Marlin 1894 Cowboy Limited in .45Colt with 20" or 24" barrel?

[MCMXI]

I've decided to buy a Marlin 1894 Cowboy Limited in 45Colt to use in CAS events. I've found a used one with a 24" barrel locally (haven't seen it yet) and a NIB one with a 20" barrel. I'm not sure which would be best. I would think that the 20" barrel would be a little easier/quicker to swing and the 24" version may be a little more accurate but are there other pros and cons?

Why the heck is the Cowboy Limited called "limited"? What's special about it?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Rustler]

For CAS shooting, I would recommend the 20 inch as it easier to handle.

If you also want to shoot some long range side matches, the 24 inch might be better.

Or better yet - get them both!!!

 

[Z71]

I've got the 20" 1894 CBC Marlin in .45 Colt.

Not into Cowboy shooting as much as plinking. Didn't buy the rifle myself, I inherited it from my father in law.

That said, it is a handy and accurate little rifle.

Special because it was expensive! My father in law paid in excess of $700 about 4 or 5 years back, before he died.

I personaly would have prefered one in .44 magnum. However my Father in law bought the .45 Colt version because while he was sick I had bought him a Uberti 4 3/4" Colt clone in the .45 Colt chambering.

Then he got sick again and died! Guns are great, but rather have my father in law back!

 

[MCMXI]

Z71, Sorry to hear about your father-in-law and thanks for the feedback.

For CAS shooting, I would recommend the 20 inch as it easier to handle.

I ordered a Marlin 1894 Cowboy Limited in .45 Colt with a 20" barrel this morning! It's NIB and I'm really looking forward to getting it.

Thanks for the help.

I'm going to take a look at the 24" CL at the local gun shop this week so I may end up with both ...

 

[Jim Watson]

My Winchester is a 24" and I like it, but then I am not especially fast and don't think a shorter gun would help much.
On the other hand, the Marlin seems a heavier gun than my 1892 and the short rifle version might be worth having.

 

[Seafarer12]

For pistol calibers 20" is plenty. The longer barrel won't get you much more for the extra weight and lenght.

 

[JustsayMo]

My 20" 1894 in 45 Colt fast became one of my favorite firearms. Accurate, low recoil with standard loads but capable of accurately delivering 325 grain cast bullets at impressive velocities. It has become my "big bore light" rifle when hunting.

I have two Marlin Cowboys with the long barrels and found them to be cumbersome in the field but a delight at the range or offhand silhouette shooting.

 

[blkbrd666]

Since 1858 seems to have decided, what are the advantages of the same Marlin rifle in .357 vs. .44 vs .45? Let's say they are all the 20" model...what are some reasons to buy one over the other? Just curious as I just bought one in .357 because it was relatively cheap, looked new, looks sorta like my 30-30, can shoot on indoor pistol range, and .357 ammo is cheap...all really lame reasons.

 

[Crowman]

Since 1858 seems to have decided, what are the advantages of the same Marlin rifle in .357 vs. .44 vs .45? Let's say they are all the 20" model...what are some reasons to buy one over the other? Just curious as I just bought one in .357 because it was relatively cheap, looked new, looks sorta like my 30-30, can shoot on indoor pistol range, and .357 ammo is cheap...all really lame reasons.

I have both a Marlin 1894C in .357 mag (16 " bbl) and a 1894 CB (20" bbl) in .45 Colt. I like to have a companion carbine to the revol;ver that I carry. When i pack my 5" model 27 Smith or my 4" model 19 smith, I take the 1894C. When I pack my S&W 625 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt, I pack the 1894 CB. That is reason enough. I have no use for the .44's so I do not have one. Something to consider...compare the ballastics of a 140 - 158 grain bullet in .357 mag from a carbine against a 150 grain .30-30 with a 20" barrel. You will be surprized.

 

[MCMXI]

... what are the advantages of the same Marlin rifle in .357 vs. .44 vs .45? Let's say they are all the 20" model...what are some reasons to buy one over the other?

blkbrd666, I was considering a .44 magnum since I have a S&W 629, but during my research I read that the 1:16 twist in the .45 Colt and .357 Magnum was better than the 1:30 twist in the .44 magnum. The article went on to say that the slower twist rate allows for a much wider range of bullet weights and particularly 300+ grain bullets in .45 Colt. Supposedly, the 1:30 twist rate in the 44 is too fast for the larger bullets. I like options and since I've recently ordered USFA Rodeos in .45 Colt this was an easy decision.