My Lever Scout Jr., 1894 .357

[ChristopherG]

We had a beautiful morning here in typically stifling NC, and I was able to spend it at the range with my son and my Marlin 1894c .357 lever gun, which I LOOOVE. I love it to the extent that I'm buying it presents. Today was the first time I've shot it with its latest acquisition, a 2.5X28 IER 'Scout' scope by Leupold. It uses low Leupold Quick Release mounts and rides on an XS 'express' sights lever-scout mount.

The whole package is wonderful. The mount is rock steady and screwed on with no more 'smithing' than a bit of filing to make it into the rifle's dovetail mount. The scope--well, it's my first scope of any quality, and I can't stop picking the little carbine up to peer at the clarity and sharpness of the image. The forward mount is very quick, for me; on several strings of rapid fire, I could put multiple cans on the burm in the air--shooting one airborne, finding another, and popping it up before the first one landed. In quick fire like this, the scout scope is very instinctive, IM (obviously) LE.

Resting my elbows on a bench, and rushing just a bit (the son doesn't yet have a lot of patience for slowfire), I shot a tube of 9 XTP FPs (over a full load of 296) into a 2" group at 70 yards. I know it would do better from a full-on benched position, but I don't know why I'd bother. Well, bragging is why, of course--I just don't know whether I WILL bother.

Here she is with the scout scope:

 

[ChristopherG]

And, should I decide I want a more traditional feel, it takes all of ten seconds to whip the scope/ring combo off, and I'm in shape to use the Lyman 66 peep sight with Williams Firesight Fiber Optic front bead--which is a darn fine sighting system in itself; that red bead is quick to pick up, and it'll shoot pretty good with this setup.

 

[ChristopherG]

So there you are. Just wanted to show off, I suppose, but hopefully someone who's been batting this kind of gun or set-up around will come along and have a little more input to consider.

A 357 lever is a great little gun. I've probably put 2,000 rds through mine and will shoot many more. I shoot local 3-gun competition with it, plink & plunk, of course, and this year, will be hunting whitetail with it. In the unlikely event something like a 'neighborhood defense' situation ever came up, this would be the gun in my hands. I think they oughta be mandatory; turn 18, get a 357 carbine. The world would be a better place

 

[Sawdust]

I don't have any input, except to thank you for sharing.

I have wanted a 1894c in .357 for a while, and appreciate that you have posted as I will use it for reference when I finally get one.

Looks great, highly useful and alot of fun.

Sawdust

 

[Malone LaVeigh]

I really need another safe...

 

[Dr.Rob]

That's some pretty wood on that rifle.

Those 94's are a gas!

 

[PaulTX]

This is not a real good picture, but here is my Marlin 1894P in .44 magnum with a Leupold EER 2x scope. A great carbine with a lot of power for it's size.

 

[Brian Williams]

Here is mine with my 2 favorite revolvers, they make for a nice range session.

 

[NoBite]

Brian, what kind of accuracy can you get using the tang site? I am attracted to that setup and only wonder how accurate it might be.

Christopher, I am mighty attracted to your setup as well! If you don't mind disclosing the cost of the rings and scope, I'm interested. Thanks.

 

[ChristopherG]

Got the whole rig at midwayusa.com. Scope was 219; rings were 44, I think; express sights scout base was 45. So, not cheap; but very, very fun.

 

[W Turner]

Nice set-up, I am looking at doing the same with my Marlin 1894 in .44mag.


BTW- the wood on that rifle is gorgeous.


W

 

[SapperLeader]

I love the rifle with both sight setups. Gorgeous wood too!

 

[iamkris]

That would be quite a nice set up for deer and/or hogs if you ask me.

I have a 24" bbl Win 92 in 45 Colt I use for Cowboy Shooting. If it were legal in IL to hunt deer with a rifle, I'd use it with some hot handloads.

 

[444]

Sounds like you are a happy man.
I have the carbine. I was going to go with the same set up you have but so far I have only managed to put the AO ghost ring sights on it - no scout scope.
I have a Marlin 444 with the AO ghost ring sights and the lever scout rail and the Leupold scout scope on it. Really a nice versitile set up.

Isn't buying a good quality scope a wonderful experience ? Isn't it worth every penny to know you have a dependable, quality piece of gear ?

 

[Series 70]

I'm going to get the same setup on my 336. I have the WWG ghost ring rear and Williams firesight front. The XS scout rail is next on the list, probably this month. Rings and scope before deer season.

And that Happy Trigger kit from WWG just might get included...

It sure does not take long to spend more on accessories than I spent on the rifle itself.