1894C---Which to Keep?

[redlevel42]

I have two Marlin 1894C Carbines in .357/38. One of them has a serial #910XXXXX. The other is serial #950XXXXX.
My understanding is that the "91" prefix gun was manufactured in 2009, and the "95" prefix in 2005.
Is this correct, or have I gone astray?

Anyhow, I intend to, at some future time (not now; I'm going to see how the production stoppage stuff shakes out), offer one of these rifles for trade for some kind of .45 Colt Carbine or Trapper, Winchester, Marlin, or Rossi.

My question is, is there a preferred manufacturing range between these two? I understand that Marlin improved the design of the carrier at some point. Is this a consideration? The later rifle is, I guess, a "Deluxe" version because it is checkered, fore and aft. The "95" prefix gun has plain, non-checkered wood. I have fired limited amounts through each rifle, some .38 and some .357, with nary a hitch.

I accumulate S&W revolvers, and generally the rule is "the earlier the better." I realize this isn't always the case. I thought I would avail myself of the expertise of the esteemed elders of the board.

I have to start posting more here. I have been shooting Marlin, Winchester, Savage, and now Rossi leverguns since 1961.
I bought my first 39A in 1961 with money I made selling boiled peanuts.

[Old Savage]

I think you should likely go by the fit, finish and function of the individual rifle. I have looked at hundreds of these over the last 20 years and in the last ten there has been a big difference rifle to rifle at times. Back around 79/80 there seemed definitely to be a high point.

[J Miller]

I am not as up on Marlins as OS or a lot of others. But having been in the same place where I had two rifles of the same type and needed to part with one here's what I'd say. Forget the dates, pick the rifle that works the best and satisfies you the most.

Joe

[Old Savage]

Nothing wrong with having two Marlin 357s and picking up a 45 when it comes along and I think you will find 357s overall more useful.

[Rice-n-Beans]

I bought my 1894c back in 2009, it has the JM roll mark stamp on the barrel. It is a tack driver with Hornady 158gr. XTP's and 18gr. of Lil' gun powder at 50 yards. Dedicate one day at the range with each rifle and then make your decision. I love my 1894c, if I was in your shoes, Id keep both!

[Ysabel Kid]

I am not as up on Marlins as OS or a lot of others. But having been in the same place where I had two rifles of the same type and needed to part with one here's what I'd say. Forget the dates, pick the rifle that works the best and satisfies you the most.

Joe

+1

Those manufacturing dates are pretty darn close. Now if you were comparing a truly older, pre-safety, to a more modern one, I'd pick the older one hands down - again assuming it meets your shooting needs.

[redlevel42]

Nothing wrong with having two Marlin 357s and picking up a 45 when it comes along and I think you will find 357s overall more useful.

Well, the way it is is that I'm long on .357 Carbines right now. Two Marlins and an Interarms Rossi 92. Don't really remember just exactly how it happened, but there you are. I only have one .45 Carbine, a Winchester 94AE Trapper. I have several thousand pieces of .45 Colt brass, and probably 2000 rounds loaded. I have been shooting the .45s since 1973. I like to have two of most everything when it comes to guns, and I'm sort of out of kilter with just the one .45. Of course, there is a certain element of "when tshtf syndrome" here, and I would like to have two .45 carbines and two .357 carbines, and of course plenty of handguns for each caliber. I have plenty of .38 brass and not so much .357, maybe 1000 pieces. I am a hoarder. I like to load a bunch of ammo in January when its too cold to get out much. I have about decided to buy factory ammo and shoot the .357s to get them broken in well, and accumulate brass that way. I just got to shoot the Rossi today, because I had surgery on my hand two weeks ago, then it got infected. It feels like it would slick up a lot with 400-500 rounds through it. It proved plenty accurate offhand at 20 yards with Federal 158grain jacketed soft points. The box says they are 1240 fps. I guess that is from a six-inch revolver. I wonder what that translates to from the 16" carbine? I'm guessing close to 1500 fps. That should be sufficient for a 160 lb Georgia Whitetail buck, houldn't it? Once I get a store of .357 brass, I'll load a fairly mild load with Unique powder and Georgia Arms hard cast 158 grain semi wadcutters, probably 1000 fps from a .357 revolver and 1250 fps or so from the carbine.

[AJMD429]

Nothing wrong with having two Marlin 357s and picking up a 45 when it comes along and I think you will find 357s overall more useful.

I'd agree with that...

...in fact, I'd agree with "Nothing wrong with having two __________ and picking up a ________ when it comes along and I think you will find 357s overall more useful," when it comes to most anything, except maybe wives...