Marlin 1894 357mag vintage question

[Old Lucky 01]

I have a chance to buy a 1981 vintage 1894 in 357 mag caliber...the gun is in very good shape. What would be a fair price to offer for it?  Also, I don't like straight grip stocks on rifles, but do like the Marlin 336 style stocks.  Does Marlin or any after market manufacturer make a pistol grip stock as well as the necessary different lever for an 1894? One last question...do you think the gun will feed semi wadcutter +P 38 special rounds?

[swordfish]

I have a chance to buy a 1981 vintage 1894 in 357 mag caliber...the gun is in very good shape. What would be a fair price to offer for it?  Also, I don't like straight grip stocks on rifles, but do like the Marlin 336 style stocks.  Does Marlin or any after market manufacturer make a pistol grip stock as well as the necessary different lever for an 1894? One last question...do you think the gun will feed semi wadcutter +P 38 special rounds?

1. I see them going for $500 and up. If you are lucky and you wait it out you may find one for less.
2. The straight grip can be changed but you will also need to change out the lever and trigger guard.
3. It should eat what ever you feed it in .357 or .38 SP.

edit: For all things Marlin go to the Marlin's Owners forum, they will have answers to all your questions. Parts can be found in many places, you shouldn't have a problem at all. Google search should get you close....... or try midway, midsouth, numrick, ebay....................I've found that the 1894PG is a rare bird and the PG part are hard to get, this is uncommon for most Marlins.
Cool thing about Marlins is that most parts can be found online, and working on them are easy.

[Old Lucky 01]

Thanks swordfish...appreciate the reply.

[Old Lucky 01]

Swordfish; As a follow up to your reply, I have since learned that it is impossible to change out a 1894c to a PG style stock.  Marlin won't do it in house, and won't sell the restricted parts to anyone else either.  I called all of the gunsmiths listed on this web site and was also told they wouldn't/couldn't do that type of modification.  I was very surprised at this result...I had no idea that Marlin was so limited in what they could do along these lines.  I had hoped that a PG stock from a 41 mag would have fit my 1894c 357 mag, but the repair dept at Marlin said that they do not carry or sell ANY parts for items/guns that are not currently cataloged...most especially they won't sell the trigger plate that is necessary to do the pistol grip conversion.  According to the repair department, all of these rules have been in place since Remington bought out the company. 

[swordfish]

check your PM's, got better info from M.O. forums for you.

"Yes, it could be converted but...

The butt stock is the same, but the lever and trigger guard are not.  The part you are calling the trigger guard is only availible to Marlin meaning they do not sell them, even to gunsmiths.  At least, that was how it was when Marlin was Marlin.  Now that they are under new ownershio and management, who knows?  There was only one model 1894 that had a pistol grip and it was the 1894PG.  Marlin also wouldn't sell the lever to a regular person, but they would to a gunsmith.  A way around that would be to send your lever off to be customized into a larger loop by Mule Loops or several other places..."
quote from Bob over on M.O.

This is the 1894PG I have. I've added an original Marlin Cressent butt stock and fitted the butt plate(took a lotta work), then refinished the wood with a satin finish. Added a saddle ring and full buckhorn rear sight. Still have a few thing to do to it, but very happy how it's turning out.