Marlin 1894 iron sights…..

[Gunsby_Blazen]

I have been looking at lever guns lately. Mostly I have been surfing the internet reading about them and looking at the manufactures websites. I picked up a Marlin 1894 in .44M at a gunshow and it seemed alright. It was used and in ok condition. So lately, I have been thinking about getting my own, maybe not real soon but sometime down the line.
My question is: how are the Marlin 1894 sights different than those in the cowboy model. I know the cowboy gun has marble sights, but are the standard 1894 sights similar to them? As in adjustable??? I am really wishing I would have looked over that gun at the gunshow a little more carefully. I reckon a few of you out there have a lever marlin and could give me some info on them.

Thanks,
Gunsby_Blazen

 

[wanderinwalker]

My 1894 in .44 Magnum came with a gold-bead on the front and a folding, ladder-adjustable rear sight. It was more buckhorn than a standard notch, but not like the Marble's sights. You have elevation adjustment on the rear sight, but to adjust windage requires either a sight pusher (best) or a mallet and brass punch (not quite as slick).

Actually, IMO, the best thing you can do to the Marlin is set 'er up with a set of peeps. I use a Williams Guide Receiver sight. It is designed to go on the 336 model as well, and hangs off the rear of the 1894 receiver when mounted "properly." My solution was to remove the screw in aperture and reverse the sight base. It's now a ghost ring and lines up flush like it should. It looks a little funky, if you know what you're looking at, but works well. I'll post pics if you want.

 

[Gunsby_Blazen]

Sure thing!
I'd like to see that.

 

[JustsayMo]

I have a few Marlins with various irons sights on them. The Marbles sights on the Cowboy models are probably my favorite of the three originally installed Marlin styles of sights.

The most common "Semi Buckhorn" is very good too and has plenty of adjustment. If you find you like the Marbles better you could easily buy one and swap it out. Depending on what loads you are using you might have to buy a taller front sight.

 

[jkingrph]

My Marlin `894 Cowboy 44 mag with 24"barrel has a Marbles tang sight. I like the tang sight because of the longer sight radius which helps accuracy. I did replace the factory leaf sight with one that folds down, so I get an unobstructed sight picture when using my tang sight.

 

[Brian Williams]

My 357 version of the 1894 has the Marble's tang sight and a nice small gold bead up front.

 

[Seafarer12]

All I cn say is just don't throw a scope on it. That is just wrong.

 

[Gunsby_Blazen]

I agree, I wouldn't want to put a scope on it.
So anyway, how hard is it to swap the sights out on them?? Will it require gunsmithing to install a Marble semi buckhorn or any other of their sights??

 

[Seafarer12]

They aren't hard at all to change out. They are usually just a 3/8 dovetail mount. Just drive out the old and drive in the new. Just be careful not to mark up the finish. That was the last thing I did to my Navy Arms 357. I put a semi buckhorn rear on it. The stock sights sucked.