Author Topic: Should I get a 1894 cowboy 44 mag? (Read 2586 times)

Idaho Ron · « **on:** July 24, 2008, 04:44:03 PM »

I have been wanting one of these guns for a long time and I have found one for sale. It is 450.00 or best offer. Can anyone tell me good and bad things about these rifles? Ron

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2008, 01:28:39 AM »

what bad could be said. Ive got two friends with them and they both love them. I wish i had one myself

Idaho Ron · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2008, 03:14:28 AM »

I have heard that they have some trouble loading. Also what about cast bullets in this gun, will it shoot them? I will lean to the heavy side like 300 gr or more. Ron

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2008, 03:07:24 PM »

Unless something is different on the cowboy, my standard version will not stabilize the 300gr bullets. I heard this but tried it anyway, the best I could get was 6-8 in groups at 25 yards and could not find the paper at 50. I have been told you can get by with the 260 gr bullets but have not tried them. 240 works well and have been using 220 in mine with good results so far. I have jammed my gun one time and it was the first time I threw the lever with the gun loaded. Had just got it at a gun show and think it is why it was traded, filed down a a rough spot in the loading gate and it worked great--I found the loading gate a couple months ago and went ahead and put a new one on. They will shoot cast look at all the SASS shooters using them. You will love the gun and if you are like me will be addicted to levers.

walkingwolf · « **Reply #4 on:** July 26, 2008, 04:09:13 AM »

I just got the 1894S for $380.00 . Shot 44 spl. @ 100 yrds it prints about 3 1/2". The friend I shoot with is the cowboy It prints about 12". His has an over sized chamber for leads bp cow boy shooting and it splits cases .

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #5 on:** July 26, 2008, 05:25:18 PM »

I did not know that about the cowboy. Glad I did not get one then.

RugerNo3 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2008, 02:35:06 AM »

Any firearm splitting cases with factory ammo has a serious defect. It needs to be returned to Marlin for an evaluation. It is NOT DESIGNED this way for any reason. Cowboy shooting or otherwise. Some one needs to be a responsible gun owner.

HEAD0001 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2008, 08:32:31 PM »

"over sized chamber for leads bp cow boy shooting and it splits cases"

What on earth does that mean??

I own 2 1894 Marlins in 44 magnum. These are fine rifles. Just like any other rifle they have likes and dislikes. You just have to take the time to find what they want. I have read where several people have tried the 300's and they had problems with the cartridge being too long. I only shoot the 240's in the 44 magnum, and have not tried the 300's. I have a box of 300 grain XTP's, I mightjust have to try them. The problem with trying them is I prefer to shoot the bullets I cast in my Marlin's. I am afraid my Marlin's may be allergic to jacketed bullets. Tom.

navylawdog · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2008, 03:51:42 PM »

I am afraid my Marlin's may be allergic to jacketed bullets. Tom.

Never know unless you give it a try though.
Navylawdog

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2008, 04:01:47 PM »

I owned one awhile back. I was happy with it until I watched a buddy shoot at birds in his lawn with the same in 357mag. He hit bird after bird without missing. I soon bought a Marlin in 357mag and sold my 44mag.
Thinking back my 44mag would have hit over 50% of those sparrows as the distances was 35 to 50 yards.

Keith L · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2008, 10:05:51 PM »

And the little birds would have gone "poof."

Mikey · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2008, 02:34:40 AM »

There is nothing wrong with the Marlin 1984s. If someone has one that splits cases then Ruger#3 is absolutely correct - it should be returned to the factory. But, split cases could also be due to the loads, which in the case mentioned were black powder loadings and they may have been the culprit.

Marlin rifles in pistol calibers tend to have oversized bores. A family member who owns a 1894 in 41 magnum learned this from a factory rep and consquently had to find (I believe) .413 diameter cast slugs to shoot accurately from his 41 magnum (.410-.411 in revolvers) Marlin.

A Marlin rifle in 44 magnum carries a 1:38 twist with a microgroove barrel. Many of these barrels need to be lapped to remove roughness and to enable accurate shooting with cast/cast gas checked slugs.

The two best authories on this topic (that I know of) are our very own Veral Smith and another fella named Marshall Stanton of Beartooth Bullets. Stanton follows Veral Smith's teachings and refers to Veral works quite often. I suggest you drop on down to Veral Smith's forum, locate his website address and obtain his information and materials (a kit) on bore lapping and have at it. Stanton often goes a bit further in diagnosing problems and recommending cures than Veral does and has enjoyed incredible success with the 44 and 444 caliber Marlins - ya just gotta read the writings either of these two folks, which explains everything. Another fella who writings are a 'must read' for lever afficionados is Paco Kelly.

One more concern for any lever is the overall cartridge length in conjunction with some bullet designs. Some designs liek the swc or the wide flat nose or long wide flat nose may require deeper seating in order to remain within oal and enable proper cycling of the action and chambering. I believe these issues are discussed by all three authors. HTH and Buenos Luck. Mikey.

Tallwalker · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2008, 03:34:31 PM »

As an all around big bore, I think the 45 Colt is too often overlooked. With the faster twist barrels, and good loads it is pretty potent, and will certainly stabilize the heavier cast bullets. I sure had no trouble getting good groups with 300+ grain bullets in mine. I let a friend use it on whitetails a couple of years ago, and he liked it so much he talked me out of it......... and I've been sorry since!

Mine was a CB with the 24" barrel. Too bad Marlin wouldn't see fit to put the 20" twist in the 44's! I like the heavier cast bullets in guns of this nature so my 44 mag is a Win 94 saddle ring carbine. I've been kind of looking at the Marlins again though since I like them so much (have 1895 45-70, two 30-30's, two 35 rem's, and a 39M, and 39A)

DC · « **Reply #13 on:** September 11, 2008, 12:21:03 PM »

I want to chime in a renew this discussion. I just passed on a 45.70 in favor of a 44 Mag Marlin..new with Ballard rifleing. I went waayyy back in the threads and read all the over bore stuff and lots of people loved their 44 mags and some had issues. The bottom line I guess comes down to the new rifleing vs the old and my personal question...a hunt one,

What is the maximum shot distance that should be considered. I live in Idaho and will keep it handy in the hills during the deer season just in case I jump one. I have no desire to shoot at long ranges at a muley that I would have to drag very far. If it isn't within 150 yards I would not take the shot no matter what rifle I had. I also want to plink and the 44 Mag / special is a heck of a lot cheaper even if you reload.

Your thoughts please?

bearmgc · « **Reply #14 on:** September 21, 2008, 02:50:53 PM »

Just get it. You only live once.

I got the plain jane 1894 Marlin 44mag, that is my truck gun. Its an old gun, nice and slick action. 2in groups fine with me. I love it. 44mag ammo cheaper than 45colt. and more offerings from cheap plinkers to super dupers.

markc · « **Reply #15 on:** October 16, 2008, 03:52:45 AM »

Love mine, and have taken a boat load of feral hogs, one whitetail and a 4horned Jacobs Ram with it. Was shooting some 300gr handloads but now simply shoot either white box W 240gr sp, or PMC 240gr sp's. I use the crummy factory iron sights now all the time and absolutely love that rifle....

DC · « **Reply #16 on:** October 16, 2008, 08:28:41 AM »

Now that I have it, I love it. I can tell you that it is a real shooter. Not only is it comfortable with full power 44 mag loads, it becomes a real fun gun with 44 specials.

chewey · « **Reply #17 on:** December 04, 2008, 05:20:17 PM »

My 1894 44 is my favorite rifle. It is several years old -not the microgroove barrel. I shoot Win 240 factory loads and 240 reloads and the rifle shoots better than me with a Williams peep sight. Sure wish I had the Cowboy!

deernhog · « **Reply #18 on:** December 05, 2008, 05:39:21 PM »

I only hunt with 240 grn jacketed soft points in my Marlin but I shoot a lot of 200grn lead cast loaded to 1000 fps. The cast is fun to shoots and hits where I have the 240's sighted in at 50 yards. Have never had to shoot a animal over 35 yards with it. I load a lot of .45 and .44 with Unique for practice though a little dirty after shooting a long while. The .45 lc handles the 320 grn lead flat nose well loaded to higher velocities. Grouped well at 50 yards 2 1/2 " and that is more me than the rifle.

neub7 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 07, 2008, 04:17:23 AM »

I bought a non cowboy one about a year and a half ago. GREAT GUN!!!
240 gr. hornady xtp reloads shoot a 1.5" group at 100 yds. I thought this was great out of a pistol calliber. I had to do some playing with it, but the primer made all the difference in the end. I was using a magnum pistol primer, but a standard pistol primer is what shrunk my groups to 1.5". The gun is accurate, and fun to shoot, cheap to reload for, and it does wonders on deer with this load. Hope to try it on a bear in the future.