I was offerd a Marlin 1894 .44-40
I guess is was some type of commemorative?

But how does Marlin hold up to Winchester 1894?
or any other leveraction in .44-40?

The Marlin 1894 is the equivalent of the Winchester 1892, both designed for pistol length cartridges. The original 1894 is desirable as a collector's item; the newer ones a great shooters. The most common of the newer 1894's are .44 magnums, so you know they are plenty strong. One in .44/40 would be a lot of fun to shoot, but not as good as the magnum to load for, due to less sturdy cases. I never had a problem with them, but a little extra care is needed when seating the bullet. I would love to find a nice one in .44/40.

I have an original Marlin 1894 in .44-40, manufactured 1905, 24" octagon barrel, half magazine. I have loaded up some ammunition for it (200 grain cast round nose flat-point) and have done one brief range session. It shoots quite well and all functions are perfect.

Since my rifle is now 111 years old I think the Marlin 1894 compares pretty well with any lever action rifles!

Recently acquired a Colt Single Action Army "Frontier Six Shooter" in .44-40 (1914 vintage) which should make a good companion piece. Further reloading efforts will be directed toward one load that will function well in both rifle and revolver.

Now I am all set for riding the range, desperadoes, and Injun attacks.

Thank you.
I intend to use this one with blackpowder for Cowboy shooting.
Any thoughts on that?



And might do some hunting to

A Marlin lever gun is a good choice for BP, since it's very easy to remove the lever, bolt, & ejector, then use a cleaning rod to push the crud out the muzzle. Much, much easier than a Winnie '92.

I'd still recommend you find a non-corrosive BP substitute. Doesn't foul as much as BP, yet produces the same amt. of smoke. If you DO use BP, you'll find it necessary to run a patch thru the barrel after every stage.

Either way, clean it within 24 hrs.

Best Of Luck, Hank M.
(used to be Hang-Fire Hank in the early days of CAS)

Marlin made a 'Century Limited' commemorative in the mid 90's in 44-40 IIRC and then the 'Cowboy Limited' in the early 2000's in 44-40. The latter in either a 20" carbine or a 24" rifle.

I've never had much to do with Marlins after about 1970, so I can't say good or bad about them.
The (old) square bolt design I do like however and as someone already said they are much easier to take apart for cleaning. Something you will be doing if using BP or one of the sub-BPs.

I agree on using a substituteBP too. Nearly zero fouling with most of them. I use American Pioneer/CleanShot in cartridge pistols, shotgun and rifles and you can shoot 75 or 100 rounds and still no fouling problems to tie up the mechanism.
I even ran some 45acp through a 1911 loaded with the stuff and it worked just fine! It was intended for a shaved MkI Webley but what the heck.

Clean-up is easier with it too when compared to real BP which I use also. But the real stuff I save for the M/Ldrs.

For me..Real BP is more accurate than the sub in a M/Ldr (percussion). Smokeless is more accurate than the sub in a cartridge gun.
But if you're only shooting at pie plates and paper bad guys for fun & giggles,,I'd use a cartridge case full of BP sub!

Marlins 1894's are pretty good, except for a few years of quality problems when Remington took over in the early part of the millennium. A receiver safety was added in 1994, which some people dislike (not me).

Beware of commemorative Winchester lever guns made in the 90's. The receiver is cast and can't be blued. Some have a black chrome plating which is not very durable. The lifter is stamped rather than machined.

There is a superficial resemblance between the 1892 and 1894 actions. Both have a top ejection bolt, but there are two locking bolts on the sides in the 1892, and a single locking bolt in the rear in the 1894. The 1894 has an articulated bottom plate designed to give a longer bolt throw with the same lever motion, to accommodate longer cartridges.

The 1894 is a classic rifle for .30-30 an other less common necked cartridges. The 1892 is limited to pistol cartridges, and IMO is the best action for .44-40, .45 Colt, .357 Mag and .44 Mag (perhaps others). Both actions are very strong, especially compared to the toggle-link Winchesters (e.g., 1873).

I have an 1894 in .45 Colt, and find it prone to stove pipes unless you operate the lever firmly and completely. Ejection occurs in the last few degrees of operation. The 1892 action is much smoother, with better ejection for short cartridges. Nothing beats the smoothness of the 1873, but it's too weak for full powered magnums.

Unlike Marlin lever guns, it takes three hands and a lot of patience to break down a Winchester for cleaning. I clean in place from the muzzle (using a bore guide). I know how to do it the hard way, but life is too short.

Modern versions have a tang safety and a rebounding hammer. I'm okay with that, because it's much safer to clear the rifle. The trigger is on the stiff side and the only way to improve it is to weaken the mainspring. Expect misfires if you do that. The trigger runs 4.5 to 6 pounds, which is not unreasonable for a hunting weapon. Mine break clean without much creep, but there is a long takeup for the positive hammer block (Marlin too).

Thank's i really apreciate all info i can get, But...

If you think blackpowder fouling i hard to cleen?
You'r doing it wrong

I have shot blackpowder guns (pistol's, rifles and flintlockmuskets) from late -70
no problem cleening them.
Only used HOT water and lube them after they dried up.

I used to have a Rossi 92 in .45Colt (but had to sell it when i broke my sholder)
Only shot black in it.
Missed out on a Rossi in .44-40 before christmas.

My LGS has the Marlin in question, but quite costly.
I'll se if i can work out a deal.

Thank you.

I would be very interested in seeing what a Swedish LGS looks like. Would they allow pics ?

I doubt it, he is very low profile.

Gotcha, thanks !