Marlin 1894 .44 magnum question

YankeeIronSights · May 24, 2018, 09:29 PM

Hi Everyone:

I recently purchased a Marlin 1894 .44 magnum lever action. It was manufactured in North Haven CT. However, instead of having the JM mark on the barrel, it has the letters AG. The rifle is in very good shape. I will test it at the range this weekend.

Can anyone comment about this model? Someone told me that this is a rifle made with pre-Remington parts but assembled by Remington. Transition rifle?

Please share any information that can help me confirm if this is still a desirable lever action rifle without the glitches reported by owners of Remington built models.

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Salmoneye · May 25, 2018, 05:25 AM

AG on left side of barrel = March of 2012...

https://www.gunvaluesboard.com/remin...ture-2164.html

Should have JM or REP on the right side of barrel...

Remington was allowed to use up the remaining scroll stamped barrels when they moved Marlin to Ilion...

YankeeIronSights · May 25, 2018, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salmoneye

AG on left side of barrel = March of 2012...

https://www.gunvaluesboard.com/remin...ture-2164.html

Should have JM or REP on the right side of barrel...

Remington was allowed to use up the remaining scroll stamped barrels when they moved Marlin to Ilion...

Thanks for this information. Very valuable. I will test the rifle this weekend and will share the range report.

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YankeeIronSights · May 27, 2018, 04:55 PM

Update: I checked the right side of my rifle and it also has the REP marking.

Conclusion: most likely, this rifle was assembled with original parts, made at the North Haven factory, and test fired by Remington in March 2012.

I test fired it at the range today, mostly for function, rather than best accuracy. I am happy to report that it performed quite well. I used Hornady .44 Special rounds. The test produced 2-3” groups at 75 ft, standing stance. Not bad !

I only had one glitch, but I think it was my fault. I short stroked the lever and a used brass failed to extract. I used a pocket knife to remove the brass from the chamber.

I still want to test the rifle with full power .44 magnum rounds. However, I predict it will perform well again.

Overall, I am quite pleased with this purchase. At $599.00 and at 98% condition, I cannot complain. This gun is a great companion for my Smith Wesson 629 3” pre-lock revolver.

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stagpanther · May 27, 2018, 05:10 PM

Funny you mention it--I was out shooting my 44mag lever today. For pure shooting enjoyment doesn't get any better IMO. Have fun!

YankeeIronSights · May 27, 2018, 10:05 PM

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YankeeIronSights · May 27, 2018, 10:06 PM

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bamaranger · May 27, 2018, 10:27 PM

I wouldn't want to shoot .44 mag indoors, from a carbine or handgun.

Charlie98 · May 28, 2018, 10:26 PM

I've got a 1894 in .41MAG... it's more fun to shoot than almost anything in the fleet. If you reload, I've had very good luck with IMR4227 under cast bullets (although I'm sure it would work well with jacketed, too.) If you want the full-house .44 effect... W296 is the one!

stagpanther · May 28, 2018, 11:52 PM

Quote:

If you want the full-house .44 effect... W296 is the one!

Or H110--either way.

**44 AMP** · May 29, 2018, 01:18 PM

2400 also is no slouch from a carbine.

Had one decades ago. nice gun, only issue was it was a bit picky about feeding SWC slugs. Everything else fed like butter.

If you have one that likes to "hang up" with SWC bullets, don't force it. When it hangs up, just bump the lever FORWARD a little bit, this takes the pressure off the round, and usually allows it to fall back into the right place to feed into the chamber smoothly.

Hanshi · May 29, 2018, 02:53 PM

I've had my Marlin 94 .44mag since the 1970s. I've killed deer with it and yes, it is really a fun thing to plink with. Cast bullets groups are so-so but good for the kind of shooting they excel at. Mine wears an old steel tube Weaver 3X scope.

May 24, 2018, 09:29 PM	#1
YankeeIronSights Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 261	Marlin 1894 .44 magnum question Hi Everyone: I recently purchased a Marlin 1894 .44 magnum lever action. It was manufactured in North Haven CT. However, instead of having the JM mark on the barrel, it has the letters AG. The rifle is in very good shape. I will test it at the range this weekend. Can anyone comment about this model? Someone told me that this is a rifle made with pre-Remington parts but assembled by Remington. Transition rifle? Please share any information that can help me confirm if this is still a desirable lever action rifle without the glitches reported by owners of Remington built models. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

May 27, 2018, 05:10 PM	#5
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,789	Funny you mention it--I was out shooting my 44mag lever today. For pure shooting enjoyment doesn't get any better IMO. Have fun! __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

May 27, 2018, 10:27 PM	#8
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	indoors I wouldn't want to shoot .44 mag indoors, from a carbine or handgun.

May 28, 2018, 10:26 PM	#9
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	I've got a 1894 in .41MAG... it's more fun to shoot than almost anything in the fleet. If you reload, I've had very good luck with IMR4227 under cast bullets (although I'm sure it would work well with jacketed, too.) If you want the full-house .44 effect... W296 is the one! __________________ _______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot."

May 29, 2018, 01:18 PM	#11
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,838	2400 also is no slouch from a carbine. Had one decades ago. nice gun, only issue was it was a bit picky about feeding SWC slugs. Everything else fed like butter. If you have one that likes to "hang up" with SWC bullets, don't force it. When it hangs up, just bump the lever FORWARD a little bit, this takes the pressure off the round, and usually allows it to fall back into the right place to feed into the chamber smoothly. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

May 25, 2018, 05:25 AM	#2
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	AG on left side of barrel = March of 2012... https://www.gunvaluesboard.com/remin...ture-2164.html Should have JM or REP on the right side of barrel... Remington was allowed to use up the remaining scroll stamped barrels when they moved Marlin to Ilion...

May 27, 2018, 04:55 PM	#4
YankeeIronSights Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 261	Update: I checked the right side of my rifle and it also has the REP marking. Conclusion: most likely, this rifle was assembled with original parts, made at the North Haven factory, and test fired by Remington in March 2012. I test fired it at the range today, mostly for function, rather than best accuracy. I am happy to report that it performed quite well. I used Hornady .44 Special rounds. The test produced 2-3” groups at 75 ft, standing stance. Not bad ! I only had one glitch, but I think it was my fault. I short stroked the lever and a used brass failed to extract. I used a pocket knife to remove the brass from the chamber. I still want to test the rifle with full power .44 magnum rounds. However, I predict it will perform well again. Overall, I am quite pleased with this purchase. At $599.00 and at 98% condition, I cannot complain. This gun is a great companion for my Smith Wesson 629 3” pre-lock revolver. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

May 27, 2018, 10:05 PM	#6
YankeeIronSights Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 261	Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

May 27, 2018, 10:06 PM	#7
YankeeIronSights Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 261	Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

May 29, 2018, 02:53 PM	#12
Hanshi Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2017 Posts: 239	I've had my Marlin 94 .44mag since the 1970s. I've killed deer with it and yes, it is really a fun thing to plink with. Cast bullets groups are so-so but good for the kind of shooting they excel at. Mine wears an old steel tube Weaver 3X scope. __________________ Young guys should hang out with old guys; old guys know stuff.