44 Lever Action - Anyone Have One?

[1075tech]

I recently picked up a Marlin 1894 in 44 Mag. Took it to the range yesterday. With PMC 240gr TCSP, I was fairly consistent at 2" high at 50 yards.

I tried the Hornady 225 FTX. They were about 5" high at 50 with same POA.

A couple of things:

I'll be replacing the factory sights with fiber optic. Reading up on it, I might go with a FO front sight and peep rear. Or I could just put a scope on it.

I was having a hard time getting the FTX to load in the tube. Not sure what the problem was there. I'm thinking something with the shape of the bullet was maybe letting the case mouth catch? IDK. The PMC loaded fine. The magazine spring is a bit stiff. I don't think this gun was ever shot much.

Just looking for thoughts

 

[kev74]

There might be some gunk in the magazine tube - old lube, lint, etc.

I replaced the plastic follower in my Rossi 38/357 with a brass one and it loads much easier, without binding up after a few rounds. I don't know if Marlin is using plastic or metal in there.

Also thinking about a Skinner peep sight to replace the factory buckhorn rear.

 

[Plater1]

Years ago i had a pre safety Winchester Model 94 Trapper(16" barrel) in 44mag. I liked it a lot. I did end up putting a Williams receiver mounted peep site on it. Back then 44 special was more available and cheaper so i shot that ammo more often. Overall it was a fine lever action. Here is a link to a rear site that was pretty close to what i mounted.

https://shop.williamsgunsight.com/ecommerce/p/fp--marlin-336-firesight-set-wramped-front-sight-070282

 

[dsdmmat]

I have a Marlin 1894FG in 41 mag. The 1894 is a great gun.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Really like my 1894 and 1894C. When maintained I can crank through 200 rounds of jacketed or SWC. After every range trip, check and tighten all the large screws around the action and the screws on the bottom of the action by the feed tube. When they're loose you will get a failure to feed. In the field a Swiss Army knife straight blade covers the screws.

The weak piece in the rifle is the Y shaped ejector spring. Its actually common between the 1894 rifles.

Watch SWC velocities due to leading issues. A Tornado SS looped brush cleans up that issue. A SS pot n pan pad will also clean out leading. But use either sparingly. Pre soak barrel w/Kroil to loosen lead if needed. Keep SWC velocities down and they run fine.

 

[1075tech]

This is a pre safety. 1975 by serial number.

I'll pull the magazine spring and check the tube.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Nice vintage date on that one. When machinist were machinist. I wonder what the price tag was from that era.

The 1894 series is the most under appreciated rifle ever produced. The mass of the rifle sucks up the recoil. A decent home defense firearm that at 50 yards makes a big hole. No PP required.

 

[1075tech]

I'll have cases and 240gr XTP's to load for it. All I have for powder for it right now is W296 and H110. Seems like Unique and 2400 is pretty popular for it

 

[Karpteach]

I have a Ruger 96 in .44. it kicks like a mule but, it’s a tack driver.

 

[Vapor]

I have a .30-30 and a .357. I've thought about a .44, but I'm personally not sure it offers much if anything in short range power over the .30-30. How much recoil does it have?

 

[1075tech]

I have a .30-30 and a .357. I've thought about a .44, but I'm personally not sure it offers much if anything in short range power over the .30-30. How much recoil does it have?

IMHO, it was quite manageable. Certainly no more than the 30-30.

 

[S&W Fan]

I’ve got a Rossi mod. 92 in .44 mag. that I’ve had for quite a while. A friend let me borrow the Steve Gunz action job video and the gun slicked up real nice. Shoots my hand loaded .44 SWC rounds without issue.

I’m a big Marlin fan and would have much preferred a Marlin in .44 mag. But none were to be found when I was Jonesing for one so I snagged the Rossi and tuned her up.
I want an older JM stamped Marlin in .357/.38 but damn they are getting up there in price. Guess I’ll just have to bite the bullet.

 

[1075tech]

Nice vintage date on that one. I wonder what the price tag was from that era.

From a reprint of a (allegedly) 1975 ad from Marlin, $126.95.

 

[@thewheels]

Any issues ejecting the spent PMC brass?
I recently saw issues with a few boxes of the PMC 240 TCSP brass. Brass was either too soft or loaded hot and ejecting spent cartridges was a bear in that Marlin.
Other brands had no issues in the same gun.

 

[1075tech]

Any issues ejecting the spent PMC brass?
I recently saw issues with a few boxes of the PMC 240 TCSP brass. Brass was either too soft or loaded hot and ejecting spent cartridges was a bear in that Marlin.
Other brands had no issues in the same gun.

None. I only put a handful through it but they loaded and ejected fine. The Hornady Leverevolution 225 FTX did not want to load.