What do you all think about the Marlin lever action chambered for 357/ 38?

[SwordRapier]

I have been considering looking at the gun. Don’t really have much use for it besides killing the odd aluminum can or as a paper punch. I already have a 22lr and I want the lever action to make my dad jealous. He is obsessed with lever actions. It stems from his childhood.

 

[tnhunter93]

If all you're ever going to want to do with it is punch paper and cans, etc., then I'm sure you'd enjoy it. I chose the 1894 in .44 because I also wanted to do some hunting with it and the .44 is much better should you want a short range deer or hog rifle to go along with your plinker. The Marlin 1894 is a very nice rifle. Not all .357/.38 carbines allow scope mounting if that matters to you (ex. the Puma). The Marlin has a very similar system to the fine 336 and usually uses the same bases.
Good Luck

 

[Envisaged]

It is a very nice leveraction. I prefer the Cowboy Special model with the octagonal barrel.

 

[SwordRapier]

No hogs in Utah and I not sure I would have to check the proclimation but I don't think the state will let us hunt with the 44 mag. It has been a long time since I have hunted deer.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

I'm a huge fan of Marlin. They're fantastic rifles.

You can't go wrong with one.

 

[rob_s]

I had an 1894CS in .357 for awhile and put about 1k rounds through it at various plinking sessions. I was very happy with the gun, albeit finding the action and sights to be out of date. I sold it in part because I couldn't carry it as my truck gun anymore and in part because I couldn't find synthetic stocks for it at the time.

 

[Shawnee]

It has F.U.N. written all over it like pepperoni on pizza!!!

 

[cjbecker]

I am considering getting a 1894 in .357 38 special because I have a S

and W model 36 handgun that is chambered in 38 special. I think it would

be fun to have a rifle and handgun in the same caliber. Also 38 specials

are pretty cheep to buy. It would be a fun gun to shoot and it is accurate.

 

[Kilgor]

I have one and it's ok. I would prefer a .44 magnum. The .357 lever action doesn't really do anything well, but it does a lot of things marginally.

It can be an ok deer gun if you choose the right loads and don't shoot past 100 yards.

It can be an ok home defense carbine, but there are much better ones available.

It is cheap to shoot, but a 9mm or .22 carbine is cheaper.

It's light and handy, but so is a .44 magnum carbine.

 

[ArmedBear]

I love mine, and while I'll probably get a .44 also, I wouldn't part with the .357/.38. Try it and you'll see why.

Kilgor has some points, but a 9mm carbine? Please. Now that's a gun with no purpose whatsoever, IMO.

.22LR lever guns are also a LOT of fun, BTW...

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I think it's awesome, espec. with a saddle ring and/or large loop - and, it can "pop" a lot more than just cans.

 

[DssG19]

Don't hesitate to get the .357 levergun. Best plinker in my collection. Alot more fun than any
.22(IMHO), I reload so it's cheap to shoot.

 

[Kilgor]

...a 9mm carbine? Please. Now that's a gun with no purpose whatsoever, IMO.

I'd rather have a 9mm carbine for in home defense. Faster shots, more shots, don't have to work a lever under stress. That's just me though.

This thread is making me think about selling my 1894CP. I'll probably keep it though. I only sell guns if I REALLY don't like them and the .357 is a nifty little carbine. Just make sure it really is going to do what you want done before you buy it.

 

[ThomasT]

I have a Marlin in 32 mag, 357 mag and 44 mag. The 357 is my favorite. Its the most useful gun I own. Not the biggest or most powerful, not the most accurate but the one rifle that will do for 95% of the shooting I need to do.

My only regret is trying to find a used one. I wasted a lot of time that I could have used to be shooting.

I have round ball loads up to full power loads. If i were going to depend on one rifle this would be a top contender as long as I can have my reloading kit.

Good luck finding one. They are scarce.

I also have 2 9mm rifles. I don't think they are useless at all. My hunting buddies son killed his first deer with a Marlin 9mm. Shot right through it and the deer dropped after 40 yards. He said blood was squirting out of both bullet holes.

 

[ArmedBear]

I'd rather have a 9mm carbine for in home defense.

I can carry a gun with better ballistics in my pocket. Or one in each pocket. If I'm going to shoot a pistol round, I prefer pistol portability.

The .357 gains a lot in a carbine barrel -- not that my 1894C is ever my HD go-to gun -- the 9mm gains almost nothing.

That was my point.

 

[ditch_dgr]

I got my wife a 1894C in .357/.38 for Christmas, she loves it. It is managable for her to shoot, makes a big bang and she blows the middle of the target out at 50 yds. I like hte gun so much I am thinking about getting the 44.

The only problem we have experienced is that it appears all the .357 ammo is gone in Southeast Virginia.

 

[Brian Williams]

It is a great gun and I highly recommend one for anybody, It will do 98% of what I need in a rifle.

 

[hemiram]

It will probably be my first rifle in like 30 years.

 

[Big Bill]

Weapon Restrictions

Here are the rules in Idaho. I bet Utah is similar. You could hunt with a .357 - .38 special. rifle.

Rifle and Shotgun

In any hunt, including any-weapon seasons, it is unlawful to
pursue or kill big game animals:

• By any means other than approved firearms,
muzzleloaders and archery methods.
• With any electronic device attached to, or incorporated
on, the firearm or scope; except scopes containing
battery powered or tritium lighted reticles are allowed.
• With any firearm that, in combination with a scope, sling
and/or any attachments, weighs more than 16 pounds.
• With any fully automatic firearm.
• With any shotgun using shot smaller than #00 buck.
• With any rimfire rifle, rimfire handgun, or muzzleloading
handgun, except for mountain lion.

 

[ArmedBear]

• With any firearm that, in combination with a scope, sling
and/or any attachments, weighs more than 16 pounds.

I did not know that!

I may have to sell my Weatherby.

The Super Blackhawk 10 1/2" should be fine as long as I don't scope it.

Is that loaded or unloaded weight?

 

[bonedust]

i have the Marlin in 38/357 and 44, and i highly reccomend them. we are actually doing a tactical build on the 38 right now. razor edged lever, anyone?

 

[Kilgor]

...razor edged lever, anyone?

No thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bonedust]

OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JImbothefiveth]

If you just want a lever action for plinking, why not get a marlin 39a?

 

[woof]

On top of all that has been said, my 1894c is second only to the CZ carbine in, for me, most ergonomic with that - part of my body - feel.