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I am looking to pick up a Marlin in 38/357. Anybody got a nice example they are willing to part with?

I have one but it is not for sale. My purpose in responding is to give you a bit of info to help you with your search.

Mine is a 1982 model with smooth stock and forearm and a gold trigger. 1982 was the last year of the gold triggers. It is a "Micro Groove" barrel which is a 12 groove barrel that is good for jacketed bullets but not too good for lead. It will shoot lead but you have to be very careful of the correct size of bullet or it will fowl the barrel quickly.

The newer models have Ballard type grooving which is 6 grooves and works better with lead bullets. Marlin went back to this style of grooving (the original was Ballard then they went to Micro-Groove and now back to Ballard) because the majority of customers for this type of gun are the Cowboy Action Shooters that will reload and shoot lead.

The newer models have a cross bolt safety mechanism that I do not care for.

These guns (1894C 18" and 1894CS 20") are hard to get in .38/.357 Mag in the early models like mine. Newer models are still made and usually available for around 400+.

Additionally, the good ones have a American Walnut Stock and are easy to identify because Marlin put a plastic "bullseye" in the stock right about where you would think that a swivel should go. Many peeps mistakenly drilled thru this to add a swivel. It is only a marking of a Walnut stock. I understand the newer ones of today are not Walnut. You can just barely see this "bullseye" in my picture attached.

Took me forever to find my early model and I had to pay a premium of 700.00 to get it.

Here's a good forum for you: Good luck in your quest.

Mine is not for sale, but when you get yours, change the rear sight to a Marble's white diamond sight. Mine improved the accuracy of the rifle, and allowed me more precise groups. Brownell's carries the sight and you can install it yourself.

Although the picture does not show it, I did exactly the same thing I got the windage and elevation adjustable one.

I also have a Skinner basic peep that screws into the scope mounting hole but I have not decided yet if I am going to keep that.

I also changed out the 2 piece firing pin for a one piece firing pin.

thanks for all the good info guys
now... all I have to do is find one!!

Good News!

This place just notified me of the arrival of 11 New Model 1894CSS .357 @ 610.00

This is the new and long awaited Stainless Steel version
of the 1894C in .357 Mag.

I just ordered one.

In the stainless is beautiful. This is going to be a popular model. Ordering mine today. Thanks for letting us all know.

I do have a Scout 45-70. Marlin Guide gun in 45/70 with leupold 2.5x scout scope Has limbsaver slip on recoil pad. Lots of fun.

roman3667 wrote:I do have a Scout 45-70. Marlin Guide gun in 45/70 with leupold 2.5x scout scope Has limbsaver slip on recoil pad. Lots of fun.

Nice looking rifle. How much are you asking for it?

roman3667 wrote:I do have a Scout 45-70. Marlin Guide gun in 45/70 with leupold 2.5x scout scope

Hey roman3667, just curious, but that seems like a whole lot of eye relief. Is the scope designed to be mounted that far forward & away from the shooter's eye? I've never seen one mounted that far forward. Just curious.

You know. When I got this set up I didn't ask. Put it in the rifle rack and noticed that it looked odd to me. Took it out to the range and didn't think about it again until you asked. LOL. All I can say is it works and that this rifle took down an 800lb buffalo at 100 yards. Thats serious stopping power. I see now why these are scout guns. If some wild game came charging whether this continent or any other, I would like this rifle to be with me. Thats a heck of a round with a LOT of knock out power. Distance shooting at 250 + yards to take game with our mags is fine. But this short rifle is mine if I'm in Alaska and a bear is hungry or mad. LOL.

Interesting - I just checked the specs, and it appears that scope is designed with a massive amount of eye relief, to the tune of 9-17 inches!!! Wow! Certainly helps in the dangerous game department, minimizing visual obstructions since the scope is so much further away. I certainly love my 1894c .357. :) Lightweight, accurate, handy little rifle. Hard as the dickens to load!

Keep an eye on the email ads from Big 5 sports outlet. They have the best prices on the Marlin leverguns, when they go on sale. A year or so ago they were selling them, including the .38/.357 version for $329 (1894). You just have to wade thru their email every time one shows up.

Thanks for the insight particle. They do kick a bit but with the decelerator pad its' better. LOL. You mentioned tough to load? How do you mean? Thanks.

Following is a reply from an avid hunter about this rifle set up.

The style is based on the "scout" rifle design. Mounting the long eye reief scope forward allows the hunter to see the quarry with both eyes open and still see the point of aim through the scope while looking down the rifle barrel. This is especially usefull on dangerous game.
Next on hard recoiling rifles the scope is far enough forward so there's no chance of the shooter getting hit with the scope.
Next target acquisition is almost instant because the shooter naturally looks down the barrel at his target rather than lining up eye relief and focusing on the target through a scope mounted much closer to the shooters eye.
Remember this setup is not optimum for deer or elk BUT would be perfect for fast followup shots for a "guide" on dangerous game after his client " blew " a shot.