Said I wanted to limit calibers. Then, unaccountably, got a hankerin' for a .45 ACP. Then I found myself finally in a position to get the single-action revolver that'd long been on my list. ".357 Mag," I thought, because I already had a revolver in that. Then maybe a lever gun in .357 Mag.
Nope. The new wheel gun ended-up in 45LC/45ACP
So now I'm thinkin' I need a lever gun to go with that six gun. I've done a little research, and it looks like a Marlin 1894 in 45LC would fill the bill quite nicely.
I'm doing this more "just because" than for any other reason.
So, would somebody care to talk me out of this? Tell me why I should go with something other than Marlin or why I might not want it chambered in 45LC?
Only real negative I've read about the Marlin 1894 is one reviewer suggested that hooded front site wasn't very sturdy, or very securely mounted?
Those are loaded through the side, right?
As for the caliber: *shrug* In for a penny, in for a pound. I'm already invested in 45LC. I figure I'm already going to have to buy dies, etc. for it, when I start reloading, so...
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
June 15, 2017, 07:05 PM
Rolan_Kraps
To quote Bill Cosby, "Look Martha, we got another one".
Yes the Marlin 1894 is an awesome gun. I would recommend holding out for the 1894 CB (Cowboy or Cowboy II) model with the Octagonal barrel. Next you'll buy a rig for your Cowboy gun. Then someone will point out that you have half the guns you need for Cowboy action shooting. Then you'll be building a gun cart (I have plans)!
Now, if you want to spend a little more, you might want to look at the Winchester 1894 (made by Winchester/Mirouku) or a Uberti. I actually have a Uberti that has been modified to shoot .45 ACP!
Here is a picture of my .45 ACP Uberti.
Rolan Kraps SASS Regulator Gainesville, Georgia. NRA Range Safety Officer NRA Certified Instructor - Pistol / Personal Protection Inside the Home
June 16, 2017, 06:38 AM
ensigmatic
quote:
Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps: To quote Bill Cosby, "Look Martha, we got another one".
Yeah... probably not Or, if you did, it was a long, long time ago.
I've actually had a big-bore single-action revolver on The List for forever. It was just that other stuff kept taking precedence. A lever gun has always been on The List, too.
quote:
Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps: Yes the Marlin 1894 is an awesome gun. I would recommend holding out for the 1894 CB (Cowboy or Cowboy II) model with the Octagonal barrel.
I dunno, Rolan. Maybe.
What I'd really like is stainless. But the 336 doesn't come in 45LC. Only 45LC stainless lever guns I've been able to find are Rossi, and I've been reading highly-variable reports about them.
quote:
Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps: Next you'll buy a rig for your Cowboy gun.
I liked it when I found it. Looking at it again, just now, I still like it.
quote:
Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps: Then someone will point out that you have half the guns you need for Cowboy action shooting.
Experience has taught me to hesitate saying "never," so lets just say that's unlikely.
quote:
Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps: Now, if you want to spend a little more, you might want to look at the Winchester 1894 (made by Winchester/Mirouku) or a Uberti. I actually have a Uberti that has been modified to shoot .45 ACP!
Looks like no Winchester in 45LC. Uberti I'm thinking is too rich for my blood.
quote:
Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps: Here is a picture of my .45 ACP Uberti.
Nice!
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
June 16, 2017, 11:23 AM
ensigmatic
Continuing to do my own research, I just ran across this: Marlin 1894
Spoiler alert (excerpt from summary):
quote:
While there may not be any need for the two guns/one cartridge sales pitch these days, the value of that concept is just as valid today as it was almost 110 years ago when the Marlin 1894 was drawn up, and that value is directly attributable to the outstanding performance of these cartridges. The straight case pistol cartridges employed in these light, fast-handling carbines carry a surprising amount of thump, and are very well-served by cast bullets. ... However, the bottom line is that the .45 Colt Marlin 1894 is a more versatile gun than is the .44 Magnum carbine; the .45 seems to smoothly feed almost any bullet you can stuff into a .45 Colt case, and the 1 in 16" twist stabilized every bullet weight tested, from 240 grains to 368 grains. Bullets lighter than about 310 grains all shot to pretty much the same point of impact at 50 yards, and the 330-350 grain bullets dropped down about 3" below that, and the 368s were about halfway in between. The .45 Colt Marlin is a remarkably egalitarian little carbine. Yup, the Marlin 1894 is a keeper, which might explain why Marlin reintroduced this Model in 1969 and has made so many since then.
The article is undated, but the page metadata suggests 2009.
With Rolan's comments, and all I've read elsewhere, I think 'round about Monday morning or so I'll drop my LGS a line and ask them to get pricing and availability on a Model 1894 45 Colt and Model 1894CB 45 Colt.
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
June 16, 2017, 12:11 PM
Expert308
Damn, you guys have got me going again. I have a Henry .44 Mag lever gun to go with my S&W revolver. I bought it to play silhouette games with, but never wound up doing it. I even bought a tang sight and a globe front for it, they're still sitting in the box they came in. In the meantime I picked up a Ruger Vaquero in .45LC "just because". So now you've got me wanting to swap the Henry for an 1894.
June 16, 2017, 12:55 PM
ensigmatic
Gee, it's nice to do it to someone else, for a change
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
June 16, 2017, 01:32 PM
jhe888
There is no reason at all not to get that rifle.
A rifle or carbine in a pistol cartridge is just plain fun.
I recently replaced my long-missed .357 Marlin 1894. In a moment of youthful foolishness, I sold it. But the replacement is even better than the old one because it is the cowboy version with an octagon barrel.
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
June 16, 2017, 01:51 PM
jaybirdaccountant
quote:
Originally posted by jhe888: There is no reason at all not to get that rifle.
A rifle or carbine in a pistol cartridge is just plain fun.
I've never had a real practical reason for a pistol caliber rifle or carbine, but I agree they're a ball of fun
June 16, 2017, 04:46 PM
ensigmatic
quote:
Originally posted by jhe888: There is no reason at all not to get that rifle.
Oh, I'm almost certainly going to get a lever gun. And it's almost certainly going to be in 45 (long) Colt. Only question is: Which one? Probably the Marlin. I'm not seeing any "nay"s. Not anywhere.
quote:
Originally posted by jhe888: A rifle or carbine in a pistol cartridge is just plain fun.
I won't be "fun"ing a lot with this thing, right out of the gate. That 45LC stuff is st00pid expen$ive (I knew that, going in.)
Once I get my man cave and reloading bench set up, I will be reloading 45LC, that's for sure!
quote:
Originally posted by jhe888: I recently replaced my long-missed .357 Marlin 1894. In a moment of youthful foolishness, I sold it. But the replacement is even better than the old one because it is the cowboy version with an octagon barrel.
Yeah... I'm seriously considering spending a couple hundred more for that CB version.
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
June 16, 2017, 11:49 PM
YooperSigs
The only drawback to the Marlin is the cheap factory sights. Install a good quality receiver sight and it becomes a much more accurate rifle.
End of Earth: 2 Miles Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
June 17, 2017, 09:10 AM
ensigmatic
quote:
Originally posted by YooperSigs: The only drawback to the Marlin is the cheap factory sights. Install a good quality receiver sight and it becomes a much more accurate rifle.
Thanks for the pointer.
Yeah, with my eyes (they're not bad, but, like many of us, they aren't what they once were), sight configuration can make all the difference in the world.
Aging eyes will likely not enjoy shooting the 1894 with the factory sights. We’d consider replacing them with an XS Sights’ aperture at the rear along with one of its white-striped post front sights.
Gonna need a sling, too. Part of me says "Something period-accurate-ish." Another part says "Boy, does that tactical sling on my AR ever work well."This message has been edited. Last edited by: ensigmatic,
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
June 18, 2017, 09:33 AM
gearhounds
quote:
Originally posted by YooperSigs: The only drawback to the Marlin is the cheap factory sights. Install a good quality receiver sight and it becomes a much more accurate rifle.
Skinner makes a good, solid, streamlined peep sight. Some don't care for the break from the traditional look of a Williams or Lyman peep, but they are a good choice for field use.
“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown
June 18, 2017, 06:36 PM
Rolan_Kraps
Just an FYI, IF you go to shoot Cowboy the XS sites are not allowed. I used a full buckhorn and a Sure Hit front site from Slick McClade.
Rolan Kraps SASS Regulator Gainesville, Georgia. NRA Range Safety Officer NRA Certified Instructor - Pistol / Personal Protection Inside the Home
June 19, 2017, 06:11 AM
ensigmatic
quote:
Originally posted by gearhounds:
quote:
Originally posted by YooperSigs: The only drawback to the Marlin is the cheap factory sights. Install a good quality receiver sight and it becomes a much more accurate rifle.
Skinner makes a good, solid, streamlined peep sight.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I think I like the XS better. I'll look again before I make any decisions.
quote:
Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps: Just an FYI, IF you go to shoot Cowboy the XS sites are not allowed.
Are any peep or ghost ring sights allowed?
quote:
Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps: I used a full buckhorn and a Sure Hit front site from Slick McClade.
Hmmm... Not so sure about that front sight "condom"
If the stock front sight doesn't suit me, I think I'd look to a bead of some type, perhaps?
I don't know as I'll ever shoot CAS. (I suspect not.) But, I am trying to stay as traditional as possible without throwing technological advances completely aside.
A company called Smith Enterprises makes a combination Full-Buckhorn/Ladder sight, but, it's kind of spendy.
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
June 19, 2017, 07:42 PM
Rolan_Kraps
Yes, the Marbles Tang site is permitted. I personally like the full buckhorn and the Slick McClade surehit front site.
Rolan Kraps SASS Regulator Gainesville, Georgia. NRA Range Safety Officer NRA Certified Instructor - Pistol / Personal Protection Inside the Home
June 19, 2017, 08:29 PM
eTripper
Here's one, that I've looking-at hard from Taylor Firearms. It's their take on the Colt-Burgess 1883 chambered in .45LC of course.
__________________________
"We're after men - and I wish to God I was with them. The next time you make a mistake, I'm going to ride off and let you die." - Deke Thornton, - The Wild Bunch
June 20, 2017, 06:42 AM
ensigmatic
quote:
Originally posted by eTripper: Here's one, that I've looking-at hard from Taylor Firearms. It's their take on the Colt-Burgess 1883 chambered in .45LC of course.
Very cool! I especially like the octagon-barrelled version. But, at $1500, I think I'm going to have to keep my sights set a bit lower
I believe I am going spend the little extra coin for the "CB" version of the Marlin, though.
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
June 20, 2017, 04:14 PM
ensigmatic
Well, it's done. I've ordered a Marlin 1894CB in 45 Colt
Should be here in about a week
The only thing I plan to do to it it probably upgrade the rear sight to a full-buckhorn.
Hmmm... punches... I don't have a set of brass punches. I think I'm gonna need a set of brass punches...
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
September 13, 2017, 10:10 PM
Riley
How does it shoot?
Do not send me to a heaven where there are no dogs. Step Up or Stand Aside: Support the Troops ! Expectations are premeditated disappointments.
(I knew that, going in.)
