Most of my older guns were purchased from mainland sources. And the majority of them were bought between 10 to 20 years ago when prices were stil reasonable.
Of the Winchesters M94s I've owned, those I had chambered in rifle cartridges, 30 WCF (30-30) and 356 Win. cycled fine with absolutely no glitches. The Trapper I had in 44 Mag, not so. A few times I experienced less than normal smooth feeding of cartridges compared to the other 94s. I believe part of the reason was the bullet design and shape I used in the gun; the other being the Winchester 94 was designed to handle rifle length cartridges. The cartridge carrier on a 94 seems oversized for the function of bringing a pistol length cartridge to battery. The Browning M92, a Win 92 clone, was designed to handle pistol size cartridges and it fed like a "champ".
For pistol size/length cartridges a Marlin 94 should be great. Don't know how the Henry Big Boy performs. I've been told Rossi lever actions are satisfactory but it could vary from gun to gun.
On the subject of Winchester lever actions, a pre 64 M94 in good funtional condition can be had at a reasonable price. The caveat here would hinge on condition. A M94 made between 1946 and 1963 with, say 70 to 80% bluing and like percentage of varnish, would be marked hundreds of dollars less than one in exc. cond. (98/99%).
If the gun is mechanically fine and its bore is at least in very good condition, it will make a good shooter. A gun such as this should have honest wear and exhibit dings and nicks. A M94 such as described would be generally priced anywhere from $500 to $600. I personally stay away from reblued guns and never consider abused pieces. Alterations to the gun would usually drop its price further depending what was done.

Yes, it was my father's bush gun for pig.  Passed down from his father.

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Awesome!  Love those family heirloom/work type guns!   

Hope this come out o.k.   Some lever guys think it's almost a sin to put optics on a lever gun, but to me it sights in quick, better than semi buckhorn rear sights.

Thanks!

Personally, I like it!   

Red dot are awesome for quick acquisition!  I don't see anything that helps improve effectiveness, utility, etc as ever a bad thing.  Well, maybe people can take things a little overboard and start too much "utility" on a gun, but I like your setup! 

Most of my older guns were purchased from mainland sources. And the majority of them were bought between 10 to 20 years ago when prices were stil reasonable.
Of the Winchesters M94s I've owned, those I had chambered in rifle cartridges, 30 WCF (30-30) and 356 Win. cycled fine with absolutely no glitches. The Trapper I had in 44 Mag, not so. A few times I experienced less than normal smooth feeding of cartridges compared to the other 94s. I believe part of the reason was the bullet design and shape I used in the gun; the other being the Winchester 94 was designed to handle rifle length cartridges. The cartridge carrier on a 94 seems oversized for the function of bringing a pistol length cartridge to battery. The Browning M92, a Win 92 clone, was designed to handle pistol size cartridges and it fed like a "champ".
For pistol size/length cartridges a Marlin 94 should be great. Don't know how the Henry Big Boy performs. I've been told Rossi lever actions are satisfactory but it could vary from gun to gun.
On the subject of Winchester lever actions, a pre 64 M94 in good funtional condition can be had at a reasonable price. The caveat here would hinge on condition. A M94 made between 1946 and 1963 with, say 70 to 80% bluing and like percentage of varnish, would be marked hundreds of dollars less than one in exc. cond. (98/99%).
If the gun is mechanically fine and its bore is at least in very good condition, it will make a good shooter. A gun such as this should have honest wear and exhibit dings and nicks. A M94 such as described would be generally priced anywhere from $500 to $600. I personally stay away from reblued guns and never consider abused pieces. Alterations to the gun would usually drop its price further depending what was done.

Interesting observation about the type of cartridges and malfunctions you noticed. 

I've never shot a Henry Big Boy, or at least I don't recall.  I just thought that they have been in business so long and are so popular (probably due to their 22s) that they must be good guns. 

Have been searching here and there for lever guns.  If I see something nice for a good prices, I'll be tempted.  However, not something super urgent.  Yet. . . 

Winchester 94 ranger

Winchester 94 ranger

Very nice! 

Pig hunting? 

Good to see that kind of gun in the outdoors!   

What caliber? 

Very nice! 

Pig hunting? 

Good to see that kind of gun in the outdoors!   

What caliber?

yes i was just watching a trail waiting for a pig. the rifle is chambered in 30-30.

I highly recommend the new winchester 1873s, I had 2 and have one original, they are great guns especially tuned up, and currently are beating uberti in terms of quality control. I have a couple of uberti rifles as well, the ubertis tuned up are a must, but nowdays they are getting sloppy. For a big slug like a 44 mag, id definitely get a marlin, for 357 id get either the marlin or winchester, they are the best fit and can be tuned quite nice. The Rossi/Puma 92s are very well made as well, and can handle loads the winchester 73 cannot. Both the marlin and rossi/puma are best for heavy loads. The henrys are nice american made guns, but there are better options, ive owned atleast one example of all of them.

I highly recommend the new winchester 1873s, I had 2 and have one original, they are great guns especially tuned up, and currently are beating uberti in terms of quality control. I have a couple of uberti rifles as well, the ubertis tuned up are a must, but nowdays they are getting sloppy. For a big slug like a 44 mag, id definitely get a marlin, for 357 id get either the marlin or winchester, they are the best fit and can be tuned quite nice. The Rossi/Puma 92s are very well made as well, and can handle loads the winchester 73 cannot. Both the marlin and rossi/puma are best for heavy loads. The henrys are nice american made guns, but there are better options, ive owned atleast one example of all of them.

Haven't been actively looking recently, but 1873s were on the "watch" list and they were pricey. I'm probably going to look for a Marlin when my gun funds recover from my recent splurge.

NRA rated excellent condition Winchester 94-22 saddle ring, per Winchester number 12 of the first 100 manufactured. Still has the leather tassle, hang tag, box and docs. Blue is 99-100% wood is about 95%, couple of tiny ding but otherwise in top shape. Yes it's a shooter. I  purchased it new from "Honsport" Pearlridge back in the very early 70's.....

NRA rated excellent condition Winchester 94-22 saddle ring, per Winchester number 12 of the first 100 manufactured. Still has the leather tassle, hang tag, box and docs. Blue is 99-100% wood is about 95%, couple of tiny ding but otherwise in top shape. Yes it's a shooter. I  purchased it new from "Honsport" Pearlridge back in the very early 70's.....

Didn't know had a Honsport at Pearlridge.   I used to with my dad to the one at Ala Moana street level(?).   I recall they were Honolulu Sporting Goods before Honsport then became Oshman's before closing.  Still got an old Outer's cleaning kit in the red and white cardboard box with black plastic case from Honsport.  Also used to go to the old King's Sporting Goods on King St. in Chinatown.   Good ole days when Sears, JCpenneys and Wigwam used to sell firearms.
You certainly got yourself a top shape rifle.