Just recieved my Marlin 1894 in 44 mag,And was wondering.

[moontroll]

I can't make up my mind whether to go with open sights or a scope.Actually I got the gun 6 months ago,and just havent had the time to play with it much.Now its time to get the Gun ready to hunt.If I go with open sights it will be the XS gost sights,If I go with a scope it will be a Bushnel Elite 4-12x40 that I just happen to have in a drawer(great scope).I was wondering whats your experience,and what works the best for you.Normally I would just go with a scope but not sure on this one.I will never do the Scout setup,its either scope or open. I am not really concerned about the looks of the gun just its effectivness.

[markc]

On my 1894 CBII,  I began with the original iron sights, switched to a scope for a year and now have gone back to the original iron sights.  I have other scoped rifles for the longer distances and calibers, but keep my CBII as my bump around the woods pig hunting rifle.  You can always remove the scope if it turns out you don't like it that way...

[Lloyd Smale]

I prefer a peep on all my levers. Have one brockman one xs and a shitpile of lymans and williams. Personaly i like the williams and lymans the best. There alot cheaper and you can go from a ghost ring to a more percise apature in a few seconds.

[daddywpb]

I have a Williams Foolproof and a Firesight front post on my 1894 in 44 Mag and my 1895 in 45/70. Both work great. I couldn't bring myself to scope a lever action, but that's just me.

[T.R.]

Although not a Marlin product, this is my 44 MAG carbine.  As my eyes are now half century old, a bright scope works best for me.  My Ruger wears this TASCO shotgun scope with magnification of 2.5X. Simmons makes a similar product.

2.5X gives a wide field of view compared to higher magnifications. It works well for me. 
TR

[markc]

T.R.  yep,  I did use a shotgun scope for a while also.  I really liked it, but it didn't last very long before coming apart..

[.308 Win.]

I have a Bushnell Elite 3200 scope and it is, hands down, the best scope I've ever had and that includes Burris, Leupold and the cheaper scopes as well.  One thing you might consider and I think it makes for a quick handling brush situation is a red dot scope.  They're small so they won't mess up the balance of a lever gun and to me, they're easier to get on target in a hurry.  I have found the Bushnell Trophy line of red dot scopes to be pretty durable.  A friend has one on an AK-47 as well with no trouble.  Just a thought.  Good luck with the gun.