Marlin 1894C ?

[AdamARM]

Hi all,

At some point I would like to buy a rifle.  Since I already enjoy shooting a 357, I have a leaning towards a rifle in that caliber.  Hence, my interest in the Marlin 1894C 357.

I have read some horror stories about modern Marlin rifles and wanted to get your take on them. 

Do you think Marlin is doing better now?  How is their customer service and warranty for factory repairs?

Do you think the 357 marlin is as good as other caliber marlins (not asking about the caliber itself but the quality of the rifle in comparison to the 44 and 30-30 marlin levers, etc.).

The purpose of the rifle will be to put some serious pain on targets down range and maybe some feral hog hunting.

My next purchase is probably 6-months to a year away, so I am not in a rush to find a lever gun... just doing my homework (which is all part of the fun).

-Adam

[bigmuddy]

I have a few Marlins, including an 1894C 357. None of mine are the newer (Remington) guns however so I'm not much help there. I too have heard the horror stories but have also heard some good things about recent offerings. The advice I would give is to only purchase a new Marlin in a face to face deal so that you can look at the gun you are buying. I would be a bit leery of auction sight purchases were it me.

As to the quality of the 1894C I have not noticed any difference just for that caliber. All have been top rate guns for me. My 357 has seen a lot of miles and isn't real pretty to look at but it is a tack driver. It has a Micro Groove barrel but someone forgot to tell it that it can't shoot lead bullets. I do mainly feed it jacketed however. It might just be the perfect saddle gun.

Dan

[jgt]

I have been a Marlin shooter since before the change back to Ballard cut barrels. I am by no means an expert, but maybe I can help some. In 1969 Marlin re-introduce their 1894 model in pistol caliber cartridges starting with the 44 magnum. Ten years later they came out with the 1894 in 357 caliber. Its barrel rifling was a microgroove and had a twist rate of 1/16 and 12 grooves. Around 1997 they changed to a Ballard rifling keeping a 1/16 twist rate and six grooves.
The company was sold to Remington in 2010 and moved to their present location in 2012. Remington put out some rifles with poor wood to metal fit, screws with buggered up heads, crooked sights, messed up rifling, no rifling, sorry quality wood, wood finish, and metal finish. The 357 caliber guns made by Marlin with the now infamous "JM" stamp became all the rage in the cowboy shooting community and the price skyrocketed. The guns that were in the hands of people who already had theirs became "forever" guns in their battery.
Next, I have a sister-in-law whom I am most fond of since she was first to welcome me into the family when my bride and I married. During the "Marlington" or "Remlin" years as some call them, my favored sister-in-law became widowed. A couple of years later she informed me she wanted a gun. She had a handgun and a shot gun left by her husband, but wanted a rifle. I immediately thought of the 1894 model Marlin in 357 caliber as the perfect rifle for her. The problem would be to find one that would not cost me a kidney and liver along with my extremities. During the search, I found one marketed by Gander Mountain that was said to be from a group of guns made up for the SHOT show. I crossed my fingers and decided to take a chance on one. I was hoping it could be the exception to the rule since it was made up for the public display of Remington's ability to produce these guns.
When the rifle came it was not my idea of a "show" gun, but the worst I could knock it for was sorry wood quality, not the best medal to wood fit, wood and metal finish, gritty cycling, and heavy trigger pull. The first thing I did when I got it home was take it apart for a fluff and buff. I immediately sliced my hand on the razor sharp edge of the receiver while removing the trigger plate. The gun was full of metal dust, chips, and old gummed up oil. Once the gun was scrubbed clean, I had to admit the machine work inside the receiver and the innerds were much smoother than my genuine Marlin 1894 44 magnum from 1979. I ended up mostly toning down the razor sharp edges on things and working on the sear to lighten the tonnage on the trigger pull. I did not have a spare sear at the time, so I was very careful not to go too far. After all, this rifle was going to a highly thought of family member. I managed to get the trigger down to six pounds, but it had no creep. It felt acceptable to me, and after I ordered a spare sear, I could always work it down more if she wanted. At the range it functioned flawlessly and shot several good groups. I finally breathed a sigh of relief. Success!!!
Today, I have seen lots of reports of others buying the new 1894's and having good results in both cosmetic and function. These little rifles have been used to take down deer and eat up lots of rounds for general fun. If I were in the market today, I would inspect it closely for outstanding flaws. After purchase, I would be sure to take it apart and give it a thorough cleaning, fluff and buff, and trigger job. Then take it to the range and make sure it will perform up to standards. So far Remington has tried to make a product worthy of the Marlin name and from all I am hearing, they are making great progress.

[taffin]

Mar 31, 2019 20:19:44 GMT -5 AdamARM said:

Hi all,

At some point I would like to buy a rifle.  Since I already enjoy shooting a 357, I have a leaning towards a rifle in that caliber.  Hence, my interest in the Marlin 1894C 357.

I have read some horror stories about modern Marlin rifles and wanted to get your take on them. 

Do you think Marlin is doing better now?  How is their customer service and warranty for factory repairs?

Do you think the 357 marlin is as good as other caliber marlins (not asking about the caliber itself but the quality of the rifle in comparison to the 44 and 30-30 marlin levers, etc.).

The purpose of the rifle will be to put some serious pain on targets down range and maybe some feral hog hunting.

My next purchase is probably 6-months to a year away, so I am not in a rush to find a lever gun... just doing my homework (which is all part of the fun).

-Adam

BOUGHT ONE EARLIER THIS YEAR. GOOD SOLID GUN. I HAD THE ACTION SMOOTHED AND THE TRIGGER TAKEN DOWN FROM 8# TO 3#. I ALSO HAD THE STOCK FINISHED AS IT WAS PRETTY MUCH STAINED BARE WOOD. GREAT LEVERGUN NOW. I ALSO BOUGHT A HENRY .357--READY TO GO AS IT CAME. AND A ROSSI STAINLESS .357. NEEDED TRIGGER WORK AND SINCE THE METAL IS STAINLESS I AM HAVING A POLYURETHANE FINISH ON THE STOCK INCLUDING THE BARREL CHANNEL TO WEATHERPROOF IT MORE.

[foxtrapper]

I’d go take a look at the new Marlins as their quality ,imho, is right there with the Conn. rifles. If your not comfortable with taking a file to innards to smooth up the trigger, buy a Wild West brand “happy trigger” ! It’s a drop in part ,solves the marlin trigger flop,( if that matters to you) and gives you a creep free smooth trigger!

[AdamARM]

Apr 1, 2019 8:15:11 GMT -5 jgt said:

 have a sister-in-law whom I am most fond of since she was first to welcome me into the family when my bride and I married.....I finally breathed a sigh of relief. Success!!!

Thanks for sharing your story!  Happy to hear you were able to find her a great rifle.