Nice Marlin 1894 CL “Classic” in .32-20… Now what???

[Old No7]

Ahoy the forum from the coast of Maine.

After many years, my great aunt (well, she was “terrific” even before this!) has passed along my late uncle’s "favorite rifle" to me. She always knew that I liked leverguns, and she said that I can use it or sell it to buy something else that I’d rather have more, in memory of my uncle.

It’s a vintage (made in 1988 [updated]) Marlin 1894 CL “Classic” in .32-20 that’s probably had less than 1 full box fired through it. Or maybe just a little more than 1 box, as she also gave me a partial box that she’d found along with it. The story goes that my uncle got it to whack groundhogs in his garden –- but the funny thing is, none of us remember him gardening too much!!!

Anyway, that must help explain why it looks “like new” and is in great condition for its age. There’s very little wear on the bolt and the bore is super shiny. I really like the way it handles and looks with the 21” barrel and half 12.5” magazine, but the only problem I've found is… While it could be great for coyotes, I think it’s a little too light for the heavy-bodied deer we sometimes see here in Maine (or should I say “hope to see” ).

Here she is, for your viewing pleasure:

Mrln 1894 CL 32-20 (1).jpg

Mrln 1894 CL 32-20 (2).jpg

Mrln 1894 CL 32-20 (3).jpg

Mrln 1894 CL 32-20 (4).jpg

Mrln 1894 CL 32-20 (5).jpg

So, now I have a choice to make…

(a) I could keep it in the back of the safe and probably never use it too much.

(b) Or, I could sell it to someone here who really has the hankering to get one of these nice ‘ol genuine Marlin gems, especially one as nice as this one.

(c) Or, I could try to move it on GunBroker or one of the other auction sites.

Q: What does the forum think about the this rifle, the caliber, or my choices???

I don’t have any experience with the .32 WCF at all and only know what I’ve read about it (but I still suspect it’s "too light" for the big swamp buck that I'm looking for). I do load for the .32 H&R Mag, but I can do those on my Dillon since that's a straight-walled case. I really don't see myself getting into reloading for the WCF.

< Note: You can send me a PM if you might be interested in this Classic, just be advised my mind is not made up yet…>

Thanks for your thoughts, ideas or opinions.

Old No7

[pwl44m]

I Caint stress enough if it has a hyphen it is good. I have 2 Win in 32-20. If it were Me I guess it would just have to stay in the Safe to look at now and then. The big question is what would You buy that You would use more ? Just My thoughts.
Perry
Thats a Beautiful Gun BTW

[AJMD429]

If I didn't have one I'd be begging to buy that one; folks who like the cartridge will pay handsomely for one. You're right that it's a 'challenge' as a deer-cartridge, and unless that's a particular goal of yours you'd be better off with a 357 mag or higher-up.

OTOH - if you think of it as a "reloadable .22 magnum, only with a wider meplat" - you may grow to love it.

Not that hard to reload for - just be careful with the cases. Buy lots of them when they do a bulk run at Starline - not that expensive. VERY cheap to reload.

Typically very accurate - I'd plop a Williams FP on it with the 'target' knobs, and have at it...!

[gundownunder]

I love my 1894 32-20 and can't understand whats not to love. If your going to stick it in the back of the safe and forget about it I'm sure you will find any number of blokes on the forum who will love it for you.
I guess if it was me making the decision, I would cherish it if he did, but if it was just a tool he used I would sell it if I didn't have a use for it, as tools get bought and sold every day.
All you need to decide is whether or not you would miss owning your uncles gun.

[Borregos]

I would keep it

[BC in TN]

No 7,

I'm thinking something is askew. Perhaps you've mis-linked the photo you intended to use.
That is a good looking rifle but I didn't think Marlin was putting cross bolt safeties on them before 1982.
I'm thinking maybe 1986 instead of 1968?

Still - a good looking rifle!

[Old No7]

"That is a good looking rifle but I didn't think Marlin was putting cross bolt safeties on them before 1982. I'm thinking maybe 1986 instead of 1968?"

Thanks BC, I just checked an online link again, and got this as a reply to my inquiry, as the SN# starts with "CL": The year of manufacture for CL = Mar 1968 or 1988.

Guess I had latched onto the first date, not the later one. I'll update my post above.

Old No7

[JerryB]

I think you should at least take the rifle and the rounds your aunt gave you and go for a walk in the woods. Throw it up to your shoulder and shoot at rocks, stumps, and whatever and then decide it aint worth a flip.
I bought a Winchester 1892 32wcf rifle from my uncle in 1953. It is still my favorite woods walking gun. I grew up part time in the north woods and shot a lot of grouse and small game with it. Living in Florida I shot quail with it, head shots are so easy because they are so accurate. The puny little 32wcf will do for ten foot gators too. Reckon I better quit now, nuff said.

[KirkD]

The 32-20 is my favourite caliber for small game and also for taking women and children target shooting for the first time. I've had several 32-20's and would not want to be without one.

[piller]

Never had one, but that is a nice looking rifle. Try it out and then decide on whether or not to sell it.

[Hobie]

I think your choices suck. I didn't see "keep it and shoot it" at all. Why not. These are FUN guns. They can generate enough power for many uses or be loaded very quiet with a bullet that still has authority on small game. The factory equivalent loads are FUN. Did I say these are fun guns. They are suitable for small deer (certainly), coyotes, fox, ground hogs/woodchucks, rabbit, squirrel, and so forth where legal.

[jnyork]

I have a few thousand rounds through mine, I shoot a LOT of silhouette with it. I would not hesitate to use if for a "woods gun", with factory loads will take anything you can hit in the neck with it. Very fun gun, cheap to reload with cast bullets and a bit of Lil Gun.

Send it on out to me and I will check it over for you for a few years and make sure it is fit to shoot.

[Griff]

I think your choices suck. I didn't see "keep it and shoot it" at all. Why not. These are FUN guns. They can generate enough power for many uses or be loaded very quiet with a bullet that still has authority on small game. The factory equivalent loads are FUN. Did I say these are fun guns. They are suitable for small deer (certainly), coyotes, fox, ground hogs/woodchucks, rabbit, squirrel, and so forth where legal.

+1

[Old Savage]

I was lusting over one back then but other things stepped in the way that were more useful.

[ving-thorr]

Boy, i say keep it and do lots of fun and cheap plinking with it! I dont know if you can shoot doe in maine, but i think trying to take a doe with it a close range would be a real fun challenge!

If you get rid of it you're going to end up singing the 32-20 blues! Do a search for "robert johnson 32-20 blues" on youtube. If someone wrote a song about it, it's got to be good!!!

[.45colt]

I have one made I think the same year. easy to load for very accurate,and pure class.I would keep it for sure.

[Ranch Dog]

I have three "CLs"; 218 Bee, 25-20 Win, and 32-20 Win. They are absolutely great rifles, I use them as varmint rifles. I even had a 336SC chambered in 219 Zipper but it fell to little use against the CL so it hit the road.

This is pretty much why I'm not leaving any of my firearms behind. I will sell them all before I croak if I time it right or otherwise have instructed my wife not to give any away. Sell them and enjoy the cash, even if you blow it on something stupid, as no one will appreciate the firearms like you did.

[BenT]

You need to take a walk in the woods with that gun to find out how great a woods loafing rifle you have. I've played with mine a lot and have loaded it to the high end. When loaded high it is equal to a 30 carbine. My mother in law (98 lbs of German blood) has shot deer every year since the 70's with her 30 carbine . Double lung shot and they won't go far. But I won't say that it is a primary deer rifle, but when walking in the woods it will shoot any small game you come across.

I also shoot a lot of 32 H&R. If you are worried about reloading maybe rebarrel it to 327 federal or sell it and buy a Marlin in 32 H&R. But one thing for sure is that they are dandy rifles.

[jdad]

It ain't vintage. It's a really fun, modern, levergun. Shoot it, that's what they were built for.

[jnyork]

It ain't vintage. .

I was gonna say............

[AJMD429]

Hey now, to some young fellers here anything from the 20th Century is bordering on 'antique', let alone 'vintage'. . .

[Old No7]

"It ain't vintage."

True, but I guess I am getting close!!!

Thanks to all for the candid feedback...

Maybe I will take her out for a woods walk this weekend. But I still keep thinking about "something else" I'd rather have though... "What?" Not sure yet...

Old -- and getting older -- No7

[2ndovc]

The .32 WCF is my all time favorite cartridge! Just darned fun! I have Three Winchester '92s in .32-20 but would live to have one more from Marlin.

That's a classic rifle but if you decide to part with it please let me know!!!

jb

[Chuck 100 yd]

1 - It aint vintage or even old!

2- It is a very fine little rifle.

3- Keep it and shoot it. It will become your favorite.

[ollogger]

After seeing this & you not sure what you want to do with the 32-20, Ive got a 38-55
in a Marlin CB & am wondering if your intrested in a trade, its not a mint gun, but dang nice
Im curious to see the reponse also pm me if intrested, no hurry

ollogger