scope for my Marlin 1894

[bullockcm]

I have a Marlin 1894 in .44mag and I would like to scope the gun although I would probably remove the scope setup from time to time and just use the irons. I am only 31 so I hope to be shooting the gun for a few decades, scope/iron swapping won't be a regular thing but maybe every couple of years. I have things pretty well narrowed down but I don't have much experience with scopes so here I am. I am currently considering 4 different scopes. 3 are Nikons, they area 2-7x32 ProStaff ($130 new, $95 refurb), 2-7x32 Monarch ($190), 3-9x40 Monarch ($200) and the last is a Sightron SII 3-9x42.

From the reviews I have read here at THR, it sounds like the Sightron compares favorable to the Nikon but nobody mentions which Nikon. Looking at price points I have to assume the posters meant a Buckmaster not the Monarch. I don't need a 3-9 on this gun since the max effective range is really around 125 yards but since 3-9 is more common than 2-7 is it possible the 3-9 is higher quality at the same price point?

Next point to tackle is the objective size, being a handy lever gun I think the 32mm objectives would be better for my walking/woods bumming purposes on the other hand how much difference can 8mm make????

Lastly, is the Monarch $60 better than the ProStaff, assuming new prices?

Thanks, Mitch

 

[wanderinwalker]

Mitch,

I've been kicking around the idea of scoping out my Marlin 1894 as well. My father had an 1895 Guide Gun with a 3-9x40mm scope on it for a while, and IMO, it is too much scope for a rifle of this size. It just ruins the balance and handling, at least for me.

So far the one that fits what I see as the best for this rifle is like a 1-4x with a 20mm scope. Something along the lines of a Leupold VX-1 1-4x20mm, or a Weaver V3 1-3x20 would be MY choice.

Option 2 is to go with an XS LeverScout mount and a 2x pistol scope. This is the way I am leaning, especially because it allows you to keep a receiver/ghost ring sight mounted up and zeroed, which I prefer to the buckhorns. Use QD rings and the scope should come off and go on while returning close to zero.

Option 2 is the way I'm leaning at the time being. Or option 3, which is to swap the Williams Firesight/Peep set for a set of XS Ghost Ring sights. But as yet my Marlin still wears irons, so...

Just my $.02, take it for what it's worth,
~Nathan

 

[PO2Hammer]

I started with a 1-4X shotgun scope on my 1894 CP (.357), didn't like the way it interfered with the hammer and the way it handled in general.

Bought an XS scout mount and put my trusty Trijicon Reflex on it. Great except it sat too high and did not come up to the eye smoothly or swiftly.

Tried a 2X Burris pistol scope on it, but I could not mount it far enough away from my eyes to get a good sight picture. (too much eye relief)

On a whim I tried a 2X Weaver pistol scope I eneded up with on a trade.
Perfect!!!
The eye relief is just right, I don't have to mount it way out there, so the balance is good, I used low verticaly split rings from Millet so the scope barely sits above the mount.
That alows for a lightning quick sight picture, even at across the room distances.
Very pleased with this setup.

So I guess my recomendation is to skip the big rifle scopes and give the scout method a try, after all it's not a .308 bolt gun.

 

[rdaines]

All this talk about scopes, unless you are shoot further than 100 yards why put a scope on a lever gun. Shooting deer with iron sights will be no problem. If your targets are small then OK. But a lever gun is a think of beauty as is, no scopes for me. I have "old" eyes and can shoot stationary clay birds at 100 yards with my Marlin in .41 Rem Mag. not off-hand but supported. Think about it.