the 94 was a john browning design and would be the lever action we would generally have the greatest familiarity with. it's a sweet gun, but you find most of them in 30-30, which is just not that interesting a cartridge for me.
I have one in .44 mag. I like .44 mag, don't ask me why. I prefer the medium loads, not the hot stuff. If I was after deer, the 30-30 would be a better choice (in 94's) I'm sure. I don't have one of those, but I do have a pot-gun in 45-70/.22 that's probably good for taking rabbit-chasing deer. Get the rabbit for lunch, and the deer for dinner! (I don't hunt, however. Only old Mercedes.)
useful today as they day they were first produced. i mean, is there really a better pistol than the 1911?
Sure. Depends on your purpose, of course. For swimming armed in salt water it's hard to beat a Glock, for example. For pure esthetics, though, the 1911 is pretty sweet. Your best bet is to own one of everything! -- Jim