Pre 64 Winchester gets my vote. I have a flat band from about 1947. Great guns imo.Bought my first lever action a while back. Bought a marlin 45-70. Looking to buy anther one looking for a 30-30. What would you buy?
I have the cowboy in 357 fun little leverI have both in 30-30 and like both.
The Marlin is stronger and better for mounting a scope.
The Winchester is lighter and the receiver fits better in your hand. Mine also has a 16" barrel which really makes it really handy.
I also have full size 94's in 44M and 45C.
If you get a Winchester, consider an aperture sight.
My BIL has a Marlin 1895 Cowboy in 45-70. I love that gun.
Pre 64 Winchester gets my vote. I have a flat band from about 1947. Great guns imo.
Lol didn't figure many would catch that Steve.Not from about, from 1947, was the only year they had that. I got that straight from a guy that wrote a book on Winchesters.
Hard not to go with an old Winchester, the gold standard of firearms, something truly worth handing down.
To play the devil's advocate though, the Marlin is the rig for today's hunting, fully modernized with optics, safety features and updated ammo to boot, let alone more durable materials. It can shoot farther and faster than the guns of old.
I had a flat band 94 in 25-35 had to sell it years back got good money on GunBroker.Pre 64 Winchester gets my vote. I have a flat band from about 1947. Great guns imo.
Sucks you had to sell it Gunner.I had a flat band 94 in 25-35 had to sell it years back got good money on GunBroker.
Should have hung onto but selling it got me through some hard times.
I traded a 400 Chevyblock for it. Someone had drilled and tapped had a side mount for a scope on it.