New Marlin 357 mag

[DPris]

I fibbed.
I'd forgotten these were 18.5-inch barrels.

My old one I had cut back to 16.

Got the new one home, I could live with it.
Denis

[tlm225]

Denis,

I'm really looking forward to your review of the new 1894C.

[DPris]

Bluing is utility-grade, not high-grade polish & not a black matte like I was half expecting.

Machining is very good on frame & mating steel assemblies.
Clean joins & lines.

No gaps between wood & frame joins, no bubblegum filler.
Frame tangs perfectly inletted, wood perfectly fit.

Laser checkering still muddy, but at least no border overruns.

Stiff action out of the box, should loosen with wear.
Trigger heavy, but clean break.

Straight grain oil walnut.
Rubber buttpad is cleanly ground & fit.

Trigger tip is sharp, same with rear edges, both a gripe of mine.
Lever edges not as sharp as the .45-70 Trapper I had here a few months ago.

Rear slight looks very very very slightly canted to the right to me, but my gunsmith says it's straight.
This is why I have him mount my scopes- I apparently have a canted eyeball that he's pointed out before.

It'll be a couple weeks before I can work it into the range schedule.
If it shoots, it's good to go.
Denis

[tlm225]

Thanks, I'm eagerly awaiting function and range report!

[Model12Win]

Sounds like Marlin is back, guys.

Here's to hoping it doesn't jam up DPris. I sure hope they got this one right. I've been eyeing one of these for years but they've gone for collector's prices.

[McBuck]

Ya...this is my dream gun. I will be watching with great interest.

[Model12Win]

I just wish for an extra inch or two for that tenth round.

But if wishes and buts were candy and nuts, every day would be like Christmas.

[wmg1299]

I just picked up the 1894 .44 Mag. My initial impressions are almost exactly the same as those of DPris for his .357 Mag (minus the canted sight). I must say that the build quality is quite impressive, especially considering that the price was $200 less than the Henry. If the .44 shoots as good as it looks, I will definitely be picking up a .357 when one becomes available and my budget allows.

[223 shooter]

Laser checkering still muddy, but at least no border overruns.

The first thing that really struck me on a new Marlin 44 I saw a few years ago was how bad the checkering was. I would rather have no checkering at all than poorly executed checkering. Add to that it would actually save in production costs. The old Marlins did not have it and look fine to me.

It'll be a couple weeks before I can work it into the range schedule.
If it shoots, it's good to go.

I hope your new Marlin is a shooter! Looking forward to the range report. I picked up a used (2008 Model) Marlin 357 a few years ago and it shoots pretty good with 158 XTPs.

[4V50 Gary]

That big loop and picatinny rail does nothing for me. Lever actions should be blued steel and walnut. Guess I'm just an olde dude who watched too many cowboy movies and shows when I was a kid.

Thanks DPris for the update on the newer ones. Laser shoudln't have overruns unless the programmer is an idjit. There are two lasers at the school (TSJC), but I don't think anyone other than the dean knew how to use it. As for the roughness, that can be worked out over time (or by a decent smith).

[DPris]

I've been beating them up so hard over QC for so long, I'm taking it more gently with my contact there on this one.

The checkering was supposed to be addressed three years ago, with the relatively new lasers at the time.
It obviously has not, and I'll pursue it at the factory level.
Again.

I agree- I'd prefer none to what they're doing on these.
Still, in fairness, what's there does provide better non-slip grippiness than smooth walnut.

If I keep this one, I'll view it as a "gun kit", like most of what I acquire.
90% done at the factory, the rest locally.

WWG trigger & ejector, trigger tip rounded, better sights, de-horned hammer, edges addressed on the loading port, edges softened on the lever.
Possibly remove the checkering.
Probably stick some rubber on the safety button.

The stiff action would wear in over time, gunsmith if needed.

My older cut-back 16-incher is a spiffy little blaster, after some final finish work.
Don't think I'd shorten this one, one snub levergun's enough.

Although, a Mare's Leg Marlin has been chewing at the back of my mind.....
Denis

[3Crows]

I think you must have watched too many cowboys movies. I have seen an awful of WWII movies and soldiers with bolt rifles and no scopes or stainless or laminate or rail but I do not see the issue for either, so how is it different for a lever gun? All I can say is that when I was stuck in the rain in Alaska freezing my tail off and bears all around, not having to baby my rifle or spend time trying to keep it dry was awful nice. I do not rust when wet nor do I need oiling, why should my rifle?

Hope the new rifle does you good OP.

3C

[Joe-ker]

Because, first Henrys have various issues too, second, they are ugly (opinion), three and big to me is that there is no loading gate so it is like a big BB gun that you have to point at your head to load and unload and four they pretend to have a history they do not. The ugly is an opinion, the rest is not.

Yes, the Henry is a viable option and many people love them and enjoy them.

3C

Ok we get it. You don't like Henry's. But saying you have to point it at your head to load or unload it is the stupidest thing I've read on here.

There's two ways (both safe BTW) to unload a Henry. And newsflash, one of them is the same as the single way you have to unload a side gate lever gun.

[Big Shrek]

Best thing one can do to find a .357 Marlin is hit the local SASS meets
Almost always someone getting ready to retire, or just upgraded to .44 mag or .45lc.

[3Crows]

Originally Posted by Joe-ker

Ok we get it. You don't like Henry's. But saying you have to point it at your head to load or unload it is the stupidest thing I've read on here.

There's two ways (both safe BTW) to unload a Henry. And newsflash, one of them is the same as the single way you have to unload a side gate lever gun.

You are welcome to your opinion and in no way mind your being different than mine, diversity in the market place with options for all is a god thing. I am mostly just tired of the sport of Marlin bashing.

As to unloading my Marlins of all sorts, I just push the loading gate in and the rounds back out, then I cycle the lever once to clear the chamber with the cross bolt set ON. Since the Henry does not have a loading gate nor a cross bolt safety I am not sure how one would unload it without either cycling each round through or pulling the tube. Yep, I like the loading/unloading gate and I like the cross bolt safety.

If I were in the market for a 22 lever gun though I think with the Winchester 9422 gone (I have the 9422M) I would go for the Henry. It is not that I do not like them, just the presentation of them as a 100% solution or anti-Marlin counterpoint since it is widely known Henry is not without it's own issues of various sorts. I do think the Henry is a somewhat higher grade rifle overall than Marlins pre or post Remington and that is generally reflected somewhat in the price.

I am hopeful the OPs new 357 will be a nice rifle he can enjoy for many years.

3C

[Joe-ker]

Fair enough. I didn't think there's enough room for a guy to hold gate in and cartridges to slide out.

FWIW if my Henry had a side gate it would be perfect.

[DPris]

I can't unload a Marlin that way, too awkward for me.
Them & Wins always cycle through the action.

Nowdays, when I work with a Henry, I am reminded how easy it is on my thumb to load, and how simple it is to unload.

And when I work with anything else, I am reminded that if I were to keep it, it would require attention to the loading port edges.
Denis

[Model12Win]

I want one. Should make a great fighting rifle or for hunting of course.

[3Crows]

Joe-ker, you have a point I had not considered, thanks. I am only experienced primarily with Marlin 336 and 1895 rifles and then only with the 30-30, 35 Rem and 45-70 and 444. With these I can easily push the gate open and the rounds will pop out. However, perhaps with the short pistol calibers it might not be as easy. Good point, had not considered, something to try out and test. I want a 45 Colt though and I might would take it in a Henry. I am less put off by the tube loading with pistol calibers and 22 than with traditional rifle calibers. Do not ask me to 'splain it, it is just me I suppose.

There is a purty lil' Henry 22 I got my eyes on for a Jeep rifle.

3C