Marlin 1894C questions....

[cslinger]

What is the difference between the following models???

1894C
1894CS
1894CP

I think there is a nother one that I have seen but I can't remember the two letter designation.

I believe the CP is the ported version and has been discontinued, but the difference between the C and CS has me stumped.

Thanks
Chris

 

[PAshooter]

Check their site:

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/

If I read it right, the 1894C has a round 18.5" barrel, the 1894CB (Cowboy) has a 20" tapered octagon barrel (a mite fancier).

And IIRC, you're right, the CP was a ported version that's been discontinued.

Nice carbines.

 

[BryanP]

Y'know Chris, I've wondered the same thing. I've seen a CP in the past but passed on it. In addition to the porting it had a 16.25" barrel and an 8-shot tubular magazine as opposed to the C/CS's 18.5" barrel and 9-shot mag.

The one I bought says 1894C on the rifle itself, but the manual that came with it says Model 1894CS. Everything I've found online where people describe both models they appear to be identical. I did find one post in a forum that indicated the S was added when they added the crossbolt safety, but there's no explanation as to why they would have dropped it again.

Since Marlin no longer hosts a forum I suspect that the places to ask would be either the Leverguns Forum or the Marlinowners Forum.

 

[Deadman]

1894C -> http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/1894_centerfireRifles/1894C.htm


1894CP -> http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/1894_centerfireRifles/1894CP.htm


As for the 1894CS, wasn't that a stainless .357 rifle?

 

[Preacherman]

IIRC:

1894C - 20" barrel, .44 Magnum caliber;

1894CS - 18½" barrel, .357 Magnum caliber;

1894CP - 16¼" ported barrel, .44 Magnum caliber.

The stainless version of the 1894C is (I think) the 1894SS.

 

[treeprof]

Marlin's system is screwy and inconsistent, but I strongly believe the following to be correct:

1894C - Currently (and since 2001) a 18 1/2" 357 mag. From 1979 - 1984, the 1894C was the same as today (inlc. .357 mag) except it did not have the hammer block safety.

1894CS - What the current 1894C .357 mag was called between 1984 and 2001. "S" denotes the addition of the safety in 1984.

1894CP - 16 1/4" ported bbl in .357 mag. Discont'd.

1894P = 16 1/4 ported .44 mag. discont'd.

1894SS - Current stainless version of 1894 in .44 mag.

1894 - Currently manuf .44 mag w/a 20" bbl. This model was called the 1894 from 1969 - 1984, and then the 1894S from 1984 until 2001 (just like the 1894C/CS), again the "S" denoting the added hammer block safetybeginning in 1984. It was changed back to 1894 in 2001.

The 1894 w/out any special designation was also manuf in .41 mag and .45 Colt at various times. The 1894 in .41 mag is now catalogued as the 1894FG.

there are some other discon't variants:

1894S Limited in a 16 1/4" bbl manuf in 1996.

1894SC LTD in .44 mag (1996) or .45 Colt (1997), both w/16 1/4" bbl.

1894CL in .218 Bee (highly prized) and some cowboy calibers in late 80's and early 90's.

plus a few others.

The "S" became superfluous when all of the Marlins got the safety, but it took them a while to change back. Numbering system of the 336 and 1895 has been similarly tinkered with.

I would trade my left one for a 1894CL in .218 Bee if anyone knows of one.

 

[Kestrel]

For years, I have wanted Marlin to bring out a 16" NON ported .44 mag...

I don't understand why they don't.

 

[BryanP]

Update.

Okay, after some digging and answering of questions the most sensible sequence I have found is this -

Originally it was the Marlin 1894C. They added the S to the end to indicate the addition of the Crossbolt Safety - 1894CS. They dropped the S and went back to 1894C when they released the 1894SS (Stainless Steel in .44 magnum) to reduce the possibility of confusion.

 

[cslinger]

Clear as mud guys. Thanks

Just kidding. I didn't mean to open up this whole can of worms.

What is the difference between micro groove rifling and ballard and when did they go to ballard?

I have heard there were some issues with the micro groove.

Thanks
Chris

 

[BryanP]

From the Marlin FAQ page -

Q) Why has Marlin changed its rifling on Models 1894S, 1894CS and 1895SS from Micro-Groove® to Ballard-type cut rifling?

A) To accommodate the use of cast lead bullets.(Jacketed bullets will still function reliably.)


Apparently cast lead bullets didn't function terribly well with micro-groove rifling.