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Posted: 1/27/2003 6:19:19 PM EDT
| Looking at a Model 94 or similar lever action rifle. Anyone have any words good or bad? How about the 30.30 round? Thanks! |
| See if you can find an older marlin or store brand version thereof. the marlins are so much easier to put a scope on, and the old ones have nice bluing. I am going to pick up a 15-20 year old 336 in a private sale nice gun, and more than enough power for social purposes. the new ones, especially the ones at wallyworld don't seem to have as nice a finish as the older stuff. |
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I'm not a hunter, so I can't vouch for the .30-30 as a deer round. My Grandmother always brought home venison with hers though... Here is a pic of my '64 Winchester M94. The action is a little rough (first year on the automated machinery), but it shoots like a dream. Cheers, Chris 
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There are literally 100's of lever action options, if not thousands. Winchester and Marin have made so many models, in so many Calibers, you could never collect them all. I prefer to buy Used rifles that were made before they started adding the cross bolt safety, which i feel destroys the great lok of the slim lever action rifles. Winchester has recently changed over to a tang safety, which looks better, but is still unneccessary. The .30-30 is a good choice for you firt lever action. Ammo is inexpensive and available at any walmart. You may want the just pick up a used lever action in some caliber you already have on hand though. Do you shoot revolvers? You can get a lever action in .38-40, .44-40, .357mag, .41 Mag, .44Mag, 45 Colt. |
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I love my old M94, was given to me as a gift last year. It's a late 70's model. Anyways, these firearms point real nice and are very weildy! I've ALWAYS said I would never feel completely outgunned if I had a lever action 30-30 to defend my life. Also, who cares about a scope, the 30-30 was ment to be a 100-150yard cartridge as it is. What's with you people and scopes!! You should check out the marlin before you buy the M94, you might like it better. |
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Are you planning on getting a new one? I personally like the older '94s. Mine was produced in '57. I compared mine to a brand new one back in the late '80's, and the action was smoother functioning, and wasn't "Loose & Clunky" like the new one. I'm not sure if Winchester's quality has improved or not, but it's worth looking into comparing some of the older ones to the newer ones. Overall, great all around short range caliber. A '94 in 30-30 is fun to shoot. |
Actually it's just short for Model 1894 but we know what you meant. Also, I just read and article about Marlins new "Spikehorn". It's a model 336 with a 16 inch barrel. Coming out this year. They offer it in .30-30. Put a synthetic stock on it, one of the scout mounts offered in Cabelas and it would make a handy "trunk gun". |
The trappers are great guns, especially for the use you describe. It's also great if you pack a side arm in the same caliber. For a lever gun, my personal preference is for the Marlin 336. I prefer the side eject and the solid receiver top strap. It's also very easy to mount a scope. Winchester has improved the M94 with an angle eject but the receiver top is still open. |
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