Just inherited my first Lever gun

Colonel Custer · July 27, 2012, 10:09 AM

It's a 1979 Model 1894 Marlin .44 Magnum. I haven't done much other than clean it up so far. I'm more of a bolt action man. Anybody got any good stories on this type of gun?

gak · July 27, 2012, 12:22 PM

Congratulations!...but you realize pics are required, or it didn't happen

huntinaz · July 27, 2012, 12:30 PM

^^ Agreed!

Leverguns are awesome, it is the most enjoyable action to operate in my opinion. The 1894 is a good one. Post some pics!

bamaranger · July 28, 2012, 02:46 AM

That would be a pre-safety model,.... and supposedly of higer quality than the more recent safety equipped '94's.

I don't own a Marlin, but have used .44 Ruger auto carbines,and watched my Dad use a Win 94 .44, to take a number of whitetails. Inside 100 yds, where most of us shoot whitetails, a .44 carbine is plenty of gun.

They carry easy, hit harder than some think, and are genuine, steel and walnut, USA rifles.

Chowder · July 28, 2012, 03:03 AM

Mine is a new model but I love it, I am sure your will be even nicer I have heard only good things about the older 1894s from marlin.

Jack O'Conner · July 28, 2012, 08:35 AM

I hunted with this 44MAG for several years. The micro-groove rifling and slow twist caused irregular accurasy until I used Hornady ammo. The Hornady bullet measures .430 instead of the typical .429 which made a difference in my rifle.

44MAG hits a lot harder than mere paper charts would suggest.

Jack

Salmoneye · July 28, 2012, 09:37 AM

As noted, your 1979 is pre-safety, but the issue is not one of quality, it is simply that many people (purists?) dislike the cross-bolt safety, and are willing to pay a premium for an earlier 1894 without one...

The real quality issues have come in the last 15 years or so...Marlin seemed to be in a slump, and then to worsen things, they were purchased by The Freedom Group who moved all production of the 1894's to Ilion, NY...

The results of all this have been to drive the prices of used Marlins up, and especially good condition pre-safety models...

You have a VERY nice gun, and it will serve you well for your lifetime...

As mentioned, the bores tend to run a tad large...Mine wants .430" jacketed bullets, and at least .431" cast...

mananer · July 28, 2012, 05:27 PM

Two words........skinner peeps

10-96 · July 28, 2012, 05:36 PM

More often than not, an inheritance involves the loss of a family loved one or friend. I'm sorry for your loss if that's the issue.

Hold on to that rifle- they're a pleasure to shoot.

Colonel Custer · July 28, 2012, 08:12 PM

Can't get the flipping pix to load. Fired it today (I'm used to firing Mausers and Mosins) and it kicked liked an angry mule lol. I was surprised by it but I love the feel of a heavy kick when you have a rifle in the pocket.

g.willikers · July 29, 2012, 11:33 AM

Get or make some ammo equivalent to .44 special, instead of magnum.
Lots more fun, and you can play like the Rifleman, too.

July 27, 2012, 10:09 AM	#1
Colonel Custer Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2011 Location: ky Posts: 106	Just inherited my first Lever gun It's a 1979 Model 1894 Marlin .44 Magnum. I haven't done much other than clean it up so far. I'm more of a bolt action man. Anybody got any good stories on this type of gun? __________________ In order to cut down on gun crimes we The Govt. are banning all guns. Well I guess I will sleep with a chainsaw next to my bed. Not the same as a gun but I figure the sound of it revving up will be as effective as a pump shot gun being cycled.

July 27, 2012, 12:30 PM	#3
huntinaz Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2010 Location: az Posts: 1,332	^^ Agreed! Leverguns are awesome, it is the most enjoyable action to operate in my opinion. The 1894 is a good one. Post some pics! __________________ "When there’s lead in the air, there’s hope in the heart”- Hunter’s Proverb "Feed me, or feed me to something. I just want to be part of the food chain." -Al Bundy

July 28, 2012, 02:46 AM	#4
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	early That would be a pre-safety model,.... and supposedly of higer quality than the more recent safety equipped '94's. I don't own a Marlin, but have used .44 Ruger auto carbines,and watched my Dad use a Win 94 .44, to take a number of whitetails. Inside 100 yds, where most of us shoot whitetails, a .44 carbine is plenty of gun. They carry easy, hit harder than some think, and are genuine, steel and walnut, USA rifles.

July 28, 2012, 08:35 AM	#6
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	I hunted with this 44MAG for several years. The micro-groove rifling and slow twist caused irregular accurasy until I used Hornady ammo. The Hornady bullet measures .430 instead of the typical .429 which made a difference in my rifle. 44MAG hits a lot harder than mere paper charts would suggest. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

July 28, 2012, 05:36 PM	#9
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	More often than not, an inheritance involves the loss of a family loved one or friend. I'm sorry for your loss if that's the issue. Hold on to that rifle- they're a pleasure to shoot. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

July 27, 2012, 12:22 PM	#2
gak Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 2,767	Congratulations!...but you realize pics are required, or it didn't happen

July 28, 2012, 03:03 AM	#5
Chowder Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2012 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 449	Mine is a new model but I love it, I am sure your will be even nicer I have heard only good things about the older 1894s from marlin.

July 28, 2012, 09:37 AM	#7
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	As noted, your 1979 is pre-safety, but the issue is not one of quality, it is simply that many people (purists?) dislike the cross-bolt safety, and are willing to pay a premium for an earlier 1894 without one... The real quality issues have come in the last 15 years or so...Marlin seemed to be in a slump, and then to worsen things, they were purchased by The Freedom Group who moved all production of the 1894's to Ilion, NY... The results of all this have been to drive the prices of used Marlins up, and especially good condition pre-safety models... You have a VERY nice gun, and it will serve you well for your lifetime... As mentioned, the bores tend to run a tad large...Mine wants .430" jacketed bullets, and at least .431" cast...

July 28, 2012, 05:27 PM	#8
mananer Member Join Date: December 27, 2009 Location: Grand Manan,New Brunswick,Canada Posts: 31	Two words........skinner peeps

July 28, 2012, 08:12 PM	#10
Colonel Custer Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2011 Location: ky Posts: 106	Thank you all for the info. Can't get the flipping pix to load. Fired it today (I'm used to firing Mausers and Mosins) and it kicked liked an angry mule lol. I was surprised by it but I love the feel of a heavy kick when you have a rifle in the pocket. __________________ In order to cut down on gun crimes we The Govt. are banning all guns. Well I guess I will sleep with a chainsaw next to my bed. Not the same as a gun but I figure the sound of it revving up will be as effective as a pump shot gun being cycled.

July 29, 2012, 11:33 AM	#11
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Get or make some ammo equivalent to .44 special, instead of magnum. Lots more fun, and you can play like the Rifleman, too. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”