So would you get rid of it? 44 Magnum owner questions

[Stopsign32v]

So I'm sitting here...Sipping on a glass of nice rum and coke, pondering the future. As of right now the only 44 Magnum lever action I have is below. A pre safety Marlin 1894. Rightfully a nice lever action no doubt. But for the life of me I can't get past my love of top eject lever actions. So the dilemma is this...

When (not if) I find a mint Browning B92 44 Magnum do I sell this one and move on? I'm not sure why I would keep it but I figured I would ask you guys. Actually if we are going to be honest, these pictures are for a WTS thread I made for it months ago but I backed out at the last minute and didn't post it.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50178160456_31cc99d3fa_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js5bVw)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50177626733_d86852a274_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js2sgp)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50177626448_bd9044569f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js2sbu)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50178159551_6750e39b32_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js5bDV)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50177625813_af5382f894_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js2rZx)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50177625573_0c561951cb_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js2rVp)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50178413857_b4be713123_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js6ufv)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50177624498_0d0c1368ec_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js2rAS)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50178412947_645f21c14b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js6tYP)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50178157436_8b8abd8fa6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js5b2s)

[Stopsign32v]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50178157201_6290f77d26_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js5aXp)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50178412307_fc09ddfdfc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js6tMM)

[Thumbcocker]

If you can afford to keep it keep it. Never get rid of a gun that shoots well for you.

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[Stopsign32v]

If you can afford to keep it keep it. Never get rid of a gun that shoots well for you.

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I've never shot this one actually. And wife says I can't afford any of them! :roll:

[JohnH]

It is only going to get more valuable over time. If it doesn't cost you to keep it, then keep it is what I'd suggest. If you had to sell it to get the other, then such is life, but you do have a known quantity and that is worth something in itself.

[Winger Ed.]

Think of it as an investment.

The JMs will only go up, especially one in that good of condition.

[shooting on a shoestring]

I can certainly agree with the idea of keeping it.
That’s a very nice rifle and if you let it go it might haunt you later.
But……
I can also see the dog in the manger.
The dog isn’t going to eat the hay but will keep the cows from eating it.
There’s a ready pool of people who would swoon over that rifle.
Let one of them enjoy it if you’re not going to.
Just make sure you’re not going to have a change of heart towards side ejection.

[cwtebay]

Boy..... wrong group to ask if you're looking for an impartial opinion!!!
As a collector (accumulator may be more accurate!?!?) I would lean towards keeping her and adding the one you're looking for. Both are fantastic rifles in their own right. If you've got the chips to keep it, my vote is that.
I've rarely heard anyone say, "man, I'm kicking myself for NOT selling that one".


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[M-Tecs]

No don't sell it. You are not getting any younger. Much easier to put a scope or red dot the Marlin when you get older and have issues see the front sight. I have both and I like them equally but the Browning 92's ran large on the bores. Mine is .433"

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?167729-Browning-B92

[Pablo 5959]

Man, that would look great next to my 357mag. Pre-safety. I would keep it but I’m biased.

[Butzbach]

From a purely political point of view, now is not the time to be getting rid of guns. So, there’s that.

[MrWolf]

How much do you want for it?

Warning - This is not a S&S thread so no offers or prices please.

That being said I would keep it but then again I refuse to sell my Marlins, of which I have a few plus duplicates. I also don't sell my guns so take it with a grain of salt.

[samari46]

Have one of the 1894 44 mag carbines. Paid $240 for it years back. Has a little Louisiana character on it, but shoots accurately. I'd keep it and still buy the Browning. Frank

[Walks]

I've never shot this one actually. And wife says I can't afford any of them! :roll:

Your Wife KNOWS about how many guns You have ????????

Every gun I have ever sold except one, I've regretted.

[GL49]

I've given three of my accumulation away to good homes, but only sold one. Wish I had it back, even tried to buy it back.

That being said, I'm a top-eject lever action fan. Never have owned, and never plan to own, a side eject. I'd probably sell that one.

Naaaah!! I'd keep it. As mentioned in a previous post, old eyes require a bit of help. Those side-ejects are looking better every day and yours is a real beauty. I can always let my son shoot the top eject rifles.

[Mk42gunner]

I'd keep it.

They aren't going to make any more Marlins without a crossbolt safety, even if Ruger does get them back in production.

Having had several Marlins with and without the crossbolt safety, I really don't miss not having it. I find it awkward to use when actually hunting with the rifles. The only time I really use it is when cycling rounds through the action to unload the gun.

Of course I'm 57 and learned to hunt with hammer fired guns, and how to work them safely. It may be different for someone that learns how to run a lever action that has one, but then what happens when they come up with a gun without a crutch?

Robert

[Winger Ed.]

I've never shot this one actually. And wife says I can't afford any of them! :roll:

I think it was George Karlin that did some stand up about how he figured out long term relationships are built on lies.
Telling the truth always got him in trouble.

[brass410]

thats some very serious gun porn!!!! I'm sitting here just staring and staring, swmbo looked at me and said "you got that look on your face that gets you in trouble at the beach again" what are you lookin at?????

[shooter bob]

What does (I didn’t shoot it )Mean? How could you sell it without shooting it first

[Markopolo]

Dont Do It!!!!!! :target_smiley::violin: Dont Do it.... sell some of your wife's stuff she has forgotten about.. have a garage sale....sell your chainsaw.... but dont sell that!!!!

[FergusonTO35]

Right now, pricing on everything Marlin is way high so if you do decide to sell I wouldn't wait. When Ruger gets them back into production prices are going to drop, especially if the new Ruglins are well made. That being said, a "good" Browning 92 is going to cost every bit as much as your 1894 and then some.

[Cast10]

Wish I had mine back! But, I got out of 44mag, so……..Do what you think is best and don’t look back. Life’s too short.

[dverna]

You have not shot it. That raises two questions.....Why not? And it may shoot like mine did....awful.

Now...top eject guns are inferior in my view. So if you "want" (vs need) a .44 Mag, shoot the damn thing and see if it is worth keeping.

I would not sell a gun I was not shooting to buy another gun I will likely not shoot. That is not a wise path unless you have the funds to afford an investment....plus the funds to have put back a decent inventory of components.

The gun may be worth $800-1000. Unless you have at least that much powder and primers stocked up, I would sell it and put the money aside to purchase powder and primers when prices get down to normal. And I would not touch that stash of powder and primers until I had a minimum of a five year supply of components. BTW, like many others, you will never have a safety stock of primers and powder if you waste money buying toys.

Having powder and primers to shoot is much more important than a toy sitting in safe. And sir....right now that gun is a toy IIRC your previous posts.

Look at what they are fetching on GB and post it here for about $75-100 less. If you can post a target that shows it will shoot, start at the GB price. BTW not difficult to mount a scope on it to get that decent target...you should get a good group if you fire 10 or so groups...just statistics. And that is not deception. Most accuracy claims are closer to those occasional "wallet" groups than the truth. Just call it "Best so far!!!"

The gun is immaculate and you should get top dollar for it.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I have sold and traded very few guns over the years. I have many, many guns and still regret most of the ones I sold or traded. Already said, as you age, the ability to scope a rifle will become more important. A pre-safety Marlin 1894 in like new shape has a very high value only going higher. Consider it an investment far more valuable than that money in a savings account. Find a Browning or new Winchester 1892 if you must but KEEP THE MARLIN.

[Eddie Southgate]

I would keep it if I had it but I'm not big on selling guns that I bought . Sold a few in years past and have mostly regretted it . That said , the only reason I would buy a gun that I didn't really like would be to resell for more money . If you just flat don't like the Marlin , sell it for a fat profit while prices are high .

[Wayne Smith]

The only guns I have sold I have been proud to do so. Unless it is a financial necessity don't sell it. You have the ammo, take it out and see how it shoots, then decide what to do

[green mountain boy]

that gun with the skinner sight will do anything you ask it to, you dont shoot it anyway so hang on to it...ya just never know

[dverna]

Let me address the investment rationale.

You spent $600 on a gun and stuff worth about $1000 today. Looks pretty good!!

Buying in bulk, I was able to get primers shipped to my door for less than $25/k. $600/25 is 24k primers. Those primers are worth at least $100 -150/k but let's use $100 (BTW, I sold quite a few for more than $100/k in just a few days.)

So, did you do well to invest $600 in a gun now worth $1000, or would you have been better off with 24k primers worth $2400? Primers that will let you shoot multiple calibers if you do not sell them and want to shoot. If you sold half of them, you would have paid off your original investment, pocketed $600 and still have 12k primers at no cost. The only downside...you will be labelled a "hoarder" or "scalper"...but I have learned to deal with it. BTW, it is funny how "hoarding" guns or selling them for more than they cost is somehow more noble or smarter.

I downsized the "useless" guns I was not shooting and put the funds to better use. I do not complain about getting low on components or their current cost...I am not impacted. Of over 20 guns I sold, I have not missed any of them, but it is reassuring to know I have enough lead, primers and powder to ride out a very long dry spell.

Investing in stuff you need is usually smarter than investing is stuff you want. Most of the guys telling you to keep the gun likely have a decent supply of components so keeping a toy in the safe does not impact them. Those who have less than a year of primers/powder would think differently....I hope.

Evaluate YOUR needs before taking advice from others who are in different circumstances. A "useless" gun is not much fun unless you just like having stuff.

[relic]

Oh man, I would never get rid of that! That is a beauty.

[Stopsign32v]

thats some very serious gun porn!!!! I'm sitting here just staring and staring, swmbo looked at me and said "you got that look on your face that gets you in trouble at the beach again" what are you lookin at?????

:lol::lol: You should see the 45 Colt Cowboy Carbine then

[Wheelgun]

I wouldn’t sell it, but I love Marlins.
As mentioned above prices are crazy, so it is a good time to sell. But I definitely, wouldn’t sell until you had a replacement in hand…
I just gave $1100 for a Marlin 1894 in 32/20 in similar condition. It would have cost $750 12-18 months ago.

Now this will probably get me roasted. I don’t shoot 44Spl/Mag, but do 44/40. So, if I had to have a Browning 92 in 44, I’d keep the Marlin and have it re-chambered or re-barreled in 44/40…

[Tripplebeards]

Heck, I’ve got 4, 44 mags. None are going away.

[indian joe]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50178157201_6290f77d26_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js5aXp)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50178412307_fc09ddfdfc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2js6tMM)

yeah but .........get the Browning home first (or trade them)

[Tripplebeards]

I’d make sure the Browning shot just as good or better before I made any hasty decisions. I’ve seen plenty of expensive and so called better quality guns with poor accuracy. If you get rid of it I have many guns I don’t shoot I’d work a trade for.

[sparky45]

First off, I'd NEVER lay that gun, any gun on a concrete pad. Does make a nice background though. Personally I'd sell the rifle and get the Browning. That said, I sold all the Browning's I owned and bought Rugers. Not to fond of Marlins; I have one lever gun left that's a JM stamped 30-30 and I'll probably sell it in the near future, prices what they are.

[bedbugbilly]

That Marlin has "Seller's Remorse" written all over it. A beautiful rifle and one I know that I would hang on to.

Some folks like peach cobbler and others like apple fritters . . . at this point in time, you might "think" you don't like it as much as a top ejector - but you say you haven't shot it . . . so shoot it and see if it doesn't grow on you.

And, as one member already stated - this is not the time to be selling firearms . . . . if you think you don't want it, oil up good and tuck it away . . . it is only going to increase in value and the way things are going right now . . . . I would also consider it an investment that should at least maintain its value.

[Outpost75]

Shoot the rifle and get hard sight dope on it, then clean, lube and preserve it and stash with a basic load of ammo and cleaning gear to cache at your bug out location.

NEVER sell that gun!

[Thumbcocker]

Fwiw I had both .44 and .357 JM Marlins. After lots of time, sizing dies, boolit molds, and load development they simply didn't shoot that well. I didn't see that they had anything on a .30-30. The .357 brought stupid money on Gunbroker.

I already had JM .30-30's in inventory. I used a portion of the proceeds to get a NIB Tikka .308 stainless laminate stock 1:11 twist. My theory was that I had an all weather rifle in a universal cartridge that would shoot boolits as well. I was right. While I love the lines of the Marlins; I do not miss them at all.

Still if you like the rifle keep it. Mine just didn't do what I wanted.

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[dverna]

Fwiw I had both .44 and .357 JM Marlins. After lots of time, sizing dies, boolit molds, and load development they simply didn't shoot that well. I didn't see that they had anything on a .30-30. The .357 brought stupid money on Gunbroker.

I already had JM .30-30's in inventory. I used a portion of the proceeds to get a NIB Tikka .308 stainless laminate stock 1:11 twist. My theory was that I had an all weather rifle in a universal cartridge that would shoot boolits as well. I was right. While I love the lines of the Marlins; I do not miss them at all.

Still if you like the rifle keep it. Mine just didn't do what I wanted.

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We use the .357’s with .38 loads for fun plinking. So much easier to load a pistol caliber and cases are inexpensive. But you are correct...for a hunting rifle, the .30/30 is a much better choice.

And you are also correct about the mediocre accuracy....especially in .44 Mag.

I sold my .44 Mag 1894 years ago and miss it like a chapped ass.

[trapper9260]

I had bought a gun of that model and it is was made in 1980 and the one that I bought it off of , when Iowa came out with the straight wall cartridge he ask me about what can be used I told him the gun he sold me. He drop it after that , I say that gun is right on target and glad I bought it. Since I have a Redhawk in 44mag I wanted a rifle also. The best move I see I made . Do not sell it you will look back later and wish you did not . As for how gun price are now , think of later down the road. Then you will know what to do. You never can have too many guns . Each have there own use .

[murf205]

Yep. I would sell that rifle in a heart beat....to me! As far as your wife knowing how many you have, every time you bring a new one home, tell her that a friend is thinking about buying it and he wants you to check it out. I'm sure you have a friend who has/is thinking about one like that. My wife thinks I am a part time gunsmith--and we have been married 42 yrs! I'm pretty sure I am not fooling her.