Post
by North Country Gal » Fri Apr 20, 2018 8:08 pm
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.
