Marlin 1889 .44-40

[AkRay]

Marlin 1889 .44-40 (Fairbanks)

octagon barrel, good bore, made in 1890

This is a local ad and the rifle is for sale. I guess it'd be a black powder gun only. What else is worth knowing about this particular model of lever actions?

[AJMD429]

I have one in 32-20 and it is slick and smooth as butter. The bore on mine is pitted and I would assume the metal is not up to 'hot' loads (which is why I have 1894's and 1892's in 357 Mag, 44 Mag, 45 Colt, and 454 Casull ), but it's a fun shooter. Someday I might have the barrel re-lined.

[fordwannabe]

I have the same Marlin and I use it with cast bullets and unique powder. I even got a deer with it a couple of years ago. It is alot of fun to shoot ..

[missionary5155]

Greetings
Have one up in storage in ILLinois.
Well made and engineered rifles. If you are going to shoot it look at the muzzle closely to see if the muzzle is "wallored out" from cleaning rods. I would use a .430 lead bullet. If the rifling is worn that bullet will plunk right down in there. If the "worn zone" extends accuracy will be worse the deeper that wear is.
Throat area.. Some have throats excessivly fat. .434 is the largest I have seen. .431 is common. So if you are contemplating shooting smokeless fat bullets are in order.
Just maybe that rifle will have a .430-.431 throat and no muzzle wear.. that would be a super shooter. I have not yet seen one of those.
If memory is close mine has .432 throat and a loose muzzle area that extends about 1/4 inch into the barrel but shoots very good with 3F and at least .431 bullets. 7-8 grains Unique with .432 bullets is respectable at about 4 inches at 80 yards. Good enough to pop groundhogs and coyotees out to 50 yards.
Mike in Peru

[Borregos]

I have an 1889 in 44-40 that was manufactured in 1892, it has a round barrel and the action is as smooth as silk. The bore is terrible, but despite that it shoots really well. I have to size to .431 and I use 7gr Unique with a 205 gr Saeco bullet, the trigger is great too.
If the price is right, get it! Mine was the best deal ever, 50 bucks in a garage sale

[rbertalotto]

I have one in 38-40 and it is a real shooter! Excellent rifle.









More pictures here:
http://public.fotki.com/Rbertalotto/thi ... 89-marlin/