Win 1894 32 Special......Caliber change????

[Steeltrap]

I have a very nice shape Winchester 1894 that was built in 1953. I picked it up in 2017 for like $450 and shot it maybe ten times.....and it's been sitting in my safe since. It's a nice rifle....I bought it spur of the moment.

But I was thinking (dangerous) would it be less costly to buy like a .357, .44-40, etc and re-barrel it? I know that going with a shorter cartridge would require different "stuff" in the frame, but has anyone done this with success? (Success = accurate rifle)

[borekfk]

Are you trying to re-barrel the '94? If so it'll just be cheaper to just get new production rifle. If you want to re-barrel a new production rifle and then re-barrel it, it'll still be less of a pain to just buy one in a caliber you like.

[ar15jules]

That would be like buying a 67 Vette and swapping out the big block for an inline 4 cylinder to get better gas mileage. In my opinion, it would be a shame and a disgrace to bastardize that rifle. Just my thoughts.

[Steeltrap]

That's why I'm asking. My judgement is not clear on this matter yet.

Maybe just sell the 32 Special and buy a 44-40 or 357.......or both?

[scott125]

Here*s my two cents. (Probably should be discounted even more) It doesn*t sound practical to me. Easier and cheaper to buy one in the caliper you want.

If you go 44cal you might want to stick with 44mag instead of 44-40. 44 is so much easier to reload with the straight wall case.

You might want to consider selling. Gunbroker prices for pre64*s are running between high and ridiculously stupid.

On the other hand if you go down this road I'd buy the brass off of you. I have a nice one made in 1940 in 32win special.

[JenniferG]

Sell it and buy the gun you want. Changing the barrel if it's even possible would destroy the value of the rifle.

[1911]

I would keep it as is. They don't make em like that anymore and Ive read that the Model 94 action doesnt always like short pistol cartridges for feeding. An 1892 or copy is better, but I don't have any first hand experience.

[Ecclectic Collector]

I second what the others have said: A pre-64 Winchester 1894 is a collectable. You can likely sell it and buy one of the pistol caliber saddle carbine lever actions outright.

[jthrelf]

Keep it and buy something in .357, or trade/sell it for something in .357. But a rebarrel just isn't practical.

[bugout]

agree with everyone else... if you were talking similar dia caliber change then yes thats interesting but 32 special (.321?) not many choices...

what do i mean? i have a 1894 45LC that was worked over and now runs 45acp exclusively - with the 16.5" barrel i get 10+1... and it is threaded... this was well worth modding!