Str8_Shot said:
mack69
My vote is for the Marlin. Particularly after breaking a Winchester; I broke the bottom plate where the lever contacts it. The Marlin has a stronger frame and action, plus the action is designed smoother more positive operation, which will stand up to more rough use. Just go to your local gun store and take a look, paying attention to the levers, the number of inter-linking parts, and how they operate.
Also, while the Winchester may have more panache, the Marlin has just as much history. Since 1894 was the year that rifle, and action design, were introduced.
Since 1894, the Marlins have been running second to Winchester more like it.
I have had a couple of pistol length Win 94s and couldn't figure out what the fuss was about. they all worked like swiss watches for me. I have never broken a part on a lever action (apart from on my Uberti 1866, but that don't count, the previous owner gave me some ammo which he had for it and said it shot like a dream. One shot, gun broke, turns out he forgot that he got it loaded to shoot in his 94Win 44/40 and not his 1866 44/40).
A lot of my friends over the years have owned and shot levers and apart from a few failures with old 92s in western action, I have only seen one break, it was a Marlin 1895 in 45/70. That don't count either, as my cop friend used to call into the gun shop every day and dry fire it numerous times. He finally paid it off after about six months and took it home. His wife said he loved it so much, he used to sit in front of the TV and shoot everybody who came onto the screen. After a couple months, a sheepish policeman walked into the store and said, "I know you told me so, but" and we all chimed in and said as one man: "but you broke the firing pin!"
I have lots of Win 94s and love them, but if you are gonna buy a 357, I'd probably go for a Rossi 92 (I have one of these-Great!) or the Marlin if you think you might put a scope on it. If its just going to be a truck gun, the 92 would be my choice.
Mick.