Marlin 1894C vs. AR-15?

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BADUNAME4

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I'm in a massive streamlining mode and thought that I could reduce my calibers one more time by selling the M4'gery and replacing it with a Marlin 1894C (.357 Mag). That would make my shelf a lovely selection of .357 Mag, .40, .45 and .22LR (and lots of it).
Feel free to discuss if you like.
Thanks.
 
If the AR is a decent brand, and is reliable, you will seriously regret selling it.
 
I have recently re discovered lever actions And am looking to get at least 1 more. Thay are good guns and fun to shoot. But my AR 15s are not going anywhear. They have A place in my collection!
 
I have two levers now, but think holding onto my AR-15 is a good idea.

If you're concerned about "home defense" and short-range deer and smaller hunting, the .357 with good ammo will be fine, but if you wanted a homeland defense rifle, the AR is a much better choice.

John
 
I have both and they are both great, but for different reasons. It's not an apples to apples tradeoff. If you can find one, those .357 carbines are awesome. But to me its like saying "should I keep the Beretta 21a or the Remington 11-87 ?" they are just too different. My vote keep the AR and buy the 1894. I get the consolidation thing, but I load a bunch of .223 and forget about it for a while.
 
I am a levergun fanatic...

but I would not sell my AR.

I have a .357 1894 Marlin and it is a great gun. I would not hesitate to use it for HD, but the AR serve their purpose too.

Pick up a 1894 or rent one at the range and play with it for a while. Then you can really decide if you want to part with the AR.
 
When the Minutemen assembled at Lexington and Concord, they carried weapons equivalent to, or better than, the British who marched against them. Translate that to today. It just seems right for a citizen to possess a rifle equivalent to, or better than, the military arms of the day.

I love lever rifles. I love my 1894C and 1894CB. I love my .308 BLRs. But, I am under no illusions that my lever rifles are as tough as a true military type of rifle, and in the case of the Marlins, they will not project my will as far as my AR15.

I say this as a guy who is not a big AR fan, and finds my Mini-14s more ergonomic than my AR15. I just might trade off my AR15 someday, but it would not be for a handgun-cartridge lever rifle. I feel the "need" for a military-tough rifle. I might trade or sell my AR15 to help finance something like an M1A/M14 or a Garand.
 
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I'm kinda with the majority here also. I have both and plan on keeping both. They each have a particular niche. As said above the .357 in a carbine won't reach out there like a .223 in an AR. Keep it and don't look back, if you sell it I would just about guarantee you will regret it. My 2 cents. Mac
 
I have a 1894c. I love it, but I would trade it to get an AR. So if you want to trade...
 
Makes sense. Glad I brought it up. The question, then, is: a lever action in .22LR, .357 Mag or .45-70 (and keeping the AR of course - a flawless Armalite carbine).
 
.357 Mag, .40, .45 and .22LR
Click to expand...

I would vote to drop the .40 and get a lever in .30-30. Now that's a useful gun. I have bought two .40's over the last 10 years and sold them both shortly thereafter - it just didn't do anything a .45 or .357 couldn't do for me.
 
I think the 45-70 is a great cartridge, but you are adding a new one right? What do you already have in 22? If you already have a 22 rifle of some sort, go with the 357 lever.

If I had to pick, I would get a 45-70. Preferably a Ruger #1. It IS lever operated!

take care,

Tom
 
I'm in a massive streamlining mode and thought that I could reduce my calibers one more time by selling the M4'gery and replacing it with a Marlin 1894C (.357 Mag). That would make my shelf a lovely selection of .357 Mag, .40, .45 and .22LR (and lots of it).
Click to expand...
Seems you like the pistol calibers. Therefore go with the 1894C. Had two AR/M16 in the past and never really liked them.

I went through a similar process last year. Got rid of my MI Garand. Colt Gold Cup .45 and CZ85 9mm. I have consolidated calibers/weapons and am left with just .357 Mag for centerfire pistol/revolver, 7.62 x 39 for centerfire rifle, and .22LR. Got more than enough rifles/revolvers and ammo in these calibers to keep me shooting for a long time.

The decision to downsize my caliber selection was brought about by a need to simplify the logistics of keeping sufficient ammo and weapons for just about any leisure, sporting event I can foresee. I only reload and cast for the .357, 7.62 x 39 is still available and affordable where I am, so with .22 LR.
 
I'd say eliminate none of the calibers you have, just don't buy much ammo for one of your pistol calibers. The difference between a rifle round and a pistol round is just as great as the difference between a rifle and a pistol. Try hitting something meaningfully at 500 yards with a .45. Even if you're not planning on ever shooting that far under any fathomable situation, the .223 is still going to be more useful from 100 yards on.
 
I did not get rid of my AR when I had to have a cowboy lever gun. I bought the Puma 1892 in 45 Colt, 20" octagonal barrel. Fun gun and great for brush gun for anything up to 50 yards with my old eyes. I need a scope for distance. I already reloaded for the .45 Colt pistol, so no expense setting up for the carbine. 10 rounds of 255 gr .45 is a good household defense set up as well.
 
If you truly feel the draw of consolidation (I think there are arguments either way) then .357 is a decent choice.

What I would like to see is a properly scaled .223 lever gun, maybe a scale model savage 99. I'm not sure I would buy it but it would be neat.
 
What I would like to see is a properly scaled .223 lever gun, maybe a scale model savage 99. I'm not sure I would buy it but it would be neat.
Click to expand...
Problem with that is, who makes non-spitzer .224" bullets anymore?
 
I guess I'm one of those who think its ok to keep every weapon I've ever purchased. I like them all.
 
I'm a big Marlin fan (16" 1894 CP .357), but you're giving up a lot of capability by dropping your only serious combat rifle.

Pistol cailiber levers actions are slow to load, and very difficult when you're in a hurry, or when your fingers are cold.

The 30-30s and the 45-70s are much easier to load.

A freind of mine has the Marlin 1895 in .45-70, and that is one very impressive rifle. Recoil was milder than expected and it shot very well offhand. Much nicer than my 1894 CP.
 
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