Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Welcome to the Leverguns.Com Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here ... politely.

Moderators: AmBraCol, Hobie

Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.

Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
Post Reply
User avatar
earlmck
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3423
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 12:10 am
Location: pert-neer middle of Oregon

Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by earlmck »

Here she is, all 7 1/2 pounds with that 28" octagon barrel
Marlin3840143.jpg
As compared to 7 pounds of M92 with 22" round barrel
Win3840151.jpg
The stuff I had loaded for the M92 was a couple thousandths too long in the Marlin so I seated them a tad deeper.
3840Bullets168.jpg
205 grain Accurate bullet with gas check and the 175 grain Lee with plain-base gas check (in the Winchester the addition of the plain-based gas check did get a bit tighter groups). These are black-powder equivalent loads at 1200 to 1300 fps.

I had put the Skinner sight on as Marlinman had suggested.
SkinneronMarlin150.jpg
Looks nice, shoots nice.

It looks like with these light loads the 205 grain Accurate shoots a bit better than the 175 grain Lee
3840target141.jpg
(target at not quite 100 yards -- bunch of motorcyclists were camped at my shootin' spot and I had to find a spot off in the pucker brush)

The original front sight was way too low (heck, it was quite a bit low for the original rear sight) so I put on a Lyman globe front.

As is my custom I had done a bit of shooting with the original sights before replacing anything. And as I so regularly find, the rifle had never had the sights tapped over to get the windage adjusted. Must have been shot using "Kentucky windage" all its' life (about 8" at 100 yards). I've got her lots closer now.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by earlmck on Fri Mar 19, 2021 2:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The greatest patriot...
is he who heals the most gullies.
Patrick Henry
User avatar
GunnyMack
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 9936
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2016 7:57 am
Location: Not where I want to be!

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by GunnyMack »

When I was a kid, 14 or 15 a good friend of Dads offered to let me shoot his Colt Lightning 38WCF. I tried a few shots at about 50, had a nice group going. When he saw the group up close he offered to sell me the gun , apparently no one could shoot it as well as I did. I declined the purchase- being a STUPID kid !

Looks like the ol Marlin shoots purdy good!
BROWN LABS MATTER !!
User avatar
Grizz
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 11808
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:15 pm

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by Grizz »

205Gr at 12-1300 is a very fine meat maker. love that 92. thanks for the report.
User avatar
marlinman93
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 6432
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
Location: Oregon

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by marlinman93 »

Guess I missed the barrel length in your previous post on the 1894 Marlin? That's 4" over standard, and a very cool special order feature on your gun! Looks like a pretty accurate rifle, and likely even better once you find the perfect load.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
User avatar
earlmck
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3423
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 12:10 am
Location: pert-neer middle of Oregon

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by earlmck »

marlinman93 wrote: Fri Mar 19, 2021 7:36 pm Guess I missed the barrel length in your previous post on the 1894 Marlin? That's 4" over standard, and a very cool special order feature on your gun! Looks like a pretty accurate rifle, and likely even better once you find the perfect load.
In my initial post l mistakenly reported that it was a 26" bbl. Then this morning I was looking at it side by side with the Win 92 and decided I'd better get out the tape measure. Yep, 28" of Marlin barrel.

I now have three of these 38/40's and that 205 grain bullet at about 1200 fps shoots decent in all of them. I'm afraid with my over-experienced eyes and iron sights I may be unable to detect the difference between a really good load and a mediocre load. But today I made up a few different loads to play with to see if my new baby says something different.
The greatest patriot...
is he who heals the most gullies.
Patrick Henry
Bill in Oregon
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 8848
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:05 am
Location: Sweetwater, TX

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Look forward to your report, Earl.
Oldncrusty
Levergunner 2.0
Posts: 482
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2020 12:39 am

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by Oldncrusty »

Thanks for the report. My .38 is in the shop for checkup. Hope to be shooting soon.
User avatar
Scott Tschirhart
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3838
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:56 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Great report!
User avatar
Sixgun
Posting leader...
Posts: 18563
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:17 pm
Location: S.E. Pa. Where The Finest Winchesters & Colts Reside

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by Sixgun »

28" barrel....nice.....for it to have a long barrel on a later receiver tells me your Marlin is a late one to leave the factory....has the blued bolt with the cased receiver. By that time special orders were a thing of the past and they used up old inventory. I'd ask ya if I could have it but I know the answer. :D

Never did have a bad shooting 38-40....they were all 2" guns at 100, unlike most 44-40's.

What's the story on the pistol gripped '92? Or is it a 65 with the Whelan stock...65's didn't come in 38-40 but I'm thinking something different.
Model A Uzi’s
Image
User avatar
marlinman93
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 6432
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
Location: Oregon

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by marlinman93 »

I had an early pre 1900 Model 1894 in .32-20 with a 28" barrel, and it was scary accurate! I also had an 1893 Marlin in .32-40 with a very unusual 32" barrel! I love the long barreled lever guns myself. Most people seem to gravitate towards carbines, or short rifles, especially if they hunt. I never understood the "brush gun" theory myself, as I've never hunted in brush so thick I needed a short barrel to get a shot off.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
User avatar
Grizz
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 11808
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:15 pm

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by Grizz »

I've never hunted in brush so thick I needed a short barrel to get a shot off.
try a slope in the Tongass covered with buck brush and devils club . . . there are spots where you can't swing a guide gun.
User avatar
2ndovc
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 9302
Joined: Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:59 am
Location: OH, South Shore of Lake Erie

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by 2ndovc »

Cool rifle! I like the long barrel and a shooter too.


jb 8)
jasonB " Another Dirty Yankee"


" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
Catshooter
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 996
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:19 pm
Location: South East South Dakota

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by Catshooter »

Very nice man! I'd have to hold the rifle in front of the rear sight to keep the muzzle from touching, I'm sure.


Cat
yooper2
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 845
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:07 pm
Location: Midcoast Maine

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by yooper2 »

Nice rifle! My 38-40 '92 isn't going anywhere. I have had great luck with the RCBS cowboy bullet and Jack Kort's design from Accurate Molds.


Eric
User avatar
OldWin
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 8962
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2009 2:38 pm

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by OldWin »

Just beautiful!
I have a 2/3 magazine 1889 rifle in 38-40. It is a fantastic shooter as well.
Love the early Marlins.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
User avatar
earlmck
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3423
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 12:10 am
Location: pert-neer middle of Oregon

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by earlmck »

Sixgun wrote: Sat Mar 20, 2021 11:13 am What's the story on the pistol gripped '92? Or is it a 65 with the Whelan stock...65's didn't come in 38-40 but I'm thinking something different.
One of those "gun show" finds -- pretty sure the buttstock, the front sight, and the barrel are not what came out of the factory initially. It's still one of my favorites though.
The greatest patriot...
is he who heals the most gullies.
Patrick Henry
User avatar
marlinman93
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 6432
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
Location: Oregon

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by marlinman93 »

Grizz wrote: Sat Mar 20, 2021 3:34 pm
I've never hunted in brush so thick I needed a short barrel to get a shot off.
try a slope in the Tongass covered with buck brush and devils club . . . there are spots where you can't swing a guide gun.
I have waded through buck brush, and I couldn't have taken a shot if I had a handgun! So I still don't get the point of a brush gun. In the scenario I had a bolt action hunting rifle, and had to hold it over my head just to keep it from getting scratched up by the brush. So length of the gun was pretty irrelevant.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
User avatar
marlinman93
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 6432
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
Location: Oregon

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by marlinman93 »

earlmck wrote: Sat Mar 20, 2021 11:09 pm
Sixgun wrote: Sat Mar 20, 2021 11:13 am What's the story on the pistol gripped '92? Or is it a 65 with the Whelan stock...65's didn't come in 38-40 but I'm thinking something different.
One of those "gun show" finds -- pretty sure the buttstock, the front sight, and the barrel are not what came out of the factory initially. It's still one of my favorites though.
Stocks and barrels are serialized to the gun, so you can easily check. Pull the stocks off, and in the recess for the top tang the wood will be serial numbered. Under the forearm the barrel is also serial numbered.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
User avatar
Grizz
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 11808
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:15 pm

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by Grizz »

marlinman93 wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:26 am
Grizz wrote: Sat Mar 20, 2021 3:34 pm
I've never hunted in brush so thick I needed a short barrel to get a shot off.
try a slope in the Tongass covered with buck brush and devils club . . . there are spots where you can't swing a guide gun.
I have waded through buck brush, and I couldn't have taken a shot if I had a handgun! So I still don't get the point of a brush gun. In the scenario I had a bolt action hunting rifle, and had to hold it over my head just to keep it from getting scratched up by the brush. So length of the gun was pretty irrelevant.
i take your point. i never hunt with a gun i don't want scratches on. that'd be like trying to keep scratches off of the ax, or the boat. i have a couple of guns i don't want scratched. they don't go anywhere. LOL
User avatar
marlinman93
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 6432
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
Location: Oregon

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by marlinman93 »

Well unfortunately I have hunted with guns I didn't want scratches on, but now I look back at them after 20-40 years of using them and I see the dings and battle scars of all those years. I never bought them as collectors pieces, but I do try to take care of all my guns, whether they were bought to hunt with or collect.
But I don't feel bad about the battle scars on these well used guns, and likely wont ever restore them. I see them as badges of honor, well earned when I recall where they've been and all the game they've taken. Heck, some game was even taken by other family members after I got mine, and they borrowed my gun to hunt with. But some scars came from others too!
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
Catshooter
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 996
Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:19 pm
Location: South East South Dakota

Re: Initial range report: Marlin 1894 38/40

Post by Catshooter »

Good honest wear has it's own beauty.


Cat
Post Reply