Gun Shop Find: Marlin 357 Levergun

BattleRifleG3 · 05-05-2005, 04:12 PM

Seen one at Gun World for $320ish or so in excellent used condition with a Simmons scope.

Prices on Gunsamerica are 300ish, so this is certainly more economical, especially with the scope, which I may remove and use elsewhere (though I have scopes that aren't on rifles already.)

Been thinking of a 357 levergun for fun plinking, ie loading up 38 specials for fun and 357s for extra fun, home defense, or hunting whitetail or smaller in PA. Also wondering if it could be safely rechambered to 357 Maximum.

Good idea, bad idea?

gunssb · 05-05-2005, 04:25 PM

BRG is this a carbine (I'm guessing yes)? I got mine in 44M locally for almost the same price last year without a scope. Me likey Marlins - should've put a tang sight on instead of a scope

BattleRifleG3 · 05-05-2005, 05:34 PM

I like Marlins too, just a mild leaning over Winchester, which I still respect. The 357s seem to go for more, probably less popular, and less used ones on the market. Might get this one...

oneastrix · 05-08-2005, 10:11 PM

They are good guns BRG!

BattleRifleG3 · 05-08-2005, 10:12 PM

I'm debating whether to snatch up the Marlin or save up for a higher capacity Win 94 in 357 that due to its length might be able to be rechambered to 357 Maximum while the Marlin (as I've learned) cannot be. Wondering how serious I'd actually be about doing the 357 Max job and if I really want the huge Winchester version.

BattleRifleG3 · 05-08-2005, 10:20 PM

I'm debating:
Win 94 24" barrel, 12rd tube ($485 MSRP, $425 at luvtohunt.com)

vs

Marlin 1894C 18.5" barrel, 9rd tube (used with scope $320)

gunssb · 05-09-2005, 12:31 AM

If you want a brush gun which is compact & handy go with the second. I have the 1894C - I actually keep that loaded with hollowpoint as a pretty good capacity defensive weapon. But I want to get the full rifle someday :nod: I'm sure it's more accurate & that is a great price too (too bad everyone local is anal about doing transfers).

Big Dog · 05-09-2005, 07:20 AM

My buddy has the EMF 1892 carbine, in .357Magnum. A very nice shooter, deadly accurate up to 100 yards! It likes my .357Magnum handloads too!

2000FPS with minimal recoil - nice!

Jesse · 05-09-2005, 03:15 PM

I reccomend the Marlin. Not that you would need to, but with the side angle ejection, you can mount a scope. The parts on the Marlin are really tough, except for the firing pin. Just avoid dry firing.

ShooMac · 05-09-2005, 04:02 PM

The good news is you cannot go wrong with either.
The Marlin has an advantage in that you can readily mount a scope on it (do you really need one for .357?). However, the 357 max conversion is intriguing. If you are sure that both you and the gun are up for it, I say get the Winchester and go for it!

BattleRifleG3 · 05-09-2005, 04:08 PM

The used Marlin for $320 comes with a scope...

heliflyer · 05-10-2005, 12:06 AM

The .357 Maximum is an especially intriguing thought.

If you try to do it, post about it, as the project advances.

Bill

BattleRifleG3 · 05-10-2005, 01:51 AM

I'm wondering if I would really follow through on the rechambering and if I'd actually want a gun that big. Due to proximity, I'm leaning towards the local Marlin if it's still there.

05-05-2005, 04:12 PM	#1
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	Gun Shop Find: Marlin 357 Levergun Seen one at Gun World for $320ish or so in excellent used condition with a Simmons scope. Prices on Gunsamerica are 300ish, so this is certainly more economical, especially with the scope, which I may remove and use elsewhere (though I have scopes that aren't on rifles already.) Been thinking of a 357 levergun for fun plinking, ie loading up 38 specials for fun and 357s for extra fun, home defense, or hunting whitetail or smaller in PA. Also wondering if it could be safely rechambered to 357 Maximum. Good idea, bad idea? __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

05-05-2005, 05:34 PM	#3
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	I like Marlins too, just a mild leaning over Winchester, which I still respect. The 357s seem to go for more, probably less popular, and less used ones on the market. Might get this one... __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

05-08-2005, 10:11 PM	#4
oneastrix Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 5,213	They are good guns BRG! __________________ There's no one more thankful to sit at the table, than the one who best remembers hunger's pain.

05-08-2005, 10:12 PM	#5
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	I'm debating whether to snatch up the Marlin or save up for a higher capacity Win 94 in 357 that due to its length might be able to be rechambered to 357 Maximum while the Marlin (as I've learned) cannot be. Wondering how serious I'd actually be about doing the 357 Max job and if I really want the huge Winchester version. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

05-08-2005, 10:20 PM	#6
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	I'm debating: Win 94 24" barrel, 12rd tube ($485 MSRP, $425 at luvtohunt.com) vs Marlin 1894C 18.5" barrel, 9rd tube (used with scope $320) __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

05-05-2005, 04:25 PM	#2
gunssb Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: socal Posts: 1,833	BRG is this a carbine (I'm guessing yes)? I got mine in 44M locally for almost the same price last year without a scope. Me likey Marlins - should've put a tang sight on instead of a scope

05-09-2005, 12:31 AM	#7
gunssb Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: socal Posts: 1,833	If you want a brush gun which is compact & handy go with the second. I have the 1894C - I actually keep that loaded with hollowpoint as a pretty good capacity defensive weapon. But I want to get the full rifle someday :nod: I'm sure it's more accurate & that is a great price too (too bad everyone local is anal about doing transfers).

05-09-2005, 07:20 AM	#8
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,205	My buddy has the EMF 1892 carbine, in .357Magnum. A very nice shooter, deadly accurate up to 100 yards! It likes my .357Magnum handloads too! 2000FPS with minimal recoil - nice! __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

05-09-2005, 03:15 PM	#9
Jesse Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,945 Images: 2	I reccomend the Marlin. Not that you would need to, but with the side angle ejection, you can mount a scope. The parts on the Marlin are really tough, except for the firing pin. Just avoid dry firing. __________________ Jesse www.gunandgame.com

05-09-2005, 04:02 PM	#10
ShooMac Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 354	The good news is you cannot go wrong with either. The Marlin has an advantage in that you can readily mount a scope on it (do you really need one for .357?). However, the 357 max conversion is intriguing. If you are sure that both you and the gun are up for it, I say get the Winchester and go for it! __________________ "Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun." - Ash

05-09-2005, 04:08 PM	#11
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	The used Marlin for $320 comes with a scope... __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

05-10-2005, 12:06 AM	#12
heliflyer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: In the far WEST ... Posts: 1	357 Maximum conversion ... The .357 Maximum is an especially intriguing thought. If you try to do it, post about it, as the project advances. Bill Last edited by heliflyer; 05-10-2005 at 12:16 AM.

05-10-2005, 01:51 AM	#13
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	I'm wondering if I would really follow through on the rechambering and if I'd actually want a gun that big. Due to proximity, I'm leaning towards the local Marlin if it's still there. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf