Big Bore 444 Marlin question

[finger toes]

I'm looking for a M94 Big Bore in 444 Marlin. I don't want rebounding hammers or a safety or AE. Does this rifle exist without all the do-dads? If not would a 375 Win Big Bore re-barreled to 444 function or feed cartridges without action work?

[Modoc ED]

Just get the .444 Big Bore and change or modify it to suit your needs.

[1886]

It has all of the features you do not want. 1886.

[HATCHETTJACK]

if your wanting a big bore, the better option would be a 45-70... much better ballistics, especially if you handload

[Modoc ED]

if your wanting a big bore, the better option would be a 45-70... much better ballistics, especially if you handload

Says you "HATCHETJACK" he said with a hatchet in his hand.

Depends on what you want to do with the .444 or .45-70 . You just can't say that one is better than the other. Each has it's advantages.

Besides, most lever action .45-70s offered today have one form of "Lawyer Mandated" safeties on em just as the .444s do.

Me, I've got two Marlin .444s. One is an older .444S (no crossbolt safety) and one is a newer .444SS (crossbolt safety). They both perform well and are great guns.

[1886]

You may want to consider the pre safety Marlin. I think the S model from the mid to later 70s was a real looker. Good Luck in your search. 1886.

[Old Time Hunter]

Ain't noth'n handier than a M94 Timber Carbine chambered for the .444 Marlin.

[finger toes]

Yeah I have a couple 45-70'S, A Marlin and a 1886, 3 model 71's and an 1895. I was just wondering if the 94 BB ever was produced without all the gadgetry attached. Is the 375 Win case rim smaller than the 444 Marlin? And yes I think the Timber Carbine looks real handy and light.

[buckeyeshooter]

The timber carbine is very, very nice handling. Mine has the butt ugly winchester crossbolt. I think there were also some 94 big bores in 444 with a longer barrel. These would have a tang safety. There were never any made without some type of add on.

[6pt-sika]

Save yourself the aggrevation and purchase a nice old Marlin "First Model 444" (circa 65 to 71). Or even an early Marlin 444S with the barrel bands as they were made from 71 to 75 .

None of these have the crossbolt safety . Although the First Model's do have a rather large monte carlo stock .

[finger toes]

OK so I found a pre safety BB in 375 Win. I was looking for 444 barrels and bullet selection. The 44 bullet choices aren't as good as the 45 but I knew that before I started. Then I gets to thinking about the 450 Marlin. Initially I thought this was a poor move in the Hornady/Marlin R+D department (and it may be) But this cartridge was being chambered in the 94 BB Timber Carbine. This may be a better choice for a re-barrel than the 444. The rim dimensions are considerably less than the 45/70. In Paco's excellent article elves to elephants he mentioned the people at Winchester looking to modify the 94 to accept the 45/70 round. That was before the big shut down. Now the 450 Marlin may on it's way to limited popularity if not obsolescence but if it is the most powerful round available for the 94 I think I'd give it a go. Maybe Marlin inadvertently designed a new round for Winchester and their excellent, size sensitive lever action.

[Old Savage]

Yes they have the coveted cross bolt safety and the rebounding hammer.

[finger toes]

Yes they have the coveted cross bolt safety and the rebounding hammer.

Good One! Sometimes I forget the new Winches have all the annoying safety junk. Do they even make 94's presently. I still like the good old type 94's though but I wont say a bad word about the Marlin or Savage.