Marlin 1894 accuracy, barrel damage?

[fatelk]

I wasn't entirely sure if this should go in Rifle Country or gunsmithing. If someone decides that it needs moved, that's fine.

I have an old Marlin model 1894, serial #21,130,xxx (age?) in .44 Magnum. It is in excellent shape.

What kind of accuracy can one reasonably expect from one of these? About the best I have ever been able to do with it has been 3.5" at 50 yards. I can normally shoot at least 2moa with open sight and a good rifle, so it's not me.
I've tried all weights of bullets, cast and jacketed. The micro-groove rifling doesn't seem to like cast bullets.

I've had the thing for about 15 years and my dad has one just like it. Years ago I tried his for accuracy and it wasn't much better.

Funny thing with mine, I took it apart for a good clean today and looking down the barrel from the breach I could see what kind of looked like wrinkles or something on one side partway down. After looking and trying to figure it out for a while I realized that it was exactly it the same spot where "MOD. 1894" was stamped on the outside. The stamping is exceptionally deep right there.

Could it be that the deep stamping dented the inside of the barrel? Could this affect accuracy? Would Marlin warranty a rifle this old? Do 1894's normally shoot better than this?

 

[whiskey]

I also have a 1974 vintage 1894 in 44mag and it shoots very well. I am sure it will shoot sub 2 inch groups at 50 yards. I have shot it at 50, but not for a while. I mostly shoot it at 25 yards, off hand with Ashley Express Ghost Ring sights and I can stay in a 2 inch dot. I think the last time I shot it at 50 was to sight in the ghost ring and I was very happy with the groups.

Stick a scope on it just for a weekend and see how well you can do off sand bags. That will rule you out as the cause.

 

[rockstar.esq]

Wow, if you're rifle is messed up by the stamping I'd be really annoyed! Sort of like a hood ornament that obstructs a fuel line on a car! Perhaps Marlin would be willing to fix it?

 

[Charshooter]

I have heard about this; the best thing to do is to lap the barrel or have someone do it for you.

If you do not know what I am talking about, see a gunsmith and ask him if he can examine and lap the barrel

 

[Leanwolf]

If you can see a slight "indentation" in the barrel where the brand name is stamped.... or where the rear sight is placed, call Marlin and send it back to them. They'll replace the barrel for you.

Your rifle was made in 1979.

L.W.

 

[fatelk]

Thanks Leanwolf. I will call Marlin tomorrow, see what they say. There is definitely an indentation where the stamp is.

 

[Fosbery]

3.5" at 50 yards is not too good. Either you're a lousy shot or you need to call Marlin

 

[fatelk]

Marlin customer service stinks.

I finally got through to them, had to wait on the phone for quite a while to talk to someone. The lady I talked to was neither nice nor helpful, and knew nothing. All she could tell me was to send it in and they would look at it and tell me how much it would cost before doing the work. I politely explained that what I wanted to know was whether it would be warranteed if it was a factory defect, on such an old rifle.
"I don't know about that. I doubt it."
"Who can I talk to who would know? I don't want to go to the time and expense of sending it in if not."
After making it clear that she did not want to waste her time talking to me she transferred me to someone else's voicemail. I left a clear, detailed message explaining the problem, and my call-back number.

Honestly, from my experience so far I would be surprised to hear back from Marlin. I have dealt with companies over the years that make customer service a priority, and companies that do not. It appears that Marlin falls in the latter category.

 

[BC_bush_man]

Marlin service

I love my .357 cowboy and 39A lever but I have to chime in that their head office service sucks based on a recent experience. The Marlin approved repair shops that do their warrantee work is a different story, overall very good service on warrantee work by their approved local shops.

 

[RCdeck]

Looks like your gun is a 1979 based on the Marlin serial History at http://armscollectors.com/sn/marlinlookup.php

I have a 1894 in 357 and 44, have not noticed a problem with the 357. I have noticed that the 44 seemed to be off a bit. Both of these are mid 70s rifles.
I will have to look at the rollmarks and see if I can confirm your speculation.