Bat22
Member
I'm looking into .357/.38 rifles and am eying the Marlin 1894C. I'd like to hear from anyone out there experienced with it or its like, or with an alternative in mind? 
Opinions on the Marlin 1894C
- Thread starter Bat22
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Just buy it!! I have many guns but my 1894c is one of my very favorite. It is a great handeling and shooting rifle. The 1894c in .357 can do many things well and is a lot of FUN. Mild recoil, 10 rds of .357, fast action, and great classic looks. If I lived in CA and could not have an assault rifle, it would be and excellent choice for home defense. Home defense, plinking, and hunting all in one gun that doesn't scare the sheeple!! It's a win win choice!!!!! The Marlin 1894C gets an A+!
Love my 1894 Cowboy Special in .357. Absolutely love it. If you hit up Paco Kelly's leveraction forum you will see many reviews for it. I did have the lever lock up once and had to disassemble and file a small bur on the lever. Never happened again.
A 180 Lasercast bullet over 15.0gr of 'Lil Gun and a magnum primer is an awesome pig load.
BTW - I am in SB - right next door. Let me know if you need anything.
A 180 Lasercast bullet over 15.0gr of 'Lil Gun and a magnum primer is an awesome pig load.
BTW - I am in SB - right next door. Let me know if you need anything.
PBhome71
I replaced the sights with ghost ring sights and re-zero'd - but IIRC the factory sights did shoot a tad to the right. Only recently have I been shooting some Hornady 158 XTP FP's and they do seem a tad to the left - so more than likely you are correct.
I replaced the sights with ghost ring sights and re-zero'd - but IIRC the factory sights did shoot a tad to the right. Only recently have I been shooting some Hornady 158 XTP FP's and they do seem a tad to the left - so more than likely you are correct.
ThomasT
Member
I have the Marlin 94 in 32, 357 and 44 mag. The 357 is hands down my favorite.
I only have one complaint and that is all the time I wasted trying to find a used one at a good price. Or any price.
I finally broke down and bought a brand new in the box 94 and it is the best gun purchase I have ever made.
I'm thinking about having it buried with me so I have a gun when I get to the Happy Hunting Ground. I hope somebody remembers to throw in some ammo.
I only have one complaint and that is all the time I wasted trying to find a used one at a good price. Or any price.
I finally broke down and bought a brand new in the box 94 and it is the best gun purchase I have ever made.
I'm thinking about having it buried with me so I have a gun when I get to the Happy Hunting Ground. I hope somebody remembers to throw in some ammo.
Shear_stress
Member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2005
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- 2,728
Ooh! That's an easy one: buy it.
Rampant_Colt
Member
Marlin makes a FINE lever-rifle
what a sweet little rifle!
my only regret is trading mine...
alternatives:
Winchester Model 1894 saddlering carbine
Puma Model 1892
Henry Big Boy
Browning
Uberti
what a sweet little rifle!
my only regret is trading mine...
alternatives:
Winchester Model 1894 saddlering carbine
Puma Model 1892
Henry Big Boy
Browning
Uberti
Brett Byers AKA Slow
Member
- Joined
- May 30, 2007
- Messages
- 98
I have been thinking of buying one for my Son for deer and hog hunting...trying to scrape together the funds
The nice design feature in the Marlin, compared to the Winchester, is that the receiver top is closed. This allows scope mounting. AND the bolt slides out so it's possible to run a cleaning rod from the breech end.
There's an ejector spring sitting in a groove behind the bolt. Don't neglect to remove it when cleaning, replace it when done cleaning. It press pins into a slot and is easy to overlook. It gets knocked out of the way with a cleaning rod and is easy to misplace.
I've had two 1894's in 44 mag. Sold the first one to buy a kayak -- that was a mistake. I'm keeping the second one.
Locally they're referred to as the "redneck assault rifle" . . . short, small, light, quick, 10 rds. And they don't scare the bejeezus out of the sheeple.
There's an ejector spring sitting in a groove behind the bolt. Don't neglect to remove it when cleaning, replace it when done cleaning. It press pins into a slot and is easy to overlook. It gets knocked out of the way with a cleaning rod and is easy to misplace.
I've had two 1894's in 44 mag. Sold the first one to buy a kayak -- that was a mistake. I'm keeping the second one.
Locally they're referred to as the "redneck assault rifle" . . . short, small, light, quick, 10 rds. And they don't scare the bejeezus out of the sheeple.
Mauserguy
Member
They are awsome. If you can find one, don't hesitate. Snach it up before somebody else does.
Mauserguy
Mauserguy
glockman19
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2007
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- 3,700
I have a 1894 SS in .44 mag and have been looking for a 1894C. It's a great Rifle.
What is the price?
Not only have I see them going for over $600 there seem to be very few available anywhere.
What is the price?
Not only have I see them going for over $600 there seem to be very few available anywhere.
woof
Member
There is no alternative. It is far and away the Best of Class.
I have an 1894CB Ltd in .45 Colt and I love it too ... It only weighs six and a half pounds (unloaded) and it just feels wonderful to shoot all the way from mild to wild. I have XS sights on it front and back. The 1:16 twist rate in the .45 Colt and .357 barrel is well-suited to heavier bullets. For some reason the .44 Mag has a 1:38 twist. Also, 10 rounds in the magazine provides plenty of firepower. I also have two Marlin 1895s in .45-70 and will eventually add the 1895 Cowboy to the collection. I'm relatively new to lever action rifles but now I see why they're so popular.
I bought one last year after I had it for about a month and 50rds through it , the lever locked open .I was gonna sell it but a friend fixed it ( Damn good friend) every since I havent had any problems with it . Like many have said its one of my favorites . I put a Nikon Pro Staff BDC on it but decided to go John Wayne and shoot open sights. I love the gun ! I paid w/the scope mount and a box of rounds $525.00 for it, my brothers looking for one and cant find them for under $700.00.
Furncliff
Member
Super nice rifle for all the above reasons plus... I have moved new shooters up from .22's with it with great success.
greyling22
Member
buy one. it's my favorite, my wife's favorite, 90% of my friend's favorite. terrific gun. do an action job (they're not hard) and don't feed it semi-wadcutter 38's and you will be good to go.
wanderinwalker
Member
Well, you really only have one alternative, and that's going without. How much fun is that?
Seriously, the little Marlins are excellent shooters. My father had the 94C in .357, and it was an accurate, slick, lightweight little carbine. Mine is a 94PG in .44 Magnum; noticeably more pop with the .44, but stoked with .44 Specials is still pretty beginner friendly.
Just pony up and get it now. The longer you wait, the more money it will be, the more you'll wish you had gotten it sooner. And as soon as you have one to work with, you'll wonder how you were able to go without it.
streakr
Member
You'll find a great guide to improving the Marlin action here:
http://marauder.homestead.com/Rifles.html
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http://marauder.homestead.com/Rifles.html
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Asherdan
Member
This is the 44 mag version with an extra couple of inches of barrel.
Get it in 357 if you can find it!
Get it in 357 if you can find it!
Seafarer12
Member
I say look at Navy Arms or any of the other Rossi's. I like the 92 action so much better than the 94. I own a Navy Arms .357 with a 20 inch oct. barrel and wouldn't trade it for any 94. They are usually cheaper too.
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