Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:05 am

Well, yesterday was a good day, as I once again have a tube-fed lever rifle now that I bought my first Marlin, an 1894C in .357 Magnum, the non-Cowboy version with an 18" barrel. I was seriously considering a takedown BLR in .308, which the same dealer had in stock, but then I saw the 1894C a few days ago. I checked Browning's website, and saw that the takedown BLR is about to be released in a straight-grip stainless/laminated version, which I believe I will prefer to the fat-grip version already available, so that freed me to grab the Marlin, a rare bird itself.

TomF · Post by **TomF** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:51 am

You will be pleased.

TomF

marlin shooter · Post by **marlin shooter** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:08 am

REXSTER
Good choice. I have several levers, and like all of them. I think my 1894c would be 1 of the last ones I would give up. It is very accurate, will serve for deer and smaller game and is a great fun plinker. Karl

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:23 am

that is excellent news for you!! So where are the pictures? and when is the range report?? Wishing you much success with it.

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 11:42 am

Thanks for the support! Posting pics on this forum is totally different from the way I have posted pics in other places; I have some learnin' to do. As for a range report, it won't mean much until I get prescription eyeglasses, and/or better sights for the Marlin.

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 11:53 am

Rexster,

The code for posting pics is the same as for most forums.

As to your rifle, I think that is one of the single best guns a hunter east of the Mississippi can buy.

centershot · Post by **centershot** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:42 pm

Rexster,
Having had an 1894c for several years now, I can tell you that the above posts all speak the truth! If I could only have one, my 1894c is the one I'd keep! And Hobie is correct, properly fed, it is a great hunting arm. Enjoy!

centershot

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:11 pm

It sounds like you made a great choice. My grandson has one like that and it is about as perfect as it gets.

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:15 am

It took me a while to warm up to Marlins. My first lever rifle was a forgettable USRAC '94 Trapper Carbine, but the Winchester "look" defined traditional lever rifle in my mind. Of course, I like my BLRs for what they are, which is not traditional. Marlins seemed neither nor fowl, in my eyes, for a long time. Then, I warmed up to Marlins, but finding a nice .357 1894C locally has been a long project. I soon learned I could not "sleep on it" like I have done for many years with most firearms purchases; a couple of good pre-owned ones, one with crossbolt safety, and one pre-safety, got away when I decided to "think about it" for a day or two. New ones in .357 seemed impossible to find, anywhere, except for the Cowboy models, and even they were rare in .357.

When I found this one, it was all I could do to not ask them to hold it for me. I was not sure I could afford it. Then, a couple of days later, my paycheck deposit revealed some overtime pay accrued during the Hurricane Ike aftermath had been paid. I was pleasantly surprised to find the Marlin still available. I was told there had just been a phone inquiry, but the caller had not asked them to hold the Marlin. I feel lucky and blessed.

I am not a hardcore pistol-rifle-same-cartridge-combo kind of guy, but the logistics of long and short weapons in .357 is appealing. .357 ammo is nicely compact, with a large number of rounds not taking up much room. Remembering some of ScottT's posts, the .357 takes on a whole new level of performance when fired from a carbine, and this little Marlin is just so handy, compared to every other long gun I presently own. What's not to like?

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:59 am

Well, while the link lasts, here are dealer photos of my Marlin. When they take it off their website, the pics will be gone.

http://collectorsfirearms.com/admin/pro ... emID=23177

Coldfingers · Post by **Coldfingers** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 2:14 pm

What a lucky feller you are Rexter. I just flat out think the 94C is one of the neatest, most usefull firearms I own. It is sure death on small game and garden pests, a very viable defensive rifle, and packs considerable punch when loaded with CastCores or BuffBore 180's. It certainly gets a solid "10" in the PerfectPlinker category if you ask me.

I also spent several years looking and not finding. Sure happy when one finally sideswiped my wallet though.

Now you will be digging up old threads to see how much fun others have had with the lowly .357.

Enjoy,

Scotty

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 4:46 pm

Wow, a week later, and the photos of the rifle I bought are still on their site. Usually, they pull them off within a day or two. I posted the link in a post above this one. Once they do pull the photos, the link will not work, though you will still be on their site, and can use the little search box to see lots of fun stuff. Pricey, but fun.

Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C

Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C

Re: Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C

Re: Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C

Re: Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C

Re: Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C

Re: Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C

Re: Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C

Re: Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C

Re: Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C

Re: Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C

Re: Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C

Re: Acquired my first Marlin 10-09-2008, an 1894C