Another Winchester 94 re-barrel question; .410?

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

 

We've all seen threads over the years about doing a barrel swap on a Winchester 94 from .30-30 to .38-55 and other calibers.   But I have a question that I've never seen asked before, and I am wondering if anyone might have an idea on the topic.

I know Winchester, or more accurately, whoever it is that makes guns FOR Winchester, marketed (and may still market for all I know) a Model 94 in .410.   But, also as far as I know, all of them were (are) made in this, the post 83 angle eject era.  

While I would not do it with a pre-64, would it be possible to take a pre-83 Model 94 and screw on a .410 barrel, giving you top eject .410 94?  Or would boring out the existing barrel to .410 be easier since for some reason a barrel swap would not be possible?

Anyone have any insight into this question?

[Old Man Graybeard]

All of the lever guns that I have seen were 2 1/2 inch chambers. I don't know if a true top eject 94 could be converted...but you might get an idea by comparing the length of a fired 2 1/2 inch .410 shell against the length of a 30-30 case or even a 38-55 case. I have a 94 that now sports a heavy 26 inch octagon barrel in 38-55

[High Spade Mikey Wilson]

It might work, but it will be close. The 30-30 has a rim diameter of .506" and the 410 has a rim diameter of .535". The rim thickness is about the same between the two. The extractor may catch the 410. The OAL of a loaded 30-30 is 2.550". The OAL of a 410 is 2.5" loaded and around 2.75" after firing. A 410 in 2" size should work if the extractor can catch the rim.

[Warden Callaway]

A good chance a 410 shell won't fit in the magazine tube. 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

9 minutes ago, Warden Callaway said:

A good chance a 410 shell won't fit in the magazine tube. 

 

I know the gun is/was also chambered for .444 Marlin.   Might need a replacement magazine...

Starting to sound like it's a lot more than a simple barrel swap.

But, that's why you ask these questions.   To see if the idea is even possible.

[Cusz M. Dutch SASS Life 55326]

Bore out the rifling on the 444 and load 444 shot shells???

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

2 minutes ago, Cusz M. Dutch SASS Life 55326 said:

Bore out the rifling on the 444 and load 444 shot shells???

That might be a viable solution, as I already load .444 shotshells for use in my ".410" Lee Enfield.

But we are still left with the angle eject.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Based on what people here, and a few others have said, I think I have two options...

 

1.  Take a deep breath and get a post 83 Winchester with all the crappy features that I loathe.

2.  Wait and hope that someone who makes a more faithful 94 replica will chamber it in .410 from the factory.

 

I really have no desire to follow option 1, and option 2 is a long shot at best, but option 2 is the most logical way for me to go.  And if that means I don't get one, well, at least I researched the possibility.

Thank you to everyone who had some ideas and observations.

[Warden Callaway]

Back years ago, we shot a few 410 in guns chamered in 45-70. 2.5 may cycle through a Marlin 1895. 

[Rough 'N Ready Rob]

Or you could buy a Marlin already chambered in 410, they did make them, if you could find one.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

2 hours ago, Rough 'N Ready Rob said:

Or you could buy a Marlin already chambered in 410, they did make them, if you could find one.

 

Side eject....   Safeties....

Sounds like the exact same features I don't like on the post 83 94's. 

[Warden Callaway]

 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

On 3/23/2024 at 1:20 AM, Warden Callaway said:

 

 

Nice video.

Decent looking gun.   Clearly a copy of the 94, and no stupid safeties.
 
Still angle eject though, but...   Looks like better version than the Winchester.   I may consider this.   Thanks for sharing.

[watab kid]

winchester did make one of these 9410 - my friend has one , i never really thought to seek one out , ill have to ask him about the chamber length , ive never thought to do so before - im OK with 410s but with all that ive had in the past , i have none in my possession anymore , only a set of conversion tubes for my coach gun should i want to shoot some , i dont know why this would not work ,