Marlin 1894 cowboy scope question

[waco]

So I have a marlin 1894 cowboy in 357 magnum with a 24 inch barrel. I was toying around with the idea of putting a scope on this rifle mainly because I hate the Buckhorn sites that are on it. What scopes have you guys used on your lever guns? The main use for this gun is just plinking and in formal target shooting.

[Virginia John]

I had a gun just like yours with a .22 scope on it and it was a good plinker. Actually, I wouldn't mind having it back, I liked that Marlin.

[snowwolfe]

Less is better on these type of lever rifles. One of the smallest and lightest scopes you can find that would be a good choice is a Leupold VX2 1x4. Most of my levers have 1x4's or 1.5x5's.

Another option would be a Burris Fast Fire III. They run about $216 on Amazon and will fit into a Weaver style mount, although you might have to do some minor fiddling. Red dots are awesome for short range rifles. They only weigh about 1 ounce and are very small.

[waco]

I have a Burris fast fire on my Ruger 1022 and I love it. I just don't know what I would think about having one on a classy lever gun. LOL!

[skeettx]

I use an OLD Redfield Widefield 4-x
Mount it as LOW as you can :)
Awesome combo
Mike

p.s. like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Classic-Redfield-Widefield-4X-Scope-/201262322968?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2edc2b5518

[dualsport]

Really depends on what you want to do. I have a 1894c that has worn different scopes, some low power and even a BSA fixed 36X (!) to check accuracy of handloads. A good all rounder might be a 2x7 on a .357 carbine.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Depending on your tastes and how you want the gun to look either a Scope or Red Dot would be good ways to go.

As far as Scopes go, the furthest I would go is a 1-4x variable like a Leupold VX1 for $200.

I really like Bushnell TRS 25's for this type of application as well. They weigh 3 oz and don't affect the handling of the gun in any way. I just bought another one from Adorama for $63 shipped last week.

The Burris Fast Fire III's are also very good for this application. They only weigh 1 oz.

Really putting a Red Dot type sight on a hunting rifle like a Marlin is more about getting used to the "look" than it is about the performance.

I assure you that you will like the performance as there is no faster way to get on target than a Red Dot type of sight. For plinking it is absolutely the best sighting system out there.

Randy

[NSB]

I have a Burris fast fire on my Ruger 1022 and I love it. I just don't know what I would think about having one on a classy lever gun. LOL!
127428

You won't have any trouble getting used to it.

[reivertom]

I like the Leupold 1x4x20 scopes because of their generous eye relief of about 4 inches and small size. There are some cheaper options, but I like my Leupolds.

[btroj]

I used a red dot on mine for a brief period. Wasn't too big and it was adequate for the ranges I was planning to shoot.

[clum553946]

I put a Skinner peep sight on my Marlin 1894 357, just another alternative for you to consider!

[cattleskinner]

My vote is for a Weaver 1-3 power.

[plainsman456]

I put an old Redfield 4x on my 41 mag and a Weaver 4x on my 45-70.

They look just right.

[oscarflytyer]

I put a Skinner peep sight on my Marlin 1894 357, just another alternative for you to consider!


Have these on two of my Marlins, and prob going to get one or two more. ... yeah, I have a bunch of Marlins...

[Bazoo]

To stay with a traditional style, if I were to scope a marlin cowboy i'd find an older weaver 4x32 on ebay.

[TCFAN]

I have a Burris fast fire III on my Marlin Cowboy 44 mag.Works better for me than a set of peep sights. The fast fire has its own mount for the Marlin which make it set lower than a weaver mount.The rifle handles just like it has open sights, unlike one with a scope on it........Terry

[waco]

Hmmm. Looks like I have a lot to look at ! Thanks for the input guys!

[358 Win]

I have 1993 24" 1894CBL in .357 Magnum and love it. Most of my lever actions have low power 20mm scopes on them. Sun Optics makes a fine 2.5x20mm under $50.00 with superb clarity. Bought a couple of Tasco Bantam 2.5x20's and have one on my single shot H&R Shikari.

On my 1894CBL I put a Lyman 66A receiver site on it and it looks good and really helps my 63 year old diabetic eyes hit where I want to. At 50 yards my groups from the receiver sited 1894CBL are as tight as those shot by my 1894C with it's 2.5x20 scope mounted. I only shoot cast boolits from both of my 1894's. The 1894CBL likes the Ranch Dog 359-175 RFGC bullet which weighs 178 grains from my allow @ 1650 fps and the short 1894C likes the Lyman 358156 SWCGC which weighs 164 grains @ 1800 fps.

358 Win

[geargnasher]

Receiver peep sight works well, too. For glass, I prefer the Weaver muzzle loader scopes because they have a 50-yard parallax. A 3x9x40 can be useful for working up loads and gathers a lot of light.

Gear

[3leggedturtle]

Aimpoint 9000L or Leupold 1-4x

[Markbo]

127428

You won't have any trouble getting used to it.

Well that looks pretty darned normal to me!! :D
I am fairly certain thats the way I am going on my 94. Just because I don't like the looks of a scope on mine​ and I cant see for s#@# any more.

Now if I could just get my smith to hammer out a cover to match the receiver it would be perfect.

[bobthenailer]

I put on a 2x7 leupold for working up loads and then switched to a Aimpoint red dot sight for shooting ! i really like shooting/hunting with red dot sights , ! most of my handguns and about 5 rifles and a pellet pistol have them ! work's well for old and young shooters.

[vietnam71]

Any good 1-4x. 2-7x. Aimpoint Comp C3 is one I have used as well.

[1Papalote]

I have a Lyman peep and a skinner front sight on my 357cb I too do not like the buckhorn and bead from the factory. Marlin folding rear sight or peep and skinner type fronts are on my 5 cowboys. I did scope on with a 3x9 for load testing. Shot WELL. Then back to iron sights.

1Papalote

[FergusonTO35]

I have a Swift 1.5-5X20 on my .30 WCF and a Simmons Pro Hunter 2.5X20 on my 1895. The Swift is made in Korea alongside the better Bushnells and has held its zero through lots of range use, rapid temperature/humidity changes, and clambering up and down trees. That particular Simmons is an outstanding scope for the money. Apparently many folks agree, I've seen them go for north of $100.00 on Fleabay. If either of these gives up the ghost it will be replaced with a Weaver V3 or Leupold 1-4.

[skeettx]

Well trying to take the above attachment and posting it,
Golly Gee, It worked !!

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=127428

[Markbo]

127428

You won't have any trouble getting used to it.

How is that mounted anyway? I like it!

[robg]

use an ags 3x9x40 air rifle scope on my win94 357 been on it for 10 years works well .only bought it as a stopgap ;)

[NSB]

How is that mounted anyway? I like it!
It's actually blued but doesn't show that way on the pic. In fact, it's a very nice dark blue.

http://www.turnbullmfg.com/product/fastfire-ii-receiver-mount-model-18941892/

[Fatdaddy]

I'm about to move this old Redfield 2.5x to my 1894 but it's currently riding my 336 35rem.
In my younger days I thought "the bigger the better" but I've come around to the "less is more" camp.
A Leupold VX-hog 1-4 is also a nice option. My 1895 45-70 is currently wearing one of those which is pretty impressive.
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/lowangz/5705CC4F-6A37-4421-AC97-09923E489CF2_zpsyd2vhlrx.jpg (http://s693.photobucket.com/user/lowangz/media/5705CC4F-6A37-4421-AC97-09923E489CF2_zpsyd2vhlrx.jpg.html)
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/lowangz/C5D65A94-12B4-4CF7-B634-F582D2928DAC_zpsg7nxwimg.jpg (http://s693.photobucket.com/user/lowangz/media/C5D65A94-12B4-4CF7-B634-F582D2928DAC_zpsg7nxwimg.jpg.html)
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/lowangz/A0395C09-B6ED-4294-8E17-B68245029119_zps7k2n8xwb.jpg (http://s693.photobucket.com/user/lowangz/media/A0395C09-B6ED-4294-8E17-B68245029119_zps7k2n8xwb.jpg.html)

[waco]

I'm about to move this old Redfield 1.5x4 to my 1894 but it's currently riding my 336 35rem.
In my younger days I thought "the bigger the better" but I've come around to the "less is more" camp.
A Leupold VX-hog 1-4 is also a nice option. My 1895 45-70 is currently wearing one of those which is pretty impressive.
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/lowangz/5705CC4F-6A37-4421-AC97-09923E489CF2_zpsyd2vhlrx.jpg (http://s693.photobucket.com/user/lowangz/media/5705CC4F-6A37-4421-AC97-09923E489CF2_zpsyd2vhlrx.jpg.html)
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/lowangz/C5D65A94-12B4-4CF7-B634-F582D2928DAC_zpsg7nxwimg.jpg (http://s693.photobucket.com/user/lowangz/media/C5D65A94-12B4-4CF7-B634-F582D2928DAC_zpsg7nxwimg.jpg.html)
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/lowangz/A0395C09-B6ED-4294-8E17-B68245029119_zps7k2n8xwb.jpg (http://s693.photobucket.com/user/lowangz/media/A0395C09-B6ED-4294-8E17-B68245029119_zps7k2n8xwb.jpg.html)

I like the way the Leupold looks!

[Fatdaddy]

After looking at this picture for a while I noticed the artifacts.
It's amazing how much dust and grime can accumulate before you notice it (front glass caked with it.)
Can you see the dust orbs?

[RJM52]

I have a 20" octagon CCL .41 Magnum and to stay traditional I went with a Williams Foolproof. Would love to one day find an original all steel Lyman but the Williams works well.

The Skinner mentioned above is also excellent. I am looking at one of those for a 39 Carbine...

Bob

[Fatdaddy]

The aperture or ghost ring sights are actually a big improvement over the factory buckhorn sights and they keep the gun in a light/handy configuration. I changed my mind on moving the Redfield to my 1894 and ended up mounting this XS Ghost ring setup.
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/lowangz/FFDE7F38-C3EA-4B9A-9FE6-4C0B6A9888EB_zpsuxbsb1if.jpg (http://s693.photobucket.com/user/lowangz/media/FFDE7F38-C3EA-4B9A-9FE6-4C0B6A9888EB_zpsuxbsb1if.jpg.html)
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/lowangz/4A5DE65F-F81C-4557-9123-243D99E055AF_zps9f2xoyzk.jpg (http://s693.photobucket.com/user/lowangz/media/4A5DE65F-F81C-4557-9123-243D99E055AF_zps9f2xoyzk.jpg.html)

[Dave18]

found the old weaver 2x(something like that, with no front bell on it) got the leupold quick release low rings and mounted it, its right down low, holds zero, and you can take it off and on, the irons are a little harder to use with that base, but usable, small, light, ect worked for me

gee, thinking about that, that was over 10yrs ago, when I had time for things,

[MT Chambers]

A scope with a big objective end would look great and old timey on the Cowboy guns with their octagon barrel.....if you don't like the factory sights, get the Skinner peeps or you'll lose the effective handiness of the small light rifle.