Any Marlin 1894 .44 Mag Owners here on the Forum?

[Duster340]

Hey Folks,

My wife and I purchased a small parcel of land in Northern Wisconsin last year, and will be doing some deer hunting up there. Heavy hardwoods and dense cedar wetlands make up the landscape. I had planned on using a little .303 Brit (Self Bubba-ized) carbine that has dropped a few deer in the past, but after spending time on this property I realized that shots will be less than 50 yards. Got to thinking that a little Marlin 1894 .44 mag might be just the ticket, and a nice companion to my SBH. The fact that I already reload .44 mag adds to the attraction. (As I type this, it is as if I am coming up with a good excuse to explain to "the Boss" why I need to buy another toy ) .

Anyway, I was hoping to hear from some members that own/shoot/hunt with a Marlin 1894 in .44 mag. Maybe share pros/cons? Alternative options in .44 mag (I'd love to find a old Ruger Semiauto .44 carbine!)?, pet/proven deer loads, and any other helpful tidbits?

As always, thanks in advance for the input, and be well all.

[gregintenn]

I believe this one was made the same year as me; 1973.

It shoots 240 grain jhp Magtech into a tighter group than anything I've been able to handload thus far.

Assuming you can find one without a safety, you've found a true prize in my opinion.

[Fishinfool]

I have owned a couple 1894's in 44 mag. One, a pre-safety blued, the other a later manufactured stainless steel "JM" marked gun. When looking for a used one, look for one with a "JM" marked barrel, as these guns were made before the Remington take over, and still had the high quality Marlin was known for.

Cast or jacketed bullets work well in these guns - Just be aware of the fact they are sensitive to cartridge OAL, and bullet profile to a lesser extent. Most seem to feed best with bullets in the 240 - 250 grain weight, or less.

For hunting, I like a hard cast 250 grain SWC, or a 240 grain jacketed XTP bullet over a healthy dose of Winchester 296 / H-110 powder. That longer barrel steps those loads up to 1800 fps., and hit hard.

Larry

[kilo charlie]

I have one from 1988 that is amazingly accurate and low recoiling. I think it is a great firearm for almost any game within it's limits, I use the iron sights and keep my shots to about 125 yards or less.

[PA Guns & Ammo]

I have one in stainless. I do not hunt but I had no trouble with hollow points, lead round nose or jacketed. I never fired any 44 special out of it so I do not know how well that works. What I can tell you is that it liked the heavier bullets around 240 grain. The 180 grain was not that accurate for me.

James

[6518John]

It was my first rifle as a teenager. I LOVED IT! It was in perfect shape when I gave it to a 12 year old boy when his father was tragicaly killed in an industrial accident 20 years ago. That boy is now 32 and has killed a couple of deer a year since he was 12 and countless hogs. Still looks and shots like brand new.

One can't go wrong buying one, or five or ten, in all calibers made!

[max]

I have a Winchester 94 in 44 and all I can say,is that with magnum loads it kicks like a mule.

[holo]

far right one in the pic just got it few moths ago, Ohio is now allowing us to hunt with straight wall rifle cart. cant wait to get in the woods with it. All of my shots are also around 50 yards. If you are going to get a Marlin hold out for a J.M. stamped gun its a much better made gun than the new Remington made.

1894 P.G. marlin .44 mag

[Pef]

I have one in stainless. Put some skinner sights on it as well. I don't hunt, but it is a nice shooter and quite accurate.

Some tips:

1) Be sure the one you buy has a JM proof, and preferably is a 2008 or earlier manufacture. Earlier the better.

2) Because you reload, put together a batch of dummy .44 mags and .44 specials. Load each and cycle to make sure the carrier timing is right. If the carrier timing is slightly off, it will "let in two." The fix may be easy enough, but for any 1894 you definitely want to cycle dummies to check for feeding issues.

[Electraclyde]

I have a "JM" marked from 1983. It is very accurate with my home loaded 240gr XTP ammo, same as I shoot in my Ruger Super Red Hawk.
The revolver has a scope and the rifle stays with the iron sights.
If I could only have one rifle this would be it.

[RobertJ.]

Originally Posted by Pef

2) Because you reload, put together a batch of dummy .44 mags and .44 specials. Load each and cycle to make sure the carrier timing is right. If the carrier timing is slightly off, it will "let in two." The fix may be easy enough, but for any 1894 you definitely want to cycle dummies to check for feeding issues.

Excellent advice. That's also known as "the dreaded Marlin jam", and can be fixed by replacing the carrier. At least that's how I fixed mine, then it cycled great.

Also, take a look at one of the Winchester Model 92 copies, like a Rossi. I have one in .357 Mag, and while I like the Marlin, that little Rossi is smooth as glass, and one of my favorites!

[Squarebutt]

Lots of good recommendations. I wish I'd bought one years ago as a companion to my 629. I love my 1959 336 in .35 Remington, but that's a larger frame.
Another model you might like is the Henry lever gun. Made in USA and very high quality.

[Jebus35745]

I have one in 357 and have yet to shoot it. Let us all know how yours shoots and at what distance. Larry

[samwood]

I have the 1894P (ported model with a 16 inch barrel). Recoil, with 240 grain factory loads, seemed similar to recoil of factory 300 grain loads fired in the 45-70 guide gun. Replacing the Marlin recoil pad with a limbsaver pad made a noticeable difference for me. I find the 357 magnum version much more pleasant to shoot. I find the 44 magnum Ruger Deerfield semi auto carbine (the more recent model with rotary clip) to recoil less than either 1894.

It sounds like most other folks find the 44 magnum version of the 1894 low in recoil; so it is probably just me. I also replaced the stock sights on both 1894's with XS sight sets and found them a significant improvement; the skinner sights look interesting as well.

I put a 2.5X scope on the Ruger; it shoots the few factory loads I've tried into inch groups at 50 yards; non-jacketed loads are not recommended for this particular model.

[4barrel]

I thought everyone had one,

[Duster340]

A big Thank You for all the great responses!! Lot's of good info.

So it seems folks have no love for new models and favor the older "JM" versions. I did not realize Remington was producing them now. Is this based on a new design? Poor quality?

Also a few mention a preference for models w/o safeties. Can you elaborate on this for me? Again, bad design?

Looks like I have some homework to do LOL.

As for the Ruger Deerslayer, I have not seen one for sale in years!

[bigsteve113]

Used one on my ranch for years. Carried it in a scabbard either on my saddle if I was on horseback, or I would tie the scabbard to the tractor when bush-hogging the pastures. Coyotes would follow that tractor to catch the mice and rabbits running from the grass.

Many a coyote, snake, armadillo, and other vermin fell to that rifle. Once a injured horse too, which sucked to have to do, but that 1894 with a hot loaded XTP did it's job clean and quick. That rifle and the .44 round, sometimes 240 gr LSWC, sometimes 240 or 300 gr JHP, always served me well. Never foung a gun task it couldn't handle. Shoots lead and jacketed well, even though it's a microgroove barrel. Love that rifle. Still got it but since I'm taking a lil hiatus from cowboying right now I hadn't shot it lately. This tread is gonna make me go dig it out the safe!

If you got a hankerin' for one, get it! It will compliment tour .44 sidearm well. I carried a .44 Magnum Ruger Vaquero with mine. Especially with average 50 yard shots, of course it's capable of much further shots. I wouldn't be scared to take on a grizzly with that rifle!

[Pef]

Originally Posted by Duster340

A big Thank You for all the great responses!! Lot's of good info.

So it seems folks have no love for new models and favor the older "JM" versions. I did not realize Remington was producing them now. Is this based on a new design? Poor quality?

Also a few mention a preference for models w/o safeties. Can you elaborate on this for me? Again, bad design?

Looks like I have some homework to do LOL.

As for the Ruger Deerslayer, I have not seen one for sale in years!

Around 2009 - 2010 Remington shut down the Conn. plant of Marlin, and moved what it could to Ilion NY. However, the machinery was old, and the know-how (skilled workers) did not follow. Same design, but many, many QA problems followed, and Remington even shut down production (don't know if it has resumed). So that is why you look for a 2009 or earlier one, and with the JM proof on the barrel.

Some people don't like the cross bar safety, but I don't mind it.

[holo]

Originally Posted by Duster340

A big Thank You for all the great responses!! Lot's of good info.

So it seems folks have no love for new models and favor the older "JM" versions. I did not realize Remington was producing them now. Is this based on a new design? Poor quality?

Also a few mention a preference for models w/o safeties. Can you elaborate on this for me? Again, bad design?

Looks like I have some homework to do LOL.

As for the Ruger Deerslayer, I have not seen one for sale in years!

try the ruger forum they are in the classified often

[Cpo1944]

I have one and it`s probably circa 1970 . I don`t hunt , but I love it for plinking. Mine did not like regular size .44 bullets , they "key holed". Normal size is .429,so now I load .433 just for it, and it is dead on accurate.

[dpast32]

Well, I don't have a Marlin, but I do have a Winchester M1894 "Trapper" 16" bbl. Carbine in .44 Magnum. I would have preferred a Marlin, but just couldn't find a 16" bbl'd Trapper version of one, so finally eneded up with a Winchester. Each one has both it's good & bad points, but if you know your weapon's limitations, they do make excellent close cover & defensive carbines when fed the correct ammunition.

dpast32

[Duster340]

Originally Posted by Pef

Around 2009 - 2010 Remington shut down the Conn. plant of Marlin, and moved what it could to Ilion NY. However, the machinery was old, and the know-how (skilled workers) did not follow. Same design, but many, many QA problems followed, and Remington even shut down production (don't know if it has resumed). So that is why you look for a 2009 or earlier one, and with the JM proof on the barrel.

Some people don't like the cross bar safety, but I don't mind it.

Thanks for the clarification Pef. Much appreciated.

[Vulcan Bob]

I have a 1894 Limited Cowboy, nice little rifle. Never have fired a .44 Magnum out of it yet just .44 Specials with the Lyman #429421 and Hornady 240gr XTP's with Power Pistol Powder. Works just fine and is a good shooter.

[amazingflapjack]

I had a 92' in 44 Mag-and as was said, I wasn't ready for the recoil, and I have owned lever guns in 45-70 Govt. The crescent butt plate was a big part of the problem. I sold it and got a 94' in 357 Mag-put a good red dot on it in the "scout" position, and it is easily my favorite centerfire rifle. It's a 16 inch, and anyone could shoot it well.

[Bat Guano]

Had one of the older models about fifteen years ago. Picked it up used thinking to do a little cowboy shooting with it. It didn't always feed, so I sent it back to Marlin and they fixed that issue. Couldn't get it to shoot very well even with a scope temporarily on; maybe more time and experimentation would have improved matters. I thought the recoil with magnums was a bit excessive as well. All in all I just lost interest in it.

Guess I'm not much of a lever gunner...

But I saw a couple of repro lightweight '86 Winchester takedowns for sale somewhere in cyberspace recently...

Come to think about it, if Remington makes a little 20 ga. rifle sighted 870, that would be a slick little item, too.

[Eaglestroker]

Have an 1894P I hope to get a white tail with this year. Has a skinner rear sight on it - only issue I've ever had with it is that the loading gate screw likes to loosen over a range session with magnum loads. Kick is the most of any of the pistol caliber rifles/carbines I have.




Picked up one of the Rugers' with tube mag this past February and really like it too. Be a better option for someone who wants a 44 mag but is more prone to recoil sensitivity.

[Ivan the Butcher]

In 1984 I had 2, a newer 1894 and a older 336 (yes a 336 in 44 mag). the 1894 was back in the "Gold Trigger" and micro-groove days. The ammo of choice back then was S&W brand, 44 mag 240 grain jacketed HP. I must have shot 50- 20 round boxes of it. Both guns shot very well with that ammo. I never considered the recoil to be bad, as we played with 458 Win Mag and 375 H&H all the time. So it is all in what you are use to.

On the cross bolt safety; In SASS shooting you will learn that people will sneak up and put your safety on. To prevent this, there is a factory set screw on the left side of the fame, the butt stock needs removed for access, so you can disable the push button in the fire position. I have Cowboy models in 44-40 and 45 Colt. I believe this feature is on the 1895's Guide guns also. I have or had 1894 Marlins with Lyman tang and Williams receiver peep sights. They are helpful for longer shots and varmint hunting, but the standard mid-barrel sights were/are fine for Deer hunting out past 100 yards (when I was younger, past 200 yards). All the Marlin Lever Guns are drilled and tapped for scopes and receiver sights since the mid 70's and some Cowboy models are set up for tang sights (It is illegal to drill through the serial number on the tang, so most of the tang sight sets have a plate to deal with the longer spacing required.)

I sold off those two 44's by 1986, but have bought and sold around 15 since then, and I have 4 Marlins (3- 1894's and a 1895) currently. I believe before price insanity started a couple of years ago, that the pre-Remington Marlins were the best bang for the buck. With 9 to 14 shot magazines, They are lots of fire power without any "Assault Rifle Stigma" and will match up nicely will single or double action revolvers (I prefer cross draw holsters, so the rifle won't hit the revolver). Ivan

[gkitch]

A 44 Magnum lever-action carbine is an excellent rifle to have around your place in Wisconsin. As mentioned, you will have a good bit of firepower readily available and, since you handload, it will be realatively inexpensive to operate. Other than deer hunting, it would be ideal for most other kinds of varmits one may encounter and feel a need to dispatch.

The 44 magnum is, however, a big handgun caliber but a light rifle caliber. I have, indeed, hunted much with this caliber and your blood-trail will usually be a good bit less obvious than had you hit a deer with a high velocity soft point 308 or 270. Your follow-up shots will be quicker though.

As for handloads, I would load them where you could still shoot the same rounds through your revolvers (the Marlin can take heavier loads). Finding a good load that is powerful and works well in both should not be too difficult. A good 240 or 250 grain bullet would be the place to start. Crimp them well, as the rounds will be under spring pressure in the tube magazine and may collapse without a solid crimp.

[Cyrano]

Originally Posted by Ivan the Butcher

I(I prefer cross draw holsters, so the rifle won't hit the revolver). Ivan

Yay, another vote for crossdraw holsters! I have carried a Ruger Security Six, 6" barrel, sighted in for 100 yards, in the desert for years, in an El Paso Saddlery Tom Threepersons cross draw holster.