Author Topic: Anybody heard of a .357 Max conversion of a Winchester 94? (Read 862 times)

C A Plater · « **on:** August 26, 2003, 07:30:43 AM »

Has anyone seen/heard of a .357 max. lever gun conversion?. It seems like such a natural for the Winchester 94 which handles .30-30 length rounds so it should be possible. I figure if I thought about it, so must have someone else and perhaps they tried it. If they did, how did it work out?

Courtney Plater

John Traveler · « **Reply #1 on:** August 26, 2003, 08:06:40 AM »

CA Plater,

Are you referring to the .357 Maximum, an extra-long version of the .357 Magnum? Yes, I've seen and handled such a beast. Action work involved: replace cartridge guides, modify cartridge stop, modify cartridge lifter, bolt face, extractor.

Or are you referring to an extra-long version of the .375 Winchester (itself a high-powered version of the old .38-55).

Where would you get the brass? I've never hear of such a beast.

Curious John

C A Plater · « **Reply #2 on:** August 26, 2003, 12:32:31 PM »

:oops: Oops, typo. It's .357 Maximum as in extra log .357 magnum.

What modification were required with the bolt face and extractor? Isn't it the same rim as the regular .38/.357?

John Traveler · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2003, 01:12:15 PM »

Yes,

The .38/.357 Magnum case head and rim dimensions are as the .357 Maximum.

The Winchester M94 boltface and extractor are nominally factory-made for only .30-30, .38-55, .375 Winchester, .44 Magnum, and ,.45 Colt rim sizes.

To make it fit the .38/.357/.357 Max rim size, you have to make up a partial bushing and extend the extractor claw. Silver soldering is suitable, but unsightly.

A more suitable conversion (I think) would be the Marlin M94 action, which is designed for pistol-length cartridges, which the Winchester M94 action is not. The use of the Marlin should simplify feeding and extraction as well. You can also get an M94 bolt and extractor from the Marlin factory.

The one .357 Maximum Winchester M94 conversion I examined was rather crude... it had file marks on the cartridge guides, lifter, and the cartridge stop looked like it was welded up and then filed to shape. I don't know how reliable it was. The owner said it shot well.

HTH
John

C A Plater · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2003, 05:29:50 PM »

I've looked at the Marlin and it seemd it might be a bit short for the maximum. Winchester now offers .357 in several of the 94 variants according to their web site so I thought this would be an easier conversion job with minor adjustments to the cartridge stop and lifter. It's really just an excuse to buy another lever gun to play with. Of course if they would offer it in .357 max. that would be good too. :grin:

Thanks for the info.

Courtney

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #5 on:** August 27, 2003, 12:11:52 AM »

winchester does make .357 mag guns so it can be done. Im having a marlin 94 made into a .475 linebaugh which is simular in length so that action would work too. ROb Applegate is doing my conversion so you might want to contact him and see if he will do it.

RollTide · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2003, 03:19:06 PM »

I corresponded not long ago with a guy who had done the conversion on the Winchester 94. He had various problems that took over a year to work out and lots of $$$$ and his gunsmith said he would never do it again. They ended up having to buy old carriers (better steel) because new carriers kept breaking. The conversion finally worked and the guy is very happy.

I am just finishing a Marlin 445 Supermag conversion myself. It shoots 8 445 supermags or I can fire 44 Specials or 44 Mags with one in the chamber and one in the mag tube. It is a pretty versatile package especially when combined with a Dan Wesson in the same caliber that has interchangeable barrels and will fire specials, magnums, and supermags.

I LIKE IT !!!!!!!!!!!

Roll Tide

RollTide · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2003, 03:21:35 PM »

I corresponded not long ago with a guy who had done the conversion on the Winchester 94. He had various problems that took over a year to work out and lots of $$$$ and his gunsmith said he would never do it again. They ended up having to buy old carriers (better steel) because new carriers kept breaking. The conversion finally worked and the guy is very happy.

I am just finishing a Marlin 445 Supermag conversion myself. It shoots 8 445 supermags or I can fire 44 Specials or 44 Mags with one in the chamber and one in the mag tube. It is a pretty versatile package especially when combined with a Dan Wesson in the same caliber that has interchangeable barrels and will fire specials, magnums, and supermags.

I LIKE IT !!!!!!!!!!!

Roll Tide