I pulled the trigger!

[bapak2ja]

I have been looking for a good buy on a lever action that I can use for deer in Indiana, home defense if bad times, and general plinking. After serious research I decided I wanted this one:

Marlin Model 1894 Cowboy 20" Octagon 357 Magnum, octagon barrel with Ballard type cut rifling, 10 shot magazine, 357 magnum straight grip stock. (I really wanted the 16" barrel because it would be easier to handle around the house if needed or a bit lighter in the bush, but they seemed to be very difficult to find.)

Recently I stopped by:

Tomlinsons Shooting Supplies Inc
8475 E US33 Suite G
Churubusco, IN 46723
260.693.2830
info@tomlinsonshootingsupplies.com

They had a Marlin 1894C in .44 magnum. Brand new. Beautiful. Good price.

They also had a Marlin 1894C with a 16" barrel in .357, used, at a very good price. Seems Tomlinson's has an excellent repeat customer who often buys a new piece, shoots it a bit then trades it back for something else. This piece had about 150 rounds through it. Well, that little puppy just followed me home.

I took it directly to the range at H & H Fort Wayne (yep, I can shoot pistol caliber rifles at the indoor range!). First mag (ten rounds, Blazer 158 gr JHP .357 magnum—cheapest I could get at H & H; .38 Special was sold out), I had a 2.5" group, a bit high and right of bull's eye, at 25 yards. Not bad for these 60-yr-old eyes with the original steel sites. I put another 40 rounds through it, and the rifle proved as accurate as I am.

I discovered that this rifle will snag a bit when I work the lever. On two occasions I thought I was out of ammo, but when I checked to be sure I discovered the lever had not functioned perfectly. The cartridge was there, the lever just snagged on the way. I found that I needed to work the lever with authority for it to work properly. Lesson learned. Other than this small matter, the rifle worked perfectly. I like this one. It's a keeper.

If you are in the area, stop in to talk with the folks at Tomlinson—especially the big guy with the long beard. They know their firearms. They are willing to talk and to share their knowledge with rookies. They are willing to negotiate on their used weapons, and they have a very good selection—new and used.

OK, nuf said.

[RKrodle]

Congratulations on the rifle. I had a 1894 CB with the long barrel in 357 and it was a very good shooter and would even feed the CCI snake shot rounds. Great rifles and you will gets lot of enjoyment out of it.

[JReed]

Are you in Busco? I stop in Tomlinsons every few months just to look around.

[earlmck]

They had a Marlin 1894C in .44 magnum. Brand new. Beautiful. Good price.

They also had a Marlin 1894 Cowboy with a 16" barrel in .357, used, at a very good price. Seems Tomlinson's has an excellent repeat customer who often buys a new piece, shoots it a bit then trades it back for something else. This piece had about 150 rounds through it. Well, that little puppy just followed me home.

Only one of those followed you home? 44 mag is pretty nice: I'd bet you would like it!

[Old Savage]

I have one of those and it has a 4x Leupold compact. I think the best group I got with it was about 1 1/2" at 100 yds. PMC 158 I believe and mine snags a bit too when you work the lever.

[AJMD429]

Minor deteil/correction - "Marlin 1894C in .44 magnum" - I don't think the "1894C" is ever a .44 Magnum in Marlin nomenclature (I may be wrong on that).

You'll love that gun. After recently disassembling my Rossi .357 it reminds me how much nicer the Marlins are to fiddle with.

For hunting use you may find your best sight option to be a Williams FP that you sight-in with the aperture in place, and then remove the aperture for a 'ghost ring' effect. It is really a fast sight, and the only faster one I've found is the Marble's Bullseye.

Here's a bunch of sight pics I took a ways back, if they're any help:

(link to top of post - scroll down for pics) = http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... ps#p390174

[Griff]

Once again, if you're having an issue with a Marlin 1894, I suggest you look over the hints, fixes and work arounds offered over on Marauder's Rifle & Pistol Hints page down in the Marlin section. If Adirondak Jack recommends it... it's gotta be good. (And as I recommend the section on Rossi's quite often, and know Marauder), they ain't gonna steer ya wrong.

[Old Savage]

Great presentation there AJ.

[bapak2ja]

Are you in Busco? I stop in Tomlinsons every few months just to look around.

I'm in Fort Wayne, just off Carroll Road. I drive up there occasionally, but I went there this time to check out the inventory—hence, the new addition to my arsenal.

I plan to visit Busco more often now that I have found out about the shooting range south of there with up to 100yd options for only $25/yr membership fee.

[bapak2ja]

They had a Marlin 1894C in .44 magnum. Brand new. Beautiful. Good price.

They also had a Marlin 1894 Cowboy with a 16" barrel in .357, used, at a very good price. Seems Tomlinson's has an excellent repeat customer who often buys a new piece, shoots it a bit then trades it back for something else. This piece had about 150 rounds through it. Well, that little puppy just followed me home.

Only one of those followed you home? 44 mag is pretty nice: I'd bet you would like it!

I actually thought about it. Then I decided I preferred to stay married.

[bapak2ja]

I have one of those and it has a 4x Leupold compact. I think the best group I got with it was about 1 1/2" at 100 yds. PMC 158 I believe and mine snags a bit too when you work the lever.

Great photo! That is the puppy! I am still debating putting a scope on it. I enjoy the "authentic cowboy" look, but these eyes do not do well beyond 25yds, even with my long distance contact.

[bapak2ja]

Minor deteil/correction - "Marlin 1894C in .44 magnum" - I don't think the "1894C" is ever a .44 Magnum in Marlin nomenclature (I may be wrong on that).

You'll love that gun. After recently disassembling my Rossi .357 it reminds me how much nicer the Marlins are to fiddle with.

For hunting use you may find your best sight option to be a Williams FP that you sight-in with the aperture in place, and then remove the aperture for a 'ghost ring' effect. It is really a fast sight, and the only faster one I've found is the Marble's Bullseye.

Here's a bunch of sight pics I took a ways back, if they're any help:

(link to top of post - scroll down for pics) = http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... ps#p390174

Thanks!! I will check out those sights.

[bapak2ja]

Once again, if you're having an issue with a Marlin 1894, I suggest you look over the hints, fixes and work arounds offered over on Marauder's Rifle & Pistol Hints page down in the Marlin section. If Adirondak Jack recommends it... it's gotta be good. (And as I recommend the section on Rossi's quite often, and know Marauder), they ain't gonna steer ya wrong.

Good to know the experts and reliable sources of information.

[JReed]

Are you in Busco? I stop in Tomlinsons every few months just to look around.

I'm in Fort Wayne, just off Carroll Road. I drive up there occasionally, but I went there this time to check out the inventory—hence, the new addition to my arsenal.

I plan to visit Busco more often now that I have found out about the shooting range south of there with up to 100yd options for only $25/yr membership fee.

Ah ok. For now I am up here in Auburn. Churubusco H.S. is one of the schools I work so I get out there quit a bit. I am only here in IN. for 2 more months we will have to meet up before I move.

[Richard]

My 1894C is .357/.38 and I've read here changing to a solid firing pin smooths things out. That's next on the list along Williams sights. (Love the 4x Leupold though!)
Congrats on the rifle . . . .

[salvo]

I have an 1894CB in. 357 also,
I put a set of brass Skinner sights on mine.
great lever gun, congrats!

[bapak2ja]

I took the Marlin 1894C in .357 to North Carolina with me. I really enjoyed shooting it, but it took me a while to get used to it. Here are the best results I achieved at 25yds. I rested my elbow on the table for all the shots. Targets are posted in the order in which they were shot. I put 3-4 rounds on target, checked for accuracy, adjusted and fired, then checked again.

IMG_0318.jpg

IMG_0317.jpg

IMG_0319.jpg

IMG_0320.jpg

I concluded the rifle is accurate and I need more practice. I will not need momma to threaten a whupping if I do not practice—like she had to do with the piano.

Doubt I will get out to the range this weekend, but spring will have to show up in Indiana sometime soon. Love the smell of gun smoke on a hot morning!!

[walks with gun]

I think you picked a winner. Life's more fun with a levergun.

[Rusty]

Congratulations! Ain't it great to find exactly what you're looking for

[O.S.O.K.]

I thought those were all the slickered up 38 Special models?

Regardless, nice catch!!

You might consider putting a "micro dot" on it- small red dot.

[JBledsoe]

I thought those were all the slickered up 38 Special models?

Regardless, nice catch!!

You might consider putting a "micro dot" on it- small red dot.

The standard Cowboy model is a 38 Spec/357 Mag rifle. The Cowboy Competition model is the slicked up 38 Spec. only.

.