which marlin rifle for cowboy action...

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ruger22

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The 1894 and 1894 cowboy rifles seem nearly the same to a guy not yet into the sport.

The 1894 is cheaper, has checkering, rubber on the butplate, thicker fore end.

The 1894 cowboy has an octogon barrel, and costs more money.

So which marlin rifle for cowboy action.

thanks
 
Cowboy just has a more orig. look with the str. stock and Oct. barrel, if it were me and i could afford the extra I would get the Cowboy model. I own the reg. one as a hunting gun in 44 Mag. and used it to take a very large black bear, so I can't say anything bad about it, either way, if your not happy, you're not well!
 
1894

I use a 1893 CS (.357 w. 18 in round bbl) and I am quite happy with it. It will hold 10 rounds if I use .38 spl brass. A buddy of mine shoots uses a 1894 cowboy in .44-40 with a 24 in oct bbl. I have shot his quite a bit and I find it smoother shooting as the heavier longer barrel seems to improve balance and it seems to swing alot smoother between targets. As far as slickness of the action itself there is no difference. If you are just getting started I'd say pick up a used standard model, down the road if decide it isn't right, you could easily flip it and put the money towards a cowboy model.
 
I have an older 1894 in 44 magnum. The new cowboy is a nicer gun than mine but mine was a beater when I bought it before I knew about CAS.

The Cowboy model has deeper rifling where the standard gun has micro-groove rifling. At cowboy velocities standard off the shelf bullets work just fine in the micro-groove barrels.

Check how many rounds each will hold. My gun only holds 9 rounds (for now) and it is sometimes a problem when a stage is written for 10.
 
The Cowboy model has deeper rifling?

"The Cowboy model has deeper rifling where the standard gun has micro-groove rifling"

The guns both have deep-cut Ballard-type rifling (6 grooves).
At least according to the marlin websight.

Unless Rudy knows something more.

Am I correct that deep-cut Ballard-type rifling is best for slow lead bullets.
But still ok for a fast jacketed hunting bullett in say .44mag?

thanks...
 
If both say that they have Ballard cut rifling then they are the same on that count and yes this form of rifling has proven Superior to microgroove for all cast bullets(and J-word bullets too)
 
http://www.sixguns.com/range/Mlntrpr.htm

Then cowboy shooting arrived in a big way coupled with a great demand for quality leverguns. The result was the Marlin 1894 Cowboy, a 24" octagon barreled .45 Colt levergun that is extremely popular with cowboy shooters. It has now been joined by the same levergun in .44 Magnum and .357 Magnum with a .44-40 promised. All of these leverguns are designed specifically for use with cast bullets as they feature cut rifling rather than Marlin's long standard Micro-Groove rifling.
Click to expand...

It may be that they now offer deep cut rifling in their standard model but typically it was all micro-groove. If you are buying a used gun it (or even new) the guns with micro-groove rifling are typically cheaper which is great if you are buying. You can find these at quite a bargain sometimes. The cowboy models will not usually be available for as little cash. They work fine with standard lead bullets at cowboy shooting velocities. If you are on a tight budget an old micro-groove rifled gun can get you shooting for very little.

If both say that they have Ballard cut rifling then they are the same on that count and yes this form of rifling has proven Superior to microgroove for all cast bullets(and J-word bullets too)
Click to expand...

I would not go as far as to say deep cut rifling is superior for lead bullets. With the shallower rifling you distort the bullet less. As long as your bullet does not strip in the shallow rifling then it works just as good or even better than deep cut rifling. It all depends on what you plan on doing with lead. If you want to shoot full power rounds then you are better off with jacketed bullets or special hard cast and gas checked bullets if you want to shoot lead.
 
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My 1894 .357 has a micro-groove barrel and leading is not a problem even with straight wheel weight alloy as long as the velocity is below 1200 fps.

A few fellow shooters use 1894 carbines in .44 mag and shoot .44 spl brass so they can get 10 rounds in the mag. These examples will feed spl length brass smoothly - I've heard some guns have had issues with the shorter brass.
 
I have used nine different rifles in four different calibers for cowboy action (if I remember correctly). They were all Marlins except for an Uberti '73 I tried for one match. They had different barrel lengths, some had micro-groove, some had Ballard rifling.

They all worked just fine. The rifle I keep coming back to is a Marlin Cowboy in .44 Special/.44 Magnum with 24" barrel. (Also available as Cowboy Competition with 19" or 20" barrel) I like the longer barrel for the extra weight, holds on target better for me, swings smoother like a long barrel shotgun. Pard I shoot with shoots an 18" barrel with the spring cut down so he can squeeze 10 .38 Special rounds in, he likes it because it is quick and handy, easy to stage.

Whatever Marlin you get take the time to tune it up a bit so it runs smoother and to avoid the "Marlin Jam". I am no gunsmith and I have done several Marlins without messing any of them up so it can't be too hard. Information/directions avaliable here:

http://www.marauder.homestead.com/irons.html

You "may" also want to consider a one piece firing pin and spring kit. I bought mine from Longhunter former End of Trail Top Shooter and really helpful pard.

http://www.longhunt.com/action_work/action_work.shtml#m94

I bought the titanium pin, based on assorted comments if/when I buy another it will be tool steel.

Go to shoots, ask questions, enjoy. What you start with will not be what you are shooting two, four or ten years down the road, or maybe not shooting as often, there is always something different to try.
 
I've been using a Marlin M1894 in .44 mag for almost 9 years now and it still gives me the accuracy I need to hit a 1" wide piece of rebar that we use as a target out here at 35 yards.
 
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