Has Winchester 92 envy clouded my common sense?

[Canuck Bob]

I've been studying 1892s and Marlin 94s and such.  While looking through the various classified sections on Canadian Gun Forums I was getting frustrated.  Ad after ad for pre-64 94s, low mileage Marlin 336's abound, as thier owners sell off old guns to buy the Gee Whiz Bang Tactical special. 

Then I stumbled on this older post  http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,154155.90.html

I almost resurrected it until I noticed it is 6 pages long.  The little pistol cartridge rifles are excellent but what is wrong with a 30-30 Win 94?  I handload so I can brew up anything from cast subsonic to the new fangled Leverevolution bullets.

They are well within my budget, available everywhere, the Win 94 is the epitomy of nostalgia.  I started out wanting a fun lever for plinking in the bush with a peep sight.

What do you guys think, would a guy be better off just picking up a nice 30-30 add a tang sight and loading some cast bullets?

[Lurker]

I've been studying 1892s and Marlin 94s and such.  While looking through the various classified sections on Canadian Gun Forums I was getting frustrated.  Ad after ad for pre-64 94s, low mileage Marlin 336's abound, as thier owners sell off old guns to buy the Gee Whiz Bang Tactical special. 

Then I stumbled on this older post  http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,154155.90.html

I almost resurrected it until I noticed it is 6 pages long.  The little pistol cartridge rifles are excellent but what is wrong with a 30-30 Win 94?  I handload so I can brew up anything from cast subsonic to the new fangled Leverevolution bullets.

They are well within my budget, available everywhere, the Win 94 is the epitomy of nostalgia.  I started out wanting a fun lever for plinking in the bush with a peep sight.

What do you guys think, would a guy be better off just picking up a nice 30-30 add a tang sight and loading some cast bullets?

Get one of each... That is how I solved my same dilemma...

Bill

[Dee]

I've got a Winchester Model 94 3030 bought new in 1958. Other than dad punchin 7 shots thru it then, I am the only one basically to have ever shot it. HOWEVER! I have a Model 92 made by Rossi FOR Navy Arms. It is the "Deluxe" version, and looks and shoots as good as an original. It is in 357 magnum, and will do anything the 3030 will do out to about 125 yards. It's quieter, and holds 14 rounds (one in the chamber). I switch back and forth depending on where I'm hunting. The 94 has a Marbles tang and is good out to about 275 yards, while the 92 sports a Lyman 66 receiver sight and is good on coyote size critters out to about 160.
The 94 however in pre-64 you simply cannot go wrong.

[Canuck Bob]

Dee, thanks

Once I learned of your LE past I knew you were one of the internet gurus to listen to.

I'm an oilfield salesman in western Canada.  I work in the most beautiful hunting and outdoor paradise imagineable.  Hunting isn't much of an issue but I am a lever fan and lifelong hunter with a 444 Marlin.  I have a special bond with that rifle as you mention you have in the above thread.

I'm putting so much energy into this decision because this rifle will become me constant companion and may be the last rifle I buy.  I'm thinning out my collection and deciding on a handful of guns.

One thing that interests me is the Browning take downs.  I could put my rifle in a suitcase and travel with it not shouting gun case to every punk looking in my Jeep.

Could I ask why you carry the 92 so much?  Are there special reasons?  My research indicates the little 92 isa slick performer.

[Dee]

Canuck I have thinned my collection down to users only, and the heaviest I have now IS my Winchester 94 3030. I sold'em all except it and the Model 92, and an M4 that is seldom ever taken out of the safe. My Model 92 in 357 mag is carried much for several reasons. I slicked the action up even more after I got it, and re stained the walnut to match my 53 year old Model 94. It as I say, will do anything my 3030 will do inside say, 125 yards (maybe a little more), BUT! It sheds velocity quicker, and won't shoot as far, and with this area buildin up, that's a plus. I don't worry about it ever shootin too far, but I don't worry about it not being enough for these 350# plus feral hogs either. The fact that it holds 13 rounds in the magazine doesn't hurt either.
As I am away from law enforcement longer and longer, I am gravitatin back to my roots, and I watched my grandpa knock a many a squirrel out of a cottonwood, pecan, oak, or sycamore tree with an ancient lever action octagon barreled 22 rifle.
My Model 94 3030 is the standard carbine, but my Model 92 357 is a 24" octagon barreled tac driver. Sometimes with light loaded 38 special cast bullets, it too doubles as a quite squirrel gun.

[dpe.ahoy]

The 92's are just so darn light and handi.  I have a Rossi in the same set up as Dee, just not as fancy, and it carries real well and the heavy barrel just seems to hang right on the target.  have a few others that are 16" and 20" that are fast on target for quick shots.  Get one and be happy.   DP

[Canuck Bob]

Thanks guys,

Well I'm going to do the sensible thing, get both.  After researching I can get a bonafide Classic Winchester 94 standard carbine from the glory days of American Riflesmithing for a very affordable price.  After making 3 or 4 million its hard to jam the working guy and drive the price through the roof because it is "collectable".

The 94 was a true heritage rifle here in Canada as well.  Every store sold at least 3 cartridge types anywhere from the Arctic to PEI.  303 Brit, 30-30 Winchester, and 22s.  When I was a kid on the family homestaed in Alberta anyone who carried a gun in his truck had a 303, anyone who carried his rifle a lot had a 94 30-30.  Poachers and kids carried 22s.  In the 50's 30-06s started showing up too, for the Yank trophy hunters.

[HAMMERHEAD]

Good choice.
I recently bought a 1979 vintage Winchester 94 30-30. Pre-safety, pre USRAC, drilled and tapped for a receiver sight.
Great looking rifle. With full power ammo it's not fun to plink with because it's so light, but it shoots well with my lead handloads loaded to about 1100 fps. Get a couple cans of Trail Boss, a box of lead bullets or a mold (or is that 'mould' north of the border?) and you'll be set.
I had a Rossi Puma 92 .357 years back and regret selling that one. More of a fun gun compared to the 30-30.

[Mikey]

New, Rossi 92 in 357, not even out of the wrapper and my darlin' bride sez:  Ooooooooooooooooooo, fer me??? 

Why yes Honey, how didja know......No Babe, we don't need to save the bubble wrap, it probably has oil on it, so toss it....  How does it feel when you bring it to your shoulder - oh yeah.  Nice sights, huh?  The wood stock has a nice grain to it, makes it kinda pretty, don'tcha think??  Yep! 

Guys, I have never had a new rifle so quickly disappear on me as this one has.  My wife took one look at it and glommed it, and I was perfectly happy with that - I'll just get another one fer my own self........

[yukondog]

My wife did the same thing with my 35 rem.