Marlin 1894 Club

Status
Not open for further replies.
This is a gun that I dearly want. I'm moving to southern Utah because my wife and I are small town types, when it comes right down to it. I just finished school and my wife is going to finish up her teaching degree at the university down there. Anyway, sorry for my life story; I tend to be a little chatty, even over this series of tubes know mysteriously as the "internet".

At any rate, one of the things I'm most excited about moving down there is the prospect of frequent camping trips, on account of there being so many prime spots that you don't even have to drive half an hour to get to. So, I figure I need a brush gun, and by gum, if the 1894 doesn't seem to fit the bill nicely. So tell me, gentlemen, should I take the plunge?
 
I tend to be a little chatty, even over this series of tubes know mysteriously as the "internet".
Welcome to the club, JB.

One advantage of the Internet: when folks don't want to "hear" chatty, they just skip over it.
(Unlike at a party when you can't always avoid chatty folks. :uhoh:)

Having said that, I 'spect you'll feel right at home here. ;)

... one of the things I'm most excited about moving down there is the prospect of frequent camping trips, on account of there being so many prime spots that you don't even have to drive half an hour to get to.
I am oxidized sandstone with envy. (I would say "green", but there's not much green in southern UT.)

When I lived in the SW, southern UT was my absolute most favorite place for canyon backpacking. If you're into canyon walking, check out the Fish and Owl Canyon loop just east and a bit north of Grand Gulch in south central UT. Awesome country. Getting into either one, especially going in from Owl Canyon rim, takes some route finding ability.

Another fine one is Dark Canyon, a tributary of the Colorado that runs south out of Glen Canyon. Thumbnail 4 is a view into the canyon from it's west rim where the trail intersects it. (The Colorado River is just two miles to the "left". Took us over an hour just to find the way down into the canyon from the rim nearby some interesting boulders (thumbnail 2), and another hour to drop down the steep scree-slope switchback to the bottom (thumbnail 1) with supplies for several days. Well worth the climb cause there's awesome water in the bottom (thumbnail 3) if you go at the right time of year. (But be careful of flashfloods in summer; a storm can happen 30 miles upstream, and wipe your camp out in minutes.)

But remember this around all canyons in southern Utah: they don't call it "slick rock" for nothing. (AAAaaaaaaaaiiiiiiihhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! :eek: )

I've unfortunately moved from the region now, and probably won't get back. (I'm heading north next.) But I miss it a LOT.

But if I were to walk there today, or anywhere in southern UT (or most other places),
you can bet good money I'd be carrying a mod 65 AND my 1894C.
So tell me, gentlemen, should I take the plunge?
Two friendly suggestions:

1) Remember, please, that THR is composed of men AND women.
More of one than the other, perhaps, but we suggest that you not omit reference to either. :)

2) JUMP (into the world of the 1894C)! :D

PS: sorry for the OT photos. But that country is just made for 1894C.
 

Attachments

  • DC - flowing water.jpg
    DC - flowing water.jpg
    106.4 KB · Views: 50
Last edited:
Remember, please, that THR is composed of men AND women.
More of one than the other, perhaps, but we suggest that you not omit reference to either.


My sincerest apologies for the hasty generalization, and I hope any offended parties will forgive my error; it's an unfortunate habit that creeps into my way of speech every so often.

That said, I think I'll be working a 1894c into the budget. It's my next firearms purchase, hands down.
 
Hey Johnny, no apologies needed (at least by me). We all do it on occasion.

It's just that some of our women friends here at THR sometimes feel a little left out of the discussion,
so we're all trying to be better webizens (is that a word?) and acknowledge them with our language. :)

Good choice for next rifle. You won't be sorry. ;)

Nem
 
Last edited:
I doubt you'll have any regret after taking the "plunge." I also doubt that this plunge will be your last when it comes to Marlins. I ain't never seen one I didn't want to buy ...;):p and some I HAD to buy :eek:

For economy I'd recommend the 1894 in 357. If you reload and have a bit more expendable income the 44 and 45 (haven't owned the 41 yet) caliber 1894's up the grin factor some. My favorite is an 1894CB in 45 Colt. I'll spare you now but I could go on and on about it.

The ONLY regret I've ever had about owning a Marlin is that I waited too long to buy one :p
 
I do reload, primarily for .45 acp and .223, but I am aching to branch out into other, more "exotic" calibers. (OK, I know that .357 and .44 mag are hardly exotic, but they're something new.) My reasoning for going with the .357 first is that there is very little in my neck of the woods, on two legs or four, that a decently placed .357 round wouldn't make quick work of. The biggest furry creatures in those parts are maybe the extremely occasional black bear or mountain lion. If I ever need something to ward off those critters, it'll just be a good excuse to run out and get the 1895 in .45-70. Heh, heh, heh. Yeah. That'll be a hard sell for the wife, but I've got nothing but time.
 
OK, I know that .357 and .44 mag are hardly exotic...
I basically agree:
nothing "exotic" about .357 mag.

It's been around for a long while.
Nothing "strikingly strange or unusual" about it.

Yet, at the same time,
there IS something "exotic" about .357 mag.

I've been trying to understand what for a couple of days.

I came up with a short list:

* ancestor is .38 sp
* fires from revolvers and carbines
* takes animals ranging in size from squirrel to deer

Question: isn't that "strikingly unusual"?
 
Bison

Search my posts for "bison" and you'll find descriptions of a guy who took a 1,000 lb bison at 71 yards with a 4-inch stainless .357 revolver, shooting hard-cast lead. A through-and-through shot. On a bison. From a pistol. At 71 yards.

Did I mention it was from a pistol?

And yet I've had people laugh at the idea you can use a .357 carbine for hunting. Right.

You can kill medium (and even large) game at 100 yards, with a revolver, but put that same cartridge into a carbine -- where it picks up another 400 fps at the muzzle -- and suddenly it's a pathetic, wimpy round.

You see, the .357 will stop a Mack truck when fired from a sidearm, but turns to jello if used in a rifle.

Nothing exotic here, folks. Move along.

:D
 
Speaking of 1894, here's a "it's-Sunday-afternoon-and-I'm-putting-off-going-to-work-as-long-as-possible" photo.

Below is my entire current gun tool kit, sans my 39A
which is still in the shop but due home any day now.
Of course, I'll have to retake the family photo when it gets home.
Hoping to have it home by Christmas.

Someday, I'll add a large bore lever, mostly likely 1895 in .45-70,
and likely an SxS shotgun (got my eye on Stoegers).

I added my main camp knife group
and some rnds for size comparison.

  • 336A (.30-30)
  • 642 (.38 spl +p)
  • 1894C (.357 mag/.38 spl +p)
  • 65 (.357 mag/.38 spl +p)
  • Benchmade osborne
  • SOG seal pup elite
  • Kabar

So, that lil' ol' .357 mag rnd has taken bison, eh?
Well, well, well ... that gives me a new sense of perspective.

attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • 336_'94_65_642_rnds.JPG
    336_'94_65_642_rnds.JPG
    93.9 KB · Views: 1,942
Just got back from the local indoor range, where I shot my new 1894C for the first time.

My best group, after I got familiar with the gun, but before I started getting a bit tired, was dead-center on the bull, 4 shots .6" center to center of the farthest two, at 20 yards, standing offhand, no sling, with stock irons. I didn't expect it to shoot so well, and so comfortably.

Man, I love the way that thing shoots!

Fun, fun, fun.

Gotta get a press, now.:)
 
Nice 10-shot group!

What rnds were you shooting?

I shot whatever I found in my surplus ammo box with the "Handgun" label on it.:D

My group was with WWB 130 grain FMJ (flat point) .38 Special practice ammo from Wal Mart.

I also shot a better 5-shot group than any of my postcard match groups with cheapo Golden Bullet bulk ammo and my Mountie. That's how it goes, though.:) We need another match!

I like straight grips. I also like pistol grips. I just like them differently.:p

But that 1894C is really easy to shoot; what a great little carbine.
 
Well, my wife just let it slip that I am getting an 1894c as a Christmas gift. I think she's worse than I am about keeping secrets. I'm sure you can imagine my excitement. To add to my delight, I have good reason to believe that I am going to get a set of dies to match my new rifle. Holy smokes. This was unprecedented; I thought I was going to have to do some begging to get this shootin' iron, but I have never been so glad to be wrong.

The hardest part now is waiting for a week to try the freaking thing out. I have family stuff through Wednesday, then it's to Vegas for a friend's wedding on Thursday. Won't get home until Saturday. It feels like an eternity!
 
Fella's;

Now, I'll admit to not reading every post in all 5 pages, but from I did scan, I see y'all are ignoring the other Marlin 1894. That's the 1894M.

I've got one of those, and love it dearly. But since it's obviously not wanted here, we shall retire to the range.

:neener: 900F
 
CB900F, If you'd rather have the 1894C, I'd gladly trade you ... :D :p ;)

If'n yer not willin' to part with it, at least share a range or hunting report. I've been lookin' for a 1894M for a few years now. So far I've just managed to drive up the price on a few on Gun Broker... :rolleyes:

Another flavor I'd like to find is the 1894 in 32 HR mag.
 
I have a 1894c that I bought for a home self defense weapon. I love to shoot it , when it isn't jamming up on me:mad:. The lever will lock up in the forward position and has to be broken down to unjam. Would I be better off with a 336, or would that be to much for home defense?
 
Shane,

What rnds are hanging up?

Let me guess: .38 spl?

There are reports that some .38 hang up in the 1894C more than .357 mag.

Emphasis: some, not all.

(Search: marlin jam)

Find the ones it cycles and stick with them.

And remember: it prefers .357 mag.
 
Marlin Jam

No, this is not some kind of home-made preserves.

Do a google for "Marlin Jam" (and actually include the quotes).

On of the links you get will be this one here.

There will be others. I haven't researched Marlin (the company) to see if they themselves have provided any online insight.

I have a nice new 1894C, and I think it will get a visit to the vet before it does any serious work.
 
Question (that I'm sure has been beaten to a pulp elsewhere): I'm planning on putting a Williams 5G aperture rear sight on this baby. Do I need to replace the front sight post? It looks pretty stinkin' tall to me, but I'm barely an amateur at these kinds of things, so I feel better asking.

PS- Nem, if all goes according to plan, I might be seeing you and the rest of the gang over at Club 336 in not too long. Fingers crossed!
 
Johnny B, come on by the 336 club anytime and hang out. Ownership is not a requirement for club "membership", just an interest in the rifle. Looking forward to hearing what you might be getting ...

More on the jam that's not marmalade: here's another page on tuning up Marlin lever guns. It's not specifically directed at the "jam", but does smooth up the action noticeably, and - with a good set of tools (especially a set of gunsmith screwdrivers), reasonable care and a careful reading of directions - can be done by a non-smith.

I used it to tune up my 336, and - as soon as I get some time - will do it on my relatively new 1894C, also.

Not only did they smooth up my 336, but I learned a LOT about the action of the rifle in the process. Well worth the two days I spent on it. (See my notes on the process starting on post 777 of the 336 club and continuing on for a couple of pages.)
 
I just joined the club today! :D I've been waiting since last Spring for my dealer to get in some 1894C's. Naturally they show up right after Christmas when I'm nearly tapped out. I brought it home with some trepidation but my wife likes the size and weight and declared that she wants to shoot it asap. Whew! Off the hook!
Any smithing required to put on a Williams (or other) aperture sight?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top