[Thirties]

Aside from the CBC (cowboy carbine?) having a tapered octagonal barrel, what other differences are there between these Marlin lever guns?

[MrAcheson]

Its CowBoy Competition. The CBC is also only intended to run on .38sp instead of the .357/.38 of the 1894C. Less flexibility but more reliability and accuracy (in theory).

[Thirties]

Physically, what does "cowboy" mean in a Marlin lever gun (aside from the octagonal barrel).

Are they better finished in the action?

Are the sights different?

Just curious.

[MrAcheson]

My guess is that those guns are design for cowboy action shooting specifically with compatible sights and barrels that will shoot unjacketed lead well (unlike the old microgroove barrels). They are probably prettier than standard guns and have more "historic" features like straight stocks instead of pistol grips. Perhaps better action work, but maybe not.

[Brian Williams]

1894c is a 18.5 barreled Blue steel receiver, round barrel, some are micro groove, some are Ballard (deep groove), typically straight checkered stock with a rubber recoil pad, 2 barrel bands, 1 for the forearm and one out front. Sights are a folding rear and "gold" bead front with a cover. It can take 9 357's or 10 38 spec in the tube mag.

The 1894cbc is a Casehardened receiver with a 20 or 24 inch tapered octogon barrel, ????? rifling, typically a nicer wood uncheckeredstraight stock with a curved metal buttplate, small metal foreend retainer instead of a barrel band, 1 barrel band out front, Sights are a Semi buckhorn rear and a post front. It can take 10 38 spec only, if you take out the "back scratcher" in the mag tube you can get 12 or 13. The Cowboy has been tweaked from the factory to run better, something you can do with a little time and the directions that can be found searching the Marlin Cowboy site for the "dreaded Marlin Jam".
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=4
http://marauder13.homestead.com/files/marlin94fix.html

Get the 1894c and enjoy

[Thirties]

Perfessr, I got one waiting for me. Will be picking up the 1984C close to the end of January. Looking forward to it.

The reason I ask relates the new Marlin 1894 .32H&R Magnum lever gun. I've read this will have the octagonal barrel. So I figured they were making it in the "cowboy" series, and I wanted to know what some of the other 'cowboy" attributes are compared with the more plain model 1894C, which I will be getting.

So, now you know my motive...

Thanks.