I’m not going to disagree with any of the previous commenters. Instead I’ll offer some encouragement. I’m 6’4” with a 74” wingspan and my only sport coat is a 50L. I’ve used 2 Model 94 Winchesters as well as a Sears Ted Williams over the years and have had no problem shooting them.
I wholeheartedly agree that every gun does not fit every individual—which is why I don’t carry a sub compact or PPK for example—but for some empirical perspective, I’ve taken some rough measurements from trigger face to end of buttstock on several of my neighbors’ hunting rifles and shotguns.
Win Model ‘94 13 1/4” REM 870 Mag 13” + 1” recoil pad Savage Model 99 13 3/8” Ruger M77 mk2 13” + 1/2” recoil pad REM Model 511 13 1/2” AR-15 13 1/2” full extension
While the Savage also a lever action, it is “thicker” and 1/8” longer compared to the Winchester ‘94. The AR-15 differs by only 1/4” if fully extended but has a pistol grip.
Before you give-up on that Winchester, consider a 3/4” - 1” recoil pad. If that does not make the feel of the Winchester comfortable to shoot, it may be the way you are managing your non-shooting hand and arm. Shooting a slim, lever action Model ‘94 is perhaps only slightly similar to managing a beefy pump action 870.
Some additional measurements:
From buttstock to front end of front stock for some of the above:
Win Model ‘94 (c. 1947) 27 1/2” Win Model ‘94 (c. 1960) 26 1/2” REM 870 Mag 31” inc. recoil pad Savage Model 99 29 1/2” Ruger M77 mk2 31 1/2” inc. recoil pad REM Model 511 27” AR-15 25 1/4” full extension
Again, the Savage—also lever action—offers 2-3” additional front stock and is thicker… thick like holding the fore-end of an 870. The AR-15 is shorter than the Winchesters.
I’m not proficient with YouTube, but maybe there is a video out there that shows an experienced shooter working with a Model ‘94 that shows how they manage their non-shooting hand and arm while shooting.
Good luck!
PS. My cousin said, “Putting-down an 870 to shoot a Model ‘94 is like putting down a 1911 to shoot a J-frame. It takes time and practice at the range to get comfortable, but it can be done.”