New Marlin 1894 rifles? Good, bad, ugly?

[DonnyCommo]

So. Aside from being obsessed with sigs, I have an obsession with lever guns. Has anyone picked up a new production Marlin 1894 in 357 mag? Good, bad, or ugly? Thinking about snagging one as a brush gun.
My 30-30 front is good with 2 Marlin 336s, a 1916 saddle ring 1894 (1916 manufacture date) and a post 64 1984.

Anywho, just looking at something different. What sayeth everyone?


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[Great-Kazoo]

Good Luck finding one, anywhere. When you do check your wallet. FWIW: I'd spend money on a used Rossi before a new marlin

[DonnyCommo]

Good Luck finding one, anywhere. When you do check your wallet. FWIW: I'd spend money on a used Rossi before a new marlin

I've thought about the rossi too, alas wasn't too impressed with them. However I suppose if the right one came up for the money I'd consider it


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[Zombie Steve]

They ain't what they used to be, and good luck getting any customer service from them (or Winchester, for that matter). Find BobbyFairbanks here on the forum. He has really recent bad experiences with both.

Based on what I'm seeing out there right now, I say Henry has the best lever gun going (in your case, the Big Boy Steel or the BB Carbine). Yes, you'll have to load the tube differently, but take a look and you'll see what I mean. They are nice rifles.

Rossi are hit and miss IMHO. I had a 92 that was ok, but I got to pick from 3 the day they showed up at the gun shop. The other 2 felt like there was gravel in the action. As it turned out, mine was good for cowboy - standard .45 Colt loads, but the chamber was pretty sloppy, so anything remotely hot and the brass would guppy out on you. On the other hand, it fed everything (including semi wadcutters).

[DonnyCommo]

They ain't what they used to be, and good luck getting any customer service from them (or Winchester, for that matter). Find BobbyFairbanks here on the forum. He has really recent bad experiences with both.

Based on what I'm seeing out there right now, I say Henry has the best lever gun going (in your case, the Big Boy Steel or the BB Carbine). Yes, you'll have to load the tube differently, but take a look and you'll see what I mean. They are nice rifles.

Rossi are hit and miss IMHO. I had a 92 that was ok, but I got to pick from 3 the day they showed up at the gun shop. The other 2 felt like there was gravel in the action. As it turned out, mine was good for cowboy - standard .45 Colt loads, but the chamber was pretty sloppy, so anything remotely hot and the brass would guppy out on you. On the other hand, it fed everything (including semi wadcutters).

Ack, yeah I'm thinking I may go the Henry route.


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[Zombie Steve]

My wife has a Henry Golden Boy Youth. I know centerfire is a different beast, but the fit and finish on my wife's rifle is really amazing for the price. That, and it's accurate. If she can see it, she can hit it.

What's catching my eye is the .45-70 lever action. It's kinda killing me that I cast 405 grain .458's and don't have anything to shoot them through.

[Daniel_187]

Saw a slide action in .357 at cabelas, Not really what you are looking for but it looked nice. The Henry's looked way better then the Marlin's did with fit and finish.

[Tinelement]

Ack, yeah I'm thinking I may go the Henry route.


Picked up a Henry 45-70 last November. Great little rifle. Super happy with it so far.

[Great-Kazoo]

Saw a slide action in .357 at cabelas, Not really what you are looking for but it looked nice. The Henry's looked way better then the Marlin's did with fit and finish.

Which one, what brand pump action .357 and how much (if you noticed) ?

[rondog]

Here you go, another addiction for ya..... http://www.marlinowners.com/

[wctriumph]

I have had and have levers from Winchester, Marlin, Rossi, Henry, Ruger. The American made Winchester, older Marlin and the Henry are the best. The Ruger .22 was OK but I would take the 10-22 if given a choice. I have had two Rossi and like all things Taurus, I don't feel I will ever own another. I had to sell my Henry BB in .44 magnum when I badly needed cash and wish I still had it.

At recent gun shows, new Henry BB in .357 were pretty much in the $700 +/- range and used Marlins were a little higher and Winchesters were unreasonable. There is a Nice one on Armslist right now:

http://www.armslist.com/posts/4233896/fort-collins-colorado-rifles-for-sale--winchester-94ae--357-lever-action-rifle

If it was a .44 mag and I was rich it would already be sold. As it is, it is the longer barrel, angle eject and crossbolt safety. No much interest in that combination so he may let it go for less.

Good luck.