A ? about Marlin 1894 rifles. Is the Cowboy really...

[MICoyote]

Worth the $300 more?


Cowboy


The only difference I see between the two is the octagon barrel, the color of the stock & checkering, and the sights.

Same weight, length, both 10 rounds and length of pull.

I know a lot of you have really been into LA for a long time and would be grateful for any help.

Oh, and if anyone knows, why is the CB in 45-70 a $100 CHEAPER than the 45LC? Marlin just makes more of them?

Thanks as always!

[JEBar]

I well remember the time when I went looking for my first Lever Action rifle .... I was fortunate to find a gun shop that had 300 Savage Model 99, 35 caliber Marlin 336, 30-30 Winchester Model 94 and 308 caliber Browning BLR rifles in stock .... I handled them all and took home a BLR .... all of these rifles have storied histories and all have performed well over time .... back then Henry wasn't on the scene; in fact, today's Henry company didn't come on the scene for another 30 or so years .... I've always like the looks and feel of a Winchester, the looks but not so much the feel of a Marlin .... I've never been fond of the looks of a Savage and remember its feel as being so-so .... the Marlin's shown above look good, I'd really like to hear range reports and use observations from anyone who fires them .... my hope is Marlin will get its act back together but do have concerns for how Remington filing for Chapter 11 will affect all of its firearms

[North Country Gal]

The 1894 Cowboy is actually not a specific model, but rather a label given to a variety of of individual models that, over the years, have varied between 20" and 24" barrels, all octagonal, with some minor differences in grades of wood and so on. Some versions have been limited production runs. (The octagonal barrels do make a differenced in weight and handling, by the way.) Cowboy 1894s in any version have always been more limited in production and that tends to make them pricier. I've had one in 45 Colt and 357 and both were excellent in every way. These were Marlin made Marlins, by the way, not the current Remington made 1894s.

Color of wood will always vary from one individual gun to the next. Ignore what you see in the catalog. It has nothing to do with the gun being a Cowboy or a standard 1894.

Since the late 90s, all 1894s, Cowboy or standard 1894s have been ballard rifling, but you may run across a Cowboy with the older micro-groove rifling. (People who shoot lead bullets, as in Cowboy action shooting, do prefer ballard rifling as a general rule.) All my Marlins, by the way, have been Marlin made Marlins, not the current Remington made 1894s.

If you're looking for any Marlin, but especially 1894s and 39s, I strongly recommend trying to find a Marlin made gun. The 1894 action is an old design and it does require hand fitting to get it right. Remington has been hit and miss on the 1894s and has all but given up on the 39s (basically a rimfire 1894). That kind of production is not Remington's strong suit.

As for the 45-70 Cowboy, it's an 1895/336 model, not an 1894. The 1895/336 is a more modern, simpler action design than the 1894. It's cheaper and easier to produce, requiring less fitting, hence the lower price tag. Remington has a better track record with this design.

[tractortad]

NCG really knows her stuff when it comes to Marlins (or just about any other gun, actually) - and I agree with her completely - if you want an 1894 Marlin, do yourself a favor and find an older model made before 2009. If you do decide to take a chance on new "Remlin" 1894CB, I recommend you look it over real close before putting your money down...

[MICoyote]

No, I'm not really interested in one. Someone steered me towards these rifles and I'm just seeking some knowledge on these rifles.

I have limited funds and I'm just making sure that the Henry is what I really want.

Rossi's I won't touch. Winchesters are too pricey for what they do.

I live in a rural area and the LGS in my area don't carry these Marlins.

[BigAl52]

I recently watched a 357 cowboy on gunbroker with a 24 inch oct barrel sell for 2085.00. It was a JM gun. They are bringing some big money and Im not sure there worth the price of over 2 Henrys.

[MICoyote]

OUCH!

[tx gunrunner]

My 1894 Marlin was one of 500 in 32-20 and A super gun . Since it was a bottleneck cartridge the feed was smooth and perfect . There is a few 1894 Marlin in 38/357 made from the factory which are race guns for SASS and short stroke gun which are rare and bring a high price and worth the extra money .

[Ojaileveraction]

I have two Marlin tapered octagon barreled rifles. An 1895cb and a Zane Grey Century.
Their balance is more centered and they are sweetest handling rifles.
The 1895cb happens to be a Marlinten and I've had zero issues with it.

[If1Hitu]

I purchased my first Lever Action Rifle last thursday a 1895 CB Marlin 45/70 9 shot tubular magazine 26" Octagon barrel,American Walnut Stock.