Marlin 1894 Club

[JustsayMo]

Inexpensive 22lr ammo around here is ~$0.02-$0.03 per shot.

Reloading cost will depend what you can get projectiles for. Casting your own with lead scrounged from scrap you can make bullets for the cost of your time and ~ $100 worth of equipment. If you buy your bullets they cost goes up significantly.

Brass for 38 and 357 is usually free or cheap if you haunt ranges or know guys that shoot that caliber. Primers are going to cost ~$0.03 each in bulk. Powder will be around $0.03 per charge and bullets will cost you around a dime each (more AND less expensive are available commercially). Not counting the investment in tools ~$150-250 to get started or your time ammo will cost you ~$16/100 rounds or about 5 times as much as rimfire ammo. It has been a while since I checked but I think 38 ammo is about twice that commercially.

Another thing to consider is that reloading larger calibers such as 44 and 45 aren't going cost that much more once you own the brass. I can reload 30-30 plinkers for less than a dime. My point being that if you reload, you aren't caliber restricted in as far as economy goes.

If you have a Big 5 sporting goods store in your area they regularly have 1894's in 44 & 38/357 with the Birch Stock for under $400 new. Used with Walnut stocks I've seen as low as $325 up to $450 depending on condition and caliber. 38/357's seem to command a little more around here.

An 1894 in 38/357 is a versatile tool. It is also comparatively economical to shoot as far a centerfires go. I don't think there is a wrong answer.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[cjbecker]

hey thanks for the good reply. I have a marlin 336 30-30 at my house, it is my step grandpa's it is fun to shoot but it is definitely not a plinker for me. I will not be killing animals that much so I dont need a powerful gun, but i want something with more power than a .22. How is the trajectory of a .22LR vs a 38 special.

 

[kmrcstintn]

just an update...Marlin's barrel bands leave a very bad taste in my mouth or I have the ****tiest luck in the world!!!

first off...my 1894 that started this thread last year...less than 500 rounds thru the rifle...the threaded peg (that sandwiches between the barrel and magazine tube and holds the barrel band in place) broke in half and my foreend is nearly halfway up the barrel toward the muzzle

took it back to initiate a repair and decided to use it as trade in fodder on a Marlin 336 in .30-30 (better terminal ballistics and increased effective range); took the 336 out for it's third session and final sighting before deer season shooting from a varmint rest...you'll never guess what caused problems again; yep the entire barrel band is so large that it swings back and forth on the threaded peg...if it's this weak from 4 shots off a varmint rest, how in the hell am I suppossed to trust it to: 1) retain the forearm, 2) be a secure mounting point for my sling, and 3) withstand the weight of the rifle, scope, and ammunition on the buttstock sleeve while being raised and lowered from my treestand over and over during deer season?!?

back to the shop it went & got in-store credit that I used for ammo purchases for a few months; what the hell happened to Marlin's QA?!? :banghead:

as much as I used to like Marlin lever action rifles, if I ever get another .30-30 I am going for a Mossberg 464 in .30-30!!!

 

[cjbecker]

Well I have decided on getting a 1894 .357, but the only thing is, what are the differences in the pre-safety models and the post safety models. Is the only difference is the safety. Is there a reason that I should try to get a pre-safety or just buy a new one. thanks

 

[salvo]

kmrcstintn one thing about Marlins, or lever guns in general, got to keep the screws snug.
Reports from Mossberg 464 owners have not been good, broken extractors, barrel band screws and feeding issues seem to be the major gripes.

Thought I would get in on the 1894 club with my CB in .357 Been a very good and accurate rifle and I really like the octagon barrel.

 

[JustsayMo]

cjbecker, get whichever one you can get your hands on. There is a kit available that lets you remove the safety and replace it with a screw. Looks good and functions fine. I've not installed any on mine but I have pards that swear by them.

I've left the safety's on my mine. I've not found it to be a major inconvenience though I have dropped the hammer a few times with only a metallic ping and no boom ... the extra safety is nice when unloading

 

[cjbecker]

Well today I went to look for some 1894 is 357 and actually found one for 500$, but i decided that i am going to get the cb version because I dont like how the stock feels because of the checkering. The gun feels good and points good and just feels like a extension of the body.

Want is a average price on a regular version and the cb version?

 

[JustsayMo]

Around here new CB's are about $650, used about $100 less. Might take some shopping to find them though.

 

[43171C]

Marlin 1894C

About 45 years ago I had a Winchester model 1892 in 38x40 I believe it was. The barrel was pretty well shot out and I (as I had aquired it) swapped it off at a gun show. In later years I began to wish I had it back to have it converted to .38/.357 but never found another anywhere near what I would pay for one to convert.

Well about 2 months ago, I walk in to my local gun shop and there on the rack is a Marlin 1894C in .38/.357. It had just been left by another fellow to see if he could find a buyer. Well, no second thoughs, I shelled out the $275 asking price and brought that little beauy home.

A few days later, I drove up to the range which is only about a mile and a half from the house. There were a few friends there on the range so I joined in. I fired a few .38 rounds and was supprised at the lack of recoil, not much difference that a .22LR. I let a friend who was shooting .357 handloads and he shot a few rounds. I will note here that at first try, some of his handloads were a little long and did not want to feed. I was about to leave and he insisted I try a few rounds of his .357 handloads so I thought what the heck.

With no target set up, I drew a bead on a rock about the size of a basketball on the furtherest bank and let fly. Hit right at the bottom of rock. Fired the next 2, same place and the 4th, couldn't see where it hit. Either hit the rock or missed the whole bank as no dirt flew. A lot of difference in the commercial .38 and the .357 handloads. I believe the .357 handloads I fired would make a very good gun for deer hunting here where I live as most shots are well within the 100 yard range.

Just my thoughts on this fine little lever gun, I love it.

J.C.

 

[701]

I have the opportunity to pick up a marlin 1894cs 357 /38 for 400.00. Does anyone have any pro cons etc?

 

[davera]

701 - that is a pretty good current price on a rifle that is sometimes hard to find. I paid $325 in 2003 for mine. Min is plenty fun and easy to shoot, more accurate than me. In .357 it's a credible home defense carbine. In .38 special it's a not too expensive plinker.

It's a little sensitive to ammo OAL but I've never had a problem with factory ammo. Only once has it jammed and that was with some cheap range reloads.

In the words of Kim du Toit (paraphrased) "if you have a .357 handgun and don't buy this, baby vulcan will cry"

 

[shawns]

Just bought a 1894ss in 44mag. Trying to decide between traditional scope mount or guide scope set-up. Any info, ideas, opinion, or pics would be great.

Thanks,
Shawn

 

[PUPP86]

Been looking at these for awhile and I think I have decided on the 357 version but still have a couple of questions.

The primary purchase of the rifle is for the whole family to enjoy and of course to have one that anyone of us could use should the need arise. Wife has handled one and seems to like it and I don't think she will be recoil sensitive as she shoots a Ruger SP101 with 38+P's.

So now my questions:
1) The only ones I can seem to find locally are all NIB or severely used. I am leaning towards the NIB but have read that the barrel rifling has changed. Any experience with the Ballard rifling?

2) On the newer ones the wood seems a little "cheap" but the dealers insist its American Walnut. Any one have complaints with it?

3) Not that the rifle would get a steady diet of them but we use Remington Golden Sabers in 38 +P in our revolvers. Could the Marlin handle the same?

4) I have quite a bit of Winchester White Box 38's on hand for the range. They are 130gr FMJ's but the nose is flat. Any problem using them in the Marlin?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Nasty Ned]

Well I guess I got my 44 for less than anyone else writing here. In 1976 I believe it was a Wally World or maybe a K Mart was having a sale and they had somehow obtained several dozen blems. I had never heard of Marlin or anyone else selling blems but they had um. I paid $76.00 plus tax. Both my Son & I have collected several deer with mine and I also used it as a guest gun when we were members of a dandy hunt club in Florida, When I go it will be my Son's and he promised he would keep it forever. Shoots best with 240 JHP's. Lead is a slight problem that requires more clean up.

 

[Mini30]

1. I think of Ballard rifling as typical rifling; the type Marlin used before the recent return to Ballard was microgroove rifling. Micro-Groove was great for jacketed bullets, but not so good with hot-loaded cast lead bullets. More info here.

2. No problems with or complaints about the factory wood on my 1894, or my 1895GG

3. I thought .38SPL +Ps are considered acceptable in any pistol or rifle rated for .357 Magnum?

4. no experience with that ammo.

Been looking at these for awhile and I think I have decided on the 357 version but still have a couple of questions.

The primary purchase of the rifle is for the whole family to enjoy and of course to have one that anyone of us could use should the need arise. Wife has handled one and seems to like it and I don't think she will be recoil sensitive as she shoots a Ruger SP101 with 38+P's.

So now my questions:
1) The only ones I can seem to find locally are all NIB or severely used. I am leaning towards the NIB but have read that the barrel rifling has changed. Any experience with the Ballard rifling?

2) On the newer ones the wood seems a little "cheap" but the dealers insist its American Walnut. Any one have complaints with it?

3) Not that the rifle would get a steady diet of them but we use Remington Golden Sabers in 38 +P in our revolvers. Could the Marlin handle the same?

4) I have quite a bit of Winchester White Box 38's on hand for the range. They are 130gr FMJ's but the nose is flat. Any problem using them in the Marlin?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Hanzerik]

Old thread, but I joined the 1894 club yesterday. 1894CB Cowboy Limited in 44 Mag.

 

[Pine Cone]

Hanzerik - Welcome aboard! Nice looking rifle. I really like the look of the older non-checkered stocks.

Get to shoot it yet or is your area having the same ammo shortages I find around here?

If I didn't reload I'd be in real trouble and I have the 357/38 Special version that I though I'd always be able to find ammo for. Guess I was wrong... Moving to cast bullets soon since you can't even get them anymore. At least you can still find wheelweights, but just wait a few years and they won't even be made of lead anymore. Time they are a changing!

 

[Hanzerik]

Hanzerik - Welcome aboard! Nice looking rifle. I really like the look of the older non-checkered stocks.

Get to shoot it yet or is your area having the same ammo shortages I find around here?

If I didn't reload I'd be in real trouble and I have the 357/38 Special version that I though I'd always be able to find ammo for. Guess I was wrong... Moving to cast bullets soon since you can't even get them anymore. At least you can still find wheelweights, but just wait a few years and they won't even be made of lead anymore. Time they are a changing!

Yep, shot it yesterday. And no, we don't have any issues with .44 Mag around here, it's about the only thing still on the shelf. I picked up about 150 empties at the range a while back, and have 100 rounds of WWB .44 JSP that I picked up before I even got my first .44 Mag rifle.

Reloaded 50 rounds last night; 200gr RNFP over 8grs of Unique. Nice shooting accurate load. I'm going to pick up some 240gr SWC which also shoot well in my Puma. Local bullet manufacturer has everything in stock, and gave me a sampling of his different .44 cast bullets to try out. Primers are hard to come by in bulk, I only have 950 left out of my last brick. I use the same primers for .45ACP, so I go through them kind of fast this time of year.

Here is my other .44 Mag rifle I picked up a couple weeks ago.

 

[Kentucky-roughrider]

Why is that Marlin feeling it should make a ton of 1894 in 44 mag but only make the 45 colt in that cowboy model.

I want a round barrle marlin 1894 in 45 Colt is that too much to ask for.

 

[20nickels]

We have an 1894 club!? I'm in as of two weeks ago. NIB 1894c in .357. I'd post a pick, but it's nothing special to look at right out of the box.

 

[20nickels]

BTW, Marlin is producing a stainless 1894 as of June 09

It will be a limited run to feel the market. Available through Davidson's I believe. Better get yer order in.

 

[MCMXI]

BTW, Marlin is producing a stainless 1894 as of June 09

You mean another '94 other than the .44 Mag in stainless that they've offered for years? Do you have a link ... I couldn't find anything on Marlin's web site?

Why is that Marlin feeling it should make a ton of 1894 in 44 mag but only make the 45 colt in that cowboy model. I want a round barrle marlin 1894 in 45 Colt is that too much to ask for.

+100

I'd love a regular '94 in .45 Colt. I have the Cowboy Ltd model in .45 Colt and love it, but another in stainless with a round barrel would be HEAVEN!!

 

[35Rem]

He is speaking of the 1894CSS in 357 magnum. It's about time they (Marlin) made a stainless 357. The ultimate utility gun.

 

[Wayne02]

Is there some sort of press release on this new stainless .357? I would dearly love to have a stainless .357 Marlin levergun. Did they used to make these in stainless or is this a net new product?

Thanks

 

[Dr.Rob]

Proud member since 2007.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=257896&highlight=1894

Impressed by the rifle's THUMP at a distance, though past 100 yards the drop is like a rainbow.