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Winchester Model 94 in .38 Special?

WoundedWolfWoundedWolf Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited March 2004 in Ask the Experts
Unlike the Marlin 1894c, the .357 Magnum Winchester Model 94 does NOT advertise compatibility with .38 Special ammunition. But I have heard that folks have successfully used .38 Special in a Winchester Model 94 .357 Magnum. The only guys that I found that actually confirm this are here:

http://www.reyalamsam.com/Miscellaneous/Shooting10August2000/shooting10August2000picture09.htm

Can anybody vouch for this first-hand? I've heard a lot of "it should work", but I want to know if anyone has actually seen this work first-person as seamlessly as these guys describe.

I'm looking at buying a Model 94 Ranger Compact and it really appeals to me to be able to shoot the cheaper .38 Special for plinking.

Thanks in advance!
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Comments

  • HerschelHerschel Member Posts: 2,035 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a model 1892 Winchester rifle that I had converted from .32-20 to .357 magnum in the 1960's. It functions just as well with the 158 grain lead bullet .38 Special cartridges as it does with the .357. I have shot .38 spec wadcutter ammo in it but it has to be loaded singly. Lots of fun to shoot but the trajectory is akin to throwing a rock.

    What works in a model 1892 might not work in a 94 but I would bet it does.
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  • ATFATF Member Posts: 11,683 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Rossi .357 that's a copy of the Win 92 and .38 Spls. work fine.
    [:)]

    Eagle_Guns.gif
    Limerick.gif

    A little lemon and seltzer will remove those pesky ink stains after you've been fingerprinted. "
    Martha Stewart







    ATF,Eagle Guns
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  • duckhunterduckhunter Member Posts: 7,687 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I HAVE SOLD SEVERAL 94 WINCHESTERS IN 357 MAG AND THE GUYS SHOOT 38 SPECIALS OFTEN IN THESE GUNS.

    I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.
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  • ThrockmortonThrockmorton Member Posts: 814 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have only tried .38's in my Trails' End '94 once or twice,but they fed real well.
    Hmmm,just remembered...I have a box of facory "cowboy" .38's I won at a shoot last year,I'll run em thru there tomorrow and report back.blue][/blue]UPDATEj****** UPDATE******* UPDATE
    I just tried the .38'sin my model '94,worked great.I'm sure yours 'might' too.....or not.Only one way to find out.goforit.

    Throckmortons' the alias,cas is the game
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  • WoundedWolfWoundedWolf Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the test, Throckmorton. Actually I went to go buy the Ranger Compact, but they were out of the .357 mag! But they had a Marlin 1894c there for cheaper, so I bought it. This Marlin looked a little different than normal, no checkering on the stock, but the action was very smooth. It was stamped "1894C .357 Magnum/.38 Special" on the side though.

    So I will never know for sure about the Winchester! Thanks for testing.

    -WoundedWolf
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You did good. The 94 action is a long one designed for 30-30 length cartridges.
    Adapted to shorter cartridges,it looks dumb.
    My Win-Browning 92 in 44Mag will not feed the shorter 44 special without an alteration of the cartridge guides which is a filing, grinding and welding proposition. I assume the 38Spl/357 situation in the 92 is the same.
    While I've always lusted after the Win 92, the Marlin action is smoother.
    If it feeds both 38Spl/357 ammo, so much the better.
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