Marlin Levers Good to Fo?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Marlin Levers Good to Fo?

Posted: 1/21/2015 11:12:39 PM EDT

I am interested in a lever action gun now. I know I want a .357/.38. I was looking at the Marlin 1894C, which I like because it has side-loading. I looked at the Henrys but for me personally, the loading technique is a deal-breaker.

The question is, are the Marlin 1894Cs okay to buy again? I know Marlin has gone through some bad times of late, having to move. Their quality is reported to have taken a huge dive in the last few years. Have they recovered? Is it safe to buy a Marlin again?

Posted: 1/22/2015 11:30:39 AM EDT

[#1]

Do you have a real life, in the flesh .357 carbine to buy or are you just looking at the online catalog? I haven't seen a new one available for sale in quite some time, which is one of the reasons that the prices on used guns have reached the stratosphere.

I don't know the answer to your question about current Remlin quality. I can see your predicament however. Good luck.

Posted: 1/22/2015 1:17:02 PM EDT

[#2]

No there don't seem to be any anywhere. But the 2015 Marlin catalog shows they will be available at some point this year. If not, maybe I can find a Rossi or a Uberti.

Posted: 1/22/2015 2:00:41 PM EDT

[#3]

I have a 1979 vintage, buy a used Marlin.

Posted: 1/22/2015 2:13:29 PM EDT

[#4]

You didn't say whether the .357 lever had to be new or not, just that you want it NOW. As I scan through the listings on Gunbroker, I see about 8-9 .357 Marlin rifles and the lowest price is around $1,000 on up to $1,500. There are definitely some available right at this moment. That's the direction I would go personally if you need it right now. After handling and extensively researching the Rossi, I decided it against it. I used to own the Marlin you're seeking and It's a great gun. I would accept no substitute. JMHO.

Posted: 1/22/2015 6:36:37 PM EDT

[#5]

I have a .44 Mag Marlin 1894 and use it a lot for field and truck carry GREAT RIFLE. I also have a .45 Rossi and my wife’s .357 Rossi. I used the .45 as a Cowboy action gun and never had any problems with it. My wife has only run a few hundred rounds through hers and no problems. We have both the Rossi’s set up to go to Steve's Guns for tune up to take care of problems they may have in the future.

Stevie's Guns

Posted: 1/26/2015 3:30:30 AM EDT

[#6]

I was in my local gun shop today and they had a Rossi 92 in .357. Anyone have an opinion on these rifles? It looked pretty damn good. The fit and finish was good, the action felt smooth, and the price was right. It did have some kind of messed up safety though.

Posted: 1/26/2015 12:24:28 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
I was in my local gun shop today and they had a Rossi 92 in .357. Anyone have an opinion on these rifles? It looked pretty damn good. The fit and finish was good, the action felt smooth, and the price was right. It did have some kind of messed up safety though.

View Quote

From my personal experience, Rossi 92 are a mixed bag... half of them is excellent, while the other half is rubbish.
So, a close inspection is required before buying one. But if you find a good one, you'll be fine... though personally, I'd still prefer a Marlin :-)

Posted: 1/26/2015 6:00:35 PM EDT

[#8]

I tried to cycle the action of a brand new, unfired Marlin 94 (in 44 Mag). It was unloaded. It had a glitch on the very first try. It got stuck half way down. I had to reclose the lever and start over.

Would 357 be any different? I highly doubt it (but I don't know for sure).

I would not buy one without being able to touch it and cycle it, in person.

Posted: 1/27/2015 12:07:13 AM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
I tried to cycle the action of a brand new, unfired Marlin 94 (in 44 Mag). It was unloaded. It had a glitch on the very first try. It got stuck half way down. I had to reclose the lever and start over.

Would 357 be any different? I highly doubt it (but I don't know for sure).

I would not buy one without being able to touch it and cycle it, in person.

View Quote

IIRC the .44s, even from the "good" times, had a glitch that needed worked out. I sent mine back and it was repaired just fine. But it went away and now I'm happy with the older .357 that I have, for all things lever related.

Posted: 1/27/2015 9:03:53 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
I was in my local gun shop today and they had a Rossi 92 in .357. Anyone have an opinion on these rifles? It looked pretty damn good. The fit and finish was good, the action felt smooth, and the price was right. It did have some kind of messed up safety though.

View Quote

I have three Rossi/Puma's, 16" blue in .357 and 44, and 20" stainless in .454Casull. Only problem with any of them was on the .357 - it shot high, even with the sight elevator all the way down. Took the elevator out of the rear sight and that thankfully fixed it, but it was a problem at first. Ended up with a red dot sight on the little gun anyway.

Other than that, zero complaints about any of them. I've heard of people having problems with them and with as many of them as there are out there, it's likely true. I've also heard that they won't feed the shorter-case ammo (.38 & .44 spl, and 45LC) and that's pure bunk. Most of what I feed mine are the non-magnums and they eat them up no problem at all.

Posted: 2/17/2015 12:13:13 PM EDT

[#11]

A friend and I were outshooting this weekend he had a Henry in 44 magnum that constantly jammed but was very accurate. I on the other hand had my 30 year old 1894 and it was flawless and more accurate.

Posted: 2/17/2015 4:06:45 PM EDT

[#12]

I ended up buying a Winchester Trapper in 357 today. It's in mint condition and appears to have never been fired. Now I just need some ammo for it.

Does anyone have any recommendations for good 357 FMJ flat nose ammo? Magtech makes some, but I don't really know anything about Magtech. I don't want to shoot any exposed lead because I shoot indoors. Thanks!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Marlin Levers Good to Fo?

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