bought a marlin 1894 in 357 and just loved the thing. Then I thought lets try a 336, so I picked up a really nice 1980 336 in 30-30. its a very solid gun with a great trigger. but it wasn't near as handy as the marlin 1894. for the last several months I have been wanting a winchester 94. YES I know they are the most common deer rifle ever made. but living in utah where the dang thing was invented they aren't very easy to find. So I picked up a 1954, winchester 94 in 30-30 off gunbroker. It weighs 2 oz more than my marlin 1894c. The fact of the matter its just quite a bit handier than the 336, its at least a half pound lighter. The action seems to lever in those long 30-30 cases with less clunkiness than the 336 does. Don't get me wrong the 336 is beefier, more solid feeling. The 94 is looser fitting and less solid feeling.

to me the secret sauce of a lever gun is how handy they are. how fast can they swing on target. how fast can you lever in a new cartridge. the winchester 94, handles more like my marlin 1894, but shoots a much more potent 30-30 case. I have no intentions to ever hunt deer with any of these lever guns. To me they are funnest just going on a walk through the sage brush hunting jackrabbits and just plinking at stuff. I call the model 94 in 30-30 the high power option when it comes to jackrabbit hunting. I am so glad I bought a pre 64, model 94. the gun just has a soul to it. its got patina, the wood aint perfect, the bluing on the corners is worn a bit. all I gotta say is everyone needs at least one model 94 winchester.


Sorry, I know it's an older thread, but I just came across it and wanted to comment on something. The part I put in bold, about not being easy to find in Utah, has been my case here in California as well. I have my first lever-gun, a 94 made in '61, on order as we speak. I had to get it online, from Cabelas in PA. Here in California, they are very hard to come by. I almost get the feeling that lever guns are mostly an eastern-states thing.

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Keep us posted how you like it. Took my 1956 94 out earlier this week. Put about 40 rounds through it. Grabbed a 336 at the Remington booth today at the expo. Yep the 94 is just easier to lever. Btw I also own 2. 336 rifles too. Haven’t been shooting them much

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I always thought the 336's were butt ugly rifles. Then along came the newer Marlin 94's with that fat forearm, butt ugly too. The early Marlins with the octagon barrel and normal sized forearms were a nice looking gun, and I think were just as good as the older Winchester 94's . IMO.The 92's were a handier rifle.I am tinkering with an old Win 94 in 38-35 now and it looks about the same as the Marlin 94 in 38-40 I just sold

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I've always admired the 94. But was afraid I'd break it. And I like a small 1-4x20 scope mounted as low as it'll go.

After a couple of earlier 336's, an RC and a Texan, I ended up with the sveltest of Marlin's. The Ranger of Marlins. K-Mart blue light special 30TK. It's not too shabby. For those not familiar, here's what it looks like.

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Originally Posted by cumminscowboy
the last year the lever action bug has bitten me. I first bought a marlin 1894 in 357 and just loved the thing. Then I thought lets try a 336, so I picked up a really nice 1980 336 in 30-30. its a very solid gun with a great trigger. but it wasn't near as handy as the marlin 1894. for the last several months I have been wanting a winchester 94. YES I know they are the most common deer rifle ever made. but living in utah where the dang thing was invented they aren't very easy to find. So I picked up a 1954, winchester 94 in 30-30 off gunbroker. It weighs 2 oz more than my marlin 1894c. The fact of the matter its just quite a bit handier than the 336, its at least a half pound lighter. The action seems to lever in those long 30-30 cases with less clunkiness than the 336 does. Don't get me wrong the 336 is beefier, more solid feeling. The 94 is looser fitting and less solid feeling.

to me the secret sauce of a lever gun is how handy they are. how fast can they swing on target. how fast can you lever in a new cartridge. the winchester 94, handles more like my marlin 1894, but shoots a much more potent 30-30 case. I have no intentions to ever hunt deer with any of these lever guns. To me they are funnest just going on a walk through the sage brush hunting jackrabbits and just plinking at stuff. I call the model 94 in 30-30 the high power option when it comes to jackrabbit hunting. I am so glad I bought a pre 64, model 94. the gun just has a soul to it. its got patina, the wood aint perfect, the bluing on the corners is worn a bit. all I gotta say is everyone needs at least one model 94 winchester.

I love the pre-64 94s. I have a few of them from various dates, the oldest being well over a hundred years old in full rifle length, octagonal barrel, crescent butt plate. I've got a really nice pre-war carbine in .32 Winchester Special with a semi-crescent butt plate. Beautiful wood.

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No reason at all to feel bad about liking any Winchester lever over any Marlin.

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I have a Mod. 94 Win. in .44 mag., a Mod. 94 big Bore in .356 Win., a Mirkoru made Mod 71 Win. in .348 Win. and a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 and I like them all. But, when it comes time to clean them or disassemble them for any reason, the Marlin 1895 is the hands down winner for me. In a few minutes I am quickly cleaning the rifle from the receiver end and cleaning the bolt and receiver. They also are easier to mount a scope on. I prefer the lighter weight of a Marlin 1895 compared to my Mod. 71 and the Win. 1886. But, the Big Bore .356 WIn. is a lot of bang in a small light package.

It was Marlin who first brought out the 45-70 in a lever gun long ago. But, nothing will ever be able to compete with the reputation of the Winchester name, it appeals to the cowboy in all of us !

The Marlin 336 and 1895 receivers are pretty much the same and one thing is for sure here in Alaska, Marlin hit the grand slam of home runs with their 45-70 series of rifles, whether it is one of the many Guide gun models, the Limited Edition Models or the regular 1895 in 45-70. Even though most of us Alaskan hunters prefer a scope sighted bolt gun for hunting, we also reach for a Marlin in 45-70 for other out door activities. They are very popular in Alaska and many of us prefer them for hiking, ATV rides, camping, and wading salmon streams that bears also love.

My 45-70 lives in my truck from April to November. It is a comfort to me.

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Originally Posted by 1Akshooter
But, the Big Bore .356 WIn. is a lot of bang in a small light package.




Shhhhhhhh.
Let's keep that a secret. Ammo and reloading component concerns. wink

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I prefer the Marlin due to easy to take apart for detailed cleaning. The Winchester 94 is a classic and it is hard to find someone who has not owned it.
I think that the Win 94 and the Marlin 336 are the only reason that the 30-30 still remains as popular as it is... The guns have carried the cartridge.

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Quote
I think that the Win 94 and the Marlin 336 are the only reason that the 30-30 still remains as popular as it is...


Lotta truth to that.

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Originally Posted by Vic_in_Va
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I think that the Win 94 and the Marlin 336 are the only reason that the 30-30 still remains as popular as it is...


Lotta truth to that.


While the truth of that is undeniable, there was an article in the 1995 Gun Digest titled "All those other 30-30s" that listed the various firearms that were so chambered. I found it quite interesting.


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I still think that if not for those two rifles, the .30-30 would not be as popular as it is. The M94 is especially handy to carry and use in the woods.

Though undeniably a great little round, more modern rounds have overshadowed it. In my case, it's been the .308 Winchester. I still have a strong sentimental connection to the M94/.30-30 combo, that being what I hunted during my youth and early adult years with.

I would like to read that article. I haven't given in to the urge yet, but I'd like to get a bolt, or better yet, a pump .30-30. The pump just seems like it would lend itself to the quick action that can occur in thick woods.

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Vic, get yourself a Winchester model 54 in 3030. The holy grail!


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