H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Graybeard Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Spade Mikey Wilson Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 A good chance a 410 shell won't fit in the magazine tube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted March 7 Author Share Posted March 7 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cusz M. Dutch SASS Life 55326 Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 Bore out the rifling on the 444 and load 444 shot shells??? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted March 7 Author Share Posted March 7 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted March 8 Author Share Posted March 8 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 Back years ago, we shot a few 410 in guns chamered in 45-70. 2.5 may cycle through a Marlin 1895. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rough 'N Ready Rob Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 Or you could buy a Marlin already chambered in 410, they did make them, if you could find one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted March 8 Author Share Posted March 8 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted March 25 Author Share Posted March 25 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 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 , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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