Optic option for a Marlin 1894 Dark 357mag

Heimdall1982

Heimdall1982

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Hi!

Just bought a brand new Marlin 1894 Dark in 38spl/357mag and i want to transform it into a "modern(or futuristic) hunting/plinking rifle", i know most of the lever gun crowd are against lever gun with scope, but this rifle ask to be "tactiooled", and with that long picatinny rail, i'm looking for optic options. I hesitate between a red dot or a small variable scope, something like a 1-6x24mm since the effective range is around 100-125y max. but most of them seem to be configured for AR15 (223), i was looking at the Nikon Black Force 1000 and the Vortex Strike Eagle,i really dig the illuminated reticle but could live with a standard reticle... i think these 1-X x24mm scope looks the best on lever rifle.

Here's my finds so far:

-Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24
-Nikon Black Force 1000 1-4x24
-Riton Optics 1-8×24 X3 Tactix Riflescope
-TRUGLO TRU-BRITE 1-4×24
-Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4×20
-Bushnell 1-6×24 AR Optics Riflescope

Also open to other scopes and Red dot suggestion, wanna try to keep it under 500$...

So how a "AR designated scope" would affect my shooting? I know 5.56mm and 357mag are not in the same balistic range but can i "adapt" my reticle to fit with the 38spl/357mag shooting?
 
You definitely can, just the markings on the reticle will represent different values.
I have the same 1894 dark in 357 and its such a fun rifle. Going the same route as you, have the Midwest industries handguard on its way in through IRG.
The irons it comes with are pretty good but im tryng all sorts of optics from my AR and other rifles.
Trying a nikon spur next.

The biggest problem you'll have for optics is that an ARs buttstock is straight back where as the monte carlo type stock on the dark series is lower, this puts AR optics really high, hence trying the low profile nikon spur. Lowest rings/mounting is going to be key.

A riser or some kind of cheek pad on the buttstock could help with this, Marlinowners forum has a few threads on making optics/scopes work.


I hear ya on the lever purists but honestly its kind of fun to get them all worked up. I managed to find a 1951 336 JM waffle top and that usually keeps them happy as long as im just carving up a remlin


Look.at primary arms for a 1-6 optic as well. Price is right, about same.quality as the strike eagle.

20200513-190621.jpg


Snapchat-415971635.jpg


Put the scope from my ar on it for fun
20200513-204023.jpg
 
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Looks like you're gonna need a cheek pad.

I have one of these on order, can't wait to get my hands on it. Going to be putting a vortex gen1 spitfire 1x prism scope on mine to start.
 
For that carbine it would be hard to beat a simple fixed power scout scope, mounted VERY low to that rail. A Leupold FX-II in a set of Weaver Quad-Lock Medium rings would be the proverbial bee's knees. If you don't want the magnification, then an Aimpoint Micro would be a great choice, again mounted very low on that rail.
 
MkivSupra said:
You definitely can, just the markings on the reticle will represent different values.
I have the same 1894 dark in 357 and its such a fun rifle. Going the same route as you, have the Midwest industries handguard on its way in through IRG.
The irons it comes with are pretty good but im tryng all sorts of optics from my AR and other rifles.
Trying a nikon spur next.

The biggest problem you'll have for optics is that an ARs buttstock is straight back where as the monte carlo type stock on the dark series is lower, this puts AR optics really high, hence trying the low profile nikon spur. Lowest rings/mounting is going to be key.

A riser or some kind of cheek pad on the buttstock could help with this, Marlinowners forum has a few threads on making optics/scopes work.


I hear ya on the lever purists but honestly its kind of fun to get them all worked up. I managed to find a 1951 336 JM waffle top and that usually keeps them happy as long as im just carving up a remlin


Look.at primary arms for a 1-6 optic as well. Price is right, about same.quality as the strike eagle.

Put the scope from my ar on it for fun
20200513-204023.jpg
Click to expand...

Im waiting for the MI handguard to be back in stock to put my ordder too! Looks great with that primary arms scope and cantilever mount, yeah i've read of lots of forums that i would need a riser for the stock with a scope so i'm would probably pick something like a black leather riser with ammo holder or something more "modern" like a canvas/nylon oone. I"ll try to go with the lowest scope mount but maybe a QD mount would be nice too.

I'll get a more traditionnal lever in 357 later to appease the "gods of the lever action", but this rifle will be a funny plinker for sure!
 
geologist said:
What type of shooting will it mostly be used for?

Plus.........

Where the heck is that "We Need Pics" emoticon.............
Click to expand...


Once it's home, i'll put some pictures for sure! It's gonna be a plinking rifle mostly and a hunting rifle sometime, a around-the-house-critter rifle and a wild-animal-defense rifle too if needed.
 
rosconow said:
Looks like you're gonna need a cheek pad.

I have one of these on order, can't wait to get my hands on it. Going to be putting a vortex gen1 spitfire 1x prism scope on mine to start.
Click to expand...

I'm gonna test Red dot Vs low magnifier scope and keep the winner, since it's a 100-125y rifle, it's will be a hard choice! I have my RD on a Ar15 that need a new platform now...
 
Heimdall1982 said:
Once it's home, i'll put some pictures for sure! It's gonna be a plinking rifle mostly and a hunting rifle sometime, a around-the-house-critter rifle and a wild-animal-defense rifle too if needed.
Click to expand...

I'd go with a low power fixed or a low power variable, illuminated reticle in the lowest QD rings that will work.

Look at scout mounts with IER low power fixed scopes, they work for some people.

z05IAgFl.jpg
 
geologist said:
I'd go with a low power fixed or a low power variable, illuminated reticle in the lowest QD rings that will work.

Look at scout mounts with IER low power fixed scopes, they work for some people.

z05IAgFl.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow! This is so low, thatd be manageable!

I think we really need to start a "modern day lever pics" thread.
 
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