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5/12/2025 1:18:39 PM EDT
I finally took the leap and ordered a Marlin 1894 Trapper in .357 Mag/.38/Spl, what's the best optic for these?  It'll be mostly a fun gun, maybe for offing pests, opossums & raccoons, but it could also play a role in HD.  

I will put my AAC Ti-Rant 45 on it.

What do you suggest?
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. - Thomas Jefferson
5/12/2025 2:15:43 PM EDT
[Last Edit: buck19delta][Edited] [#1]
Red dot, or Leupold etc 1.5x5 type, small, compact, 1x for close 5x for far. Maybe a LPVO .
USA politics dynamic is exactly like the WWF, it’s a total fake fight / soap opera designed to trick you and steal your money, not help you.
5/12/2025 2:56:36 PM EDT
[#2]
I'm working myself in picking on up as well.  Probably this fall.  I'll probably just throw one of a Romeo 5s I've got laying around on there.
I can’t stand it to think my life is going so fast and I’m not really living it.
5/12/2025 3:36:38 PM EDT
[#3]
I have a Leupold 1-4 on mine that's just about perfect. If it was a 1-6, it would be.
5/12/2025 6:18:29 PM EDT
[#4]
Holosun 507K’s on my 357/38 rifles.

5/12/2025 7:28:56 PM EDT
[Last Edit: MidMichHunter][Edited] [#5]
Thanks all.  I forgot I have a Leupold VR X 1.25 x 4 and a Delta Point sitting on the shelf, I’ll give them both a shot.
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. - Thomas Jefferson
5/13/2025 9:29:13 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Burnsome-][Edited] [#6]
Just picked up an 1894 Classic in 357/38.  Any suggestions on who to send it to for barrel threading for a suppressor?
5/18/2025 4:31:12 PM EDT
[#7]
I put a NF NXS 1-4x on mine, was sitting on my shelf, it's bout perfect.
5/18/2025 4:33:17 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Burnsome-:
Just picked up an 1894 Classic in 357/38.  Any suggestions on who to send it to for barrel threading for a suppressor?
View Quote


ADCO is the only shop I use. Now they do mostly AR stuff, but reach out, see if they can to it?
5/19/2025 7:20:48 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Burnsome-:
Just picked up an 1894 Classic in 357/38.  Any suggestions on who to send it to for barrel threading for a suppressor?
View Quote


It’s a lot more involved than just threading the barrel. You have the relocate the front sight and shorten the mag tube which comes with its own set of hurdles and you’ll lose a round of capacity. Then good luck if you ever have a warranty issue because your warranty is null and void. If you want a threaded barrel you really should just buy an SBL or Trapper. You’d be money ahead to sell yours at a slight loss and just buy the factory threaded rifle.
5/19/2025 7:39:36 PM EDT
[Last Edit: John-in-austin][Edited] [#10]
Just your standard compact 4x.  Mine's a Burris Timberline. The LVPO's I've looked at are too heavy or block the hammer when mounted low.
5/20/2025 12:02:05 AM EDT
[Last Edit: NorthPolar][Edited] [#11]
I've got a Holosun 507c on my bolt action 77/357, but am considering a scope for my 357 trapper.  Primary Arms has the Vortex Ranger (gen 1 Viper PST 1-4x with a different label) for $200 right now.  I ordered the OEM SBL rail and sight for mine today, so we'll see what happens.  Ruger direct with a 20% off coupon put it $70 cheaper than the XS rail and rear sight.
5/20/2025 7:17:45 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote History
Originally Posted By NorthPolar:
I've got a Holosun 507c on my bolt action 77/357, but am considering a scope for my 357 trapper.  Primary Arms has the Vortex Ranger (gen 1 Viper PST 1-4x with a different label) for $200 right now.  I ordered the OEM SBL rail and sight for mine today, so we'll see what happens.  Ruger direct with a 20% off coupon put it $70 cheaper than the XS rail and rear sight.
View Quote


Thanks for that tip, @NorthPolar I am looking at the XS rail and sights, need to look at the SBL rail, where is the 20% off coupon?
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. - Thomas Jefferson
5/20/2025 7:24:27 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote History
Originally Posted By MidMichHunter:


Thanks for that tip, @NorthPolar I am looking at the XS rail and sights, need to look at the SBL rail, where is the 20% off coupon?
View Quote


The XS front sight will not work on new marlins FYI. And the coupon you get from registering the warranty on then Ruger website.
5/21/2025 7:11:25 PM EDT
[#14]
Trijicon MRO for the win.
5/22/2025 10:55:52 PM EDT
[#15]
I went with the Holosun SCRS.  ACRO style mount by Ranger Point.  It sits low which was my main priority. Solar powered so dot always shows up.  Cheap if ended up not liking it.  Skinner rear went into a drawer, replaced by an XS rear.  

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5/23/2025 8:48:47 AM EDT
[#16]
Thx all, I ended up ordering the XS Rail, no sights.  I was concerned that, as stated above, the XS front sight won't work with the new 1894s, the hole spacing is .30" off.  I was told by XS that using their rear sight and the OEM front site wasn't a good idea, anyone know if that is truly an issue?  My thought is some day they'll have a sight set that will work on the 1894 so I'll pick a set up then.  Also, they didn't have any of the rail with sight sets for the 1894 in stock, only for the 1895.  I assume they are the same, but wasn't going to risk it.

On a positive note, XS is having a 25% off sale for the Holiday weekend, so if you need something from them, might be a good time to order.  No coupon needed, the rail was $57 shipped.

XS Memorial Day Sale
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. - Thomas Jefferson
5/24/2025 10:00:10 PM EDT
[#17]
Let me know how you like it. The ones I ordered from Ruger arrived today and did not fit. (For what it’s worth, the Ruger Forum guys said the 1895 rail would fit, I didn’t think about the longer receiver, so that’s on me.)
5/28/2025 9:25:06 AM EDT
[#18]
Look at skinner sights. Great option on a lever gun.
5/30/2025 6:40:40 PM EDT
[Last Edit: MidMichHunter][Edited] [#19]
@NorthPolar

I got it on today and was able to sight in an old Leupold DeltaPoint I had sitting around.  I like the rail but I feel the MRD sits a little too high.  I only have a 50yrd on my property but I was but to hit a 6” plate @ 50yrds w/o any issue with the set up.  My only issue is that I no longer have iron sights since XS doesn’t make one that fits the New 1894 front post holes, hopefully they’ll fix that soon.  I don’t like where the rear sight would sit there is an open hole and the base has a cut out for their rear sight.  It’s a minor issue, so I can deal with it.
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Attached File

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. - Thomas Jefferson
5/31/2025 8:17:04 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote History
Originally Posted By arndog123:
Holosun 507K’s on my 357/38 rifles.
https://i.ibb.co/SwtqRGQk/IMG-1637.jpg
View Quote

That's what I have on mine, mainly because that's what my daughter uses for deer hunting and she struggles finding deer with a scope.  I personally prefer a little magnification when shooting at 50 to 100 yards.  Not a lot but a little.  I have considered the primary arms 2x glx prism it's smaller than most scopes
5/31/2025 8:46:33 PM EDT
[Last Edit: owlless][Edited] [#21]
Leupold VX Freedom

Ohio weather STILL sucks, even more!
6/1/2025 2:41:55 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote History
View Quote


This is the very best lever gun scope option in my opinion. Only 9oz and amazing glass for the price. I’ve been very happy with the lever guns I’ve set up with them.  I do like the micro red dot on my .357mags though.
6/16/2025 10:24:48 PM EDT
[#23]
I am also using the Leupold 1.5-4x Freedom.  I got the one with the circle crosshair set up.  For working up loads the circle is nice to help center on the bull like using a peep sight, it naturally centers.
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
6/17/2025 9:50:23 AM EDT
[#24]
I have a little Vortex pistol RDS mounted all the way forward on mine.  I like it.
I love a good double entendre.
6/25/2025 12:48:55 AM EDT
[#25]
I put a 2-7 on mine, because it was in a box on my shelf. if it was 1- whatever I think it would be perfect.  For my uses though 2-7 works fine. I had a red dot on it for a while and it didn't really do anything for me.
6/25/2025 12:20:39 PM EDT
[Last Edit: spot-remover][Edited] [#26]
Picked up my Trapper yesterday.  I'm going to try to make the stock sights work with my crappy eyes.  If not, I'll put a spare holosun 407k on it.  If THAT doesn't work, then it'll be the extra Leupold Freedom 1.5-4x.

But I really hope I can shoot it ok with the peep.  It's perfectly sleek as is.

EDIT: just shot about 20 rounds at dusk.  More hits than misses at the 8" plate at 50 to 75 yards.  I'm not crazy about the white stripe on the front sight.  Can't wait to shoot at paper in some decent light and see what the gun is capable of.
6/27/2025 6:37:07 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote History
Originally Posted By spot-remover:
Picked up my Trapper yesterday.  I'm going to try to make the stock sights work with my crappy eyes.  If not, I'll put a spare holosun 407k on it.  If THAT doesn't work, then it'll be the extra Leupold Freedom 1.5-4x.

But I really hope I can shoot it ok with the peep.  It's perfectly sleek as is.

EDIT: just shot about 20 rounds at dusk.  More hits than misses at the 8" plate at 50 to 75 yards.  I'm not crazy about the white stripe on the front sight.  Can't wait to shoot at paper in some decent light and see what the gun is capable of.
View Quote

A FO front sight really pops under a weapon light, if you're going to shoot critters with it or use it as a HD rifle.
6/30/2025 9:26:30 AM EDT
[#28]
Quote History
Originally Posted By brachiosaur:

A FO front sight really pops under a weapon light, if you're going to shoot critters with it or use it as a HD rifle.
View Quote


I shot quite a bit this weekend.  I can make do with the white stripe front sight ok, as long as the light is good.  It's always blurry though.  But it's certainly good enough to ring 8" plates at 50 yards.  I can hit the 3" too, but not with a ton of confidence.

I've never warmed up to fiber optic sights but I may give one another chance.  Thanks for the suggestion.
6/30/2025 11:04:28 AM EDT
[#29]
I have a barrel mounted (read sight dovetail) on my 77/357 and am curious if I can get something like that for my trapper. Doubt it’ll cowitness though.
7/20/2025 6:12:15 PM EDT
[Last Edit: spot-remover][Edited] [#30]
I took the white paint off the front sight and that helped a little.  I then put on an .070" aperture (two sizes smaller than stock .125") to try help focus up the blade.  That worked very well.  Mine will stay with irons for now.

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