Why is it that the Winchester levers aren't popular for CAS? Do they have a .38 feed problem?

Bowtek,
The first centerfire levergun I bought for NRA leveraction silhouette was a M94-357 Legacy. When I showed up at the first match with my new gun, one of the other shooters asked whether the magazine ever let the cartridges come back and jam the action (like his M94 Legacy did). I told him no, mine was OK. However, later in the season the exact thing happened to me. Clearing the action by taking out the lever, etc. only took a few minutes but I wanted it fixed so off to Winchester it went. Guess what!! They "repaired" it and sent it back. At the very next match, the magazine catch let go again and jammed the action. I traded it on a Marlin and have had no problems since. I have also gotten a few more Marlins since then, but no Winchesters.

Doesn't it seem strange that they have been making the M94 for over 100 years and still can't get it right, at least not in 357 Mag.?

True, it's been around for a while, but a Winchester 94 was designed for longer, more tapered cartridges.... frankly the 94 is bigger and heavier than what you need for a .357. I guess maybe the 92s had been out of production by then so Winchester decided to try the 94 so production could be started more quickly? No idea, really, just a guess.

We have a 94AE trapper that we use and never had a problem with it. It spits out a round in .08 of a secondand other than a good cleaning from time to time has done this with out a hitch for the last 5000 +or - rounds that it has been fed in 38spl.
Now I can notsay that for the model Marlin 94 's that I have seen. Once in a event I see one or two not eject a round for some reason at a match.
The only time I have seen a winnie fail is because of dirt.
Happy

Since I made this post I have been on line with many CAS competition shooters and have learned that the Win 94 is using a rifle action for a pistol cartridge. They did not design the action around the .357 This results in an long lever throw and more than one person has complained of a stiff action and feed problems with .38 sp. On the other hand, Several CAS members have told me they use the 94 in competition and have no plans to replace it. I tend to favor guns that were designed for the cartridge there shooting. Thanks for the replys, fellas.........