jdmb03
Member
I 'm looking at getting a .357 mag rifle and wanted to get different opinions on each one. What are your likes and dislikes? Thanks
Marlin 1894C or IMI Timberwolf
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Sunray
Member
Go with the Marlin. Timberwolves(wolfs?) are relatively scarce and so are parts. Slip over to Marlin's site for more info.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I would love to get a timberwolf but I do have a Marlin 1894c and it is a real hoot to shoot. I have shot mine almost as much as my handguns. I added a Marbles tang sight and an adjustable sling. May as well show a pic
jdmb,
I like the Timiberwolf, myself. I always thought it was a handy design. I have read, though, that they have a tendancy to crack the stock at the wrist. Couple that with the aforementioned scarcity of parts and it makes it less desireable to me.
The Marlin is definately a winner. I think you would probably really like it. Very good weapons.
I would love for a quality company to bring out a redesigned Timberwolf, also in .44 mag.
Steve
I like the Timiberwolf, myself. I always thought it was a handy design. I have read, though, that they have a tendancy to crack the stock at the wrist. Couple that with the aforementioned scarcity of parts and it makes it less desireable to me.
The Marlin is definately a winner. I think you would probably really like it. Very good weapons.
I would love for a quality company to bring out a redesigned Timberwolf, also in .44 mag.
Steve
jdmb03
Member
Do you guys like the pre-safety 1894 or the new ones? I saw one for sale with smooth stock made in the early 80's. Just not sure which one I like better. I also found a local Timberwolf for sale at a decent price.
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
I don't mind that push button safety...
..on my Marlin 1894C at all. Like Perfessr says, "It's a real hoot to shoot".
I always wondered if I'd like the stainless steel model better. I looked at a stainless .44 mag 1894 over at Kiesler's yesterday. I like the blue one my wife got me better. The blue just "fits" better. Know what I mean?
Will
..on my Marlin 1894C at all. Like Perfessr says, "It's a real hoot to shoot".
I always wondered if I'd like the stainless steel model better. I looked at a stainless .44 mag 1894 over at Kiesler's yesterday. I like the blue one my wife got me better. The blue just "fits" better. Know what I mean?Will
No4Mk1*
Member
How reliable is the Marlin 1894C?
charleym3
Member
If I could find a timber wolf at a reasonable price I would buy it in a heartbeat. I prefer trombone gun to the lever. Just my opinion.
Crownvicman
Member
No4Mk1, the 1894c is very reliable. Just don't use blazer or other aluminum cased ammo. Brass .38s and .357s all feed through my gun without a problem. As a fair warning, I had to send my gun back to Marlin after I first bought it due to some feeding problems. Since then, it is relibale enough that I don't even think about it. I can just assume that it will go BOOM when I pull the trigger.
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
No4Mk1*...
My 1894C has been perfectly reliable since my wife handed it to me as a 25th anniversary gift. As I said in a post below, I feel no difference in working the lever when it's empty and when actually chambering a round. However, in fairness, I have to say that I've fired .357 mags through it exclusively. It's supposed to shoot .38 Special ammunition, but I never have. There's very little recoil with .357's and I've always gone with them. 'Tis true--I LOVE this rifle!
Will
My 1894C has been perfectly reliable since my wife handed it to me as a 25th anniversary gift. As I said in a post below, I feel no difference in working the lever when it's empty and when actually chambering a round. However, in fairness, I have to say that I've fired .357 mags through it exclusively. It's supposed to shoot .38 Special ammunition, but I never have. There's very little recoil with .357's and I've always gone with them. 'Tis true--I LOVE this rifle!
Will
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
My 1894 is very reliable. I can get once fired 38 Spec cases to function about 60% of the time and I have no problem with any of my handloads.
Steve, The Grips on my S&W 13 are some Ajax grips that I took a file and sand paper to and then finished with boiled linseed oil. They are about 3/8th thinner over all and the big hump behind the trigger guard is mostly gone.
Steve, The Grips on my S&W 13 are some Ajax grips that I took a file and sand paper to and then finished with boiled linseed oil. They are about 3/8th thinner over all and the big hump behind the trigger guard is mostly gone.
I really love my 1894's. I have the 1894cp (.357-16"), and my new 1894cbc (.38 spl-20") My .357 will fire any .38 exept CCI blazer lrn. Actually it works with those too, I just get the occasional 'hiccup'- not a jam. All 357's flow through like water. It really likes 180 grain mag's, Winchester supreme 180 Nosler partitions are deadly accurate and carry their velocity well at longer ranges. My new 1894cbc (cowboy competition) is smoother and prettier, and is the fastest rifle this side of an M-16.
The timberwolf was a great design, the pump is at least as fast as a lever. I think that's one carbine that could make a comeback, a great choice for those who can't have an auto or a pistol.
The timberwolf was a great design, the pump is at least as fast as a lever. I think that's one carbine that could make a comeback, a great choice for those who can't have an auto or a pistol.
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
Hey..PO2,
Is that CBC the octagon barrel, case hardened finish model?
And, about those Nosler bullets. Are they "sharp tip"? You know about sharp tip bullets in a tubular magazine, don't you?
Just asking,
Will
Is that CBC the octagon barrel, case hardened finish model?
And, about those Nosler bullets. Are they "sharp tip"? You know about sharp tip bullets in a tubular magazine, don't you?
Just asking,
Will
Kentucky; Yeah it's the octagon barrel-case finish model. My 1894cp (.357-16") plain blue model fires the nosler partition like a laser. This is the handgun version of the partition with a large hollowpoint loaded by winchester in their supreme line. I dont shoot many because of their price, but its my 'time to get serious' load.
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
PO2...
OK. Just didn't want you to explode the magazine by setting off a chain fire. I didn't even KNOW that Nosler's came in hollow point. I could just see (in my mind's eye) a sharp tip on the primer of the round in front of it.
Thanks for coming back and telling me not to worry and that you have THAT problem covered.
The 1894CBC is one beautiful rifle. I stood and stared at one over at Kiesler's 'till somebody told me to buy it or move out of the way. You say it's pretty smooth, eh? I could talk about my 1894C all day. That .38 Special CBC must have the recoil of a BB gun. Man, I think I could sit right here and talk myself into buying another Marlin lever action with no trouble at all!
I wish Terry Murbach would visit more often. He's a REAL BELIEVER in .357 mag lever guns. He's like an old time country preacher "on a roll" when he talks about .357 levers.
Will
OK. Just didn't want you to explode the magazine by setting off a chain fire. I didn't even KNOW that Nosler's came in hollow point. I could just see (in my mind's eye) a sharp tip on the primer of the round in front of it.
Thanks for coming back and telling me not to worry and that you have THAT problem covered. The 1894CBC is one beautiful rifle. I stood and stared at one over at Kiesler's 'till somebody told me to buy it or move out of the way. You say it's pretty smooth, eh? I could talk about my 1894C all day. That .38 Special CBC must have the recoil of a BB gun. Man, I think I could sit right here and talk myself into buying another Marlin lever action with no trouble at all!
I wish Terry Murbach would visit more often. He's a REAL BELIEVER in .357 mag lever guns. He's like an old time country preacher "on a roll" when he talks about .357 levers.
Will
Kentucky: thanks for the concern. The CBC is very smooth, marlin hand polishes the internals, and it has a reduced mainspring. I was a little concerned about misfires, but it's been flawless even with the temp's in the 20's. Recoil and noise just like a .22 with more power at the target end. Terry sounds like my kinda guy. I've been shooting lever action .38/.357's for about 20 years. Single shots too. I missed out on Browning's 1885 .357 lo-wall traditional hunter. Mabey they'll do another run someday. .357's in a carbine have suprisingly good power- not far behind the 30-30, and .38's are my '.22s' The CBC is getting a Lyman 66 reciever sight soon, and the 1894cp-.357 has an XS peep sight with the scout rail and trijicon reflex sight, 34 inches of fire and fury!
twoblink
Member
I like the Timberwolf myself, if you can get your hands on one.
I like the Pumps better than the levers..
But logistically, both are good, if you own a revolver.
But because I have 2 pump guns already, I'd like to keep the 3rd one a pump as well, no need to introduce another action type (logistically speaking).
Can't go wrong with either.. and a .357 Will do your coyotes just fine. A bit limited if you are talking a WhiteTail, but doable within 50 yards or so.. I'd step up to a .44Mag though if you are going to hunt... A .44 will handle a white tail no problem.
I like the Pumps better than the levers..
But logistically, both are good, if you own a revolver.
But because I have 2 pump guns already, I'd like to keep the 3rd one a pump as well, no need to introduce another action type (logistically speaking).
Can't go wrong with either.. and a .357 Will do your coyotes just fine. A bit limited if you are talking a WhiteTail, but doable within 50 yards or so.. I'd step up to a .44Mag though if you are going to hunt... A .44 will handle a white tail no problem.
jdmb03
Member
Well I went with the Timberwolf. I really like the pump action for the simple fact you don't have to take your finger away from the trigger when you chamber a new round.
Below is the link to the auction I won. I placed a bid and it was under the reserve price, so I just did buy it now. I think I did pretty good for $550. I have only seen two other models that sold for over $600. I'll have to post some pics when it arrives. CDNN is also running a special on stock sets for $25 if anyone else has a Timberwolf. Thanks for everyones opinion.
Timberwolf
Below is the link to the auction I won. I placed a bid and it was under the reserve price, so I just did buy it now. I think I did pretty good for $550. I have only seen two other models that sold for over $600. I'll have to post some pics when it arrives. CDNN is also running a special on stock sets for $25 if anyone else has a Timberwolf. Thanks for everyones opinion.
Timberwolf
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
PO2...
I almost bought the 16 inch, 1894CP. Sometimes, I wish I had. It was the comp holes in the barrel that made me go with the 18 inch "C" model. (No comp holes.) I had been shooting my AR (plain barrel) beside a fellow with the AK type comp on his AR. It seemed MUCH louder than mine. I even moved down a few stations. I looked at a Winchester with a 16 inch barrel, but after the Marlin, I didn't like the stock.
Will
I almost bought the 16 inch, 1894CP. Sometimes, I wish I had. It was the comp holes in the barrel that made me go with the 18 inch "C" model. (No comp holes.) I had been shooting my AR (plain barrel) beside a fellow with the AK type comp on his AR. It seemed MUCH louder than mine. I even moved down a few stations. I looked at a Winchester with a 16 inch barrel, but after the Marlin, I didn't like the stock.
Will
Will; I was concerned at first about the ports, but with the handgun caliber, the powder is 'used up' by the time the bullet reaches the ports. Even when using Win-Winclean .357-125 JSP, which will produce a HUGE fireball from a revolver, there is no noticable flash or exess noise in the 16" CP. The 223 has so much exess powder compared to its bore volume, that any comp will be nasty. Thats one reason why I like .357 carbines, even at dusk/dark there is NO muzzle flash.
Happy Holidays to All.
Happy Holidays to All.
twoblink
Member
One of the things that is not mentioned is that while a 357 out of a revolver is powerful, out of a rifle is a totally different beast, especially if you handload, and use slow powder..
Sniff around THR, someone's done some chrono's of 4" revolver vs 18" carbine. Night and day. Otherwise, go to winchesters website and they have listings of what their loads do ballstiically on revolvers and rifles. They don't mention what length barrel the revolver and rifles used to do the chronos are, but my guess is about 4-6" on the revolver and 16-18" on the rifle.
Sniff around THR, someone's done some chrono's of 4" revolver vs 18" carbine. Night and day. Otherwise, go to winchesters website and they have listings of what their loads do ballstiically on revolvers and rifles. They don't mention what length barrel the revolver and rifles used to do the chronos are, but my guess is about 4-6" on the revolver and 16-18" on the rifle.
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
PO2...
Have you used a lot of different loads?
If what you say is true, then the "discontinued" 1894CP that my gunshop has on the wall is MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Man, I'm a greedy ol' bast@rd.
Will
Have you used a lot of different loads?
If what you say is true, then the "discontinued" 1894CP that my gunshop has on the wall is MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Man, I'm a greedy ol' bast@rd.
Will
justashooter
member
i bought one in 1984, and put a lyman 66 on it. handloads from three-packs (three 60 gr wadcutters, or a pair of 60's and a 110 jhp) to 210 gr cast lead have all shot well in it.
it was smokin on javelina with a 158 jsp and a heavy charge of H-110. the 210 gr cast and herc 2400, imr 4227, or reloader 7 can be brought damn near to 38-55 ballistics, and would make a great deer load.
armadillos being the woodchucks of the south, a few of them perished as well. nothing like a 110 jhp and full charge of unique to turn an armadillo into an empty skin.
it was smokin on javelina with a 158 jsp and a heavy charge of H-110. the 210 gr cast and herc 2400, imr 4227, or reloader 7 can be brought damn near to 38-55 ballistics, and would make a great deer load.
armadillos being the woodchucks of the south, a few of them perished as well. nothing like a 110 jhp and full charge of unique to turn an armadillo into an empty skin.
Will; I'd buy it. I like the forend cap and barrel hanger instead of barrel bands. I've shot alot of different rounds through it, only .38 CCI blazers would 'double-clutch' not jam , just a hitch in the lever stroke. I've fired mostly Win-.38 USA-JSP, and finished off a case of WIN-Winclean .357-125 JSP- like I said this round is just plain nasty in a revolver-muzzle blast is nasty, it pelts your face with unburned powder- feels like you're being sandblasted! But it's a pussycat in the CP. 180 grains are the best in general. Win-supreme 180 nosler and CORBON 180 JSP's are the best. Everything that didn't say 'blazer' on the box works just fine. Get a peep sight (XS) and load up some heavy .357's.
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