How does your 1894 compare to a Marlin '95 GG in .45/70? I believe the shortest barrel for a GG is 20". Anyone can comment - I'm looking for a short lever with more firepower. Thanks.
Marlin Guide is an 18.5" barrel. Rossi Puma '92 clones chamber a .454 Casull. That's the most horsepower you're gonna get in a trapper length rifle with an action designed around a pistol cartridge.
.44 mag with heavy-weight hardcast at full throttle will put down any deer or black bear within 75 yards real quick.
Winchester (
miroku japan) is currently producing real nice '92s
Rossi-Puma currently offers 16" barreled '92s
Marlin has done small runs of 16.25" barrelled 1895 and 1894's...but they are nearly unobtanium in Canada. I waited nearly three years to get my 1894P. Importing from the US is an option.
I'm currently having a 1894SS built with a 16" barrel, custom from a licensed manufacturer is another option. I have carried my 1894P the last three years in the mountains when backpacking, but for hunting there are better choices for me in my safe.
Nice to see you asking questions instead of just assuming this thread around.

So hopefully what we have learned here today is that
factory short barreled levers (take-downs included) indeed are non-restricted and you can use them to hunt with if you wish.