Big 5 1894 - Anything to check?

[ArmedBear]

"Search" is not working for me, but I seem to recall someone writing about a problem with a Big 5 Marlin pistol caliber lever gun.

I'm looking to finally buy a .357 from them. The price is sure right, for what I want, and the checkered walnut version is hard to find even for $120 more.

Is there something to check for, to make sure I'm getting a good one? Fit, finish, function?

Thanks in advance.

 

[dasmi]

No info for you, but which Big 5 are you shopping at? I'd like to get a lever gun myself.

 

[ArmedBear]

Probably Loma Portal.

They're on sale for $379 at all the stores. 1894 smooth hardwood stocks, in .357,.44 and .45.

Also 336A, but $379 is not a good deal IMO. I'd rather pay a few bucks more and get a MUCH nicer stock and a buttpad on a 336C.

 

[cortez kid]

Are these new? I've got a dealer here in Pa and he wants $350 for a 1894 in .44, used. And not used too well. Would love to get one in .44 to sit beside my 336 in 30-30. Justs seems like a lot of money for a fairly used Marlin.
kid

 

[tube_ee]

No worries

So far as I can tell, the only difference in the Cinco Grande 1894s is the wood.

I love mine.

--Shannon

 

[Uncle Chan]

The Marlin 1894s are good, much better than the Winchester. As a CAS competitor, I can tell you they are about as reliable as you can hope for.

 

[ArmedBear]

Winchester fell a long way over the years.

Last week, I plinked with an antique 1892 in .38-40, and it was solid as a rock and smooth as silk. Owner still uses it as a "working gun" in Montana. They haven't made them like that for a long while.

That said, I really do like Marlins.

 

[Sun195]

I have a Big 5 1894C and it's been a great gun. It's pretty plain, but gets the job done. Mine seems to feed both .38s and .357s fine (so far).

If you have a chance to look at several, do so. Some of the ones I looked at had minor stock defects (bad fit, dings, etc.) Also, my local Big 5's didn't all carry the 1894C and calling ahead was worthless because the gun person didn't know what they had. Still, it's a great deal when they're on sale.

 

[fireflyfather]

The Vista store has knowledgeable clerks. The Convoy Street store, not so much. Sports Arena has at least one guy who knows what he's doing.

 

[surjimmy]

You might check out randgfirearms.com These guys are great to deal with. If u don't see it ask, they have alot more then posted.

 

[ArmedBear]

Unfortunately, it would have to be pretty cheap, to make up for the cost of shipping and doing an FFL transfer here, and CA adds sales tax when you do the transfer.

California has no problem at all with wealthy people buying high-end firearms; they just want to make sure that regular joes can't get a good deal on them.

 

[mikewalker]

A decent Big 5?

Hm? All these posts are are a shock. The Big 5's in the Seattle area will all be 25-30% more expensive than any other store for guns. Their "On Sale" prices are about 100$ more than anyone else's regular price.

They also have a reputation for shady advertising.

ie Item #123 normally 425$ on sale for 365$, well if you go in you will see that Item#123 is never more than 390$

 

[ArmedBear]

All that may be true, but Big 5 got a special run of Marlin 1894's with smooth hardwood stocks, in .357, .44 and .45. They're a good deal cheaper than any other 1894 out there, when they're on sale, and .45 is not available at all in anything but the expensive Cowboy version, other than at Cinco Grande. They make great working guns.

 

[pbhome71]

ArmedBear,

Did you get it (or them ? Please let us know how you like it.

I got mine from Big5 a couple of years back. If I remember correctly, some of them had front-sight protector, some don't. I picked one that has the protector.

Good Luck.

-Pat

 

[mikewalker]

lucky guys...

Well the Big 5's in Cali. must be run by a whole differant type of management. Just looking at the latest flyer from the Seattle one near me.

"All shoes 75% off" Of course when you go in you'll find that's only in mens size 5 or 14.

Saw a Popel Pocket Fisherman in there (remember those?) Price tag said 29.99. The flyer in that weeks paper had them on sale at 19.99 down from 49.99 and it's no typo.

Ask'em about guns and you get "uh they shoot things, right?":banghead:

Too bad too. Seattle gun shops are getting more rare than Libs with 50 cals. Hm? I see Mosin Nagants at 89.99...where's my wallet..?

 

[ArmedBear]

WRT their regular vs. sale prices...

Their regular prices are bull****.

If you ask for the "last sale price" on an item, especially if you know what that price was, you can often get it. I'd never buy their stuff at "regular price".

However, I figure that $379 for a new 1894C is more than acceptable, whatever they call that price.

 

[ArmedBear]

Bought it.

Went to my regular shop, where I have a range membership and therefore get 5% off gun purchases.

They wanted $509 for an 1894C in checkered walnut, so $483 for me. Not a bad price, but they can't actually get one. The guy said people put deposits on them, and when they're available, the store snaps up the guns for which people have deposits. I suppose that shows how much people like the 1894C. But it also made buying one today, that I could look over, for $100+ less, pretty attractive, even with the plainer stock.