Marlin 1894 new production question.

I'm looking for a quality levergun in .44 mag. Interested in the Marlin 1894 as well, unless there are recommendations for otherwise?
 
I am also interested in finding a new production 1894 Cowboy .44 when they come out with the octagonal barrel. I think I'll be waiting quite some time to see one available for sale, which I am fine with. I just purchased a Japanese-made Miroku Winchester 1892 .44 mag but have yet to receive it, that should tide me over.
 
Raddlove said:
I'm looking for a quality levergun in .44 mag. Interested in the Marlin 1894 as well, unless there are recommendations for otherwise?
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Keep in touch with mr00jimbo, if/when he gets an octagon barrel Marlin he might sell you the Miroku-built Winchester 1892 he mentioned in post #4.

And look in the EE. A Henry Big Boy has just been listed (brass receiver, twenty inch octagonal barrel.)
 
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TheTooner said:
Keep in touch with mr00jimbo, if/when he gets an octagon barrel Marlin he might sell you the Miroku-built Winchester 1892 he mentioned in post #4.

And look in the EE. A Henry Big Boy has just been listed (brass receiver, twenty inch octagonal barrel.)
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Think the Marlin is good enough to make me ditch the Winchester? :p
 
I'll believe it when I see Marlin 1894 rifles on the shelves! Those 1894 lever rifles have been absent for the last 2yrs. I certainly hope they do start stocking shelves with 'em 'cause I'd grab one in 45LC or 357Mag. :)
 
Trinimon said:
I'll believe it when I see Marlin 1894 rifles on the shelves! Those 1894 lever rifles have been absent for the last 2yrs. I certainly hope they do start stocking shelves with 'em 'cause I'd grab one in 45LC or 357Mag. :)
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They did a run recently. There were some for sale on irunguns, but they were gone pretty fast.
 
Not to fear. They will make more. The quality was "ok" (meaning they worked, but not as pretty as the old JM guns).
 
mr00jimbo said:
Think the Marlin is good enough to make me ditch the Winchester? :p
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I won't bet that the build quality of a Marlin will equal that of the Japanese-built Winchester, but if it comes second to a Miroku it can still be quite good. Then it will be a question of whether you like it better than the Winchester design e.g. side vs top eject. and will you want money tied up in a second lever action .44Magnum that could otherwise buy a different gun.

Meanwhile, perhaps you should look at that Henry Big Boy in the EE? Octagonal barrel...
 
Cabela's Fall catalogue arrived today. They list the Marlin 1894. That may mean Cabela's just didn't bother to update it. Or it may mean they think Marlin will supply them before spring. Or it may mean Marlin actually told them they will have some available.

I am pretty sure it means Marlin didn't tell them there won't be any available in the foreseeable future.
 
TheTooner said:
Cabela's Fall catalogue arrived today. They list the Marlin 1894. That may mean Cabela's just didn't bother to update it. Or it may mean they think Marlin will supply them before spring. Or it may mean Marlin actually told them they will have some available.

I am pretty sure it means Marlin didn't tell them there won't be any available in the foreseeable future.
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I know LeBaron yanked the Marlin 1894 from their 2014 catalog.
 
I can't comment on the 1894 but I just bought a new production 1895sbl. Outside fit and finish is fine, indexing is perfect and no function issues. Inside, however the was pretty rough and several (!) places were sharp enough to leave cuts on my fingers. The trigger guard plate was a b*tch to remove and almost impossible to reinstall. On closer inspection there was an obviously high section on the interior of the receiver that needed to be removed. Several hours of TLC with stones, files etc to dehorn the exterior and clean up the interior and it is a thing a beauty now: super smooth action.

My conclusion: I was shocked with the how bad the interior work was. Not much love at Marlin lately it seems. Still, given that it was all fixable at my end, and the quality of the (NOW) finished product, I would buy it again in a heartbeat. What upsets me is thinking some QC guy at Marlin lets this kind of stuff through. I have a hard time imagining a Browning getting out the door like this. I will have keep my "hands on before purchase" policy with Marlin for the foreseeable future.

YMMV, as always. This is my first Marlin lever but definitely not my last.
 
WetCoast said:
I can't comment on the 1894 but I just bought a new production 1895sbl. Outside fit and finish is fine, indexing is perfect and no function issues. Inside, however the was pretty rough and several (!) places were sharp enough to leave cuts on my fingers. The trigger guard plate was a b*tch to remove and almost impossible to reinstall. On closer inspection there was an obviously high section on the interior of the receiver that needed to be removed. Several hours of TLC with stones, files etc to dehorn the exterior and clean up the interior and it is a thing a beauty now: super smooth action.

My conclusion: I was shocked with the how bad the interior work was. Not much love at Marlin lately it seems. Still, given that it was all fixable at my end, and the quality of the (NOW) finished product, I would buy it again in a heartbeat. What upsets me is thinking some QC guy at Marlin lets this kind of stuff through. I have a hard time imagining a Browning getting out the door like this. I will have keep my "hands on before purchase" policy with Marlin for the foreseeable future.

YMMV, as always. This is my first Marlin lever but definitely not my last.
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I bought a new 1895 GBL at Cabela's in July and the exterior is pretty decent for a Remlin. I smooth'ed the lever and bolt travel with several of well placed drops of Tri Flow CLP from Mountain Equipment Coop. I love telling their bike dudes that TriFlow chain lube works well on the AR rifles. :D

Never fired it yet, but the action is super slick now. A few sharp edges on the hammer, but nothing that a few minutes with a stone and a file cannot fix. I'm just happy to have a front sight that is indexed properly and decent wood to metal fit/finish. :)

If you have the hots for new production Remlin, don't buy one sight unseen. Go to the store and pick it out. Insist on cycling the action for yourself! :evil: They certainly have come a long way over the past few years after the take over and upheaval.

Cheers,
Barney
 
There is one 1894 on IRG (US site). I don't have the cash right now, or it would be mine. If you are looking for one, go right now, as they seem to sell out quickly.
 
TheTooner said:
I won't bet that the build quality of a Marlin will equal that of the Japanese-built Winchester, but if it comes second to a Miroku it can still be quite good. Then it will be a question of whether you like it better than the Winchester design e.g. side vs top eject. and will you want money tied up in a second lever action .44Magnum that could otherwise buy a different gun.

Meanwhile, perhaps you should look at that Henry Big Boy in the EE? Octagonal barrel...
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Actually I'm nearly sure that the new Winchester rifles made in Japan are angled and not top ejection.
 
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