My Marlin 1894CSS

[BJ Orange]

Hi, everyone! I've been visiting THR for a couple years and decided to finally get an account. This is the project I've been working on lately: my handy Marlin 1894CSS. Also, I'm not the best photographer, but you get the picture...


This is the stainless steel version of the 1894, which fires .357 and .38 special. This rifle was made in 2009 before the Remington buyout, and it is perfect! It loads hollowpoint, wadcutter, and everything else without a hiccup; I've never had a round "stick" while using it. It sounds like a .22 when firing it but hits almost as hard as a 30-30. As far as aesthetics, I love the blend of stainless steel, wood, and black. It's the perfect companion to my Ruger GP100. I have a Minuteman ammo cuff around the forearm that snugly holds an additional 11 rounds. These can quickly be pulled out and loaded directly into the chamber. I also braided some paracord around the lever so that it's not so hard on the hand during rapid operation.

I replaced the original buckhorn sight as soon as I could with a "tactical" front and rear sight from Skinner Sights. All the good things you've heard about Skinner Sights are true: the construction and design are top notch, and the customer service is the best I've ever experienced. I wanted protective wings around the sights because this is my primary woods gun, and it gets knocked around a bit. Target acquisition is quick and accurate.




Other things I love about this rifle:
1. It holds a respectable amount of ammo (9+1 in .357, with 11 more in the cuff)
2. It's PC enough for where I live, California
3. It's short and light (36" and 6 lbs.)
4. I can shoot one, load one with ease

Anyone else here an 1894 fan?

 

[RalphS]

Nice pictures. I have a few questions.

What kind of groups do you get with it?
Do you shoot lead bullets or jacketed?
Any issues with getting the Skinner sights to shoot to point of aim? Did you have to adjust the front sight?

 

[Walkalong]

Very nice.

 

[BJ Orange]

What kind of groups do you get with it?
Do you shoot lead bullets or jacketed?
Any issues with getting the Skinner sights to shoot to point of aim? Did you have to adjust the front sight?

I'm ashamed to say the furthest I've shot it out with these sights so far is 75 ft at a hanging, 2-inch metal pole. With a .070 aperture, I can hit it 100% standing. 50 and 100 yard range report to come. I've shot both lead and jacketed bullets with 100% success. The skinner sights were easy to adjust. The front post can be elevated with an Allen wrench, but the factory height was spot on.

 

[whetrock]

That's a keeper for sure, the pre-Remington guns are gradually becoming more and more difficult to find. If it were my rifle I'd have to be offered a hefty sum to part with it.

 

[ECVMatt]

Nice set up! I always have levergun love!

 

[tubeshooter]

I have the exact same gun, except I put a regular stainless Skinner on the back and a standard Skinner post on the front. Same year of manufacture too; '09, just before the changeover, JM proofmark.


I'm a big fan...

 

[ExAgoradzo]

My 1894 357 is not SS.
It also does NOT shoot wad cutters!

But I do like it: my Ruger Blackhawk makes a beautiful companion!

Cheers on the purchase; don't worry about PC in our wonderful state: just be careful with who you talk to about guns... That's what I tell my boys.

 

[FMJMIKE]

Don't sell it...................

 

[MrDig]

I have the same set up, in blue. 1894c and a Ruger GP100 6 in Bbl

 

[Claude Clay]

nicely done and great pic's

my daughter is set up with a blue from '09 and im gonna hand her my S&W PRO 3" to compliment the rig.
those sights as a b'day gift--thank you for the idea.
....and a cuff for xmass

 

[greyling22]

nice rifle. I've wanted one for years. couldn't get one before the buyout, and the ones since then aren't worth having.

 

[viking499]

I have a similar setup, but in 44 mag.

 

[Alaska444]

I have a .357 1894c Marlin and my Ruger SP101 and a Ruger GP100 6 inch bbl. My wife recently got a .44 magnum through her cousin in Winchester 94 Packer that goes well with my Ruger SRH in .44 magnum. Not sure how much my wife will actually shoot that gun since she is so recoil sensitive.

I also have a Henry .22 LR and am looking to get my wife a Ruger SP101 in .22 LR but they are very hard to find in CA. Easy to find up here in Idaho and WA state but hands off for me to be able to buy up here yet.

 

[SabbathWolf]

Somebody please explain the pre-Remington part?
Do the new ones suck or what?
I've been looking at these too to compliment my 357 Blackhawk.

 

[shiftyer1]

I have the blued version, had a stainless in .44 mag come thru work but the boss scooped it up I come across a stainless one in .357 and the price is right....IT"S MINE!

 

[BJ Orange]

Somebody please explain the pre-Remington part?
Do the new ones suck or what?
I've been looking at these too to compliment my 357 Blackhawk.

In 2007, Remington bought Marlin, and in 2010 they closed the North Haven, CT factory where the 1894 was manufactured. The majority of people think that quality went way down when the rifles began to be manufactured in Remington's factory. For this reason, pre-Remington Marlins are generally considered more valuable and reliable and new "Remlins" can sometimes have a number of QC issues. I didn't know about this until after I had bought my rifle on gunbroker, and I was very relieved to see the JM, and not the REM, stamp on the barrel. JM-stamped barrels were produced before the original Marlin factory was closed. I've been tempted to sell mine before because some people are willing to pay so much for one (one $900 offer on another firearms board).

 

[SabbathWolf]

In 2007, Remington bought Marlin, and in 2010 they closed the North Haven, CT factory where the 1894 was manufactured. The majority of people think that quality went way down when the rifles began to be manufactured in Remington's factory. For this reason, pre-Remington Marlins are generally considered more valuable and reliable and new "Remlins" can sometimes have a number of QC issues. I didn't know about this until after I had bought my rifle on gunbroker, and I was very relieved to see the JM, and not the REM, stamp on the barrel. JM-stamped barrels were produced before the original Marlin factory was closed. I've been tempted to sell mine before because some people are willing to pay so much for one (one $900 offer on another firearms board).

I see now.
THANKS for the info.
Beautiful rifle by the way.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Wow I've had several Marlin rifles and even without a wide scan hood I've never dinged a front sight bad enought to warrant a complete re-design. But hey, if it works for you, that's one seriously overbuilt set of sights.

 

[bikerdoc]

I got one in blue from 05, great gun.

 

[Salmoneye]

Congrats, OP...Nice rifle...

As for this post further down:

My 1894 357 is not SS.
It also does NOT shoot wad cutters!

Won't shoot WC, or won't cycle them?

If it won't cycle, go to a Penn Truncated Cone...They make them in 158gr and 180gr...

 

[BJ Orange]

Wow I've had several Marlin rifles and even without a wide scan hood I've never dinged a front sight bad enought to warrant a complete re-design. But hey, if it works for you, that's one seriously overbuilt set of sights.

One of the drawbacks of using a receiver-mounted peep sight like Skinner's is that it is higher than a barrel-mounted rear sight. The original front sight, which I liked, was too short after putting on my new rear sight. The "wingless" Skinner front sights require filing and re-blueing to make it the correct height. Instead of doing this, I opted for the only adjustable front sight produced by Skinner Sights. Lastly, what you consider "overbuilt" I consider protected from heavy use and a guarantee of a long life. You may not have ever damaged a front sight on a Marlin, but I have.