Hi,

Been looking for an ordinary Marlin 1894 in 44 Mag (or 357) for some time now but they're impossible to find.

Did stumble upon a new 1894 Cowboy 44 Mag though. It seems like what I've been looking for. Can anyone a bit more experienced than I (just about anyone!) tell me what the downside might be of the Cowboy? The barrel is a bit longer - yep. Octagonal barrel - yep.

What else? Short overall length has not been a priority in my requirement spec. The Cowboy model might even be better for using freehand due to the longer barrel = increase stability?

Is this the 24" version with checkering or the 20" version with out checkering?

I've been using the 24" version for years for Cowboy Action Shooting with 10's of thousands of rounds through it. Great gun.

I'm pretty sure it's the 24" barrel.

Problem is that the gun is too far away, so I won't be able to actually hold it before I buy it.

I will use mine for hunting so I'm wondering if there is a huge con with the longer barrel.

No, the longer barrel is not a big factor, but the shorter barrel is handier for carry. I suppose the longer barrel might be better for offhand shooting but given the range restrictions of the .44 mag I think that is not a big factor. OTOH, you could always have it cut off it you wanted to.

Excellent guns, if the cartridge is up to your requirements, then you won't go wrong buying one.

Ok, thanks.

A friend of mine seems to be under the impression that the Cowboy models are made for blackpowder. Can they be used with the same type of 44 Rem Mag ammo as the standard 1894 model?

I'm not sure where you friend got that idea since the .44 Mag was never a blackpowder cartridge. But to answer your question, the Marlin will absolutely handle any reasonable .44 mag load, they are a strong action, the only thing you have to keep in mind is overall cartridge length. Sometimes the longer heavier bullets won't feed.

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:
I'm not sure where you friend got that idea since the .44 Mag was never a blackpowder cartridge. But to answer your question, the Marlin will absolutely handle any reasonable .44 mag load, they are a strong action, the only thing you have to keep in mind is overall cartridge length. Sometimes the longer heavier bullets won't feed.

Thanks, that's actually what I thought.

Now I'm buying this beauty!

Actually The cowboy version is harder to find around here.Another plus is The Ballard rifleing.It works good with cast bullets if you are into that.you will have a lot of fun with that rifle. OB

quote:

Originally posted by OLBIKER:
Actually The cowboy version is harder to find around here.Another plus is The Ballard rifleing.It works good with cast bullets if you are into that.you will have a lot of fun with that rifle. OB

Thanks!

Actually the guy who owns the store says that it has a 24" barrel and checkering(?). I wonder what model (year) this is. Maybe it has the micro grooves as well?

The cowboy with the checkering and octagonal barrel is extreemly unlikely to have microgroove rifling.

If you can get the first two digits of the serial number someone over at marlin owners.com can tall you the year.

AD

Today I finally laid my hands on her for the first time!

This thing is awesome and I particularly like the trigger which is actually BETTER than my Rem 700 VSSF!

After a few days of deer hunting (season here starts tomorrow morning) I'll get to take her to the range and let all hell break loose!

This is the 1894 Cowboy II Limited in 44 Rem Mag with octagonal Ballard rifled barrel.

I'm pondering a .357 in the standard version - CS?, 18 inch barrel. I can't find one anywhere. I heard that since Indiana will now allow rifle chambered for pistol cartridges to be used for deer hunting, demand is way up. I guess I'll have to wait...

Hey Rikard, That sure is a fine looking rifle. I hope it shoots as good for you as it looks.
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How about one of you folks educating me on the way you clean one of these. Does the Bolt come out the back of it as easily as a 336?

I bought a used Limited II last year in .44Mag. I had to fix a few things the original owner had done but it's a sweet shooting rifle and it's going deer hunting with me this year.

:thumb

Thanx guys

I fired 50 rounds yesterday of which 20 were handloads. I couldn't believe the lack of recoil! It was almost like shooting a 22LR for Christ sake!

I've ordered a non-magnifying red dot sight now which I will install on the rifle. I don't care much for the original open sights.

And MAN does it feel great to handload those 44's. I can almost feel Elmer Keith's spirit in the room when I do that