Just out of curiosity I was wondering if anyone knows which rifle had the stronger action in 357 magnum caliber, the Winchester model 94 "Trapper" or the Marlin 1894 CS. I've read alot of conflicting information on this and other boards. It seems to me that the Winchester 94 action should be stronger as it is actually a rifle action designed for a more powerful catridge which has been adapted for use in a pistol caliber carbine. The Marlin has a smaller action which one would think is not as strong. For the record I have a Winchester 94 Trapper which I like alot. I chose it over the Marlin as it is more compact and I like the classic lines...but admittedly, the Marlins shorter throw was nice. My Trapper has fed all 38/357 I've put through it as well. Thanks in advance for your opinions/answers.
Which has stronger action Marlin/Winchester in 357
- Thread starter pvq
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Robert the41MagFan
New member
In theory, the Winchester is a stronger gun. But both guns will shoot reliably over many lifetimes. In other words, in 357 Magnum, they are both strong enough. The Marlin is both better engineered and more ergonomic, IMO.
Robert
Robert
VictorLouis
New member
Robert, could you expound on that a bit?
I see that the Marlin has an enclosed receiver, with steel above the bolt. The Winchester does not. Granted, we're only speaking of .357s here; but, in the event of a case failure, it would appear that the Marlin would be superior. As to accuracy, handling, and reliability, is there much difference otherwise? I do think the Marlin's forend is a bit more handfilling, but the Trapper is more compact.
I see that the Marlin has an enclosed receiver, with steel above the bolt. The Winchester does not. Granted, we're only speaking of .357s here; but, in the event of a case failure, it would appear that the Marlin would be superior. As to accuracy, handling, and reliability, is there much difference otherwise? I do think the Marlin's forend is a bit more handfilling, but the Trapper is more compact.
Mike Irwin
Staff
The Marlin is the stronger action.
The split receiver with sideplates on the Winchester is not as strong as the Marlin's tubular receiver.
All in all, though, both are perfectly adequate for any of the calibers in which they are chambered.
The split receiver with sideplates on the Winchester is not as strong as the Marlin's tubular receiver.
All in all, though, both are perfectly adequate for any of the calibers in which they are chambered.
Robert the41MagFan
New member
VictorLouis
I've had case failure of a 45-70 level three ammunition in a Marlin Guide Gun and not notice that the case split till I'm home sorting the cases. The action of both rifles is that good, more so in the case of the Winchester and even a bit more than that from a Rossi levergun. Malin receiver is rated to 40000 PSI. Loads above that may lock the action up. Winchester is 45000 PSI and with claims as high as 50000 PSI. But we are also talking over engineering here too, both rifle designs will last lifetimes.
When I say better engineered, I talking about the small but significant features in the Marlin Rifle. For example the Marlin's receiver is already drilled and tapped for scope mounts and in the proper location without having to resort to side mounting of a scope. This is not a major feature, many feel that scoping a levergun is the ultimate sin. Myself included. The Marlin has a single screw that holds the action in place. By removing the screw, the lever, bolt and ejector pin can be removed for cleaning and maintenance. Rifle get cleaned properly, from behind. I've had trigger jobs done on some of my Marilns, have heard many times that either a gun smith will not or cannot do a trigger job on the Winchester action.
Although I enjoy the classic look of the Winchester, the Marlin just feel better in my hands. It points better. Reliability? Seen some really strange thing happen, failure of different kinds from both companies. My dealer is direct with Marlin, so service has been a bit better from them.
Accuracy is going to greatly depend from rifle to rifle and both companies although having great products, produce a dog every now and then. Life of a levergun is that some shoot, some just can't for one reason or another. But all with a little TLC will produce very satisfying results.
These targets are from a Marlin 336M, stainless 30-30. Been working on this gun off and on for months. I consider this good accuracy in the levergun world. With a little work and home grown cast bullets from a friend, I'm extremely satisfied with the results.
Robert
I've had case failure of a 45-70 level three ammunition in a Marlin Guide Gun and not notice that the case split till I'm home sorting the cases. The action of both rifles is that good, more so in the case of the Winchester and even a bit more than that from a Rossi levergun. Malin receiver is rated to 40000 PSI. Loads above that may lock the action up. Winchester is 45000 PSI and with claims as high as 50000 PSI. But we are also talking over engineering here too, both rifle designs will last lifetimes.
When I say better engineered, I talking about the small but significant features in the Marlin Rifle. For example the Marlin's receiver is already drilled and tapped for scope mounts and in the proper location without having to resort to side mounting of a scope. This is not a major feature, many feel that scoping a levergun is the ultimate sin. Myself included. The Marlin has a single screw that holds the action in place. By removing the screw, the lever, bolt and ejector pin can be removed for cleaning and maintenance. Rifle get cleaned properly, from behind. I've had trigger jobs done on some of my Marilns, have heard many times that either a gun smith will not or cannot do a trigger job on the Winchester action.
Although I enjoy the classic look of the Winchester, the Marlin just feel better in my hands. It points better. Reliability? Seen some really strange thing happen, failure of different kinds from both companies. My dealer is direct with Marlin, so service has been a bit better from them.
Accuracy is going to greatly depend from rifle to rifle and both companies although having great products, produce a dog every now and then. Life of a levergun is that some shoot, some just can't for one reason or another. But all with a little TLC will produce very satisfying results.
These targets are from a Marlin 336M, stainless 30-30. Been working on this gun off and on for months. I consider this good accuracy in the levergun world. With a little work and home grown cast bullets from a friend, I'm extremely satisfied with the results.
Robert
VictorLouis
New member
Robert, thanks for the elaboration. Your handload looks great. Keep it safe! 
Robert the41MagFan
New member
Tom
My mind is one of those steel trap deals. It collects all this information, then won't let it out. Right when the Guide Gun rage began a few years ago, read a general article somewhere (and that I don't remember) about lever action rifles. I'm not a gun rag fan due to the bias nature of these articles and this particular one was very bias towards Winchesters. The claim was made that Winchester is stronger than Marlin and the Rossi, the bargain rifle, stronger than both. Got to admit, I've taken a good look at these Rossi and have seen some positive attributes (and the flaws!) of the rifle. A definite bargain at $250, but stronger? Don't know.
Know for a fact that the 1895 style Marlin rifle is rated at 40000, although the receiver and chamber may hold, the action will lock if pushed further. Winchester Makes a LM 45-70, similar to Marlins 1895SS and according to some writers, some of which I trust (use there loads and have not managed to blow myself up yet), are pushing these guns to 50000. I see no reason what so ever why a smaller cartridge in the 94' design cannot do those same pressures, there are no action problems. The weak link in the Marlin, even in the smaller cartridges, is the action. How far can they really go, anyone's guess is as good as mine.
Have some friends that are going to chamber a lever gun in 357 Maximum. For reasons XYZ, they chose a Winchester 94'.
Robert
My mind is one of those steel trap deals. It collects all this information, then won't let it out. Right when the Guide Gun rage began a few years ago, read a general article somewhere (and that I don't remember) about lever action rifles. I'm not a gun rag fan due to the bias nature of these articles and this particular one was very bias towards Winchesters. The claim was made that Winchester is stronger than Marlin and the Rossi, the bargain rifle, stronger than both. Got to admit, I've taken a good look at these Rossi and have seen some positive attributes (and the flaws!) of the rifle. A definite bargain at $250, but stronger? Don't know.
Know for a fact that the 1895 style Marlin rifle is rated at 40000, although the receiver and chamber may hold, the action will lock if pushed further. Winchester Makes a LM 45-70, similar to Marlins 1895SS and according to some writers, some of which I trust (use there loads and have not managed to blow myself up yet), are pushing these guns to 50000. I see no reason what so ever why a smaller cartridge in the 94' design cannot do those same pressures, there are no action problems. The weak link in the Marlin, even in the smaller cartridges, is the action. How far can they really go, anyone's guess is as good as mine.
Have some friends that are going to chamber a lever gun in 357 Maximum. For reasons XYZ, they chose a Winchester 94'.
Robert