I’ve never owned a Winchester in .357, but I imagine it’s a fantastic rifle. The main difference I’m aware of is the receiver/action. The way the Winchester opens up to eject a round, opens the entire top of the receiver which means they aren’t nearly as good of an option for mounting a scope or optics. Even if you side mount a scope you may encounter issues with brass not always finding their way out. Other than the optics thing, I’m sure it’s an awesome rifle and something your brother would be very happy with!


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The main difference I’m aware of is the receiver/action. The way the Winchester opens up to eject a round, opens the entire top of the receiver which means they aren’t nearly as good of an option for mounting a scope or optics.

Incorrect, He is considering the AE (angle eject) version of the Winchester. Those you can mount a scope in the normal fashion. It was the older Winchester's that you had to use a side mount.

 

John Browning designed the 94 for cartridges of rifle length. Cartridges such as the 30-30, 32 Special, 38-55 and others. The shorter pistol cartridges were never intended to be operated through the 94 action. But modern engineers figured out how to make it work properly. My hunting partner has a 94 Wrangler in 44 MAG that functions just fine. It has never jammed to my knowledge.

Winchester 94 was "converted" to the angle-eject configuration back in the early 1980's for easy scope mounting. It also is a design that functions quite well, indeed!

TR

 

The Winchester 1892, was designed more around the pistol cartridge. Now chambered in both 357 and 44 mag, maybe even 45 LC. They are making it currently, although it's by Moruku Japan.
Well made and a very nice gun.

 

If you or your friend is interested in a Win 92, you may want to try to find a Rossi or Puma 92. It's the same action as the Win 92, but, when you can find them, they should go for around 500.00. The .357s are harder to find. It's also a top ejector.

The 92 is a very smooth and strong action. The wood on the Rossi typically has no figure. It's a Brazilian hardwood that is stained to a dark reddish brown, and when stripped, it looks a lot like our American beech.

 

I like the new winnny 1892's much better the the ae's with their big push button safety and plated/blued receivers that flake if a Marlin is unobtainable

 

My understanding is the Marlin has a simpler action than the Browning design of the Winchester.
Both have sold millions of copies, both are reliable.
I bought a 2019 1894CB Marlin expressly for the simpler action.

I would own a Miroku without any reservation.
They are the folks that manufacture the Weatherby Vanguard bolt action rifles.

I shoot SASS, and Marlins have a reputation for being finicky when using 38 Specials in lieu of standard 357 cartridges.
There are a number of tricks used to slick up a Marlin for reliability and rapid handling.

 

If the serial number is above 5,103.285 I think, the 94s returned to a forged receiver. so the bluing is fine. if its a Japan winnie its very high quailty! if its a 92 action. one word sweet!

 

Thanks for the replies!

I forgot to mention I had looked into the 92's but they were so expensive I assumed they were like collector pieces anymore. The one thing about the 94's I did know is they weren't designed for pistol rounds, but generally feed them fine. AE is good but for me it could be either since my brother and I are both iron sight shooters. We wouldn't be hunting outside 100 yards.

I'll look into Rossi and Puma as well. In general the characteristics that I would prefer to not change at this price level is that it should have the octagonal barrel, and be chambered in .357 or .44. He likes that those rounds punch through old IDE hard drives. I actually don't know if he's as much a fan of the octagonal barrel as I am. I should find out since prices magically chop in half when you go with round barrels.

By your reactions I'd say it's safe to continue considering the 94's if I cannot find a Marlin. The one sure thing about this hunt I do know is he would definitely be 100% happy with a Marlin so I cannot go wrong there (hunting only for JM stamped pre remington ones that is)

 

I have A Rossi 92 octagon 357 24 in barrel, very nice, however no longer made but you could find one in your price range.

 

I have a Winchester 94AE in .357 Magnum that I bought in 1995.
16" Barrel with the saddle ring. Round barrel, not octagonal.
I'm not a fan of the styling of the cross-bolt safety compared to the Marlin's, but it functions fine.

It's a GREAT little rifle! Very accurate. Minimal recoil - which is why the .357 is so popular in these rifles.
(.357 is also very popular because it is VERY versatile if you reload!)
I like Marlins better, but you can't go wrong with a good Winchester 94.


I also have several Marlin 1894's in .44 Magnum (20" and 16" barrels), and the new 1894 CSBL in .357 Magnum with a 16" barrel.

The Winchester is definately slimmer and lighter. But the slightly lighter weight doesn't make recoil an issue with .357 Magnums!
And .38 Specials are almost like shooting a .22LR!

 

I shoot my JM Marlin .357 CB in silhouette matches & love it. Since they ARE hard to find for nice ones under $1K, a lot of guys shoot Commemorative Winnies that seem to do fine.
I always feel that I have a little unfair advantage with the CB though!:embarassed:

 

What did that other guy say?
Oh yeah, "Buy the first one to come along"

So my question to the Marlin community is basically this:
Keep on hunting for another Marlin 1894CB jm stamped .357 for the general $700 - $800 range, or pick up one of these Winchester 1894AE in .357 for roughly the same price?

 

My personal preference is that small cartridges should go in small actions. (excepting target rifles) I'm a minimalist when it comes to carrying weapons. Reminds me of my Mauser .22rf training rifle. As heavy as the real deal, and deadly accurate. First round I ever fired out of it nailed a can at 100yds - peep sight. My Chinese .22rf trainer, cloned on the CZ .22 trainer, with SKS/AK47 style sights, busted a bunny at 50 yards with the first round I fired through it. It IS a keeper. (My winter project is to fit a walnut stock replacing the butt wood stock they use in the PRC)

Bring the right tool for the job.

AC

 

You would not go wrong with the Winny in .357.
I owned a '94 in 30-30. It was the easiest carrying rifle I ever took to the field. I sold it to my neighbor who fell in love with it for the same reason I enjoyed it.
Andrew

 

I have a 94AE trapper in 45 Colt with a 16" round barrel and receiver side safety....absolutely love it.
However that said....I like the Marlin 1894 design MUCH better.
So easy to strip and clean compared to the Winchester.
I only paid $375 for mine last year at a brick and mortar store.
I would love one in 357.....they DONT exist around here !
I love them both.

 

I've had the AE 1894's in pistol calibers and they were great rifles. However, I much prefer the 1892, it is designed for the short pistol length cartridges. Think of the '92 as a miniature model 1886 where as the Model 1894 Marlin would be compared to the 1893. You can buy the '92 for what you will pay for the Marlin 1894 and it may be easier to find than the Marlin. JMHO.

Joe

 

I know it wasn't one of your choices but Henry makes a nice color case hardened 357 with an octagon barrel.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/100012

 

I don’t care for octagon barrels because of the added unnecessary weight. I have Marlin 1894 .44 mag & Winchester 94AE Trapper .357 magnum. The JM is heavier and thicker, the Trapper is lightweight and slim. JM has better trigger and can be cleaned from the breach, Trapper is cleaned from muzzle. Both function flawlessly. The JM would be better for hunting because of caliber, but if I could keep just one it would be the Trapper. It is just such a sweet handling gun.

 

As a dealer, I can say that your ONLY choice for a 357mag lever action "new" will be the Rossi 92's but they have also gone up in price since they moved into their new factory. when I sell them the blues go for $600 and the Stainless $650. You will be very hard pressed to find a .357 Marlin or Winnie in good shape for under $1000 these days. Deals are out there!! But could be a long search. Folks want top dollar on their rust buckets!!!
Oh, your location has a lot to do with gun prices too.....so search some of the local boards one or two states away from you and you may have better luck!
Cheers!
Mazer

PS: Henry rifles, are good quality but heavier than all the other lever guns I've handled of the same caliber. I only stock their 22's and the rifles with the loading gates....because try selling other lever guns that have them and then try to explain why the rifle without them is any better!!

 

A friend let me shoot his Winnie Japanese 1873 with a 24 inch octagonal barrel and case hardened reciever in 357. Light, balanced, super slick action and beautiful. Lyman tang sight. He got it new for $1350. My WWG trigger on an 1895 CB was a lot better than his factory trigger but wow, what a gun!

 

I personally, as others stated buy the first one that came along. I always wanted a Winnie '94 Legacy in .357. I have a very nice Marlin CB Limited and consider it one of my favorites. I love the forward weight of the barrel. I understand giving one to your brother. I gave my brother a CB Limited in 44/40. What a shooter. I paid what the average was 3 years ago. Still looking for another to complete having all of them. Here is my .357.

 

Da Duke, that is a real beauty !! What year is it ?