Guy B. Meredith
Member
I have been given to understand that Marlin's lever action rifles are the choice for handgun cartridges. Any particular advantages between the 1894C and 1894 Cowboy for .357 magnums?
Marlin handgun caliber rifles
- Thread starter Guy B. Meredith
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Nathanael_Greene
Member
For one thing, the 1894C is cheaper...
I'm a big fan of Marlin rifles, and my 1894C is about my favorite rifle (right now, anyway).
The biggest problem I've seen with the .357 Marlins is finding one! They seem to be tough to come by, at least around here.
I'm a big fan of Marlin rifles, and my 1894C is about my favorite rifle (right now, anyway).
The biggest problem I've seen with the .357 Marlins is finding one! They seem to be tough to come by, at least around here.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
$$$$$$$
Yes the C is much lighter and quicker to target but the cowboy with it's heavier barrel will stay on target thru "that Phenomenal" recoil. The Cowboy has also been "tweaked" at the factory. Get one they really make the 357 shine.
Yes the C is much lighter and quicker to target but the cowboy with it's heavier barrel will stay on target thru "that Phenomenal" recoil. The Cowboy has also been "tweaked" at the factory. Get one they really make the 357 shine.
ChristopherG
Member
Funnest centerfire rifle ever. In fact, it's just about put my rimfire rifles out of business. I load (and I think I remember reading that you reload, don't you Guy?--it's a great gun to reload for!) both hot and very mild for it, and it's accurate as can be with everything. Took my slight 12 year old to the range last week with a couple boxes of 158 LSWCs at about 750 fps. The first time he shot it, he said, "did it go off?" On the other end, a full load of 296 behind a 170 gr. GoldDot Softpoint--about a thousand fps faster--will give you a friendly little boot and punch deep into whatever you please. The one alteration for me was a Lyman aperature sight on the receiver, for which it's predrilled. It's beautiful, it's exceedingly handy, and I just really like it, as you can probably tell.
cg
cg
OP
OP
Guy B. Meredith
Member
Are both models acceptable for Cowboy action shooting?
ChristopherG,
Which model do you have and what sort of sight is the Lyman? I haven't done much with rifles to this point and am not familiar with the "accessories".
Ah, I see that is an aperture sight. I have had a fascination with aperture sights since using a target .22 way back about 45 years ago but haven't used them since then.
I do reload and have a box of .357 magnums I am reluctant to try in a revolver. Had thought that the rifle might be a safe test bed. The loads are within limits in Speers and Lyman but where most loads tend to have less velocity than advertised, these are showing a higher velocity. 158 gr West Coast copper plate RN at something over 1300. Don't have my notes for exact figures. Began to imagine primer deformation in the prviousl trial load and backed off trying these--I am just not adventurous.
ChristopherG,
Which model do you have and what sort of sight is the Lyman? I haven't done much with rifles to this point and am not familiar with the "accessories".
Ah, I see that is an aperture sight. I have had a fascination with aperture sights since using a target .22 way back about 45 years ago but haven't used them since then.
I do reload and have a box of .357 magnums I am reluctant to try in a revolver. Had thought that the rifle might be a safe test bed. The loads are within limits in Speers and Lyman but where most loads tend to have less velocity than advertised, these are showing a higher velocity. 158 gr West Coast copper plate RN at something over 1300. Don't have my notes for exact figures. Began to imagine primer deformation in the prviousl trial load and backed off trying these--I am just not adventurous.
DMK
Member
That is a tough choice. The 1894C is about 1/2 lb lighter and 1 1/2" shorter, but the Cowboy holds one more round and has that cool octagon barrel.
I think I'd go with the cowboy. It doesn't look like the cowboy has any sling mounts though, if that makes any difference to you.
I think I'd go with the cowboy. It doesn't look like the cowboy has any sling mounts though, if that makes any difference to you.
ChristopherG
Member
Guy, mine is the 1894c, with the 18.5" barrel. I've never handled the cowboy, so can't tell you how it compares, but I'm sure either one would serve very well. I spose the Cowboy would be better if you were actually going to do CSA shooting; otherwise, I do like the handling of the shorter barrel, which is still enough, I think, to get about maximum advantage out of the .357.
The lyman sight I have is this one:
http://www.natchezss.com/brand.cfm?...prodID=LY3662215&CFID=502879&CFTOKEN=99320582
It's got two sized aperatures and easy adjustability, and works just fine with the factory front sight. I can shoot groups of about 3" at 100 yards with the larger sight, which is the only one I've used.
The lyman sight I have is this one:
http://www.natchezss.com/brand.cfm?...prodID=LY3662215&CFID=502879&CFTOKEN=99320582
It's got two sized aperatures and easy adjustability, and works just fine with the factory front sight. I can shoot groups of about 3" at 100 yards with the larger sight, which is the only one I've used.
Detritus
Member
yes both the 94C and 1894CB are acceptable, though in some areas the "C" has a disadvantage as it has only a 9 round capacity (many CAS clubs shoot 10-rounds of rifle fire on each stage, thus requiring a reload in shorter guns)
want to state a mild correction the standard 1894CB "Cowboy" models are NOT tweaked at the factory.
the factory tuned versions are the 1894CBC "Cowboy Competition" models. Minor point but just wanted to make clear.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I remember correctly after Detritus has brought it up, the CBC's are tuned not the basic Cowboy guns.
If you want to use it in CASS you cannot put a reciever sight on it you must either use the open sights or a tang sight. I have a Marble's Tang sight on mine and it makes the world of difference for my farsighted old eyes. I got my Marble sight at American Backyard. They are the cheapest I have found. The Marble sight has the benefit over the Lyman tang sight because it also has windage adjustment along with elevation. The Lyman sight does not do windage.
Get one and enjoy one of the finer things in life.
Standard Disclaimer .Do not use this in a S&W Etc.
I have a great load of 165gr hard cast LSWCGC over 14.5 gr of 2400 makes a great load that has some real time knock down thump
If you want to use it in CASS you cannot put a reciever sight on it you must either use the open sights or a tang sight. I have a Marble's Tang sight on mine and it makes the world of difference for my farsighted old eyes. I got my Marble sight at American Backyard. They are the cheapest I have found. The Marble sight has the benefit over the Lyman tang sight because it also has windage adjustment along with elevation. The Lyman sight does not do windage.
Get one and enjoy one of the finer things in life.
Standard Disclaimer .Do not use this in a S&W Etc.
I have a great load of 165gr hard cast LSWCGC over 14.5 gr of 2400 makes a great load that has some real time knock down thump
I have a 94CS in 357 mag. It's a blast to shoot. They are accurate, cheap to shoot and powerful enough for any reasonable use. It is a great California Assault Rifle. It's so PC it's cute and it's perfect for self defense.
Mine will shoot any 38 or 357 mag except 38 wadcutters. Those don't feed. It will also fit in a golf bag and many other innocuous bags in the trunk of your car. It can be a very discrete carry carbine or truck gun.
106rr
Mine will shoot any 38 or 357 mag except 38 wadcutters. Those don't feed. It will also fit in a golf bag and many other innocuous bags in the trunk of your car. It can be a very discrete carry carbine or truck gun.
106rr
Ben Shepherd
Member
Come on folks, don't limit yourselves like this.
You need the big three:
1. 357 redhawk/357 levergun
2. 41 redhawk/41 levergun
3. 44 redhawk/44 levergun
Trust me on this: You need them all
Thinking about a Rossi puma in 454 to go with the 454 SRH.
Seriously, look at your pistol velocities and just add a rough 400 fps for the rifle. That cartrige is now in a whole different world "thump"wise.
You need the big three:
1. 357 redhawk/357 levergun
2. 41 redhawk/41 levergun
3. 44 redhawk/44 levergun
Trust me on this: You need them all
Thinking about a Rossi puma in 454 to go with the 454 SRH.
Seriously, look at your pistol velocities and just add a rough 400 fps for the rifle. That cartrige is now in a whole different world "thump"wise.
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Ben Shepherd
Member
Wedge, that's why I'm thinking 454 lever!!! I guess I could download to 45 colt pressure/velocity though.
Although from the some things are just "right" perspective, you are correct.
Although from the some things are just "right" perspective, you are correct.
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