1894
I picked up one of the .357s at at gun show a few weeks back. Used, but like new. Price?, well I got it for $300.
I had one of these fine little carbines many years ago, and my father-in-law fell in love with it. I gave it to hime for a Christmas present. He wasn't really a gun person, but he loved the carbine, as it gave him a good defense weapon he could keep in his camper, without worrying about the legal hassles of traveling in other states with a handgun. Sadly, after he passed on, his son "borrowed" the rifle from his mother, (he wasn't supposed to have guns-felony conviction) and of course, the cops took it from him. Many years have passed, but when I saw the carbine at the show, I decided it it was time to replace it in my collection.
I am sure the Cowboy Action guns are nice, the ones I have seen are very nice, but there is no way I am going to pay twice what I feel they are worth just to own one. I would go as high as $450, but to me, prices of $600+ are rediculous. You can get much nicer guns for that kind of money.
Here's a tip, while the Marlins are fine guns, they sometimes have problems feeding SWC bullets, especially during rapid firing. The round gets a little "out of line" with the chamber, and shoulder on the SWC hangs up on the edge of the chamber. When this happens, just rock the lever forward, which takes the pressure off the round, and allows it to fall back onto the carrier, realigning with the chamber. Then the lever will close smoothly. For the smoothest feeding, use rounds with a round nose profile bullet, either lead or jacketed.
Also, do not use long bullets. The 180 or 200gr .357 bullets are often too long (when seated to the cannelure) to work in the short Marlin action. The can be single loaded, but don't try and feed them through the magazine. They will create an instant jam, which usually requires disassembly of the rifle to clear.
