Which Marlin?

Monte · Post by **Monte** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 5:42 am

I have narrowed the field of choice down to three Marlins. I have a 1984 cowboy on 45 colt. Would like to ad another. My choices are:

1. 1984 cowboy in 357

2. 1984 cowboy in 32 H&R

3 1984 in 32-20

Will use it to plink, shoot small game and have fun with. I can reload for all three so that is covered. Please give me your opinion.

gundownunder · Post by **gundownunder** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:21 am

A few of the blokes at my local lever action club have .45 1894s and when they've tried my .357 they've loved it right from the getgo. I haven't thought of their .45s as too shabby neither.
If your looking at new I think both the 32-20 and 32H&R have been taken off the menu, but there are plenty of used about from what I hear. Also I think you will find that anything the 32s can do the 357 can do better and that includes reloading economy unless USA prices on components are different to Oz.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:48 am

.357 just seems to fit the bill and does everything well in the catorgies you have mentioned, though the 32-20 is a sweet little cartridge.

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:52 am

That's a good collection right there! I think you should get the first prime example you come across of whichever then start saving for the next.

homefront · Post by **homefront** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:56 am

The .357 loaded to mag pressures really sings in a 94, is flexible and cheap to load for. .38/.357 components are everywhere, in great variety. It's a great home protector, plinker, and some say deer killer. Since I already have one I'd look hard at the .32-20.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:59 am

homefront wrote:The .357 loaded to mag pressures really sings in a 94, is flexible and cheap to load for. .38/.357 components are everywhere, in great variety. It's a great home protector, plinker, and some say deer killer. Since I already have one I'd look hard at the .32-20.

+1

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:24 am

rjohns94 wrote:.357 just seems to fit the bill and does everything well in the catorgies you have mentioned, though the 32-20 is a sweet little cartridge.

My thoughts exactly. The 357 is like the do-all of the alternatives listed.

Noah

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:05 pm

the most fun gun I have is in 32-20 - although it is a Winchester - If I would have too - I could settle for one in the Marlin...

deerwhacker444 · Post by **deerwhacker444** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:10 pm

.

homefront wrote: It's a great home protector, plinker, and some say deer killer.

It's Absolutely a Deer killer....

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:55 pm

I'd either get the .32-20 for nostalga sake, or the .357 for practicality; I also would keep in mind the likelihood that Marlin will hopefully make another run of the 'small cartridge' 1894's in .327 Mag, which would be a dandy...

meanc · Post by **meanc** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:09 pm

I'd have to say the .357 in just about any lever.

There's so many options to run with, from lite 110gr 38spcl loads for squirrel/rabbit/plinking all the way up to to 180gr JSP "knock em' down" hog/deer loads.