Thinking of a custom rifle

[Rusty]

Since I have a birthday that is considered to be a major milestone by some that is right around the corner I'm considering ordering a custom rifle from the Marlin Custom shop. I'm thinking along the lines of an 1894c. The custom features would be a 20" barrel instead of the stock 18.5" barrel that would be threaded for a suppressor. I would also get extra fancy wood as available.
What other options would y'all consider for a milestone rifle?

[1894c]

receiver sights or tang sights...serial number with your initials...octagon barrel...just my thoughts... :)

[Blaine]

After you receive the rifle, consider the addition of a Wild West Happy Trigger.....

[Rusty]

Well, we're looking at 60+ year old eyes here so I'm thinking a scope with illuminated retractile will be in the picture before it's over. I'm not sure a peep will be in the initial set up... maybe as a back up.

[GunnyMack]

Rusty, look into the Trijicon scopes, they don't need batteries!

[Rusty]

Rusty, look into the Trijicon scopes, they don't need batteries!

I have one on my 77/223... it's great glass for sure!

[AJMD429]

I'd be inclined to stick with the shorter barrel if using a suppressor, since the suppressor will add another 6 inches or so, plus you should be able to get plenty of velocity from the shorter barrel, especially when you're shooting subsonics.

For that matter, if I were considering a 'special occasion' rifle, I'd be likely to 'SBR' it (as I understand it, the paperwork isn't difficult, and the cost not bad when considering it's a lifetime item), and then have the barrel shortened to 12" and threaded....

[3leggedturtle]

^^^^^ +1 on this..

[Pete44ru]

.

I'd make mine a blued/engraved version with the rare 2/3 M-1894 Sporter magazine & tapered octagon barrel.



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[Sixgun]

Rusty,
The guys above pretty much said it right and I agree to all, especially with the sighting equipment and a good trigger.

I'd like to add that while I don't know what caliber you are going to choose, so IF you choose a .44 mag or a 45 L.Colt I'd be damm sure I would NEVER accept the standard 1-38 twist. As a caster you know these things and I have yet to see any slow twist barrel deliver good accuracy with a full range of bullets and velocities. My old antiques from the 1800's will shoot almost everything with accuracy.

Bottom line........as a shooter, you will never be happy with a gun that only shoots "this load or that load". The twist rate would be a deal breaker for me.

You go ahead and please yourself with your milestone......see that 22 pound biggie thing on my signature line? It was a gift to myself on retirement. ----6

[Old Savage]

I had a 20" Cowboy .357 that went to TedH. It is nicely steady to shoot with the octagon barrel which is a high polish blue.

[jdad]

Just a thought.....

Marlin (Remington) now has a custom shop producing guns out of Dakota Arms.

605-347-4686


$$$$

[Booger Bill]

Why would you want a suppressor on that type of a rifle?

[Paladin]

Rusty, look into the Trijicon scopes, they don't need batteries!

Or the Vortex Spitfire series (1x or 3x) that have red, green, or no power required with a circle dot aiming system

[RIHMFIRE]

This is a restored 40-65 Marlin 1895 manufactured in 1898.  This rifle has a 28” octagon barrel. My idea of a custom rifle!

[Rusty]

I'very already got enough. 44s around. I'm thinking this one will be .357. I woul5go for a .32-20 or even a .327 Federal but I don't know if they would do the later 2.

[Rusty]

Why would you want a suppressor on that type of a rifle?

Bill, I've been living in the same place for the last 37 years. When I got here I shot all the time. Now a lot of people have moved in around me and I'm not sure I want to advertise that I have guns and shoot. With a suppressor I could shoot all I wanted to without letting anybody else know I was shooting. From time to time something needs to be shot, I usually do that with a shotgun... one shot and done. Nobody pays much attention to it. Multiple rounds fired without a suppressor I'm sure would draw unwanted attention.

[AJMD429]

Why would you want a suppressor on that type of a rifle?

I sure would...!

It is the perfect gun for suppressing because is compact and can shoot relatively large for caliber bullets at modest velocity and still have good impact. Plus with a suppressed gun it is much easier to get new shooters involved because shooting because the gun is so much less intimidating when it is quieter. Even with the suppressor off it is nice to have a birdcage flash hider on the muzzle of any gun because it helps protect the muzzle from debris if you are climbing or crawling through brush or that sort of thing.

Here's a couple videos on the topic:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXc0rm6dzVs
  
  https://youtu.be/GDx6SIJ7N5I

And a good article:

• http://www.marlinforum.com/Suppressing- ... Rifle.html

Now if I want a historically-correct gun to go play John Wayne or Josey Wales with, I will grab my 1889 Marlin, or a 1886 big-bore, but if I want to show a grandkid how to shoot, I'll grab my integrally-suppressed Ruger 96 levergun. Same if it's dark and rainy out, and I'm just going out to check the livestock - the nice Winchester levergun stays safe and dry inside, and I sling the stainless 357 Mag levergun over my shoulder, with its attached flashlight, Burris Fastfire, and LaserMax laser - definitely not an 'authentic' levergun, but very practical, and if I had the spare change, it would have a 10" barrel and a suppressor.