Marlin 1894C, is this a good price?

[epijunkie67]

I've been kicking around the purchase of a lever action .357/38 for a little while now. Not much selection in my local gunstores or pawn shops. Tonight I went to Wally World and while talking to the gun counter guy he said, "Oh, we can order one for you."

Turns out they have a catalog with a Marlin 1894c, 18.5" brl, in .357/38 listed for $360.47. I've never owned a lever gun before and thought this would be a good entry level piece since I can move up or down the power range as needed.

I've always been a little reluctent to buy a used gun and figure if I can get a new one for almost the same price why not go new?

Should I be worried about quality since it is coming from Wal-Mart?

Is $360 a good price for a new Marlin 1894C in .357?

Don

 

[treeprof]

Good price. Same gun you'd get anywhere else.

 

[106rr]

Good price -- ask for one with a hooded front sight. These (I think) are recent production with Ballard rifling instead of microgroove. The older production will have a dovetailed front sight with no hood.

 

[Sisco]

I just bought a NIB 1894FG (41 mag) through Gunbroker.com, used "buy it now"gave $300. Total including shipping and transfer fee was $325.
Right now on gunbroker there's only one 1894C listed and it starts at $359. Go for the Wally World but first check local dealers and see if they have one in stock. Personally I'd give a local dealer $20 more than WW just because.
According to Marlins website the 'C' model has the Ballard rifling and a hooded sight. The FG has microgrove though.

 

[treeprof]

All 1894C's have had the hooded front sight since the early 90's, so there's no problem there.

 

[106rr]

When I bought mine in 2000 the only Marlin 94 357 mags in stock at Reed's and RSR were microgroove with dovetailed sight. It was a problem because the computer records for the wholesaler don't show rifling type or front sight. The new production had the covered sight. It wasn't reasonable to ask the wholesaler to look down the bore on my behalf.
I had to call the factory. They close the whole Marlin factory for vacation for a month. When they got back from vacation they shipped a Ballard to RSR. I know all recent production had the covered sight. Some place might still have old stock.

 

[Brian Williams]

That is a little high I got mine new for $275. Get one and enjoy.

 

[treeprof]

106rr - That's certainly possible.

 

[paul105]

Recently had a local dealer order my Marlin 1894c .357 from Davidsons. Paid $400 (List is $567). After above comments I feel like I got screwed price wise. However, I would gladly pay the $400 again -- I've had that much fun with this rifle. Should also mention I had a Cowboy Action Job done.

Went gopher (ground squirrel) hunting yesterday with the 1894 and my dog. These are not high concentration varmints in the area I hunt. It is spot and stalk, and they are fairly spooky. I limited my shots to 50 yds or less and went 3 for 6 in about an hour and a half. Passed up longer shots, and put down (never got a shot) a bunch stalking them. My Lab and I had a great time. I was using 158gr Horn XTP JHPs over 14.0gr H110. The load is moderate for the .357 but made a mess of the little critters.

My rifle had to have been manufactured in the last two months. Does it have the "Ballard" rifling?? If so, what is the advantage?? How can I tell visually?? It really doesn't matter, as I wouldn't sell this rifle anyway.

Thanks