Marlin 1894

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Today, I shot my friends new Ruger/Marlin SBL 1894 in 357. Assuming Ruger gets the QC right on these, they're gonna kill it! VERY nice gun, I was impressed with the fit & finish. The markings also appear to be layers engraved, and are very nice. Consistent depth, and looks great black on silver. Also, they kept it minimal markings only. None of that billboard warning bullshit. The stock is nicely done, and the colors are very attractive.

It was the first lever action I've ever shot, and I'll admit I was surprised at the recoil with 357. Not unpleasant, but more than I was expecting, having nothing to compare it to. Fed nicely, in and out.

Complaints, which are minimum;

Loading gate is very stiff. I bet it'll loosen up. The rail on top is black, for some reason. Looks odd, compared to all that silver. Not a fan of the rear sight, it's like a ghost ring on a shotgun. In all fairness, I was also looking through some semi-nasty safety glasses, which wasn't helping things.

I want one.
 
Glad you had fun with your first lever gun experience, hope you get one you like! Be warned though, they are addictive! ;)

First you get the .357 like your friends, which is an excellent choice BTW. Then you want to get something a little more powerful, like say a .30-30, or maybe a .44 magnum. Then you enjoy that so much, you want a thumper in .45-70!

Once you get the first few, you realize they are so much fun, you want a .22 LR so it's cheap to shoot, and you can let the kids join in. Then you realize you need a bigger safe, and, well...:)
 
On a slightly different note, I've often wondered why someone doesn't make a line of lever guns in popular semi auto calibers? Personally, I'd love to have one in 9mm that holds about 15 rounds. It would be relatively cheap to shoot, have the fun of a decently powerful low recoiling package. It could also be useful for defensive purposes.

One in .45 acp, or 10mm would also make a great companion arm for a bottom feeder sidearm!
 
Good to hear. 1894 is my favorite of the line. Heard Ruger is doing a fine job with the Marlin line. 44 mag sure sounds good too.
 
Visited my LGS day ago and inquired if he had any Marlin Model1894's in stock, 44 Magnum and said he could get one in next week. He had one in 357 caliber but when he handed it to me the lever would not open?? Gave it back to him and he tried to work the action a few times and it did finally open up for him. Lived in Alaska for some years and the original Marlins had a problem for some regarding the shell lifter would cause such a problem. That sort of issue can cause a lot of problems when a grizzly bear or his cousin brown bear being twice as large is coming at you. The fit and finish on the firearm is beyond good, it is definitely of high quality and hope Ruger would address such a problem with the rifle.
 
Glad you had a pleasant experience.
I too have always noticed the Loading
Gates are tough to operate.

Wait till you shoot a Winchester 1895
lever action. Not as handy, but very
impressive to shoot. Mine are 30-06
and 270.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.
 
Yeah, we had no problems cycling this one. I did get the impression that it likes to cycle faster/harder rather than being babied. But that's not unusual.
Making them in pistol caliber chamberings sounds like a good idea.
 
Today, I shot my friends new Ruger/Marlin SBL 1894 in 357. Assuming Ruger gets the QC right on these, they're gonna kill it! VERY nice gun, I was impressed with the fit & finish. The markings also appear to be layers engraved, and are very nice. Consistent depth, and looks great black on silver. Also, they kept it minimal markings only. None of that billboard warning bullshit. The stock is nicely done, and the colors are very attractive.

It was the first lever action I've ever shot, and I'll admit I was surprised at the recoil with 357. Not unpleasant, but more than I was expecting, having nothing to compare it to. Fed nicely, in and out.

Complaints, which are minimum;

Loading gate is very stiff. I bet it'll loosen up. The rail on top is black, for some reason. Looks odd, compared to all that silver. Not a fan of the rear sight, it's like a ghost ring on a shotgun. In all fairness, I was also looking through some semi-nasty safety glasses, which wasn't helping things.

I want one.
My guess is that the Picatinny rail is black to reduce glare, same as the front sight. In my opinion that would be a positive feature.
 
Is the SBL the one with a short barrel, stainless instead of blue, pic rail, butt pad, giant loop, fiber sights, laminate stock, and swivels? Are they still selling for a $1200+? I prefer blued steel and normal accessories or lack thereof ... and the 1892 design. Good to hear that Ruger is (mostly) building a quality version of the Marlin though.
 
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Yup, that's the one. Interestingly, it was on the rack in the store marked at nearly $1500. When my friend got it to the counter, it was 12 and change, which he was happy about.

what do you mean, mostly?
 
Yup, that's the one. Interestingly, it was on the rack in the store marked at nearly $1500. When my friend got it to the counter, it was 12 and change, which he was happy about.

what do you mean, mostly?
I might give $850 for one that was blued with walnut and no rail, regular sights, normal lever and barrel, etc. but $1200 is silly to me when good Marlins can be found for under a grand. Well, maybe not an 1894 .357. Those are still too high. Still getting used to the major price hikes we've seen in the last four years. I should know, I handle new vehicles all the time and it's the same thing...

Mostly? There's a post in this topic that described an issue, although likely minor, with a new one.
 
Enough of those friggen rails. On some guns they look like a grill guard on a Mustang. I wonder how long it will take for Ruger to start putting them on No 1's.
 
Enough of those friggen rails. On some guns they look like a grill guard on a Mustang. I wonder how long it will take for Ruger to start putting them on No 1's.
Wondering myself as well. But it's Ruger making what used to be Marlins so Ruger thinks they're making what Marlin people want. Must be working with the astronomical prices. So things won't change ... except the normal looking walnut 1894 in .357 is sold out most places. But are there Marlin people any more? I am.

All mine were made WAY before Marlin got shoddy and got absorbed by a shoddy company that had to dump Marlin to a better company.
 
Wondering myself as well. But it's Ruger making what used to be Marlins so Ruger thinks they're making what Marlin people want. Must be working with the astronomical prices. So things won't change ... except the normal looking walnut 1894 in .357 is sold out most places. But are there Marlin people any more? I am.

All mine were made WAY before Marlin got shoddy and got absorbed by a shoddy company that had to dump Marlin to a better company.
I have a 36 made in 47 and a 336 made in 74. To be fair, it not just Marlin, a while back my cousin bought a new T/C Encore Rifle in 22-250 with a 26" heavy barrel and a thumb hole stock that had one on it. They are everywhere, like a disease 😉. I threw it in the trash and put a nice Leupold base and rings on it.
 
Thumbhole stock :sick:

336RC waffle top and 39A peanut both from 1951, long barrel LSHO Model 60 with a 12345XX serial number from 1988, real walnut and white spacer bullseye 783 from 1983. The 60 is the only "hardwood" one I have as the rest are walnut but it's cool being one of only 3-4 years with the long tubes and the hold open. None of those will be reproduced other than the 336 which is sort of kind of like an old one.
 
Wondering myself as well. But it's Ruger making what used to be Marlins so Ruger thinks they're making what Marlin people want. Must be working with the astronomical prices. So things won't change ... except the normal looking walnut 1894 in .357 is sold out most places. But are there Marlin people any more? I am.

All mine were made WAY before Marlin got shoddy and got absorbed by a shoddy company that had to dump Marlin to a better company.
Marlinfirearmsforum.com is a great site. I have 7 pre-safety lever guns purchased over the years, deals on Gunbroker or rescued from pawn shops. Surprisingly, they've turned out to be a great investment but i bought them because they were cool and pretty with no idea they'd someday be worth 4-5 times what I paid for them.
 
Here's my "new" Marlin - a 336-A in .30-30.
20250110_172241.jpg

And a 1894 SRC .44 mag from 1971.
20241130_155134.jpg

I'm kind of in the camp that with a little searching you can find a good original JM Marlin for less than the new Rugers are selling for. But each to his own. Somewhat the same with the price of a new New Model Blackhawk- for about the same money I can find a nice old model or flattop. Pay your money and take your pick.
 
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