I've got an itich to buy a 38-40 lever rifle...

[mergus]

but I think I want a Marlin. Does anybody know if Marlin ever made the 1894 in 38-40?

Thanks,
Mergus

[the telegraphist]

They did but long before you or I was born, reckon you would be hard pressed to find one today. The 38/40 or more correctly 38 WCF is one of my favourite calibres, looking for an 1873 Win in this cal. Like Kirkd I might even sell my old S&W model 3 Russian model from the original 1st Russian contract if one turns up in the right condition.

[rjohns94]

sounds like an itch that needs scratching. Good luck in your search.

[kimwcook]

I've had that itch for quite some time. Bought a Browning 53 in 32 WCF, but it's just not a 38 WCF. Still scratching at that itch.

[1historian]

...they are out there...you'll find one when you least expect it...as with my 1889...which is not very different from the 1894

"Design improvements to the Model 1889, such as a one-piece trigger and a two-piece firing pin to prevent the rifle from firing unless the finger lever was fully closed, resulted in the Model 1894. Additionally, the finger lever lock of the Model 1889 was eliminated on the Model 1894.At its introduction the rifle came with a 24-inch barrel and was chambered for a variety of pistol rounds such as .25-20 Winchester, .32-20 Winchester, .38-40, and .44-40. "

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlin_Model_1894

[Kansas Ed]

While the 38-40 is one of my favorite calibers, I must say that the 1894 Marlin isn't....It seems that about every original I have picked up was split under the tang. I'm assuming that this was a weak spot in the design? Don't get me wrong...I love Marlins, but that model sure seemed to have issues with the buttstock. That's why all of my 38-40 rifles are Winchester.

Ed

[FLINT]

yep, my uncle has one - says 38 WCF on it, and yes, just like Kansas Ed says, he has a nice big bolt holding the stock together right there also, it came from the factory with an obviously crooked barrel - he said it shot straight though. that is one ugly rifle. neat caliber though.

[Buck Elliott]

Customer brought me an old '94 Marlin (.38 WCF) a couple years ago, to have it cleaned up and generally checked out. Still had about 80% case colors and maybe 50% blue, under all the old-oil varnish & grunge. Wood was sound as a $20 gold piece. Bore had very minor pitting. It was the ONLY Marlin in recent memory that I really enjoyed working on, but it served to remind me that the company really knew how to build RIFLES -- once upon a time...

Scour the web and haunt the gunshows. You'll find one -- or worse,TWO -- and have to choose. Whatever you come up with ain't gonna be cheap, but oughtta be worth it.

[Pete44ru]

[you would be hard pressed to find one today.]



An 1894 Marlin .38WCF recently sold on GB at it's $700 reserve; Cabela's Gun Library has another priced @ $2K; GA has another in pristine condition $6500; and this one @ $1200:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/976997851/Gu ... D_PRIC.htm



.

[Thunder50]

Maybe you could buy one of the Winchester guns Davidson had done, in 38-40. Don't know what they are worth nowadays, probably on the order of $1000 or so.

[mergus]

Thanks guys. I was unaware that the only 38-40 Marlins are the originals. I was kind of hoping that I'd here that Marlin made them 20 years ago or something like that.

Mybe I'll have to settle for an 1873 clone....

[missionary5155]

Good morning
I have a Marlin, a 1873, and a 92 Winny in 38-40.
By Far the 1892 is my FAVORITE. It will take any SANE load I put to it and with a special "mold" I have a 240 grain bullet fires nicely. It carries better in my hand and is a bit lighter than the Marlin with same Barrel length. But they BOTH shoot as good as I can with the correct diameter bullets.
The Marlin has a FAT throat. Needs a .404+ bullet... but then Marlins are always Fat throated. Even my modern 41 mag is FAT throated. The Marlin is a strong action and easily digests loads I use in the 92 Winny but with the fatter bullets. Both rifles are KEEPERS !!!
The 1873 is a pleasant rifle to shoot with a 180 or 200 grain bullet with no more than 7 grains Unique. Due to throat erosion it needs a .403 bullet. The 73's are heavy, sound like a rattle trap working the action but I carry it about off & on and enjoy it.
IF you want to shoot BP then you can get by with slightly undersized PURE lead as they Bump up some to fill the throats but do not count on miracles. If you are going to shoot a bunch without cleaning out the black residue then the undersized bullets will be useful. I use more 3F and plan to compress the powder about 1/8 inch. Bullet length & seating depth require minor powder adjustments of about 1-4 grains. Always shoot BP upwind of your serious competitors. They cannot win if they cannot see the target....
Would I recommend a 38-40 over 44-40 ? I have both calibers and I LIKE the 38's more. BUT if you are just getting started and are going to cast your own (Highly Recommended) there are far more .430(+) (44-40) molds out there than .402(+) (38-40). Ballistics are really to close to say one is better.... BUT a Fatter whole is always better & 44-40 will shoot a 260 grain. 240g is all I see a 38-40 shooting.
Most 44-40 lever guns have throats around the .430+ area so do not bother with the .427 molds unless you are going to shoot BP alot. I actually use .432 bullets in my SRC Winny.
That is what I have found...

[Ysabel Kid]

sounds like an itch that needs scratching. Good luck in your search.

+1

[rangerider7]

I have quite a few 38-40s and love them. In most cases they are more accurate than my other WCF cartridges but I do like the 44-40 and 45 Colt. It's just that the 38-40 shoots flatter. All the guns in the photos are 38-40s. Some are repeated for a close up shot. As you can see I really like the 38-40. I shoot them all.

[Rexster]

Collector's Firearms in Houston has a bunch of 38 WCF weapons listed right now, including original '73s and a '92. No Marlins.

[the telegraphist]

Rangerider7 they are beautiful. Once again thanks, that Bisley is just something else again. Just gotta find the dollars for all these class firearms. Think am coming close to divorce now. She wants me to get rid of the Russian, aint no way in the world. They'll have to drag me off in handcuffs. Fine photography too sir. Congratulations.

[mergus]

Wow, what a great education in all things 38 WCF! Thank you all. The idea of a trim rifle (Win 92) appeals to me as does being able to hot rod it a little. I don't think I'll be shooting any black powder, and I having never handled a model 73, I didn't know they were possibly heavy. I am going to look at Collectors Firearms. Thanks again.

[Retro]

I found a Marlin 94 in 38-40 the other day. We have this new law in South Africa and a lot of people sold, gave away, or handed in their firearms. All kinds of stuff, from Baby Brownings to Purdeys, got melted down. I managed to save a few

I still have to licence the thing, which takes about a year and a half, so no pictures or range report. I already have brass and dies (from Track of the Wolf).

Cost me R2000, which is what I'd pay for 17 or 18 flats (24) of beer. Or 400 loaves of bread. Work it out for yourself. Direct conversion comes to $260 but that's not a true reflection.

[rangerider7]

Thanks the telegraphist, It took 43 years but I got the guns I want and think I need.

[Tumbleweeds II]

I bought an 1889 Marlin a few years ago and really liked it. I enjoyed it for five years and sold it for a little more than I had in it, roughly enough to pay for the few boxes of .38-40 I ran through it. So, it was free.

Tell THAT to your wife. I'll bet her luxuries go to the dump or a yard sale when she's done with them, my wife's do.

[Gun Smith]

Collectors firearms prices kind of take my breath away.