Marlin 1894C .357

[smkummer]

I am looking for one of these as a shooter and for CASS. I see that the 18 1/2 barrel is rated as a 9 shot. Will it cycle shorter 38 special ammo and can 10 rounds be loaded? thanks

[NSB]

Yes and yes. I had one. Very nice gun.

[btroj]

Great gun, mine Feds 38s very well. Wish it had a. Longer barrel, that is for sure.

[FergusonTO35]

Yep! Mine loves .38's or .357's of any flavor.

[Iowa Fox]

Yep! Mine loves .38's or .357's of any flavor.

Same here and it does 10 rounds with the special, mine is a 1980 model.

[ReloaderFred]

The key to getting 10 rounds and smooth feeding in the 1894C is to load .38 Special rounds to at least 1.480 Over All Length. The ideal bullet shape is a Round Nose Flat Point (RNFP). For our SASS loads for the rifle, we're using the Magma 125 gr. RNFP.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[imashooter2]

9 magnums in the magazine and one in the pipe is ten. That's the way I do it...

[dragon813gt]

Yep! Mine loves .38's or .357's of any flavor.

Any is not all. Mine will not feed bullets with RF nose profile. And you're limited to a rather short nose length when using magnum brass. That being said I absolutely love mine and it was in my hand all last week for hunting. Best handling rifle I own by far.

[imashooter2]

Any is not all. Mine will not feed bullets with RF nose profile. And you're limited to a rather short nose length when using magnum brass. That being said I absolutely love mine and it was in my hand all last week for hunting. Best handling rifle I own by far.

The solution to that is not difficult...

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?7750-Modifying-the-Marlin-1894-for-a-longer-cartridge-OAL

[dragon813gt]

Thank you kindly sir. Hunting runs through January so I will not be taking mine apart anytime soon. That little bit should allow me to shoot some heavier bullets.

[Guesser]

Mine is over 30 years old and modestly customized. It feeds everything I have ever tried in it as long as min/max lengths were observed. Nothing special, just SAAMI specs and it works. I've used it on varmint hunts, gophers in Montana, over 500 rounds thru it in one day; it just works!!!

[FergusonTO35]

My 1894 doesn't like SWC boolits too well, the sharp shoulder catches on the edge of the chamber opening. Otherwise it has eaten everything I've given it. Mostly 158 grain round nose and flat point slugs but I once put a box of 180 grain Remington through it and they did just fine.

[Outpost75]

In my experience the Marlins do not feed SWC bullets reliably. I use the Saeco #358 158-grain cowboy bullt in. 38 Special brass with 3.5 grains of Bullseye for about 950 fps in the carbine and 800 fps in my Ruger revolver. Accurate and a good small game load too. My caryridge OAL is 1.51"