how many rounds does a marlin 1894c hold

[petebottoms]

I really need some help. I'm getting all my guns for sass competition. Marlins are the gun to have. The best deal I have found in an 1894c 357/38 18.5'' barrel with a 9 round tubular magazine. I have contacted Marlin and even they do not know if it holds 10 .38 specials. Please help very frustrating!

 

[petebottoms]

Thanks for your time.

 

[Hutch]

Mine holds 10 .38 Specials.

 

[petebottoms]

are you 100% sure?

 

[zxcvbob]

I just tried it again to make sure. 10 rounds of .38 Specials.

 

[petebottoms]

thanks for checking for me. Why wont they tell you that it holds 10 .38 specials in the manual?

 

[Dr.Rob]

I thought all the 1894C's held 10? (Sorry just read that your barrel is shorter.)

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My Marlin 1894C holds only 6 rounds but it's an older rifle made in 1983.

 

[glimmerman]

archangel, if your 1894c circa 1983 only holds 6 rounds, there is something in the tube blocking it like a plug or a dent in the tube. I have one that is from the 70's and it holds 9 .357 and 10 .38's. Pull the tube off and check it!!

 

[Brian Williams]

Mine holds 9 357s or 10 38s

 

[Fosbery]

Nine .357s and ten .38 specials.

 

[LaEscopeta]

Why wont they tell you that it holds 10 .38 specials in the manual?

Note what they do tell you, on page 1 of the manual:

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/pdfs/manuals/MFC_Centerfire_1894.pdf

If your rifle is chambered for 357 Magnum,
it is designed to handle 357 Magnum factory-
loaded ammunition (except wad cutters
and shot shells). It will also function
with 38 Special cartridges that are within
the length parameters shown below.
(NOTE: Since 38 Special cartridges are
shorter than 357 Magnums, their use can
cause a lead buildup in the forward part of
the chamber. Be sure to thoroughly clean
the chamber with a wire brush after using
38 Specials.)
Minimum overall cartridge length — 1.400"
Maximum overall cartridge length — 1.590"

.38 Special cases are 1/8 of an inch shorter than .357 Magnum cases, but differences in bullet length and how the bullet is seated in the case means the overall cartridge length differs from one brand/type of ammo to the next. Some .38 Special rounds are less then the 1.400” minimum; you can definitely fit 10 of these in an 1894C with a 18.5” barrel. I have not found or heard of any .38s that are too long to fit 10 in the magazine, but I suspect there are some, which is why I think the manual lists the mag capacity as 9.

Now the kicker. Fitting 10 rounds in the magazine and getting them the feed are sometimes 2 different things. A search for Marlin 1894 on this forum will show a variety of experiences. Some people have 1894s that feed anything, even under the 1.4” minimum length. A few people can’t get .38s of any type to work, or have to hold the rifle a certain way or work the lever sharply to get it to feed. But most find at least one type of .38 that works with their rifle. Bullet shape seems to play a part in what feeds and what doesn’t, and maybe wear does too (at least according to this site http://www.marauder.homestead.com/files/Marlin94Fix.html)

(You know it has just occurred to me I haven’t read anything about the 44 Magnum version not feeding with 44 Special ammo. Seems to be just an issue with .357/.38.)

 

[Sistema1927]

My 1894c holds 10 122 gr RNFP .38 Special rounds (shorter OAL than specified in the Marlin manual), and feeds them reliably. This is my CAS back-up gun.

YMMV, IANAL, and all of the rest of the usual disclaimers.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

archangel, if your 1894c circa 1983 only holds 6 rounds, there is something in the tube blocking it like a plug or a dent in the tube. I have one that is from the 70's and it holds 9 .357 and 10 .38's. Pull the tube off and check it!!

glimmerman,
I bought it used last year and was told it only holds 6 rounds so I thought nothing of it. Thank you for the information, I'll check it out...

 

[GigaBuist]

When I bought my 1894C I picked up God knows how many Federal .38SPL LRN rounds to go with it.

It only holds 9 of them. The 10th one just won't quite fit. I'm sure a flat nosed bullet with be just fine, but not all .38SPL cartridges are the same length.

 

[petebottoms]

Thanks

I'm still learning this web site so I hope everyone sees this reply. Thanks for all the info. You helped me make up my mind. I just went out and bought the gun today. Now I have all the guns I need for sass competion. Wish me luck. Thanks again, petebottoms.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

petebottoms,
Good luck and enjoy!!

glimmerman,
Thank you very much sir, you were totally correct. I took the end of the tube off and found there was a rusty spot in the tub preventing the (piece in front of the spring) from passing that spot. I shot some rust penetrate down the tube, cleaned it out with a mop and then treated the tube with Break Free CLP.

Works correctly now, 10 rounds of .38 Special and 9 rounds of .357 Magnum.

Thank you again,
Tony

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

Archangel,

glimmerman,
Thank you very much sir, you were totally correct. I took the end of the tube off and found there was a rusty spot in the tub preventing the (piece in front of the spring) from passing that spot. I shot some rust penetrate down the tube, cleaned it out with a mop and then treated the tube with Break Free CLP.

Learn something new everyday don't we?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Bazooka Joe71,
It will be a sad day when we stop learning for sure. The older I get the more I find out how little I really know. (and I'm getting old )

 

[KelVarnson]

Speaking of learning...

I will be picking up my Marlin 1894C tomorrow (after the CA 10-day wait, aarrrggghh). This is my first levergun. I'll probably be taking the afternoon off

I have tried to search the forums here to get an answer to this question, but didn't find what I needed, so I will post it here.

What kinds of ammo are safe/unsafe to use in the tubular magazine? The statement in the manual is somewhat vague, that some pointed and round-nosed full metal jacket rounds can cause chainfire. I wish they were more specific. Can I use round-nose FMJ in this gun?

Thanks in advance...

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

Well I have an 1894s(.44mag/.44spec) and it fires round nose FMJ just fine...I've only put 50 rds of .44mag through it due to the price, but have put several hundred rds of .44 spec FMJ ball and its been fine.