Marlin 94ss in 44 Magnum OR Browning 92 OR newWinchester 92

Lawyer Daggit · Post by **Lawyer Daggit** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:20 pm

I am trying to weigh up whether to buy a Marlin 94SS in 44mag or get one of the new 'Browning Winchester's' in this calibre at double the price (or hang on and try and find a second hand Browning 92 which sell in Australia for similar money to a new Marlin 94SS).

Any thoughts?

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:55 pm

If I could I'd hold out till I could find Browning B92. Those are really nice carbines.
Second choice would be the Marlin.
Last the newer Brownchester.

JMHO

Joe

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:16 pm

Hold out for a Browning 92, if you can. They're the best IMHO.

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:19 pm

I would get the new Winchester and see if I still had the desire for another kind. Sounds like the money is not too big a deal for you.

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:44 pm

Kinda like these,like this one below!
http://www.ktpguns.com/interior.php/pid/28/gid/145064
.44 or .45 either would do!

claybob86 · Post by **claybob86** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 12:15 am

I'm thoroughly happy with my M1894SS, but those '92s are things of beauty and I'd like to get one someday!

Lawyer Daggit · Post by **Lawyer Daggit** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 1:53 am

J Miller, I must say I like the expression 'Brownchester' sums up the new generation Winchester's nicely - I am going to borrow that expression. Well thought of.Well done.

I used to have a Browning 92 in .357 and got rid of it after breaking up with an ex. She got most of the furniture, I was sick of eating off a tray and decided I needed a dining table and chairs. I have regretted parting with it ever since. I should have kept that rifle, taken up yoga and started eating cross legged on the floor.

Lawyer Daggit · Post by **Lawyer Daggit** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 1:53 am

J Miller, I must say I like the expression 'Brownchester' sums up the new generation Winchester's nicely - I am going to borrow that expression. Well thought of.Well done.

I used to have a Browning 92 in .357 and got rid of it after breaking up with an ex. She got most of the furniture, I was sick of eating off a tray and decided I needed a dining table and chairs. I have regretted parting with it ever since. I should have kept that rifle, taken up yoga and started eating cross legged on the floor.

gak · Post by **gak** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:09 am

+ Browning. I assume you can undo some of the unfortunate pieces on the newer ones (Brownchester) but, save for some models that weren't available before--like the otherwise nifty limied-run Brownchester 92 Trapper in.45 Colt from 5, 6 or 7 years (?) back--you might as well have gotten the older Browning to begin with that needed nothing.

gak · Post by **gak** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:12 am

+ Browning. I assume you can undo some of the unfortunate pieces on the newer ones (Brownchester) but, save for some models that weren't available before--like the otherwise nifty limited-run Brownchester 92 Trapper in.45 Colt from 5, 6 or 7 years (?) back--you might as well have gotten the older Browning to begin with that needed nothing.

marlin shooter · Post by **marlin shooter** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 3:15 am

I would take the browning first as I like the carbine butt better then the rifle butt (no safety or rebounding hammer doesn't hurt either). I have a winchester 1892 .44 mag, 20" bbl from the run they did mid 2000's (just like current one's being offered) Fit and finish are excellent, gun has fed all the bullet types I have fed it, has never had a failure to fire and is very accurate. I am waiting to experience all the internet problems these guns have but so far it just keeps firing away. I wish it didn't have the rebounding hammer and safety but honestly they havn't been a issue for me. Good luck choosing.
Karl

missionary5155 · Post by **missionary5155** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 5:16 am

Good morning
Marlin quality control is also sloppy.
The throats on my Marlins are oversize. If you plan on shooting Castbullets you will have to plan on oversized molds and sizers and do a jugling act trying to get the fattest bullet to chamber without to much lever force. Get the throat sealed off and accuracy is great. To small a cast bullet and you will truely wish you had bought something else.
I have 2 Brownings. They have no issues ! They cost more but then they have NO ISSUES ! They are what a rifle should be from the factory. My uncle ONLY bought Browning. Talk about the best investment policy...
Cannot say anything about the NEW Winny´s.

Post by **Hobie** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 7:50 am

If it was my choice, I'd prioritize the Browning 92, Marlin 94 (without safety), the Rossi (without safety), and then other 92s or Marlin 94 with safety (which I'd have to remove).

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:30 am

A note on the new Rossi 92s. The 45 I have is great and all the new ones ( maybe a dozen) that have come through the shop here have been a cut above in function of the older ones. They do have the safety but it doesn't bother me. The ones you get over there I guess may not have it. But, this one I have now is definitely better than the older one I had which was pre safety.

Doc Hudson · Post by **Doc Hudson** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:28 am

I recommend the Model 92, whether mde by Winchester, Browning, Rossi, Uberti, or anyone else.

The Model 1892 action is stronger, smoother and generally more reliable.

You also don't have to fight the "Dreaded Marlin Jam", which some people get and some people apparently don't. I got it, in two different M-1894 Marlins. I won't let another one in the house.

Don't get me wrong, I like Marlin's, I like them a lot. You just can't do better than a Marlin M-336 in .30-30 WCF ir .35 Remington, and I really like the Model 1895 .45-70's, and IMNSHO the Marlin Model 39 is the best .2 lever-gun ever to hit the market. But marlin screwed the pooch with the M-1894's IMO and seem totally uninterested in making a lasting fix.

Get a Model 1892 of some sort.

BTW, you won't find one in .44 RemMag but you ought to be able to find an older Winchester m-1892 that might be rebarreled. I know I swa lots of Winchester 1892's from Austrralia pas through Thad Scott's Fine Guns.

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:34 am

Guys,

What are the Henry's lacking?
Are they as well made/perform as well as the others?

COSteve · Post by **COSteve** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:43 am

madman4570 wrote:Guys,

What are the Henry's lacking?
Are they as well made/perform as well as the others?

My take on the Henry Big Boys is that they are way, way too heavy (some 2 lbs heavier than the competition) and you must load them through the mag tube like a 22lr. Something to do with legal restriction on a loading gate for them which doesn't make sense to me because Rossi, Chiappa, etc. produce a '92 with one.

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:27 am

Thanks Steve!

Now that I think about it they were pretty heavy.
The ones I have looked at seemed very well made and were finished well, but that additional weight and that type of loading would be a factor for many!

firefuzz · Post by **firefuzz** » Sat Apr 03, 2010 6:03 am

A '92 of some sort would definately get my vote.

Rob

brno602 · Post by **brno602** » Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:08 pm

firefuzz wrote:A '92 of some sort would definately get my vote.

Rob

+1! I have a Rossi I just bought and it is one of my favorite guns now, it really is a small 86. Shots great trying to hunt down a scope mount for it, for Gophers and targets at 100+yds.I am very impressed with the pistol cal in a rifle.

Bruce Scott · Post by **Bruce Scott** » Sat Apr 03, 2010 6:08 pm

There is one here decribed as a Winchester/Miroku with AU$1650 on it http://usedguns.com.au/used_Lever_guns.html#Lever_guns

I opted for the Rossi 92 20" stainless at half that price -

rodeo kid · Post by **rodeo kid** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 8:59 pm

I just ordered one of those Japanchester Model 1892 short rifles in .44mag. Put a deposit down and had it sent through my local gunshop for $876 from Davidson's website. Will see how much better it is than my Rossi.

claybob86 · Post by **claybob86** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 11:34 pm

rodeo kid wrote:I just ordered one of those Japanchester Model 1892 short rifles in .44mag. Put a deposit down and had it sent through my local gunshop for $876 from Davidson's website. Will see how much better it is than my Rossi.

Keep us posted!

Lawyer Daggit · Post by **Lawyer Daggit** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:41 pm

Are older 92's safe to rechamber and re barrel into 44 magnum - I would have thought the pressure of the 44M would be too high for older/ 'soft' steel?.

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 6:22 pm

COSteve wrote:
madman4570 wrote:Guys,

What are the Henry's lacking?
Are they as well made/perform as well as the others?
My take on the Henry Big Boys is that they are way, way too heavy (some 2 lbs heavier than the competition) and you must load them through the mag tube like a 22lr. Something to do with legal restriction on a loading gate for them which doesn't make sense to me because Rossi, Chiappa, etc. produce a '92 with one.

I think they dont have a gate because if they did it'd be a Marlin. I saw a picture of a prototype when they were developing it & it had a gate. Might have been American Rifleman or North American hunter.
I didn't think much of it at the time when they appeared without a gate, but then I got to look at a couple of them & theyre a dead ringer functionally, the reciever is shaped slightly different and theres a transfer bar saftey but the actual mechanics of the gun looked to be almost an exact copy. Course I couldn't take them apart but it has a two piece pin just like a Marlin, the lever pivots the same, the hammer & lifter screws are in the right spot. All it needs is a loading gate. I'v come to the conclusion that they'd violate patent rights or something if it had a gate.

I dont expect they'd admit it though. They think theyre descendants of the original Henry rifle.

That said the ones I'v seen had a very nice fit & finish & seemed nice guns if a bit heavy, the owners all liked them.

JFE · Post by **JFE** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 3:47 am

While the Browning is a well made rifle, most that I have come across in 44 mag dont seem to shoot cast pills particularly well. I've started to make some headway with mine but it has been a struggle to get it shoot reasonably with cast. With jacketed pills mine shoots fine but it is not up to the sort of accuracy I get from my other iron sighted leverguns.

If I had my choice I'd get a Browning 92 and re-barrel with a cut-rifled barrel, maybe in 45 LC too.

Roland · Post by **Roland** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 5:10 am

Any reason for that, they couldn't be suffering from the overbore problem too that haunted Rossis could they?

JFE · Post by **JFE** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 6:41 am

I think it has to do with the very shallow multi groove rifling they used in the 44. Pistol cals in rifles also have large throats but this is not unique to B-92's in 44 mag but perhaps the combination hasnt helped use with cast bullets. I've found large diameter (circa 0.434), heavyweight pills (approx 300gr) work reasonably well and surprisingly stabilise in the slow twist, but I would prefer rifling and throating better suited to cast bullets. So far I have resisted re-barrelling, preferring the challenge of trying to get it to work. Apparently B-92's in 357 dont have the same problem but have no personal experience with them.

Roland · Post by **Roland** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:06 am

What kind of twist does the B-92 have?

JFE · Post by **JFE** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:29 pm

B-92's in 44 mag have a twist rate of 1 in 38".

Roland · Post by **Roland** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 4:24 am

Ah like the Marlins then, I read on this forum, maybe a month ago about that and it was said that such a twist is a bit too slow for .44mag and that Rossis come in a 1:20" twist which is preferrable for stabilizing 44mag bullets. So possibly that's another factor when it comes to B-92s being finicky with this caliber.

Birdman · Post by **Birdman** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:22 pm

I really like my Marlin SS. My brother has a Henry and wouldn't trade it for nothing. Infact, he is about to purchase a Henry 357.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 8:21 pm

Roland wrote:Ah like the Marlins then, I read on this forum, maybe a month ago about that and it was said that such a twist is a bit too slow for .44mag and that Rossis come in a 1:20" twist which is preferrable for stabilizing 44mag bullets. So possibly that's another factor when it comes to B-92s being finicky with this caliber.

The Ruger 96/44 has a 1:20" twist rate...

Poohgyrr · Post by **Poohgyrr** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:34 pm

The twist rate, overbore, and accuracy issues with cast have all been discussed over on the Cast Boolits forum ( http://castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php ). The guys seem pretty happy with their '92s and other Levers now. A lot of guys are happy with Ranch Dog's molds; and the custom mold makers cost more but seem to work well too.

Aren't the Italians selling some 16" M92's now? I prefer the M92 design, but a Marlin would work.

Lawyer Daggit · Post by **Lawyer Daggit** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 6:26 pm

Has anyone had experience with these Italian 92's- they have hit the market here and the fit and finish looks superior to South American ones.

Roland · Post by **Roland** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 11:52 pm

Poohgyrr wrote:The twist rate, overbore, and accuracy issues with cast have all been discussed over on the Cast Boolits forum ( http://castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php ). The guys seem pretty happy with their '92s and other Levers now. A lot of guys are happy with Ranch Dog's molds; and the custom mold makers cost more but seem to work well too.

Aren't the Italians selling some 16" M92's now? I prefer the M92 design, but a Marlin would work.

Yeah I heard of the issue being fixed, I just dunno how old the M92 I'm getting is, so there's a chance it might be from a year when this was an issue, but I think the odds of that are very slim.

And chiappa is also making a 16" model yes, though I don't feel the 2x increase is worth the price, I could probably buy better stocks or refinish the existing ones, or possibly even refinish the gun in slow rust bluing if I wanted to really turn this 92 into a looker, would be cheaper than buying a chiappa.

Swampman · Post by **Swampman** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 5:44 pm

Bypass the junk and get a Marlin.

Lawyer Daggit · Post by **Lawyer Daggit** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 11:43 pm

It will be 2 weeks before I receive a permit to acquire, and get my hands on my new purchase, but I found a second hand Browning 92 in 44 magnum this morning.

If it is as good as the seller says it is I have done well.

Thanks to you all for your advice and recommendations.

gak · Post by **gak** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:09 pm

The Chiappas are coming in all standard lengths now. Oddly the 16" "trapper" sold by Cimarron is a heavy/ octagonal--sort of a short-short rifle, versus the traditional round barrel carbine configuration trappers.

Lawyer Daggit · Post by **Lawyer Daggit** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 12:49 am

I have been in 3 gun shops recently in Australia, all say they will only get Chiappas in as special order items because of quality concerns. After hearing that, I do not think I will buy one.

Roland · Post by **Roland** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 1:48 am

Hopefully I'm getting that Rossi 92 today.

Also I know an australian who works in a gunshop and he hasn't had anything good to say about them either, had to send most of them back becaue they where unuseable, some guns had no rifling I think he said... or was it no bore?

gundownunder · Post by **gundownunder** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 5:47 am

Hey Lawyer Daggit, I see you've got one .
there's another on used guns for $850
don't know if its the picture or not but it looks like really nice wood.
http://usedguns.com.au/used_guns_whats_new.html

Lawyer Daggit · Post by **Lawyer Daggit** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 7:08 am

Thats my gun!