Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Winchester Model 94 in .38 Special?

WoundedWolf
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!
0

Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • Herschel
    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.
    0
  • ATF
    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
    0
  • duckhunter
    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.
    0
  • Throckmorton
    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
    0
  • WoundedWolf
    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
    0
  • v35
    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.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity