Marlin 1894c - Big 5 sale - no checkering?

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Shalako

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I am itching to get my hands on a Marlin 1894c in .357. Big 5 Sporting Goods has them regularly on sale for $299. Thats a better price than I can find on line. But I noticed that all the Big 5 Marlin 1894c's in my area are without checkering on the stock? Without checkering for a good grip, I'm not sure that the price of $299 is so good anymore. This will be a utility gun used for hunting, desert bumming, and life behind the seat of a 4x4.

What do you think?
a.) Shell out another 70 or so bucks plus shipping and fees to locate a model with checkering, or
b.) who needs checkering, its not that big a deal....

Thanks for the help!
 
For $299 I'd get the rifle, then invest $30 in a Dembart checkering starter kit & checker it myself. It's not terribly difficult - it just takes patience. You can do the work on your kitchen table, reloading bench, etc.
 
I got one of those $299 Marlins in 45 LC. Never noticed that difference in checkering with or without. But I shoot 8mm Mausers M48As, and SKSs that don't have checkering. I also shoot Remington shotguns and Marline rifles with checkering. I don't think it's that big a deal. They all shoot better than I do.
 
No checkering? Well, I just got one (with checkering) from the special order book at Walmart for $360. I put my order in on a Saturday, so they had to wait til Monday to order it in, but I picked it up on Thursday. I have a Trapper in .44 that doesn't have checkering and it never occured to me that I was missing it. If I had an option, I might well have gone the $299 route and put the savings toward the XS Lever Scout mount I put on it.
 
I wish mine DIDN'T have the checkering OR the safety:mad: , but I still think it is one of the greatest little carbines ever!

I still kick myself for selling a Browning B92 .357 mag 'cause it wasn't a .44 mag.

Sigh, we get so soon old and so late smart......
 
Checkering isnt really that big of a deal. It looks nice but for 299 bucks I wouldnt sweat it. You can always use a little grip tape later.
 
The other difference is that the 1894C's for Big 5 don't have walnut stocks. They're walnut-stained hardwood.

Still, I'd get one if I were you. In the DFW area, an 1894C is hard to get at any price. I shudder to think how much more the checkered walnut stock cost me!

These are terrific little rifles, and useful for everything from plinking around with .38's to hunting everything up to small deer.
 
I've been mulling this over in my head lately as well. Do I go with the Marlin or the Winchester? From what I gathered, Marlin makes a better pistol caliber lever action. Anyone have experience with both to compare them?
 
As I mentioned, I have an 1894c and a .44 Trapper. No complaints about either one really, but the Trapper feels a little small on me. I considered the Winchester options when I went for the .357, but decided to give the Marlin a try. I'll have to get them both out side-by-side and see if it's all in my head or not. :)
 
As pointed out by Nathanael_Greene the stocks on those Big5's are stained hardwood.

Therefore be sure you check out the color match between the buttstock and the forestock. I noticed that there can be quite a discrepancy.

Other than that it seems a pretty good deal.
 
I have the Big 5 special 1894 in .45 LC. As previously noted, the difference is the stock: its birch and not checkered. The hardware is otherwise standard issue. At $299, it's a great gun!

I have a 39A and an 1897 both with the American black walnut stock with checkering. It adds a nice touch but adds $150 to $200 to the price.
 
Regarding Marlin v.s. Winchester in 44Magnum.

If you look at their spec, the Winchester has faster twist rate than Marlin's. This may, or may not effect your decision, but something to think about. For me, I would get Marlin in 357Mag, and a Winchester in 44Mag.

I stopped by a Big 5 and chat with the manager at the gun counter. A very nice guy and knowledgable. He said that the Marlin, and the Winchester are on sale pretty often, and if I like, he can give me one at that price, on-sale, or not.

-Pat
 
You're going to love that little rifle.

I'd think that with a little publicity, Marlin could sell a million of 'em.
 
So I went back and compared the 1894c and the Trapper, and it was in my head. :) The Trapper was actually a little longer on the shooter's end. Weird, but I still like the feel of the 1894 better.
 
Awesome price!!!!

I bought the one with checkered black walnut........$580.00.( All guns in NJ
are over priced) But still great price. After a few rounds you'll wonder why
you didn't get one sooner. Be careful thought with the wallet, after
a while you'll want to buy a matching revo. My 1894 cost me the purchase
price of a S&W 686+. Another piece of advice, the marlins like heavier
bullets, mine does great with 158's but even better with 180's.
 
Awesome price!!!!

I bought the one with checkered black walnut........$580.00.( All guns in NJ
are over priced) But still great price. After a few rounds you'll wonder why
you didn't get one sooner. Be careful thought with the wallet, after
a while you'll want to buy a matching revo. My 1894 cost me the purchase
price of a S&W 686+. Another piece of advice, the marlins like heavier
bullets, mine does great with 158's but even better with 180's.
 
Awesome price!!!!

I bought the one with checkered black walnut........$580.00.( All guns in NJ
are over priced) But still great price. After a few rounds you'll wonder why
you didn't get one sooner. Be careful thought with the wallet, after
a while you'll want to buy a matching revo. My 1894 cost me the purchase
price of a S&W 686+. Another piece of advice, the marlins like heavier
bullets, mine does great with 158's but even better with 180's.
 
Awesome price!!!!

I bought the one with checkered black walnut........$580.00.( All guns in NJ
are over priced) But still great price. After a few rounds you'll wonder why
you didn't get one sooner. Be careful thought with the wallet, after
a while you'll want to buy a matching revo. My 1894 cost me the purchase
price of a S&W 686+. Another piece of advice, the marlins like heavier
bullets, mine does great with 158's but even better with 180's.
 
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