Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
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Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
Greetings!
I purchased a gutted Marlin 1894 reciever with barrel chambered in 44 Mag. I'd like to re-barrel it in 44-40. My question is this, as I purchase parts to reassemble this, is the breech bolt assembly for a 44mag usable with a 44-40 barrel? How many other parts are interchangable? Any information would be most helpful. Thanks!
I purchased a gutted Marlin 1894 reciever with barrel chambered in 44 Mag. I'd like to re-barrel it in 44-40. My question is this, as I purchase parts to reassemble this, is the breech bolt assembly for a 44mag usable with a 44-40 barrel? How many other parts are interchangable? Any information would be most helpful. Thanks!
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
The cartridge rim diameters are very slightly different. But, the bolts are interchangeable. But, you might find that if you get a bolt on the "small" side of .44 Mag specs, it might not allow a 44WCF rim to sit flush... a small amount of machining would take care of that post haste. The only other questionable part would be the carrier, but it's easily modified...
I do know for a fact that between 44Mag and 45Colt the bolt & carrier are interchangeable, as I've done that conversion.
I do know for a fact that between 44Mag and 45Colt the bolt & carrier are interchangeable, as I've done that conversion.
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
What Griff said.
Somewhere on Marlin's website (a few years ago) I found a chart of parts for the 1894's, and it had 44 Mag, 45 Colt, 357 Mag, and I think a couple of hyphenated-calibers. As Griff said, the bolts for 44 Mag and 45 Colt are identical, which is how I got an affordable 1894 in 45 Colt.
You might prowl their website, on-line owners manuals (for the 'parts' section), or Numrich, to see for sure.
Somewhere on Marlin's website (a few years ago) I found a chart of parts for the 1894's, and it had 44 Mag, 45 Colt, 357 Mag, and I think a couple of hyphenated-calibers. As Griff said, the bolts for 44 Mag and 45 Colt are identical, which is how I got an affordable 1894 in 45 Colt.
You might prowl their website, on-line owners manuals (for the 'parts' section), or Numrich, to see for sure.
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
Thank you very much for the replies. Any idea where I could get a 45 colt barrel for my marlin 1894? I wanted to go that route initially but I could never find one. Numrich has the been out for a while
Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
I know a whole lot about very little and nothing about a whole lot.
- AJMD429
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
I got mine from Numrich a couple of years back. They had two in inventory when I ordered mine....for $108, ready to install.
I don't know who could make a blank barrel into a 'Marlin 1894' one, with the right threads, timing, extractor cut, and so on....
I don't know who could make a blank barrel into a 'Marlin 1894' one, with the right threads, timing, extractor cut, and so on....
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
I have a '94 in .44 mag and a .44wcf barrel I got from Numrich years back. They have been swapped back and forth a couple of times with no other modifications. They work fine with the exception of some .44wcf loads with a lead bullet with a wide meplat. These will occasionally hang up, (or shave a bit of lead), on the top of the chamber while feeding. I think that the carrier lifts them a bit too high. Both are micro groove barrels and shoot very well with jacketed .426 - .430 or lead sized to .429-.431. The chamber on the .44wcf is OK with the larger bullet diameters.
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
Have you thought about re-boring the 44 barrel to 45lc?bigtheno wrote:Thank you very much for the replies. Any idea where I could get a 45 colt barrel for my marlin 1894? I wanted to go that route initially but I could never find one. Numrich has the been out for a while
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
Thanks for the idea Nate, hadn't thought of that. Probably be close to the same price of a barrel plus installation. I'll have to check on that.
Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
A simple solution if a 44-40 would work is rechamber the 44 mag barrel and load appropriate sized bullets. Many 44-40s run a bit loose anyways, may not be much real difference in groove size.
I have a 44 mag Browning, I load similar loads to 44-40 in mag cases and just call it good. They look similar with 200 gr RNFP bullets loads, and I have the option of heavier loads if desired.
I have a 44 mag Browning, I load similar loads to 44-40 in mag cases and just call it good. They look similar with 200 gr RNFP bullets loads, and I have the option of heavier loads if desired.
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
Malamute wrote:A simple solution if a 44-40 would work is rechamber the 44 mag barrel and load appropriate sized bullets. Many 44-40s run a bit loose anyways, may not be much real difference in groove size.
I have a 44 mag Browning, I load similar loads to 44-40 in mag cases and just call it good. They look similar with 200 gr RNFP bullets loads, and I have the option of heavier loads if desired.
The 44mag chamber will ream correct to 44-40 at the rear but the front part of the 44mag chamber is too big. I know of some CAS shooters that have done it but the thin 44-40 brass doesn't live long.
Steve Young aka Nate Kiowa Jones Sass# 6765
Steve's Guns aka "Rossi 92 Specialists"
205 Antler lane
Lampasas, Texas 76550
http://www.stevesgunz.com
Email; steve@stevesgunz.com
Tel: 512-564-1015
Steve's Guns aka "Rossi 92 Specialists"
205 Antler lane
Lampasas, Texas 76550
http://www.stevesgunz.com
Email; steve@stevesgunz.com
Tel: 512-564-1015
Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
Good information. I had heard of them being rechambered but didn't know any details of how well it worked out.Nate Kiowa Jones wrote:
The 44mag chamber will ream correct to 44-40 at the rear but the front part of the 44mag chamber is too big. I know of some CAS shooters that have done it but the thin 44-40 brass doesn't live long.
The "if a 44-40 work work..." was if it would make him happy. You provided the required details of the functional aspect though, so it sounds like it isn't the best idea. Does the Starline brass improve case life in 44-40s in general?
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt-
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
I contacted a rebarreling specialist at Redman's rifling, he said you cannot bore out a 44mag to 45lc because they are not far enough apart in calibers. I may be sticking with my 44-40 idea unless Numrich gets one in stock. Green mountain barrels are just too expensive.
Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
I contacted them & they apparently discontinued making barrels for Marlins all together for a while now. Any other suggestions for companies?
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
With the 44-40 brass being so thin I'm betting it won't make that much difference one brand or another.Malamute wrote:Good information. I had heard of them being rechambered but didn't know any details of how well it worked out.Nate Kiowa Jones wrote:
The 44mag chamber will ream correct to 44-40 at the rear but the front part of the 44mag chamber is too big. I know of some CAS shooters that have done it but the thin 44-40 brass doesn't live long.
The "if a 44-40 work work..." was if it would make him happy. You provided the required details of the functional aspect though, so it sounds like it isn't the best idea. Does the Starline brass improve case life in 44-40s in general?
Steve Young aka Nate Kiowa Jones Sass# 6765
Steve's Guns aka "Rossi 92 Specialists"
205 Antler lane
Lampasas, Texas 76550
http://www.stevesgunz.com
Email; steve@stevesgunz.com
Tel: 512-564-1015
Steve's Guns aka "Rossi 92 Specialists"
205 Antler lane
Lampasas, Texas 76550
http://www.stevesgunz.com
Email; steve@stevesgunz.com
Tel: 512-564-1015
Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
I had seen comments in the reviews on either Midway or Starlines site that mentioned they thought the Starline lasted much better and had much less crushed cases, but was wondering if people in real life had noticed the difference.
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt-
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- crs
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
The .44 special should work with no gun smith work. Is that enough power for you?
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
Since green mountain barrels aren't making Marlin barrels anymore & Numrich is sold out, anyone have a place to check for a marlin 1894 in 45 colt?
- Griff
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
Ummm... Remington?bigtheno wrote:Since green mountain barrels aren't making Marlin barrels anymore & Numrich is sold out, anyone have a place to check for a marlin 1894 in 45 colt?
Griff,
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
Unless you just want to say you shoot a 44-40, I would think a .44 special with the Skeeter load would be a good round from a carbine. A 240 grain cast over 7.5 grains of Unique ought to do the job.
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
Big check Ebay you just never know when one may come along
have a newer Marlin 1894 in 44-40 & its sweet!!
ollogger
have a newer Marlin 1894 in 44-40 & its sweet!!
ollogger
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
Could a barrel for 45 Colt get re-lined for 44-40...?bigtheno wrote:I contacted a rebarreling specialist at Redman's rifling, he said you cannot bore out a 44mag to 45lc because they are not far enough apart in calibers. I may be sticking with my 44-40 idea unless Numrich gets one in stock. Green mountain barrels are just too expensive.
Here's another path.....http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =557433114
Or this (looks almost new)....http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =556205726
The second one is pricey, but I see the JM Marlins going the way of pre-64 Winchesters, and probably higher prices, since there weren't as many of these.
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Re: Marlin 1894 44mag convert to 44-40 question
bigtheno wrote:I contacted a rebarreling specialist at Redman's rifling, he said you cannot bore out a 44mag to 45lc because they are not far enough apart in calibers. I may be sticking with my 44-40 idea unless Numrich gets one in stock. Green mountain barrels are just too expensive.
Redman may not want to do it but it can be done. I have sent two of the Browning B92's to John Taylor because they were 1 in 38 twist and didn't stabilized the 240's very well. They are both now 45lc.
Steve Young aka Nate Kiowa Jones Sass# 6765
Steve's Guns aka "Rossi 92 Specialists"
205 Antler lane
Lampasas, Texas 76550
http://www.stevesgunz.com
Email; steve@stevesgunz.com
Tel: 512-564-1015
Steve's Guns aka "Rossi 92 Specialists"
205 Antler lane
Lampasas, Texas 76550
http://www.stevesgunz.com
Email; steve@stevesgunz.com
Tel: 512-564-1015