Marlin 1894 357 Mag

jski

jski

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I’m looking at an unused Marlin 1894 chambered in 357 Mag. Attached in a picture. The guy’s asking $1,500. Not sure how good a deal that is?

Based on the serial number from the picture it appears to be genuine Marlin, a.k.a., pre-Remington.

upload_2023-3-25_16-55-24.jpeg

Are the first 2 characters “MR” meaningful?
 
wild willy said:
That’s a Remington gun.Too much $$ for a Remington.There not going to be $750 in a couple months
Click to expand...
Do the first two characters of the serial number (“MR”) tell you it’s a Remlin?

When did Remington take over Marlin and walk away from all the Marlin in-house expertise? (BRILLIANT MOVE!)
 
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I have had several "JM" marked Marlins over the years. I have a "Remlin" 1894CB in .357mag. All the Marlins are gone, I still have the "useless junk Remiln".

Fit, finish, accuracy, and all the internals are well made and nicely fitted. Just as good if not way better than any "JM marked piece of gold" The last few years of Marlin saw a huge decline in quality. I'll never sell it at any price.

In my hands on experiance, the "JM marked is better, they're collector guns now!" crowd are wanting to drive the prices up. Marlin made a few million of them over the years nothing collectable about them barring a few rare exceptions. That JM stamp doesn't equal a premium price, nothing magical about them.

The Remington made 1894CB is the best I've ever owned. And I've owned many. I would pay more for a new Remlin over a used Marlin. Looking for another one now as a point of fact.
 
It looks like a beauty .It is a high price, but you do not see that model on the market often .The rossi 92s are $700+ to $900+ . Winchester /Miroku & the Henrys are very expensive. If it is new or like new it is a fair price with the current inflation going on now.If you buy it let us know how you like it and how it shoots.
 
Op, apparently nobody sees your "mr" question and like normal navigate to "jm" which you never even mentioned.

No idea what Mr prefix is but my 45/70 has a Mr prefix too along with a stupid qr code stamped before it.
 
Pretty sure MR prefix = Remlin. They made them from 2010 to 2020, with the guns from the second half of that held in better regard generally.

I'm hesitant to say how good/bad of a price that is. It feels high, but gunmechanic is pretty much correct IMO about the alternatives and their current prices.


The LGS has one of the new Ruglins, and it seems fine but it's not much cheaper than $1500. Especially after tax. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a big price drop anytime soon...
 
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The MR prefix indicates it was made during Remingtons ownership of the Marlin brand. The good news seems to be that by the time Remington made the 1894 they were producing good guns, at least according to those who purchased them. The 1894 has reached what I think are stupid prices on gun broker, $1200-1500 for good condition JM Marlins. I haven't seen enough to get a pattern for the RM marked ones. Personally I wouldn't pay that price, especially since Ruger/Marlin is supposed to be releasing the 1894 in the near future (price unknown at this point).
 
Actually my serial number has the QR code in front of the serial number. My 1894CB was built June 2018. My Marlin works very well. It was one of the later Rem / Marlin guns. Since the one you’re looking at doesn’t have the QR code I would assume it’s an early Remington Marlin. I would not buy it if it is, especially not for $1500. Just my 2¢.

Here’s a shot of my S/N layout.
A90251BC-AACC-4F74-9704-C92C4FBDB98A.jpeg
 
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I'm not sure Ruger will ever make a .357 Marlin. I haven't seen any indication that they plan on doing that anytime in the near future. If they do, you can bet it's going to be at least $1200. Miroku/Winchester prices are already there. Prices for the Italian lever clones are close to that or beyond.

I bid $1000 and walk away. Contact me if you want a sale.
 
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Only you can answer if it's worth that much. However, I can tell you that a .357 lever is a ton of fun. I have a Henry carbine in .357 and it has to be one of the most fun setups to plink with.
 
Not sure , but, the price seems a bit high. However, like everything else it has been going up. I would look at prices and then decide.
The wife has one of the Remlins. Bought it used and it was leaded so bad, from factory 38s, it would keyhole. Cleaned it and it shoots great with proper fodder. Had a gunsmith slick up the action. They are great fun and you can burn ammo faster than you can load for it unless you have a progressive press.
 
@jski i wouldn’t buy it sight unseen I would have to examine it myself make sure the wood to metal fit was good nothing proud of one another plus I’d have to work the action make sure it’s up to snuff then and only then would we talk money and that would start at $1,000 and see what happens worst he can do is say no maybe he counters with $1,200 or so and just like that you saved money!!
 
CoalTrain49 said:
I'm not sure Ruger will ever make a .357 Marlin. I haven't seen any indication that they plan on doing that anytime in the near future. If they do, you can bet it's going to be at least $1200. Miroku/Winchester prices are already there. Prices for the Italian lever clones are close to that or beyond.

I bid $1000 and walk away. Contact me if you want a sale.
Click to expand...


When Ruger (Marlin) released their first 45-70, the COO said the next calibers would be 30-30 and 35 Remington and then they would work on the pistol calibers. It’s a slow process…
 
jski said:
I’m looking at an unused Marlin 1894 chambered in 357 Mag. Attached in a picture. The guy’s asking $1,500. Not sure how good a deal that is?

Based on the serial number from the picture it appears to be genuine Marlin, a.k.a., pre-Remington.

View attachment 1142238

Are the first 2 characters “MR” meaningful?
Click to expand...

Like already mentioned, definitely a Remlin gun. And based on what looks to be an XI on the barrel, that gun would appear to be made in December 2014.
https://fhuckoutdoors.com/marlin-serial-number-guide/

It looks like there are no hammer and lever sliding marks on the side or the pivot area, so it's probably hardly been cycled. But I can see that gawd awful Remlin checkering from here.

If they'd get a good gunsmith to make the checkering right and you got to hold that gun in person to check out the action and sight alignment, it might be worth what they're asking since it could be in your hands right that moment.

Personally, I'd want to wait for the Ruger version but I'm sure it won't be cheap either. Plus, it's probably a good bet that the .44 mag 1894s will get released well before a run of .357s are ready.
 
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“Plus, it's probably a good bet that the .44 mag 1894s will get released well before a run of .357s are ready.” This.

You’ll likely be waiting a long time before the.357 is produced and is readily available.

I’ve been tracking the prices of these for the last few months looking to replace a jm that I sold. They are selling for 1200-1400 for JM’s or used remlins. If what you are getting is a new, boxed gun, the price is right in the current market and there is a buyer who will be happy to pay it.
 
As someone who has more than a passing interest in lever guns I've been tracking the prices of them for a number of years on a local site.

30-30 Marlins seem to be the 'value' leader as they can be had in good-very good condition from around $600-750 asking price.

Pistol calibers always seem to start $200-$300 higher.

$1500 is a high asking price regardless of condition, whether it's a JM marked barrel or not.

Locally a 1894 JM stamped .357 rifle with a Leupold scope just sold for $1050. Hard to tell condition from the pics but doesn't look beat up.

For me personally, 'IF' I were drop that kind of money it would have to be a pristine COWBOY at a minimum....and even that would be a hard decision to make.

Post script: I'm basically hanging on to see what Ruger/Marlin rolls out in the next 2-3 years.
 
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