Cas City Forum Hall & CAS-L
CAS TOPICS => Gun Reviews => Topic started by: Black River Smith on March 22, 2021, 04:16:40 PM
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I need/want a 38/40 rifle with a 24" octagon barrel. I do not need brand new. Don't want to give $1200 to $1600 for a Uberti new, I might as well then look for an original. So..........
Besides an original Winchester '73 & '92, what are my replica options and from whom? Also, opinions on best places to look.
I really would like this rifle to be an 1892 model but I do not know if any replica's (Rossi) ever offered a 38WCF chambering.
Being the oddist of the calibers what are my chances of finding one. I know my local area does not have a selection.
Thanks
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Not sure if they still offer it, but Chiappa made that exact configuration (Octagon 24" Model 1892) in 38 WCF a few years ago. I handled one in Taylor's showroom eight or nine years ago, and almost bought it. Ended up going with the same rifle in 44 WCF instead, as I already had dies and moulds in that calibre. Very nice rifles, both of them. I'm still happy with the one I brought home.
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I think Marlin (the original) chambered one of their leveraction rifles in .38-40 (they called it that so as not to advertise Winchester's term, .38 WCF). Can't recall the model Marlin.
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I think Marlin (the original) chambered one of their leveraction rifles in .38-40 (they called it that so as not to advertise Winchester's term, .38 WCF). Can't recall the model Marlin.
I believe it was the original 1894 Marlin, which chambered all the WCF pistol length cartridges but re-named them the 44-40, the 38-40, and the 32-20.
Dave
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Not sure if they still offer it, but Chiappa made that exact configuration (Octagon 24" Model 1892) in 38 WCF a few years ago. I handled one in Taylor's showroom eight or nine years ago, and almost bought it. Ended up going with the same rifle in 44 WCF instead, as I already had dies and moulds in that calibre. Very nice rifles, both of them. I'm still happy with the one I brought home.
Thanks for the lead. I checked Taylor's website, it appears they do not offer the 38/40 as an option. I would hate to spend $1500 then another $500 to line it to 38/40. I would do this to a Rossi at $700 or used pricing.
I have checked all the gun selling sites and while they have some listings, they are priced out of my league.
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Check Rock Island Auction, they sell a lot of original Winchesters
BTB
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I believe it was the original 1894 Marlin, which chambered all the WCF pistol length cartridges but re-named them the 44-40, the 38-40, and the 32-20.
Dave
I was thinking the same thing about original Marlins. I checked Wikipedia, and we know that site is not always 100% accurate but they did not list the 38-40 as an original option (32-20 and 44-40 were listed), so I don't know about that. I know a guy with a modern 38-40 Marlin, but I'm thinking he might have had it rebarreled, I don't recall. Either that, or it was a quite rare offering.
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I owned an original marlin 1894 in 38WCF, and have seen several others. Not as common as the 32-20, but they are out there.
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The first Marlin chambered in .38-40 was the Model 1888, top eject, Approx. 4800 mfg. 1888-1889. The Model 1889 was the first solid top frame side-eject chambered in .25-20, .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40. Blue Book of Gun Values says 55,000 were mfg. 1889-1899. Described as having a "short throw lever action", FACTORY SHORT STROKE 1889 style!
B.N.Scotty
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I handled a 1889 Marlin in 38-40 about 10 years ago. It was for sale, but I passed it up because the interior of the barrel was in extremely poor shape. A shame as I am always looking for 38-40's.
Over the last 20 years I've managed to find a new 66 & 73 Uberti in 38-40 and actually had another Uberti 66, that started out as a 45 Colt, rebarreled to 38-40.
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I have not personally had it done, or even know the cost, but it is possible to have barrels relined.
B.N.Scotty
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I was ready to buy a uberti but reloading components are zilch right now for 38wcf
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I was ready to buy a uberti but reloading components are zilch right now for 38wcf
And everything else, the only thing I have found recently is a very few Shotgun primers and a few projectiles I could use.
B.N.Scotty
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I know this doesn't help the OP, but I once had an exceptional original first year Winchester 1892 rifle in .38-40 back in the day when I was not very knowledgeable about older Winchesters. It had an excellent bore and very good wood. I sold it for $1000 to a guy who wanted it bad. I have long regretted it. :'(
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I bought an 1889 Marlin rifle with a broken hammer spur and a poor bore some years back at a local gun show. A friend allowed me to look through a drawer of old Marlin parts he had and there was a hammer exactly like mine only complete! I installed my new hammer and took it out to shoot. My groups were not to my satisfaction, so I ordered a Rapine hollow based mold for .38 WCF. I was still not satisfied so I got it relined and have been happy with it ever since. I only shoot black powder loads in it, as I was told the 1889's were not as strong action wise as the later 1994 models, which is okay as I prefer to shoot black powder loads anyhow. I have had a '73 Winchester in .44WCF and a Winchester 1886 in .40-65 both relined and am very pleased with both of them too.
Regards,
Jubal Starbuck
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Every now and then an old refinished '92 will show up on GunBroker, that's how I got mine and for well under the $1000 mark. Collectors, I guess, don't really pay too much attention to the refinished guns. Course that was before covid, and before most found out what a joy the old 38-40 was to shoot. Good luck.
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I have a colt lightning in 38-40
Regards
Colt
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I have a colt lightning in 38-40
Regards
Colt
Oh yeah, there's that! The OP did not say "lever action" :)
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I was ready to buy a uberti but reloading components are zilch right now for 38wcf
A similar situation is what got me started into bullet casting. I was looking for 38/40 components beginning about 35 years ago. I would go into a gun store and ask for 38/40 lead bullets and the clerk would come out with 38 Special stuff. It was a blessing in disguise as I can now make whatever I need.
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I have a Marlin Model 1889 rifle in 38 WCF, in very good condition. I load black powder rounds with Dick Dastardly’s Big Lube bullet. She’s a great shooter and cost $900.
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Speaking of collectors.......
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/932373336
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I also have an 1889 Marlin in 38-40. Great rifle and I load black powder with Big Lube bullets. I have a companion Colt SAA, made in 1886, in 38-40 also. It’s been years but I think I paid around $800 - 900 for the Marlin.
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I have owned 3 marlins all with different bore diameters, all shot fine just had to load three different bullets. Presently have a Navy arms [Rossi} that shoots great. called company and told they did not ever sell this gun in this calibre. So probably a rebarreled 44-40.