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What is everyone's thoughts about the Winchester 45 (round barrel) compared to the Marlin (Octagon barrel)?

I have one of the last of the Winchesters. It is unfired and in the box. My thoughts were at the time of purchase to keep it for a while and possible trade it for a Marlin at some point. I have a collection of Marlins and Rugers as matched calibers sets (Rugers and Marlins for 30 Carbine through 44 mag, and then BFR's for 444 and 450 Marlins), but the Marlin 45 is that octagon barrel that I just don't like, plus the cost was much higher. Now Winchester has closed and the firearm may have much higher value if left unfired.

I was interested in everyone's opinion about this.

I personally prefer the Marlin. I've put tons of rounds through it without a hiccup. However it's hard to tell someone to sell something that they probably won't be able to replace. And I don't think that will happen, even if Winchester, USRA, whoever brings the Winchester name back. If you like the rifle shoot it. You didn't say if it was the 92 or 94. If it's the 92 I'd for sure keep it and shoot the heck out of it. Might fine guns for sure.

I have a 94 trapper that's been used and abused for the last 16 years. It's still a good shooter.
If I was you I'ld go ahead and enjoy that rifle. I just hope you didn't pay some of the rediculous prices that were being asked. I have my doubts normal production 94's will ever have any exceptional collector value, way to many of them circulating for that.

No, I got a really good deal on it just before Winchester went OOB. You might be right about the value not going in too much. I saw a rifle (94AE) in 45 Colt at a flea market the other day. It was old and beat up, and the guy wanted $235.

I am just wondering if I can get enough for a New In Box one to pay for a new Marlin.

Own both the Marlin and Winchester in .45 Colt calibers. They
are both good strong modern actions that are well made rifles
and will do anything you ask them within their design mfg.

I have a friend who wants me to sell him the Marlin because
of the octagon barrel which he really likes. I on the other hand
prefer the simplistic beauty of the Winchester with the round
barrel.

I mostly shoot the Winchester though for that very reason. It
has a more "authentic" appeal to me, real or not. The only
major disadvantage that the Winchester has in comparison to
the Marlin is that it does not disassemble into its component
parts very easily. The Marlin is designed specifically to do so
and it makes cleaning /maintenance a snap to access and do.

I've got a wrangler large loop and I really enjoy it.

Amazing how the used ones are going double what a new one was a few years ago. I'm so dissapointed with winchester. It's hard to imagine why they would abandon such a historically sucessful product when if anything the CAS crowd is bringing back interest in the levers. If they wanted change, they could have made a new model. Somehow it feel anti-american. What's next, will we put the liberty bell up for auction?