Lever Action

[Nightcrawler]

I currently own a Professional Ordnance Carbon-15 Type 97 Rifle. It is an AR15 variant that weighs 3.9 (!!!) pounds empty. It's great.

In my time, I've owned an AK-47, an SKS, a Bushmaster XM15E2S, and now the C15. I'm a fan of the so-called assault rifles, as you can probably tell.

However, as of late I've fallen in love with the handy lever action. (I fall in love with guns faster than with women...that's probably good So, I've been looking at lever guns.

I really like the Winchester Model 94. What do you all think of it? Which caliber can I get it in? The heaviest caliber I've ever fired out of a rifle is 7.62x39mm. (Not counting the .308 I fired from an M60 in boot camp) My caliber choices are .30-30, .444, .44 Mag, .45 Long Colt, and .357 magnum. The pistol catridges have a capacity as high as 11 rounds, whereas the rifle rounds are about 6. I'm looking for a balance of power, capacity, and size (42" long in the biggest of these rifles seems to big for me, but then, I've never held one of them before). Any advice? Preferably tips from owners of the Model 94.

 

[catman]

if you can find you a pre 64 win. in 30/30 they are very nice and light for stalk hunting in heavy cover. any win. with a ser. # lower than 270xxxx is pre 64, they are sweet old guns.

 

[Paul B.]

Nightcrawler. JMHO. Go with the 30-30. It's one of my favorite rounds. I shoot only cast lead in mine, loaded to duplicate full factory power. Just as accurate, a lot cheaper, and kills deer just fine. Just do your best to stay away from major bones.
Ammo is available, literally world-wide. Just another incentive to go 30-30.
Again, this is JMHO.
Paul B.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Thanks for the advice. Although I live in Michigan's Deer and Moose packed upper peninsula, I'm not a hunter, just a rec shooter and a self-defenser. I don't really need a deer rifle, and if I ever do, I'll just use the M1A .308 I'm planning on buying someday. Maybe after college when I'm not poor anymore. So, for the Winchester, I'm looking at the Trapper model, in .44 Magnum, with a 9 round magazine. It's only 34" long, though, as opposed to 38" for the bigger Cowboy model and 42" for the full rifle. I"m looking for a light carbine, is all. Something more old-fashioned than my Carbon-15 with its state-of-the-art carbon fiber construction, red dot sight, and so on.

 

[Kernel]

Winchester 1892

For shooting pistol cartridges consider the Winchester 94's better looking little brother - the Winchester Model 1892. After an absence of over 50 years Winchester has these back in production again in .44Mag (and others). These limited run 92s aren't cheap (street price around $550 I'm guessing), unlike the all to common '94. There are Italian, Japanese, and Brazilian copies that are more affordable. Rossi made and all stainless 92 in .44Mag & .357 a few years back, still see'em around at gun shows for $375 plus or minus. -- Kernel

 

[MountainGun44]

Kernel-

That is one beautiful rifle, I have to admit it.

I am very fond of my little Marlin 1894P, though.

"Introducing the new Marlin 1894P. This fast handling, lever action carbine is chambered for the potent 44 Rem. Mag./44 Special cartridges. Designed after our very popular "Guide Gun" series, the 1894P features a 16-1/4" Ballard-rifled, ported barrel with an 8-shot tubular magazine and a straight grip checkered American black walnut stock. At 5-3/4 lbs., the 1894P will be a sure bet for hikers, campers, trappers and big game hunting in heavy brush."

 

[radom]

My favorite is a old 94 in 25-35 as it is a off hand meat dropper. That old gun has killed more elk,deer and varmits than most folks see in thire life. It got at 4 point yesterday as a buddy used it due to his 7mag being a kicking missing type. Its not what you shoot but how you hit with it that counts. A good set of peep sights help too on a brush gun and not the buckhorn junk from the factory.

 

[Hal]

Nightcrawler,
I have 2 Trappers. One in .44mag and the other in .45LC. I also have a 94 in .30/30 and a Marlin Cowboy II in .357 mag.
Of all of them I like the Trapper .44mag the best. That's just me though, YMMV, as will othe peoples. All of my shooting is at 50 yards or less, and I find the larger holes in the target of the .44 and .45 easier to see than the .357 or the .30/30. If you handload, the .44 has a better selection of bullets than the .45. If all you shoot (or plan to shoot) is factory ammo, again the .44 has a better selection. Now a lot of people are going to tell you, and correctly, that the .45LC can be jacked to exceed the .44mag, and that there is almost no difference between the availability of good factory .45LC and .44mag ammo, as well as .45 bullets. That may be true for them, but I would suggest that you look at your local dealers to see what they offer. I can drive down the street to Wally World and pick up a box of .44 mag for $17.99, day or night. On the plus side for the .45LC though, it is easier on the shoulder than the .44Mag or the .30/30. Don't get me wrong, I love all of them, I just prefer the .44mag overall.
For home defense, I usually load up the .44 with Winchester Silver Tips in .44Special, and the .45 with Blazers. 9 rounds of 200gr plus ANYTHING at 1000fps is a serious deterrant. With the .30/30, unfortunatly in my case, overpenetration ( or God forbid, a miss) is a major concern, to say nothing of the extra noise of the .30/30 in a confined space.
As far as accuracy goes, and bear in mind I don't shoot over 50 yards, the .30/30 is first, followed by the .44Mag, then the .45LC, then the Marlin in .357Mag. The individual gun has a lot to do with it I'm sure, and again, YMMV.