Deerfield or Marlin 1894?

[kennygarza]

I'm looking into getting a .44 carbine. Any info as to which one you'd go with is appreciated. I like the lever gun but I don't know about the straight grip stock. I like the semi-auto, but it seems kinda pricey. Any pros or cons on either of these?
KG

 

[slabsides]

Do you intend to handload, or use only factory ammo? The Ruger must use jacketed bullets, or the gas orifice gets leaded up and the thing is a bear to clean out. Semi-auto flings empties into the grass, where many are lost. Good brass is a terrible thing to waste.
You can use .44 Specials for a light fun load in the Marlin, but they wouldn't function in the Ruger.
Marlin probably has a slight edge in accuracy.
Marlin costs less.
Your choice.
Yes, I'm a Marlin fan. Used to have a Ruger, traded it for a Marlin.

 

[Pork Fat]

Ruger lever ?

Didn't Ruger make a .44 lever carbine? Looked kinda like the auto- one piece stock? Do they still make it? Is this something I just brain-spasmed, or what?

Now doubting myself

 

[Old Time Hunter]

Ruger still makes a .44 lever, about < $400 at Wal Mart/guns .com. Personally I would go with a Marlin Camp lever or find a Win '94 trapper in .44 mag.

 

[Ranger J]

I have had good luck with the Deerfield. Mine will make a ragged hole with 240g SP at 50 yards. The down side is that it not to be shot with cast bullets and will not handle 300g jacketed bullets. With factory and heavy hand loads the function has been flawless. You will probably have to decide if you like the idea of an auto or lever action gun best, or you could just get both.
RJ

 

[ArmedBear]

Didn't Ruger make a .44 lever carbine? Looked kinda like the auto- one piece stock? Do they still make it? Is this something I just brain-spasmed, or what?

No, you didn't. But I think they did.

A Deerfield makes sense if you have a specific need for a gun that will fire four rounds really fast, and don't mind tightening screws and cleaning a semiauto. I'm sick of cleaning semiautos, myself.

The Marlin makes sense if you want a gun that shoots 10 rounds pretty fast, inexpensive, very well built, easier to clean, has a checkered walnut stock and doesn't shoot its own screws loose. As an added bonus, it comes in stainless.

I like straight grips, so I can't comment on what you might like. They're urually more comfortable to carry in the field.

 

[kennygarza]

Yes, 10 shot capacity is a lot funner than just 4. I've got my eyes on a Marlin. Just out of curiosity, what is the average price of plinker ammo? I was hoping 50 rds. for around $12- $14. Maybe I'm mistaken.
KG

 

[ArmedBear]

The Marlin shoots .38 Special ammo as well. So plinker ammo should be readily available for under $10 for 50. On the other end of the spectrum, you can get legit deer rounds for it, too, for a good deal more money.

The Marlin 1894C is one of the most versatile long guns around, I think. As long as you don't need grizzly defense or a 300 yard deer round, you can do everything from plink to hunt big game with it.

EDIT: Oops, you're talking about the .44 version. A bit more for the ammo, then. I'm not sure how set you are on the caliber, but if you do want a good plinker too, the .357 gun is shorter and lighter, but a real cannon with Buffalo Bore ammo.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I've always been a Marlin lever fan (they're not 'camp', that was an auto).
I have the 1894 CP (no longer made 16" .357) that shoots any .357 or .38. Some loads will do 2-3 inches at 100 yards with a scope.
I fired the Ruger .44 once, I thought it was really nice and it seemed to handle recoil better than the Marlins.
I do like the tubular mags though. 11 rounds of Corbon hunting 180 grain soft points in a carbine smaller than most .22's is 'a good thing'.

 

[MinScout]

I have a Marlin 1894 PG (pistol grip) which I like really well. I don't know if Marlin still makes them, but maybe you can find a used one.

 

[fatjosh]

The deerfield looks like a great weapon. I have been considering it for a while. But the lack of any higher capacity mags has mad me reluctant. even a 10 rounder would be perfect.

 

[Preacherman]

The Deerfield is an excellent gun, handicapped by two problems:

1. Limited magazine capacity.

2. Unable to handle the full spectrum of .44 Magnum rounds, particularly lead bullets.

A Marlin 1894 holds more than twice as many rounds, and can handle anything from the 180gr. self-defence hollowpoints to the 300gr. deep-penetration loads like Federal's CastCore. With a bit of gunsmithing, it can even handle the super-heavy Garrett and Buffalo Bore loads.

 

[whiskey]

marlin

Another vote for the marlin. Marlin did make the 1894 PG with pistol grip and I would love to find one on the used martket at a good price, but it is truely just looks. I have a 1894 straight stock and it shoots and handles fine. I have owned marlins and winchesters with staight and pistol stocks and shooting I can't tell the difference.