I couldn't resist...

GC

GC

Well-known member
I am a weak man. I was out and about and a little cutie caught my eye. Slim, sexy little thing that was hard not to keep glancing at. I could imagine myself with this sweet thing in my arms. Oh, the thought of it all made me smile. I glanced around to ensure nobody noticed me overtly admiring this little gem. I am weak and I caved, I approached and asked the salesman if I could handle the little Marlin M1894 .357 Magnum lever action carbine. Wow... I fell in love immediately and the little gem came home with me. I have to say, this Ruger-built gun is very well put together. All the fit and finish is tight and right, the action is surprisingly slick and the trigger ain't all that bad for a new lever gun. A new safety delete and Xpress aperture sight set is on the way already. I have to crank out some 158 gr. XTP loads on the loading bench. I may see if I can roll up a coyote in a few weeks with the 1894.
 
They are nice, I gave a 44 Mag to my Ex for her birthday she didn't give it back after the divorce. I had 218 Bee of my own sold it just recently. I put a Wild West trigger in the 218.
 
Glad to hear the Ruger is looking quality. My buddy Steve has one of the old Marlin built ones and I'm jealous of it every time he breaks it out.

- DAA
 
I have/had four old JM-marked Marlins. I have an M39A .22LR, 336 .30-30, 1895 .45-70, and an 1894 .44 Magnum that I loaned my son about ten years ago. I don't have any hopes of that .44 coming back home so when I ran into this .357 it seemed a likely candidate for a replacement. I had looked over a Ruger-built gun a few times in the past and they seemed good to go. Before pulling out the wallet on this one I gave it a complete and hard look over. Honestly, I couldn't find much to pick at. The black walnut is very nice, the wood to metal fit is right on with no proud areas and no gaps either, the checkering is tight with no overruns, the bluing is clean and bright, the crown looks good, action is tight and pretty darn smooth for a new gun. The trigger is a little heavy, just a little grit, but not bad in the big picture and I'm sure a few hundred rounds will smooth that out some.

I just got a notice from Midway that the XS sights shipped. When I get the sights on it and the Beartooth safety delete installed I will head to the range and shoot some groups. I'll take some pictures and give a range report. The .357 is an interesting round when fired from a carbine. Looks to be a handy little woods-bumming carbine. It will likely get a chance at some hogs, hopefully, a coyote or two, and certainly a deer on an antlerless hunt next fall.
 
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Pretty sure those are the same sights Steve put on his. I've seen him roll up quite a few running jackrabbits with it. Like I said, I'm jealous of it every time he breaks it out.

It's great to hear the new production looks to be good. But dang, I don't know how many times I have kicked myself already for not buying one of the old Marlins when they could be had for $500. But here I am, kicking myself for it again.

- DAA
 
I saw a new Ruger/Marlin in a pawn shop a few days ago. I have to agree with GC, it was pretty nice. IIRC it even had a fluted bolt. All in all a very nice rifle but maybe something we can expect to see from Ruger.
 
DAA said:
Pretty sure those are the same sights Steve put on his. I've seen him roll up quite a few running jackrabbits with it. Like I said, I'm jealous of it every time he breaks it out.

It's great to hear the new production looks to be good. But dang, I don't know how many times I have kicked myself already for not buying one of the old Marlins when they could be had for $500. But here I am, kicking myself for it again.

- DAA
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Yeah, the prices of these new issue Marlins take a bit to get used to. Heck, I remember as a kid every deer season Walmart had Marlin or Winchester .30-30 rifles for $79.95.
 
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