Winchester or ruger?

[bobcat93]

I've been looking at the winchester 73 trapper in 357
I've also been looking at the ruger-marlin 357
Does any one here have both..
Which one do you shoot more often
Thanks

 

[Kittitas George]

I have had 3 Marlins in the last 40 years, 2, 357s and a 41 Mag. They had feed problems some times, that was frustrating. I had good loads for my revolvers and didn't want to change bullets. They weren't the most accurate but I wanted to carry them on horseback, not for hunting but for whatever, short range stuff. When hunting in the 'Bob Marshall' or 'Scapegoat' I carried a 'real rifle' in the scabbard, a bolt action with some power. I tried using jacketed bullets and hard cast Keith, problems with both. Good luck.

 

[bobcat93]

I've owned 7 marlin rifles so far in my life
22lr, 25-20, 32-20, 30-30, 45-70, 45-70, 450 marlin
Now all I have is a 30-30.
I've never owned a winchester, not in it for collecting I want something new that I can use.
I'm really hoping ruger makes a 327fed mag marlin CL 1894 but I don't think I will ever see one.
I have no interest in Henry
I'm curious to if marlin has worked out the kinks and run good..the old JM's were hit and miss but you could always take them apart, make everything glass smooth, and they will run..once you know what to look for it's pretty easy to correct to what ever your loading for .
any know has the winchester stacks up?

 

[mongo chicago]

I don't think people should be comparing Marlins of old with anything when the OP asked for a Ruger - Marlin comparison. Probably two very different products.

 

[rockhound78]

Have the Marlin(Remlin) and a 24" barreled '73 that is a few years old. Shoot the Marlin more than the Winny. Like the trigger much more on the Marlin and it feeds just about everything. If I "jiggle" the lever a bit, it will even feed wadcutters. I think its one of the last Remlins made, so its pretty good quality.

 

[FNSafari]

I think he might be talking about a new Winchester made in Japan? Original 1873's were never chambered in 38/357.

Model 1873 | Lever-Action Rifles | Winchester

The Winchester Model 1873 lever-action rifle, also known as the "Gun That Won the West". It was one of the most popular rifles of its time, and it is still a popular choice for collectors and shooters today.

www.winchesterguns.com

 

[Rick in Oregon]

bobcat, this may or may not be relevant, but in regard to the Winnies coming from Japan (Miroku), they're fitted and finished better than any US made Winchester I've ever seen (not counting high-grade guns). I've got Marlins and other Winchester lever guns, but out of all of them, the Winchester M92 Octagon Rifle (Miroku) has the best overall fit and finish of the lot.

I'd imagine the new 1873 would also be of the same overall quality as my M92 example:



If they offered the M92 in .38/.357, one would be coming home to keep my others company.
I hope your solve your conundrum, let us know which rifle you end up with and how you feel about it.

 

[ronsatspokane]

Miroku does some of the best machine work to be found. Another consideration would be anything from Uberti. Those Italians are making some very good guns.