Author Topic: Marlin, Cowboy 38 Special (Read 858 times)

AlteJaeger · « **on:** November 29, 2003, 03:15:38 PM »

Have been reading about the Marlin Cowboy, 38 Spec. Know they
cost a bunch but even if you are shooting Cowboy Action wonder if
they are really worth the cost? Would make a great plinker but for that cost one could go with a 357/38 combo and both of both worlds. Just one
of those things a person thinks he/she wants but in reality is hard to justify the funds! Any thoughts from those who might own one or contem-
plating buying one? Many thanks & Happy Holidays ahead!!

Old Griz · « **Reply #1 on:** December 26, 2003, 10:52:33 PM »

I bought a 1894 Cowboy in .357 so I could shoot both .38s and .357s. At the time I thought I would be shooting a lot of .357s in it, BUT that sweet little thing is so accurate with .38 Specials in it, that I have hardly fired it with .357s at all. I had also planned to hunt coyotes with it, too, and so I guess I will use the magnum loads then, but if CAS was the only thing I was going to use it for, I'd consider that special, extra slicked up, .38 only, because it is really smoooooooooooooooooth.
:cb2:

HAMMERHEAD · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2003, 11:47:45 AM »

Well, I bought the .357 1894 cp (16") first. Great rifle, lots of power when you want, light plinking with .38's. Feeds almost anything exept aluminum cased ammo. Recently I bought the .38 1894 CBC. I love it. Smooooooth like the previous poster said. I just got back from the range. 50 yards, Win .38 125 USA jsp's 10 shots 1-3/4" group. Mostly vertically strung, I think its because I not great with buckhorn sights. I'm going to put a set of lyman 66la peep sights on it-I don't shoot cowboy action, and I don't care about collector value, this gun is a shooter! My CP-.357 is slightly more accurate with 180 jhp's (mag's), slightly less accurate with .38's, but I have a reciever sight on it. Off-hand shooting it's no contest, the 20" heavy barrel CBC is awsome, the lighter 16" mag with the heavier trigger takes some serious concentration and technique to get good off-hand groups. The CBC is just the right weight, and has a light crisp trigger, makes stand up shooting a no brainer. If you want just one Marlin, get the .357 CBC, combines both into one, the .38 CBC may feed more smoothly.

Black Jaque Janaviac · « **Reply #3 on:** December 30, 2003, 04:08:38 AM »

I don't have a Marlin, but I have a Rossi '92 chambered for .357/.38. I love it. I don't know if you can get a more versatile gun.

You can go from rabbits to deer with the jack of the lever and a small sight adjustment. It's that easy.

The Marlin .38 is pitched to the Cowboy action crowd so it's a bit specialized. The CAS shooters have some problems when racing short .38s through a .357. The shorter cartridge causes jams if you aren't careful when you throw the lever.

For versatility though, something that can go between .38s and .357s is real nice.

It's a good home defense weapon. Its a capable deer gun. And loaded with mild .38s you can plug rabbits and squirrels without much damage. It's ubiquitous so you can get a wide selection of ammo at Wal Mart. There are lots of load recipes in every manual. Every bullet manufacturer offers .357 dia bullets. Mold manufacturers offer a wide variety of bullet molds. Brass is available and can often be scrounged. You can reload plinking ammo for under $3/box you can load quality deer hunting ammo for under $4/box.

I have a question for those who do have the Marlin. How does it handle faster loads? I noticed on the website that the twist is only 1:16". That's the same twist they put on the .357 pistols. You gain several hundred fps in a rifle, I would think they would put a slower twist on it.

My Rossi has a much slower twist. I don't know exactly, but I know for sure it is slower than 1:24". And from what I generally see, with the 158 grain bullets, the faster the better.

HAMMERHEAD · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2003, 01:06:50 PM »

The Marlins hanle heavy .357's juuust fine. My 1894 CP shoots 180's the best. Thats important because velocities of lighter bullets look impressive at the muzzle, but at 100 yards they're back down to handgun velocities. The 180's hold their velocity much better, and won't overexpand. Winchester 180 nosler partition and Corbon 180 JSP's are the most accurate (and expensive). I bought a case($$$) of the partition loads just in case they discontinue them. Like the previous poster said, going from deer thumper to small game to personal protection with a flick of the wrist makes the .357 lever gun the most versatile carbine around, IMNSHO.
OOPS! You said FASTER loads, 125's are screaming to be sure, but they'll shoot into 2-3" at 50 yards-180's 2-3" at 100 yards, 158's-somewhere inbetween.