Purchasing a Marlin 1894C..... Questions

[noygdb]

Hello!

I am purchasing a Marlin 1894C (H?) .357 rifle from Big 5 Sporting Goods. Unfortunately, the local store doesn't seem to handle the inventory well, so I would like to know if a few things I saw on the gun are acceptable before I pick it up (10 day waiting period out here in the Peoples Republic of California...).

The boxes for the only two 1894C's in stock were pretty beat up, which gave me some concern about their handling (even more when the sales clerk stood the gun on its muzzle while leaning it against the counter).

There is a sheet metal shroud around the front sight, but it looks like a temporary piece placed there for shipping to prevent damage to the sight. The display rifle did not have a shroud, but there are two small grooves on the sides of the front side where the shroud would fit. The shroud on the rifle I am purchasing does not seem true; it seems a little askew. Is this just a temporary piece as I have surmised, or should I be concerned?

Also, on the bottom of the receiver forward of the lever there is a small, rounded pin protruding out the bottom of the receiver. This pin moves freely into and out of the bottom of the receiver. What is this pin, and is this normal?

There is a tab on the lever that seats into the receiver when the action is closed; this tab seems to rub against the slot in the receiver, and the blueing is already showing wear on this tab from the few times the action has been cycled. Is this normal?

The gun has no scratches or other blemishes, and has a small piece of shrink-wrap plastic over the end of the barrel. The box, while battered, has the appropriate documentation, the gun lock, and the extension for the hammer spur. Other than the details I noted above, it seems to be in good shape. Should I be worried about a bent barrel due to handling, or other such defects?

Any help would be appreciated!!

Steve

[DirtyDan]

The metal over the front sight is called a "hood". It is supposed to be there. You can remove it if you prefer, via the grooves/slots along either side of the front sight ramp. It is there to protect the front sight post.

Tell the idiot clerk not to stand any gun on its muzzle end, lest he/she damage the the rifling. I believe all the other concerns are for naught. Standard operating procedure, IIRC, without dragging my 94C out of the vault to check. DD

[RemingtonMagnum]

Hi Friends

I am seeing a surge of interest in the 1894C lately. Glad to see people getting interested in these rifles. Maybe they want stop building them for us.

Don Jackson Remington Magnum/Ultramag

[howdy doody]

I just got one of the Big 5 Marlins myself last month. Yup, the piece over the front sight is the hood. Most folks take that off anyways. The piece you saw that moved in front of the lever was just the protruding piece of the carrier (lifter). The Big 5 Marlins have been around for near three years. They are just regular 1894c models with a lot cheaper wood on them. It is said to be birtch. The finish is sprayed on like paint more than stain.
Here are some of the things I did to mine, it is actually the second one I got from Big 5, the other one is 45lc and they aren't available right now.
I took the stock off, I removed the magazine and forend too. I sanded mine right on down to bare wood and found something of a grain, but I then took a propane torch to the wood and found that what grain there was became more promenant. I resanded and I had some scorch marks from not being far enough away in places and it did take a lot more sanding than it would have if I had been more careful. Then I just rubbed on a single coat of minwax stain. I used mahogany, but it may be too reddish for most folks. I then steel wooled and used Homer Formsby furniture refinish tng oil and wiped on a coat. I steel wooled and did it again. This went on for about 4 days and I got about 10 good dry coats on it. I thought it was slippery since there is no checkering, so I steel wooled the final coat and that helped and it looks pretty darn good compared to what it was when I bought it.
Since I shoot cowboy action shooting, I slicked up the innards and installed a full buckhorn rear sight and a bigger front sight ( the brass part is 1/8") and I have shot it a couple matches which would be about 120 rounds and it shoots great at CAS distances of about 35 yards max. I won't go into the slick up part, since it is lengthy. I will tell you that mine came with the new style carrier and feeds 38 spls just fine.
You might want to take a peek at this sight that has some info that cowboys use on slicking up the 1894c

http://marauder.homestead.com/Rifles.html

You are gonna like that new rifle and for $319, what a bargain. They will dry up though, since it is obvious Big 5 is getting rid of them for Marlin, but they are far from seconds. Only the wood is cheaper.

[noygdb]

Thanks for the input on the 1894CH.

It does seem that Big-5 is moving them for Marlin, but I think that they are down to the dreggs - I saw four 1894CH's, and of the four only one was was worth purchasing. The others had issues:

#1 - Sights (both front and rear) appeared rotated, like the barrel was not on correctly.
#2 - Looked like a return that someone had taken apart improperly; the blueing was damaged around one of the pins, like someone tried to punch it out with the wrong size punch. This one was also missing sight pieces (front hood and rear fold-up section).
#3 - Rear stock was poorly fitted; it wiggled both up/down and left/right. The saleperson tightened up the stock screw, but this only helped the up/down motion; the stock still wiggled (easily) left and right.
#4 - Seems OK, other than a small ding on the breach block and light damage (like tightened with an incorrect screwdriver) to the screw that holds the loading slot cover. All other screws appear untouched. This is the one I am purchasing.

Tell me - you mentioned the new carrier; how can I tell if the one I am buying has the new carrier? It has a serial number 9503XXXX; will this tell me?

Please advise.

Steve

[howdy doody]

I checked my Ser# and it is 95016XXX and it has the new style carrier. I'll assume the one you have does too.
I had no problems with 38spls in mine. Length and bullet shape does help a lot to rectify feeding issues in lever guns and 38spls, which is why you see so many shooting 357 in them................but for cowboy action, which is all I do, I need to be able to stuff 10 rounds in the mag and I shoot too much ammo up to be able to afford 357 costs. Nothing seems as reasonable to load than 38 spls. Then again I always shoot BP and if I were to load 357s, I would either have to seat the bullet in a long ways or use a filler. CAS isn't about long range accuracy, but just hitting steel fast at up close distances.
That is the reason I got mine and parked my 45lc stuff, rifle and pistols. I am a 38 spl man these days. It is strictly an economy move.
Like you suspect, the store where you got yours is either pretty rough with stuff or they got a bad batch. None of the ones I have seen had any blemishes on them and mine in particular was in a box, not on display. The clerk had to go into the back to get it, so he could get the serial number for the paper work. The wood fit was as good as a regular $650 1894c with the walnut and checkering. My rifle slicked up nice.
My understanding is there is nothing different about Big 5 Marlins except the wood. The warranty is the same, Marlin is known to repair things in a timely manner. Call them, talk to Mr. Tim Rooney in customer service and get the low down.
I like the Marlins the same as I do Rugers. Made in USA and backed up with good warranties. I have sent a Marlin 336cb back to them for chamber issues. I could not chamber a 380 diam bullet for my 38-55. Mr. Rooney knew exactly what the problem was and I sent it in with tang sight and globe sight on the front. I got it back the same way. It had been test shot by them and it took care of the problem once they pulled the bolt and re reamed the chamber. No charge. It was to take 4 weeks and I had it back in my hands in two. So my experience with them is positive and I keep buying their product. :grin:

[chip higgins]

I recently purchased a Marlin 1894c (.357mag) from Cabela's for $399, with the nice walnut checkered stock and  soft recoil pad. I checked out the local Big 5 and they had one Marlin 1894c in 357 mag, for $379, only $20 less.  I think the walnut checkered stock and soft recoil pad is worth the $20 difference.  I haven't shot it yet, but look forward to doing so soon.  Just an FYI