Dont' mean to open the proverbial can of worms...

[Alderauge]

I have read posts in this forum with great interest.  Forgive this novice question; and I realize and apologize for the type because I know there is often a great deal of difference in opinion.  I am close to deciding on buying a Winchester 94 Legacy.  My question is:  what would you consider advatages/disadvantages to this make and model?  Is it true that a pre-1964 model is better quality?  Again, and lastly, which make would you recommend and why over the Winchester.
I'm sure these are common questions....but I really do need advice.
Thanks to all.
Pete

[Rocky]

Hi Alderauge. Don't have an aswer to your post, but you might give Brockman's Custom Guns website www.brockmansrifles.com and Wild West Guns website www.wildwestguns.com a looksee. Better yet, give them a call. They might have some answers. Don't see how you could go wrong with a Model 94. Might take a bit of gunsmithing (trigger pull, better sights, action smoothing, etc.) to get what you want, but that's not unusual.
 
Good hunting.

Rocky

[Advocate]

I'm new to lever actions, but a review of the custom smits shows a decided preference  for the Marlin.  Coyote Cap does a full action job on the Marlin for about $145.00  and gushes about how wonderful it is, but charges more for the  Win M-94 becuase it takes so much more time to do them.   I'm basically a bolt action type and defer to those with the experience.

[Rocky]

I think you're right about most gunsmiths favoring the Marlin. I don't have all that much experience with either so don't rate an opinion Marlin vs. Win. Don't think you could go wrong with either. I had a Model 94 many years ago. Have a Marlin .45-70 now. It's a beater working gun, but one of my favorites. It already had a good trigger and slick action when I picked it up. Carried it in Alaska mostly in the off season when I live there, but have only shot a couple of things with it.  

Rocky

[norville]

If your looking for new wait on the winny this years model has a tang safety I think. To me the crossbolt on the win is ugly. My biggest problem with the newer wins is the rebounding hammer. It gives the lever a herky jerky feeling( no resistance if an inch the a heavy spring). I like the older ones both pre and post 64. I love the marlins no rebounding hammer and most seem to shoot great. If your looking for value look for a JC higgins or a sears.

 In this area win 30/30's range from $150 to $300 used, same for the marlins in 30/30 and 35. For my money I'd buy 2 marlins for one winchester.


norville

[Win71]

What you like best is your best choice, you are spending the money. Look them all over see how they feel coming to your shoulder. How does it carry at your side with one hand? How does it point, are the sights lining up almost by themselves. If these all happen, you found the right rifle (as long as you like the looks of it) this rifle is most likely a pre-WWII Winchester model 94 or 1894 with a 26" barrel or a Winchester model 64 24" barrel. These models in decent condition will run about the same or slightly more than a new Winchester Legacy. Your grand kids will be trying to wear these rifles out cause you  won't. Marlins are great rifle too, but I always thought an "old" Winchester had more eye appeal and balance. Winchester and Marlin have been around for many years, Marlin has built approximately 4 million of the 1893/36/336 action rifles. Winchester approximately 8 million 1894/94/55/64 action rifles. These numbers should speak for themselves, but you can't go wrong with either Marlin or Winchester.