A friend at work has two lever guns available
Winchester* 94 in 30-30 for $900
JM Stamped Marlin in .44 for $1000

Only reason to get one is to scratch the itch since I've wanted one of these for years.

30-30 is the classic, and ammo seems to be coming available on Ammoseek. But is the combo of easier to find ammo and the Marlin label a better choice?

I haven't seen the guns, but I would assume both of them are in good shape.

What does the board recommend?

Edited for typo on the 30-30

Easy decision....Both

Of the two, the JM Stamped Marlin will be a better fun and hold value much better.

.44 mag is a great carbine caliber to boot.

1 vote for the Marlin

30-30 is a classic. But THE classic is having ammo compatibility with your revolver.

So get both.

The 44 is a much better deal.

Get the Marlin. I have my dad's 1953 Marlin.
Well built machines.

I may be out of touch but that seems really high. They were just over half that price a couple years ago.

Scriffer said:

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A friend at work has two lever guns available
Remington 94 in 30-30 for $900
JM Stamped Marlin in .44 for $1000

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There's no such thing as a Remington 94. Perhaps it's a Winchester 94? If that's the case you need to determine if it's a pre-64 and see what the condition is. Well over a century of production leaves a wide range of possibilitie and values.
JM stamped Marlins in pistol calibers are a hot ticket item right now. Assuming a newer production Winchester the Marlin is the better deal currently. However like I said it all depends on the details and there isn't enough information here to make that call.

I'm very interested in that .44 if you are not.

Good catch, was going too fast and typo'd the name.

I'll try and get more info on the guns next time I see him.

normaleagle05 said:

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30-30 is a classic. But THE classic is having ammo compatibility with your revolver.

So get both.

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OP needs a .30-30 revolver.

Buy a winchester, but not THAT winchester. Should be able to get a good one for half that price.

JSKolache said:

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Buy a winchester, but not THAT winchester. Should be able to get a good one for half that price.

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Yep. $900 for a Winchester 30-30 is crazy.

That said. A pistol cartridge used in a rifle, is still a pistol cartridge. If you want a Rifle, get the 30-30.

A model 1894 Winchester built between 1940 and 1964, can be worth as high as $1100 or slightly more in excellent or very fine condition. Very good condition can be in the $750 to $900 condition. Serial numbers for 1940 production will start at about 1142423 and go to about 2699999. Post 1964 production serial numbers start at 2700000 and those values drop to about half of the pre -64 values. (For Standard Models)
A pre 64 Model 1894 Winchester in good condition will hold its value very well. Those manufactured in the war years will typically bring premiums.

ETA: most pre 64 Winchester 1894's at recent gun shows in collectable or very good to fine condition or better have been priced at a range of $ 800 - $1200

Marlin, and you'll find its more accurate also.

O.G. said:

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JSKolache said:

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Buy a winchester, but not THAT winchester. Should be able to get a good one for half that price.

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Yep. $900 for a Winchester 30-30 is crazy.

That said. A pistol cartridge used in a rifle, is still a pistol cartridge. If you want a Rifle, get the 30-30.

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You're not likely to shoot beyond 100yds with either rifle. Ballistics at that range are similar depending on bullet choice. You can stuff more rounds of 44 in a magazine tube and match ammo including light 44special loads to a sidearm. There was another thread on this topic recently that's worth reading. I think the consensus was that 30-30 is a nostalgic choice but 44 or even 357 has better utility and we're more fun to shoot.

HumpitPuryear said:

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O.G. said:

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JSKolache said:

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Buy a winchester, but not THAT winchester. Should be able to get a good one for half that price.

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Yep. $900 for a Winchester 30-30 is crazy.

That said. A pistol cartridge used in a rifle, is still a pistol cartridge. If you want a Rifle, get the 30-30.

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You're not likely to shoot beyond 100yds with either rifle. Ballistics at that range are similar depending on bullet choice. You can stuff more rounds of 44 in a magazine tube and match ammo including light 44special loads to a sidearm. There was another thread on this topic recently that's worth reading. I think the consensus was that 30-30 is a nostalgic choice but 44 or even 357 has better utility and we're more fun to shoot.

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Not sure I agree with the first part. The 30-30 is not a 100 yard rifle. But the .44 is probably more fun to shoot.

OP, I would watch this before making a decision.

Great video on comparison!

Great video above.

The 30-30, although not a long range rifle for sure, if definitely effective beyond 100yds.

Good video. Confirms what I said. I didn't say 30-30 isn't effective beyond 100yds. But a non-scoped short-barrel lever gun isn't typically used for that kind of shooting. If I'm planning on making 200 yard shots I'm not picking either of these. I've shot whitetails with a 30-30, 25-35, and 44mag revolver but that was walking/stalking in brush. If I'm hunting from a blind I'm going to use a different tool.

If you reload the argument in favor of 44mag is even more lopsided. There are a plethora of great projectiles for the 44 all the way up to 300gr. There are half jacketed hollow points and deep penetrating softpoints and simple low-cost cast lead. You can't get that flexibility from a 30-30.

HumpitPuryear said:

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Good video. Confirms what I said. I didn't say 30-30 isn't effective beyond 100yds. But a non-scoped short-barrel lever gun isn't typically used for that kind of shooting. If I'm planning on making 200 yard shots I'm not picking either of these. I've shot whitetails with a 30-30, 25-35, and 44mag revolver but that was walking/stalking in brush. If I'm hunting from a blind I'm going to use a different tool.

If you reload the argument in favor of 44mag is even more lopsided. There are a plethora of great projectiles for the 44 all the way up to 300gr. There are half jacketed hollow points and deep penetrating softpoints and simple low-cost cast lead. You can't get that flexibility from a 30-30.

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Agree with your statements. I reload 300gr Hard Cast for my 44mag and chronographed the loads.
1750fps with an energy of 2,040 fp's which exceeds his numbers for the 30-30 by several hundred.

This is another video about the 30-30. I'm really only posting it for those that have never seen this podcast. Vortex Nation has IMHO the best gun/hunting podcast that there is




Also, and I'm not trying to argue really because for one we are comparing two entirely different cartridges at least one of which is ancient, but I wouldn't hesitate for a second to shoot a deer at 200 yards with a 30-30. I wouldn't do that with any .44 load, at least not one commercially available. And second The vast, vast, vast majority of deer shot in Texas are well within 30-30 range and I would guess the majority are easily inside .44mag range. I love them both so again not really arguing with you.

The correct answer for the OP is to by both.

agsalaska said:

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The correct answer for the OP is to buy both.

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...and then buy another in .45-70!

Couple years ago I did not own a 30-30. Now I have 3. I inherited 2 and the other was a Winchester I paid $100 for. The others are a Marlin and Henry.

Doc Hayworth said:

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HumpitPuryear said:

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Good video. Confirms what I said. I didn't say 30-30 isn't effective beyond 100yds. But a non-scoped short-barrel lever gun isn't typically used for that kind of shooting. If I'm planning on making 200 yard shots I'm not picking either of these. I've shot whitetails with a 30-30, 25-35, and 44mag revolver but that was walking/stalking in brush. If I'm hunting from a blind I'm going to use a different tool.

If you reload the argument in favor of 44mag is even more lopsided. There are a plethora of great projectiles for the 44 all the way up to 300gr. There are half jacketed hollow points and deep penetrating softpoints and simple low-cost cast lead. You can't get that flexibility from a 30-30.

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Agree with your statements. I reload 300gr Hard Cast for my 44mag and chronographed the loads.
1750fps with an energy of 2,040 fp's which exceeds his numbers for the 30-30 by several hundred.

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Doc could you private message me? Thanks

CTGilley said:

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Couple years ago I did not own a 30-30. Now I have 3. I inherited 2 and the other was a Winchester I paid $100 for. The others are a Marlin and Henry.

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I think some people come around to the 30-30 because it does everything the other .30 Cals do inside 200 yards where most shots are taken. And it does it with far less recoil, noise, meat loss, etc.

There are a hundred good choices for deer but you would be hard pressed to convince me that there is anything better than a 30-30 for most shots taken.

If you already own a 44 mag revolver, or plan to get one, then I would opt for the Marlin. Everyone NEEDS at least one handgun and rifle/carbine combo that accepts the same ammo.

Gunny456 said:

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A model 1894 Winchester built between 1940 and 1964, can be worth as high as $1100 or slightly more in excellent or very fine condition. Very good condition can be in the $750 to $900 condition. Serial numbers for 1940 production will start at about 1142423 and go to about 2699999. Post 1964 production serial numbers start at 2700000 and those values drop to about half of the pre -64 values. (For Standard Models)
A pre 64 Model 1894 Winchester in good condition will hold its value very well. Those manufactured in the war years will typically bring premiums.

ETA: most pre 64 Winchester 1894's at recent gun shows in collectable or very good to fine condition or better have been priced at a range of $ 800 - $1200

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Not to hijack but I have a 94 30wcf octagon barrel dated to 1907 in likely fine condition that I've been looking for a value on. Any ideas?

I'm not a premium sub., so I can't PM.

I have been watching one on an auction site that is in very fine condition. Built in 1917.
With 8 days left the bid is already at $810.00.
I think it will top out at $1000 to $1150....possibly $1200.
Yours is older and octagon barrel.... octagon barrel does not actually add to value in the books but I typically prefer octagon barrels over round barrels, albeit, sometimes round barrels can sometimes be more rare in those older years.
Sounds like you got a good one.

ETA.. Condition of course is everything. How does the bore look? I have seen some 1899-1910 1894's with pristine bores and fine condition bring as high as $1300-$1400.
What you should do, if your going to keep it, is have it lettered. Well worth the cost.

RM76 said:

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If you already own a 44 mag revolver, or plan to get one, then I would opt for the Marlin. Everyone NEEDS at least one handgun and rifle/carbine combo that accepts the same ammo.

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yup