Tempted by takedown '94s?

[leverfan]

The new Winchester 2006 catalog shows that takedown '94s will be available again in 3 basic versions and 7 calibers.  It'll be interesting to see what the street price turns out to be.  The version with the most bells and whistles comes with an XS peep and front blade installed, forward mounted "scout" scope base, Pachmayr recoil pad, and 18" barrel (Timber Scout).  That pad would be handy if you chose the .450 Marlin chambering.

I'm leaning towards the Short Hunter version in .30-30, if I decide to plunk the money down.  The SH comes with the XS peep installed, but no recoil pad or scope mount (don't need a pad on a .30-30, and don't want a scope on a lever gun, myself).  It's been a long time since Winchester came out with a centerfire lever gun that really got my interest up, but these look pretty cool.

I don't know how many of the .25-35 ones they expect to sell, though.

[1911WB]

leverfan- that's exactly the model I want, although I'm still debating on the caliber. Are they out yet? I can't seem to find one other than on the Win. site.

[leverfan]

I haven't seen any yet.  Winchester is also offering take down '86 and '95 lever guns, which you can check out in their "non catalog items" part of the website.  I believe these are made in Japan, so they may still be available after the NH plant closes in March.  Depending on where they planned to make them, we may never see any of the takedown '94s, now.  It'll be interesting to see what happens to the Winchester name and product line.

I haven't seen Marlin's latest rifles in person yet, either.  Stainless steel, laminated stocks, fluted bolts (why, I don't know), and 24" barrels to get the most velocity out of the new Leverevolution ammo from Hornady.  Not for lever purists, but I do like 22"-26" barrels on all my rifles.