Marlin 357?

Model12Win · August 6, 2017, 08:08 PM

How are the Marlin .357 1894s? Just bought one, pre Remington. Do they hold up? Do parts break a lot?

Couldn't stand to buy a Henry with the tube loading system and the Rossi wasn't as appealing.

Thoughts?

NoSecondBest · August 6, 2017, 09:52 PM

I had one and never had any problems with it. I know some other people who owned them and they never had any problems either. Most of them shoot "OK", not tack drivers, but decent hunting guns. I actually think the Henry is a better gun based on seeing and shooting them. I don't own a Henry, but I'd consider getting one if I were looking for another .357 lever gun.

Model12Win · August 6, 2017, 10:39 PM

They are heavy and I hate the loading method. Hoping this Marlin shoots good, cost enough. Mainly got it for fun and possible defense.

NoSecondBest · August 7, 2017, 08:52 AM

The loading method is different, but not any more difficult. However, it's all about what the buyer wants, not what the manufacturer might be offering. I can tell you this though...they're a lot easier to unload. Open the end of the tube and pour them out. For off hand shooting the weight can be an advantage. Like I said, I owned the Marlin. Not knocking them, but I've never really seen one that shot really well. Keyboard groups don't count.

Hawg · August 7, 2017, 09:17 AM

I had a couple in .44 mag. No problems even shooting specials. I like the pre safety Rossi a lot better tho.

SIGSHR · August 7, 2017, 02:00 PM

I have a pre-safety Marlin 1894C. Good shooter, wadcutters must be loaded singly.

roashooter · August 7, 2017, 02:21 PM

I had Marlins in both 357 and 44 magnum...tried every load imaginable..just could not find a load that was worth ahoot accuracy wise...traded them for the new Ruger RSI 308....still have that one

1stmar · August 7, 2017, 05:31 PM

I have one. Haven't worked up many loads for it. It's 3-3.5 moa. Ok not great but not something you will really shoot past 100 anyway. Other than sharp edges no real complaints. Very heavy trigger which could be contributing to 3-3.5 moa groups.

**Tom Servo** · August 8, 2017, 06:33 AM

One caveat: do not use .38 wadcutters, as they will hopelessly jam up the works. Other than that, they're spectacular rifles.

bassJAM1 · August 8, 2017, 02:28 PM

Mine also is a 3-3.5 MOA gun. .357 loads work smooth as silk, but .38's will jam if you cycle the action too quickly but they're about like shooting a .22 so I put up with it.

I didn't care for the Henry's weight, but I grew up shooting a Marlin 39a so loading through the tube doesn't bother me at all. Heck, I don't consider the loading gate on my 1894 all that quick or easy, and the gate bit me enough to hurt once.

Crunchy Frog · August 8, 2017, 07:50 PM

The Marlin 1984 is a popular rifle for cowboy action shooting. Remington has made very few in .357 since moving the factory. Prices on the "JM" Marlins have gotten pretty high.

In cowboy shooting ultra precise accuracy is not required but we do run the rifles pretty fast. Some lever action rifles are "picky eaters" but it's pretty easy to figure out what a particular rifle likes and feed it accordingly.

Even for general use a lever action rifle in .357 is a great gun.

cecILL · August 9, 2017, 06:39 AM

I would be more interested in how a rifle functions than how I put the bullets in.

rc · August 10, 2017, 12:56 AM

You bought a good 357. The marlin 1894s can suffer from the "marlin jam". Look it up and polish the sharp edge before it develops. Otherwise, they are reliable with 38s and 357 mags with few problems in 357 mag. I have a Rossi 44 mag and my Marlin 357 is so much more comfortable to shoot the rossi may go down the road some day.

bamaranger · August 20, 2017, 07:50 PM

I have one "pre-safety" from the 1980's. For a long time it was my most carried and shot long gun. The Marlin is shorter and lighter than the Henry's, and I prefer the loading gate over the tube system. I've run all manner of loads through the little Marlin, from full bore mags in 158-160gr to 148 gr wadcutters, single loaded, as they would not feed from the magazine. But one at a time, they shot fine, and were very mild.

Shot quite a bit of .38 spl 110 gr +P+ from it as it was issue back in the day and there were always a few rounds about. Also shot full power 125 gr mags when they became issue. The 125 mags were quite destructive when fired from the carbine length barrel. I never ran it as hard/fast as the cowboy crowd, but for hunting and GP shooting it ran just fine with about everything. A 158 SWC lead, downloaded loaded to 1000 fps or so as a GP round, would feed pretty reliably, and shoot well enough to 100 yds despite the Micro-groove tube and their reputation with lead.

Never did kill a deer with the Marlin, but shot quite a few groundhogs when the clover came up and you could walk and stalk the critters, and get shots under 100 pretty regularly.

I'd suggest a peep sight set up, a big improvement over the traditional bead and blade sights. The Marlins scope easily if you need to go that route, as I likely need will go on mine in the near future.

weblance · August 21, 2017, 09:29 AM

I wish RemLin would re-issue the 357 1894. I would buy one in a heartbeat. It would be a great companion to my new RemLin 44 Mag 1894. I'm quickly falling in love with my 44. There are rumors the re-issue of the 357 1894 will happen at some point. An older JM like the OP just grabbed would be ok too...

August 6, 2017, 08:08 PM	#1
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Marlin 357? How are the Marlin .357 1894s? Just bought one, pre Remington. Do they hold up? Do parts break a lot? Couldn't stand to buy a Henry with the tube loading system and the Rossi wasn't as appealing. Thoughts?

August 8, 2017, 06:33 AM	#9
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,059	One caveat: do not use .38 wadcutters, as they will hopelessly jam up the works. Other than that, they're spectacular rifles. __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

August 20, 2017, 07:50 PM	#14
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,295	mine I have one "pre-safety" from the 1980's. For a long time it was my most carried and shot long gun. The Marlin is shorter and lighter than the Henry's, and I prefer the loading gate over the tube system. I've run all manner of loads through the little Marlin, from full bore mags in 158-160gr to 148 gr wadcutters, single loaded, as they would not feed from the magazine. But one at a time, they shot fine, and were very mild. Shot quite a bit of .38 spl 110 gr +P+ from it as it was issue back in the day and there were always a few rounds about. Also shot full power 125 gr mags when they became issue. The 125 mags were quite destructive when fired from the carbine length barrel. I never ran it as hard/fast as the cowboy crowd, but for hunting and GP shooting it ran just fine with about everything. A 158 SWC lead, downloaded loaded to 1000 fps or so as a GP round, would feed pretty reliably, and shoot well enough to 100 yds despite the Micro-groove tube and their reputation with lead. Never did kill a deer with the Marlin, but shot quite a few groundhogs when the clover came up and you could walk and stalk the critters, and get shots under 100 pretty regularly. I'd suggest a peep sight set up, a big improvement over the traditional bead and blade sights. The Marlins scope easily if you need to go that route, as I likely need will go on mine in the near future.

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August 6, 2017, 09:52 PM	#2
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	I had one and never had any problems with it. I know some other people who owned them and they never had any problems either. Most of them shoot "OK", not tack drivers, but decent hunting guns. I actually think the Henry is a better gun based on seeing and shooting them. I don't own a Henry, but I'd consider getting one if I were looking for another .357 lever gun.

August 6, 2017, 10:39 PM	#3
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	They are heavy and I hate the loading method. Hoping this Marlin shoots good, cost enough. Mainly got it for fun and possible defense.

August 7, 2017, 08:52 AM	#4
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	The loading method is different, but not any more difficult. However, it's all about what the buyer wants, not what the manufacturer might be offering. I can tell you this though...they're a lot easier to unload. Open the end of the tube and pour them out. For off hand shooting the weight can be an advantage. Like I said, I owned the Marlin. Not knocking them, but I've never really seen one that shot really well. Keyboard groups don't count.

August 7, 2017, 09:17 AM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I had a couple in .44 mag. No problems even shooting specials. I like the pre safety Rossi a lot better tho.

August 7, 2017, 02:00 PM	#6
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	I have a pre-safety Marlin 1894C. Good shooter, wadcutters must be loaded singly.

August 7, 2017, 02:21 PM	#7
roashooter Junior member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Posts: 508	I had Marlins in both 357 and 44 magnum...tried every load imaginable..just could not find a load that was worth ahoot accuracy wise...traded them for the new Ruger RSI 308....still have that one

August 7, 2017, 05:31 PM	#8
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	I have one. Haven't worked up many loads for it. It's 3-3.5 moa. Ok not great but not something you will really shoot past 100 anyway. Other than sharp edges no real complaints. Very heavy trigger which could be contributing to 3-3.5 moa groups.

August 8, 2017, 02:28 PM	#10
bassJAM1 Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2017 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 147	Mine also is a 3-3.5 MOA gun. .357 loads work smooth as silk, but .38's will jam if you cycle the action too quickly but they're about like shooting a .22 so I put up with it. I didn't care for the Henry's weight, but I grew up shooting a Marlin 39a so loading through the tube doesn't bother me at all. Heck, I don't consider the loading gate on my 1894 all that quick or easy, and the gate bit me enough to hurt once.

August 8, 2017, 07:50 PM	#11
Crunchy Frog Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 591	The Marlin 1984 is a popular rifle for cowboy action shooting. Remington has made very few in .357 since moving the factory. Prices on the "JM" Marlins have gotten pretty high. In cowboy shooting ultra precise accuracy is not required but we do run the rifles pretty fast. Some lever action rifles are "picky eaters" but it's pretty easy to figure out what a particular rifle likes and feed it accordingly. Even for general use a lever action rifle in .357 is a great gun.

August 9, 2017, 06:39 AM	#12
cecILL Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: central IL Posts: 769	I would be more interested in how a rifle functions than how I put the bullets in.

August 10, 2017, 12:56 AM	#13
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,759	You bought a good 357. The marlin 1894s can suffer from the "marlin jam". Look it up and polish the sharp edge before it develops. Otherwise, they are reliable with 38s and 357 mags with few problems in 357 mag. I have a Rossi 44 mag and my Marlin 357 is so much more comfortable to shoot the rossi may go down the road some day.

August 21, 2017, 09:29 AM	#15
weblance Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Posts: 1,229	I wish RemLin would re-issue the 357 1894. I would buy one in a heartbeat. It would be a great companion to my new RemLin 44 Mag 1894. I'm quickly falling in love with my 44. There are rumors the re-issue of the 357 1894 will happen at some point. An older JM like the OP just grabbed would be ok too...