Big 5 Marlin 1894's

[ArmedBear]

AFAIK they're 1894H models, with uncheckered hardwood stocks. They have .357, .44 and .45LC rifles.

When they're on sale, the prices are good. Regular prices aren't.

Currently, my dealer can't get an 1894C, but when they are available, they'd be just over $450.

Are the Big 5 guns different in any way OTHER than the stocks? Are they rougher inside or out?

Any other thoughts?

Should I consider the Big 5 version if I can get it for $375 NIB? Or should I look harder for the 1894C?

 

[Titus]

I have seen it said here and there that the Big 5 guns have microgroove rather than Ballard barrels, but haven't seen on in person myself.

 

[ArmedBear]

Word is that Micro-Groove doesn't work so well on centerfire lead bullets.

Anyone know from experience?

(It works fine for .22LR, but that's a different animal, of course.)

 

[Boats]

I'd have a Big 5 1984C if they'd ever been available again locally, but only .30-30s were showing up when I was last looking. On the thuddies, other than the stocks, there was no discernable difference I could detect. Then again, the local Big 5 zip ties all of their actions shut, so if there is functional roughness or different rifling, I wouldn't have found it.

OTOH, Marlin still backs those rifles fully, so I have no expectations that they cut corners other than using birch.

All that said, I have a Walnut stocked 1894C and much prefer the 20" $629.00 1894CBC that I picked up. Save up. The smooth walnut stocks, the extra round of capacity, the octagonal barrel, the ability to tang sight it all add up to a better gun. It also swings better from target to target.

 

[ArmedBear]

How different is the sight on the Cowboy?

Is it adjustable for windage?

I'm looking for a light, short field gun, first and foremost. Is the lighter, shorter carbine barrel really that much of a handicap?

I appreciate swing, since I shoot trap and clays. But if the shorter 1894 is "pointable" that will do for the purpose.

 

[.45&TKD]

The only difference is the walnut checkered stock. If that is worth $100 to you then by the one you want. Buying a new walnut stock from Marlin would cost $130 plus tax and shipping. I decided to pass on the Big 5 1984 44 mag for $380 and wait to get what I want for an extra $100.

 

[BamBam-31]

Ditto what he said.

I have the Big 5 special, and the only difference is the stock. No micro-groove. Fit and finish on the metal is pretty darn slick. Go with the hardwood if it's to be a brush gun--no tears when the real American walnut stock gets scuffed and scratched.

My 1894 Big 5 Special is a sweet little shooter, that's for sure. Got the Williams peep and FO sight set on it. One of my favorite range plinkers. Got mine when they were on sale for $330, added in the 10% off internet coupon (no longer available, I think), and was out the door with it for $350. Woo-hoo!

Even at the $375, I'd still go for it if I were you. "Light, short field gun" is a pretty darn good description of what it is. Load it up with .357's and it should serve you well.

 

[JustsayMo]

As far as I can tell my Big5 1894C only lacked the walnut/checkered stock of the higher end. Finish and function is as good to my eye.

The Big 5 Marlins have BALLARD rifling, at least the 357 and 45 Colt (was no longer offered last time I checked) versions.

In my experience the Microgroove and Ballard both shoot properly sized cast bullets very well. I believe the microgroove barrels are slightly easier to clean too.

Microgroove Marlins I own or have owned
1894 44 mag pre safety
336 RC 30-30 pre safety
39A
39A Mountie 1965 vintage
39A Mountie 1964 vintage
39 TDS
All shoot lead bullets very well.

Ballard Grooved Marlins I've owned or own
1894C 357 Big 5 version
1894 CB 45 Colt
336 CB 30-30
1895 45-70
1895 G 45-70 ported
1895 GS 45-70
1895 CB

Hmmm, I think I've had two or three others but they escape me at the moment.

 

[ArmedBear]

I do kinda like the rubber buttpad on the walnut.

But otherwise, if I'm going to beat it up in the brush and rocks here, I'd feel better about the cheap stock, and it's easier to make a smooth stock look acceptable than a checkered one, if it's trashed.

Some Big 5's here still have a .45 or two around. I was contemplating that, too, just because they ARE hard to find, but can't come up with any other really good reason to get one right now.

 

[Boats]

How different is the sight on the Cowboy?

Is it adjustable for windage?

The stock sight is the good old open buckhorn sight. It's what you can do with the Cowboy aftermarket that makes it the better carbine to me.

Here it is: The Marble's Tang Sight



Adjustable for windage, elevation, and you can put in different apetures.

IMO, this is the best way to maximize the .357 Magnum's potential as a carbine round shy of scoping the rifle. The regular 1894Cs have their serial numbers right where this contraption would mount and a hole needs drilling, an issue I haven't bothered with on the regular 1894C. There are peep sights that use the receiver scope mounting holes, but they are rather ugly by comparison and not finely adjustable.

I'm looking for a light, short field gun, first and foremost. Is the lighter, shorter carbine barrel really that much of a handicap?

I appreciate swing, since I shoot trap and clays. But if the shorter 1894 is "pointable" that will do for the purpose.

The handling difference between 18.5' and 20" is nominal. I just prefer the little bit of extra weight out front. Both rifles balance well, it's just a matter of preference and I like the extra round too.

The 1894C is handy.
The 1894CBC is handy and cooler than the 1894C, but you pay for it.

 

[JustsayMo]

If you need reasons to buy one in 45 Colt, I'm your man

One of them is you can always sell it to me if you don't like it.

.452" = bigger factor

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Boats,

Do you have to drill any holes in the tang of the Marlin Cowboy to mount that tang sight, or are there already 2 appropriately placed holes for it?

 

[Boats]

Man I am screwing this up from work going off memory. I sent my rifle to my gunsmith and he charged me $35.00 for the install. I am sure that he had to drill and tap one hole but he also sighted it in off of the semi-buckhorn. I am almost certain a second hole had to be drilled and tapped, but I'd have to go to the store and see one naked again to be absolutely certain.

The problem on regular 1894Cs is that the tang is exactly where they decided to put the serial number on those rifles. Mounting a tang sight on this model DEFINITELY requires drilling another hole in addition to the stock screw hole, which could result in the partial obliteration of the serial number and not a DIY job due to having to drill precisely through hardened steel.

On the CBCs the serial number is located on the left side of the receiver, nearly at the bottom rear corner, well out of the way of any conceivable modifications.

 

[Victum]

1894C vs 1894 Cowboy Limited

I bought an 1894C last October at Big 5 for just over $300 OTD. It's got the hardwood stock. Great gun. In fact I hauled it home in a gun case bungeed to my Harley. When I got home I thought hmmm.... so I removed the one tang screw and pulled off the butt stock. I'll be danged if it didn't just fit in the saddle bag of the ElectraGlide. Cool. When I started shooting Cowboy Action in March I begin with 38 Spcl in the 1894C because I wanted 10 rds without having to reload. The mag spring can be cut so you can get 10 357 in with no function problems, which I did. Then last month I got the itch to have an 1894 Cowboy. The '94C has an 181/2" barrel and the Cowboy is 20". Metal work is comparable. Wood on Cowboys can vary but some of it is quite nice and it is walnut. Cowboy has no barrel bands, it has a blued forend tip and the mag tube is dovetailed in to the bottom of the barrel near the muzzle. Cowboy was over twice the $. I like 'em both and they're both keepers. That being said, if I just wanted a reliable 38/357 carbine the 1894C sure fills the bill. You can learn a bunch more at Marlinowners on the net. Be careful here though 'cause Marlin levers have a habit of afflicting folks with the desire to have more.