.357 Marlin ... edited ...

[bigjeepman]

Can someone tell me when Marlin started production with the .357 magnum in their lever action rifles?

The reason I am asking is that our state might allow pistol caliber rifles for deer season next year for calibers from .357 magnum up to .45 (I think this is correct.) I like the older lever action Marlins without checkering and pistol grips. I have a .45 colt Marlin CBC but I am interested in adding a .357 to the collection.

Edited: I think I should have made the question more clear. I guess I am asking did they make .357 mag Marlin Lever actions in the 70's or 80's with straight stocks? I didn't mean to imply I would be interested in buying a Marlin from the 1800's or early 1900's. If not, I will just look for a .357 mag Handi.

[Jerry Lester]

By "straight stock", I'm assuming you mean no checkering? If so, then yes, my first Marlin 357 magnum had a plain stock with no checkering. It had a micro-groove barrel, and dove-tailed front sight. It shot very well too.

[Keith L]

I read it as no pistol grip or checkering.

[Chuck White]

I have a Marlin 1894C and it has a straight stock and no checkering.

It was made in 1980.

[bigjeepman]

Thanks guys ... yes, I meant no pistol grip and no checkering ... it is just a personal thing that I do not like ... now I just need to locate one if that is possible ...

[slabsides]

good luck, jeep...those of us who have them (bought back when $150 would take one home) are not inclined to dispose of 'em!

[Blunderbus]

The 1894 Cowboy can also be had without checkering, and you get an octagonal barrel, to boot.
To the best of my knowledge, there have been no modern 1894s in .357 manufactured with a pistol grip.
The 1894 FG (.41 Mag) and 1894 PG (.44 Mag) are the only pistol gripped 1894s of modern manufacture I've ever seen. And they're pretty scarce.

[DavOh]

According to Marlin's website there is the Model 1894 Cowboy, which is as you describe...

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/Cowboy/1894_45Colt.aspx

[bigjeepman]

My favorite gunshop has a .357 1894 Cowboy that would be a nice rifle to have. I am just looking for maybe a 1970's or 1980's Marlin in .357 mag but none ever get traded in this rural area. My original question was for a 70's or 80's Marlin but I wasn't so sure they had them in this caliber.

Thanks for all the replies guys ... guess I'll be patient and find one eventually.

[old geezer]

I may be wrong, but doesn't the Big 5 sporting goods chain out west offer a plain jane version of the 1894C with a straight, uncheckered stock?  They offer them on sale for under $400 occasionaly.