Should I buy this rifle?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hokkmike

Hokkmike

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2006
Messages
3,964
Location
Snack Capital of the US
Was offered a Marlin "JM" stamped .45 LC Limited Edition Cowboy 1984 with a 20" octagonal barrel. The wood and metal look great. The owner, a very reputable and knowledgeable, person, does not recall shooting it. (I am thinking he has a lot of guns) His price is near $1,000. It is advertised to me as like new - no box. The serial number starts 94II0XXX. I am interested in maybe shooting SASS and have (so far) one SAA revolver in 45 LC. From other discussions here I also think the rifle may be useful for deer.

I guess what I am asking you more experienced lever action shooters/SASS people/Collectors is if you think this gun might be worth the price? If anybody can give me a date of manufacture that would be wonderful.

Thanks - I appreciate your comments. Stay safe friends.......
 
$1000 sure feels high, considering I recall buying my 1895 Cowboy for $450 not so long ago, and a 1894 Stainless for $410... but that was right before the Remlin transition... I’ve since paid $750 for another Cowboy, and $900 for a NIB 1894 SS.

But yes, a not-fired 1894 Cowboy JM 45 colt could easily bring $1000. Sad to say.

Since you’re considering a Marlin for CAS/SASS, 1) you’re going to shoot the hell out of it, and 2) you’re going to tinker a lot inside of it, so you might be better off buying a used rifle at a lower cost if you can find it. Or just buy it, knowing you got a fair deal for it, and also knowing you’re going to immediately depreciate it by shooting the hell out of it, like it deserves, and like it has been longing to do for the last ~15 years, or more.
 
JM marlins go higher, but $1000 seems steep by at least $200-in my book

Newer marlins have smoothed out a lot also, I think they are getting past their bad freedom group phase.
 
walterelm said:
Remlin???
Click to expand...
Marlin was bought by Remington, and then they got tied up in the whole Remington fiasco where freedom group bought them, stripped and sold assets, laughably reorganized the business to where it was selling junk with poor QC and even less customer service... JM stamped guns are old school true Marlin guns, or early Remington guns assembled from Marlin manufactured parts. Buy NEW or buy JM. Avoid freedom fiasco guns.
 
Hokkmike

Seems a little steep but I haven't priced JM Marlins in awhile. Is there any flexibility with the price?
 
If I wanted the rifle, I'd pay the ransom. It's kinda hard for me to wrap my head around a Marlin selling for $1000+, but that is where we are. You might get another one cheaper, might not. And even if you do slightly overpay today in 10-15 years I'm betting you'll think the $1000 was cheap.
 
It honestly isn’t looking like very long before Remington/Marlin aren’t going to be making 1894’s/1895’s/336’s/anything any more, and they aren’t making JM’s any more already, so @jmr40’s sentiment is absolutely correct - $1000 is going to seem like a steal in a decade or so.

And of course, let’s pretend you could haggle or search for a $200 cheaper rifle. You’re going to dump hundreds on hundreds of dollars in ammo through it, likely pay hundreds of dollars for springs and a new trigger and maybe even pay a smith to short stroke it.... $200 on the purchase price will be about equivalent to buying new floor mats for a new car - totally inconsequential.
 
As said before the Marlin line at the arms has been retooled. The equipment Marlin used as old as the hills. Transition firearms were shoddy using equipment transferred when they were purchased. Marlin today is keeping the lights on. QC at the plant has improved and bad management replaced. My new 1894 actually has better wood to metal fit than my 2003 1895. I was born in Ilion NY. Always can find out what’s happening at the arms.

As for his selling price, probably close. Lever guns are getting popular.
 
A NIB/unfired price premium should not be paid if you plan to shoot the gun.

$1000 seems about right for what it is. 900 seems about right for a lightly used one. On principle I would want to pay 900 but if the gun is available now it is probably worth it.

I absolutely agree with @Varminterror in that Marlin as a brand and a product line is doomed and will fizzle out in the coming years. I don't like to preach doom and gloom but unless something changes, get your Marlins (JM or not) now or embrace Rossi and Henry.
 
Used to own an equipment dealership. Two women came in to price a snowmobile, which at that particular time were extremely hard to find. They informed me in a very rude tone that another dealer about fifty miles away was willing to sell at a very cheap price

I quoted list, and they were shocked. I asked where they were from, which was clear across the state. They were going to hit every dealer in a hundred mile stretch. Thing is, the difference in price between their best five prices probably wasn’t $50, and they were spending a lot more than that in gas

For whatever reason, people seem totally fixated on getting toys as cheap as possible. As the old saying goes “the amount of angst a cheap S.O.B will go through to save fifty cents is amazing “. I guess there’s some smug satisfaction in getting a deal, but at some point, is it really worth the effort?

Back before the Kung Flu lockdown, my wife and I took our daughter and grand daughter to a really nice restaurant for a birthday bash. The bill with tip was $185. I didn’t price around for the cheapest restaurant.

There are endless threads here “where can I find the cheapest........?” At some point, it’s time to move on IMO.

I’d buy it and enjoy it. But, whatever floats your boat. Your money, not mine.
 
Last edited:
Varminterror said:
It honestly isn’t looking like very long before Remington/Marlin aren’t going to be making 1894’s/1895’s/336’s/anything any more . . .
Click to expand...

earlthegoat2 said:
I absolutely agree with @Varminterror in that Marlin as a brand and a product line is doomed and will fizzle out in the coming years. I don't like to preach doom and gloom but unless something changes, get your Marlins (JM or not) now or embrace Rossi and Henry.
Click to expand...

Disheartening for me to hear. Of course, Henry is running full speed with the lever gun game while Remington has let an institution fade away.
 
I don't buy guns from auction sites. If I had a minty 1894 cb in my hands and the man said $1000, I'd pay it. If you don't want that deal someone else will happily gobble it up.
Seen anything similar in a shop for sale lately?
 
Hokkmike said:
Was offered a Marlin "JM" stamped .45 LC Limited Edition Cowboy 1984 with a 20" octagonal barrel. The wood and metal look great. The owner, a very reputable and knowledgeable, person, does not recall shooting it. (I am thinking he has a lot of guns) His price is near $1,000. It is advertised to me as like new - no box. The serial number starts 94II0XXX. I am interested in maybe shooting SASS and have (so far) one SAA revolver in 45 LC. From other discussions here I also think the rifle may be useful for deer.

I guess what I am asking you more experienced lever action shooters/SASS people/Collectors is if you think this gun might be worth the price? If anybody can give me a date of manufacture that would be wonderful.

Thanks - I appreciate your comments. Stay safe friends.......
Click to expand...
Well, an informed reply might need a little more info. How serious about SASS are you planning on shooting? If you plan on shooting SASS with 3 .45LC guns (2 revolvers and your lever gun), your ammo costs are going to be A LOT more than someone shooting a .38 spl. Do you handload? That may help, but brass is still going to be expensive. For the ammo costs, squabbling over $50 or $100 is petty. .45LC is not cheap, I know, it's what I used to use (hence my avatar name).

For SASS, you've barely scratched the surface of cost. You have 1 revolver and with this purchase, you will have your rifle. You still lack another revolver, the shotgun, holsters (leather), cart and outfit. There's still a long way to go.

Yes, .45 LC can be useful for deer hunting just like .44 Magnum can be, but are you going to really use this rifle to deer hunt with, or are you searching deep to simply justify the purchase?

You also said "near $1000". How near...$950, $980? I'm also going to assume your model number is a typo and you meant to type 1894 rather than 1984.

Others have said the price is in the correct range and I don't disagree. It's up to you if it's worth it or not.
 
Last edited:
LocoGringo said:
Well, an informed reply might need a little more info. How serious about SASS are you planning on shooting? If you plan on shooting SASS with 3 .45LC guns (2 revolvers and your lever gun), your ammo costs are going to be A LOT more than someone shooting a .38 spl. Do you handload? That may help, but brass is still going to be expensive. For the ammo costs, squabbling over $50 or $100 is petty. .45LC is not cheap, I know, it's what I used to use (hence my avatar name).

For SASS, you've barely scratched the surface of cost. You have 1 revolver and with this purchase, you will have your rifle. You still lack another revolver, the shotgun, holsters (leather), cart and outfit. There's still a long way to go.

Yes, .45 LC can be useful for deer hunting just like .44 Magnum can be, but are you going to really use this rifle to deer hunt with, or are you searching deep to simply justify the purchase?

You also said "near $1000". How near...$950, $980? I'm also going to assume your model number is a typo and you meant to type 1894 rather than 1984.

Others have said the price is in the correct range and I don't disagree. It's up to you if it's worth it or not.
Click to expand...
LocoGringo - you should be a psychologist. Some good points there. Thanks for the post.
 
All I can add further is the second I see a pre-owned 1894CB in any caliber and of any era, I am really going to be thinking about buying it. If it is 900 or under then I won’t be thinking about it. I will be doing it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Hokkmike
  • Locked
  • Poll
Best aperture sight for a Marlin 1894 Cowboy lever action rifle?
2
Replies
48
Views
3K
Hokkmike
Hokkmike
Hokkmike
  • Locked
Which lever rifle would YOU choose to buy AMMO for?
2
Replies
29
Views
1K
magyars4
magyars4
Hokkmike
  • Locked
What good is this rifle?
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
StrawHat
StrawHat
C
  • Locked
Marlin 1894
Replies
10
Views
712
coachman48
C
Old Stumpy
  • Locked
1894 Marlin Cowboy in .44-40 - Rifling Twist?
Replies
1
Views
256
Old Stumpy
Old Stumpy
Back
Top