I have an 1894P in 44 mag (It was touted as the "Baby Guide Gun", and my 1895G was lonely !). As soon as I switched to round nose bullets, the feeding problems disappeared. I cast my RN bullets, and load them in nickel cases, so I don't get them mixed up with 44 mag ammo for my Blackhawk.
My Marlins are the only rifles I own that don't have scopes. Due to my ageing eyesite, open sights are really hard to use. A scope just ruined the look and violated the spirit of the lever guns, though. I put Williams Firesights (fiber optic sights) on both of them: Ghost rings for the rears, a 5D on the 1895 and a WGRS on the 1894. I also put Firesight front sights on both of them. These are sights I have no problem seeing at all ! They are fast and accurate enough; after all they are quick and dirty brush guns, not bench rest rifles.
The Marlins are also the only rifles I own that still have wood stocks. The butt stock has the best wood I have ever seen on a production rifle. The 1894 reminds me of a big 22 rifle: lotsa fun, almost no recoil, goes bang every time, and hits what I look at. It doesn't get any better than that !
