Marlin 1894...357 vs. 44..

[saturno_v]

What are the possible practical reasons to choose the 357 Mag chambering over the 44??

- MSRP seems to be the same or so.

- Both have the versatility to shoot lesser cartridges for pleasant plinking (38 Special and 44 Special)

- Ammo cost is not that significantly different...for reloaders is a moot point anyway

- Both use common revolver cartridges found in any store (either pass the "Wal Mart test" ) for flexibility...however, IMHO, this is a rather debatable advantage nowdays...the frontier years are long gone...

The 44 Mag, IMHO, offers much more versatility towards larger game hunting or wildlife defence.... with the 44 you can be in Elk/Moose hunting and bear protection territory..

The only reason I can think someone may want a 357 Marlin carbine over the 44 is if he/she owns already a 357 revolver and/or no intention to buy a 44 Mag pistol because is considered excessive or too big or if the person is extremely recoil sensitive.

Granted, as a collector, you may want to buy both....you never have enough guns in your safe ...

Am I missing something else??


Regards

 

[padd54]

The reason I bought mine, I have three revolvers in 357mag.

 

[Legionnaire]

Don't know the situation around where you're located, but 'round here, .38 specials are far easier to find that .44 specials. There are some .44 cowboy loads around, but not many of them.

Purpose of said rifle? The .44 is the better deer hunting round, but for that application, I'd prefer a real rifle cartridge. The .357/.38 is (IMHO) the better plinking round.

But if you have a wheel gun, I'd opt for the rifle in the same caliber.

 

[fourdollarbill]

Since you answered every question, whats the question?
I like the 357 because that's what I have in revolvers.
The 44 mag tends to be less accurate at longer ranges.
The 44 mag cost more to reload.

 

[ArmedBear]

Well, saturno, you obviously haven't held the guns.

There's one reason. They feel different. The .357 is lighter, and it's shorter, too. They are simply different guns.

A lot like padd54, I have several revolvers in .357 or .38 (6 I think), so I load a lot of the stuff -- enough that I have two sets of identical dies that I keep adjusted for .357 and .38 so I don't have to keep messing with them.

The same ultralight .38 loads that turn the Airweight into a fun plinker work great in the 1894C -- without changing POI like in a revolver. The thing is a viable small game gun with .38s, as it's really accurate. I haven't talked to an owner who didn't love the thing.

That said, if you primarily want to hunt big game with it, the .44 is an easier and more versatile option. And I like the .44 Magnum as a cartridge.

But the whole "you can shoot .44 Special in it!" canard about .44 revolvers and lever guns just makes me laugh. .44 Special is only a marginally extant round. Sure, you can load it yourself, but WHY?

The 1894C is just plain fun. Shoot one and you'll know why people like them.

I don't have any iron sight lever guns for big game hunting. 100 yards isn't far, where I am. So .44, .357, .38, whatever. It doesn't matter. If I wanted a 150-yard brush gun for deer, sure, I'd get the .44, not the .357.

 

[Bula]

I have both, and really enjoy both. I cast and reload both calibers for pistol and carbines. Buy the one that suits you most they are both very fun, but the .357 is a bit more versatile. On the other hand, the .44 mag can launch a 310 grain bullet at respectable velocities....now I can't figure out which I like better, Maybe one in .45 colt!??

 

[saturno_v]

Armedbear


I did hold and actually tried both...I did not notice any reasonable difference in weight or handling...I did check the Marlin website and there is a 0.5 lb difference between the two chambering and I guess that the main reason for it is because of the shorter barrel (18.5" vs. 20") for the 357 version

I may consider getting the 44 version...as disclaimer I have to say that a I do not own any 357 Mag revolver but I do own a 44 Mag S&W 29.

In my area is fairly easy to find 44 Special ammo....Wal Mart doesn't carry it (and is hard to find 38 Special too at least in the Wally World stores around here) but basically any gun and sporting goods store has them.

Charter Arms still makes the Bulldog revolver...and is not that uncommon either.

 

[MichaelK]

I have two Marlin rifles, one in .357 and one in .44. They feel and handle about the same. Both have scopes. I have to say though that this last season I used the .44 to take this year's deer, and it performed very well.

Well, I have to complain about one thing. With a 240 grain hollowpoint, I got complete penetration, and an exit wound, so I don't have a bullet from my dead deer to put up on the mantle. The deer however, merely leaped up into the air, before going 30 feet and dropping dead. The range was about 100 yards, and it was a picture perfect broadside lung shot, the heart was retrieved intact.

Considering how well the .44 performed, I'm willing to take a step down to
.357 next year. Maybe I'll use this bullet I made myself.

 

[greyling22]

the 357 is smaller and lighter. I have both, I can say this for certain. Also I read more people complaining about issues with the 44. cycling and feeding. Right now I'm struggling to find a reload my 44 likes. my standard lead and powder won't group at all. under 40 yards I do fine, after 40 you start measuring my grouping is feet not inches. I hope all it is is my lead being too soft and not something more serious.

 

[Badlander]

Have you seen anyplace with A Marlin .357 in stock? The only one I have seen was way overpriced.

 

[saturno_v]

the 357 is smaller and lighter.

According with the Marlin website they are about the same...the 357 is only 0.5 lb lighter mainly because of the shorter barrel (18.5" instead of 20" for the 44)
Loaded, yes, there will be difference....still negligible IMHO unless you are a very light frame person

 

[Brian Williams]

I have a 357 version and loaded with 180gr XTPs or LRNFP and 15 Grains of Lil'Gun it is a formidable short range firearm. With these loads it is similar to a 30-30 up to 100 yds.
I have a LEE 6 cavity 180Gr LRNFPGC mold from a group buy over at Castboolits.com and it is a great bullet.
I also have a number of 357 revolvers.

 

[saturno_v]

With these loads it is similar to a 30-30 up to 100 yds.

There are hot 30-30 too...

The two rounds are not comparable...

 

[greyling22]

badlander, there is a pawn shop in my town that has a used one for sale for 900 bucks! I don't expect it to move any time soon.

 

[MCMXI]

Am I missing something else??

Yeah ... the .45 Colt ... that's what I chose and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I have revolvers chambered in .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum but I don't have real interest in an 1894 in those calibers.

 

[ArmedBear]

There are two kinds of people, I guess.

Those who notice when guns handle differently, and those who don't.

No experienced shotgunner would ever think that a similar gun that weighs .5 lb more or less, or has a longer or shorter barrel, "feels the same". But many rifle-only shooters don't seem to notice.

OTOH many rifle shooters don't know a cheek weld from JB Weld. Maybe they never shoot offhand?

The point is not that someone can't carry the .44 in the field. The point is that it feels different, and most happy 1894C owners seem to like that about their carbines.

Someone might prefer the way the .44 handles, or, for that matter, the way the octagon "cowboy" version does. The point is just that they are different, and people who care have their preferences.

 

[saturno_v]

Armedbear

Maybe I'm not a "refined" shooter as you are..

Do I notice a difference in handling between a 91/30 Mosin Nagant and my Marlin 336?? Heck yes....

For me, half pound and 1.5 inch longer barrel in the same platform doesn't move the needle that much....again I guess I'm less sensitive than you are...

 

[12many]

I just got a 44 mag. but by Puma. Would have preferred 357 chambering due to the cost of ammo but when I held the Marlin with the 20 inch barrel, it just did not feel right. I would have made a picky cowboy I guess, but I don't ride with it in the scabard. I wanted a Marlin since it is a US company and has a long history, which is important to me, but it just felt too small for me. I am 6/4" and about 210 lbs.

I like the puma since it has an octogon barrel that is 24 inches long and is thus heavier and feels more substantial and I hold it steadier. The wood forend is also longer giving me a better or more comfortable grip. It is case hardened which is a different look and the wood to metal fit is better than the similarliy priced Marlins that I saw in the shops. Finallly, I got it for $386 so the price was right.

I wish it was the 1894 design instead though and had the marlin name/support/parts. I could not easily find a 357 either.

All this being said, unless hunting is your primary use, I would vote for the 357, if you are set on a Marlin 1894.

 

[JustsayMo]

I had an 1894C in 357. Liked it a lot until I picked up an 1894 in 44 Mag. Loved that gun, bigger holes, bigger grin factor. Then I got an 1894 CB in 45 Colt and sold the other two...

The thing I like best about the 45 Colt is that it really shoots 300+ grain bullets well and is less finnicky than the other two. It will cycle everything. I use it for hunting, silhouette (really makes the chickens fly!) and plinking.

 

[Hanzerik]

I also went with the Puma in .44.

Marlins are nice rifles, and I did have a 1894CB Cowboy in .44 Mag, but it didn't feel right to me so I sold it off and bought another Puma. I already had a Puma 20" Octagon barreled rifle, so I sold the Marlin and bought a little 16" barreled Puma in .44 Mag.

 

[SalchaketJoe]

Have a .357 Marlin, got it because I owned .357 revolvers. Have a .44 s&w 29 too, dont use it much anymore. I really just like the .357 and think it is, despite its popularity, underated.

Also, a hot .357 rifle isnt quite like a 30-30, (its close) but I dont have any 30-30 revolvers.


Whether you have the .357 .44 or .45 colt combo, there is something sexy about the matching carbine and handgun.

 

[saturno_v]

Also, a hot .357 rifle isnt quite like a 30-30, (its close) but I dont have any 30-30 revolvers.

Sorry but it not true...it's not even close...the 30-30 actually outperform even a 44 Mag out of a carbine barrel....

 

[MCMXI]

I wish Marlin made a '94 or '95 in .454 Casull. I recently bought a Ruger SRH Alaskan and would love to have a Marlin lever gun to go with it.

 

[Hanzerik]

I wish Marlin made a '94 or '95 in .454 Casull. I recently bought a Ruger SRH Alaskan and would love to have a Marlin lever gun to go with it.

Puma makes them (1892) in .454.

 

[greyling22]

ok , I couldn't believe that the only difference in the 2 guns is 1.5 inches and .5 lbs so I dug both my 44 and my 357 out and compared then side by side instead of shooting on and then shooting the other later. and it's true, the receivers are all about the same. length of pull: same, weight, not as different as I once thought. now, in my defence, the hammer on the 44 is 50% wider than the 357 which creates the issusion (in my mind anyway) that the 44 is bigger in every way. still, while the 44 is probably a more useful hunting gun, if I had to keep just one it would be the 357c.