Which .357 to get?

[TXSURVEYOR]

I usually hate these type of threads but I have a couple fo questions.

1) what is the length of pull on a Marlin 1894c?

2)will I be able to mount a scope(for a child ) on the Win. 94 compact? What I mean is does the angle eject allow me to mount a scope the right way. I have been told on the the older 94's the scope was turned 90 degrees to allow for ejection of the cartrige.) I am a little confused on this.

From my questions you can tell I thinking of a marlin 1894c or a Win. 94 ranger compact. I have been wanting a .357 for fun inexpensive (.38) shooting for a while now. I love Marlin's but would like a Win. to expand my collection a little. The reason for a compact is I have a nephew and 2 son's that I would love to break in shooting with this gun. (after they grow tired of .22's of course) And being able to shoot .38's wont break my wallet or their shoulders when the time comes.

I am leaning tword the Win. but have concerns about cleaning it. I love how easy my 336 is to clean. Is the Win. really that bad to break down?


Not that this will have anything to do with my purchase but where does winchester build 94's? I keep hearing differnt place's and would just like to know.   Thanks for any replies.

[NYH1]

Check this out! Personally I would get a Marlin over a Winchester any day, thats just my opinion!


www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/1894_centerfireRifles/1894C.htm

[old06]

I have a Winchester 94 trapper in 357 and love it I picked it up for the same reason kids.  Plus it was a great deal off a GI going over seas it will take a scope over the bore or a peep site in the back scope mount position  and I will take a 1/2 inch out of the stock.The oldest grandkid being 6 soon it may be another year or so till I let them shoot it. Till then I got to keep the dust out of it. With either you wouldn't come out a looser. I use a 35 cal bore snake to clean the thing and it works great no fuss  just a few passes and your done. This is the only Win lever I own  3 other Marlins and I like the balance of this rig. Not a bad deal for 150.00 it is like new still.

[Jerry Lester]

I'm not sure exactly what the LOP is on the 1894C, but I'm small framed, and it fits me perfectly.

I have no problem suggesting the 1894C. I've owned, and shot dozens of lever actions over the years, and although I like the feel of some models of Winchesters better than some Marlins, I'll take a Marlin any day over a Winchester. This is even more so when it's chambered for a pistol caliber.

From my experince Marlins are generally tighter, more accurate, and smoother actions than Winchesters. I've shot some very sweet Winchesters, but nearly every Marlin I've shot has been sweet.

[STW]

I am leaning tword the Win. but have concerns about cleaning it. I love how easy my 336 is to clean. Is the Win. really that bad to break down?

Assuming you mean that the 336's lever and bolt come out so easily for breech cleaning, I use a BoreSnake for breech cleaning my mod. 94 with bolt and lever open. Got it at a Gun Show for $10. I didn't search on this so it may be something everybody already uses or doesn't use for a good reason, etc., but thought I'd mention it because it makes for quick and easy breech cleaning without removing the bolt on a 94. Just put a little cleaner in there and drop one end of the string down through the breech and pull it out from the muzzle end. They are made pretty long even in pistol cal. sizes--I think my .45 acp version would be long enough to clean a 20" barrel.

[STW]

2)will I be able to mount a scope(for a child ) on the Win. 94 compact? What I mean is does the angle eject allow me to mount a scope the right way. I have been told on the the older 94's the scope was turned 90 degrees to allow for ejection of the cartrige.) I am a little confused on this.

Should be no problem to mount a scope on the 94 in the usual way although you can't mount it as low as you can with a 336 apparently. For kids a high mounted scope may not be ideal.

A scout scope could work and might be nice periph. vision training for young shooters who could learn from the beginning to shoot with both eyes open. I contacted XS sites recently about their scout scope mounts for Winchesters and Marlins, and was told that on 94s of any vintage the scout mount could go in place (and the scope clear the ejecting shell) if the was about 4" between the barrel receiver junction and the rear site dovetail.
http://www.expresssights.com/catscout.html