Marlin 1889

[.45Guy]

Well, I just got home with a Marlin 1889 manufactured in 1893 for less than the cost of a used Hi-point. She is ugly as hell on the outside, but locks up tight and has a great bore. Will be trying her out with some of the anemic CAS loads that advertise a MV of 700 FPS.

 

[Salmoneye]

What caliber?

 

[.45Guy]

.38-40

 

[CONNEX 3300]

Sweet. Looks like fun.

 

[.45Guy]

Well, I detail stripped it, attempted the electrolysis method to kill the active rust, and replaced all the springs. (An adventure in itself.) I got it all back together yesterday, and took it out with a few of the Ultramax CAS loads. There is only one word to describe it: FUN! The anemic little CAS loads sound about like a PCP airgun; that is until they ring steel.

 

[.45Guy]

The ugly stick in all of its glory:

 

[Asherdan]

Heh. Pretty is as pretty does!

That is plain great, thanks for sharing.

 

[snakeman]

wicked!

 

[wrench]

I don't think that's ugly a bit, I wouldn't mind that in my safe, at all.

 

[.45Guy]

 

[airedaleman]

Think you might have something more than you think... Standard barrel length on the 1889 was 24 inches. Your rifle looks to me like it has a longer tube. (Marlin offered barrels over standard length - up to 32 inches - at a dollar an inch.) Might want to measure yours. Special order rifles carry a significant
increase in value Folks at http://www.marlinowners.com and http://www.marlin-collectors.com have a wealth of information available.

Round barrel or octagon? And what kind of sights does it carry? The bottles kind of obscure a good view of the old horse.

 

[.45Guy]

Air, it is a 24" octagon. The bottles are rather strategically placed to hide ugly spots. One, the pitting near the muzzle, and two the boogered screw head from when I got a little P/O'ed after the third time taking things apart to get the piano wire replacement mainspring to work. I sliced my thumb, and instead of walking away, I kept going. Not the best laid plan.

 

[airedaleman]

Son of a gun! I'd have sworn that had a longer than standard barrel. Good honest old 1889 nonetheless. Enjoy!

 

[Owen Sparks]

How many rounds does that thing hold?

 

[.45Guy]

I haven't attempted it, but I'm pretty sure it is 15. After doing the requisite ciphering, 14 and 1 in the chamber.