Looking for a 38-40 Marlin....

[Harry O]

I have a Uberti 1873 Winchester-clone in 38-40 that I have been using for CAS. It works great, but I would like to get a different gun as backup.

Real 1892 Winchesters cost more than I am willing to pay, but Marlin 1894's or Winchester 1892 clones are in my price range. I would prefer new if possible. I have heard rumors that some Marlins or 1892 clones have been made in 38-40 by some of the specialty retailers, but have not seen one.

I have tried a Marlin 1889 in 38-40 and do not want that. It has a hesitation near the start of levering that is part of the design. That is not made for fast levering.

Does anyone know of a Marlin 1894 or a Winchester 1892 clone that can be bought off the shelf? If not, are there any other suggestions?

[onceabull]

Not sure that this one is CAS eligible, But if it had stayed closer to $1200 I wouldn't care.(Auction Arms 9850790)..Had these been available would there even be any 38/40 leverguns ??? Onceabull

[oksmle]

One of the fellows at my local gunshop is in the process of changing a Winchester .44-40 to .38-40 by rebarreling it. I don't believe he's finished yet. Tomorrow I'll stop by & get the particulars for you if you want.

[Newtire]

I have tried a Marlin 1889 in 38-40 and do not want that. It has a hesitation near the start of levering that is part of the design. That is not made for fast levering.



Hi Harry,

Was just wondering if you could tell me any more about about the hesitation at start of levering in the Marlin 1889. I have one in .32-20 and it has a kind of a drag more on closing as the bolt and firing pin drag on the hammer. I smoothed it up a bit but still not too speedy. Just curious is all. Not going into competition of any sort these days.

I'm with you in that it isn't the "fastest gun in the west". The Winchester 1892 is more of a slick operating rifle for sure.

That old Marlin just isn't as slick as one of the newer 336 models

[Jbar4Ranch]

Not sure that this one is CAS eligible, But if it had stayed closer to $1200 I wouldn't care.(Auction Arms 9850790)..Had these been available would there even be any 38/40 leverguns ??? Onceabull
It doesn't appear to have an external hammer, which puts the kabosh on it for CAS.

[Harry O]

Newtire: It was not my gun, so I could not take it apart. However, it appears that at least part (if not most) of the hesitation was due to the "button" on the bottom of the stock at the rear of the lever. It also felt like there was some congealed oil in the action.

In my 1873 Winchester clone, there is a button on the bottom of the stock at the rear of the lever. Turn it one way and the lever is prevented from opening. Presumably, this was to keep the lever from opening while being banged about on a horse. Turn it 180 degrees around and it is completely out of the way.

The Marlin was inbetween these two positions. The button did not turn. It was round and was in the way of the lever to keep it from falling open. The button is fixed to prevent it from turning, but can move slightly back and forth. The fore and aft movement is spring loaded so that it can be pushed out of the way when the lever is moved. The hesitation is when you are pushing the spring loaded button out of the way while levering. It feels like a pretty substantial spring.

Of course, I could remove the button, but I don't want to go mucking about in an antique firearm. The 1894 has different internals and works smoothly. I have new 1894's in 44-40 and 32-20. They are smooth and fast.

[TGM]

I have a 1889 Marlin .32-20 that is one of the slickest lever rifles I own. At our last CAS match the last stage was a dump stage and I had the fastest time of all the shooters, even out shot an 1894 Marlin. An 1889 Marlin that is in correct working order can be as fast as you can shoot it.


TGM

[Harry O]

I have a 1889 Marlin .32-20 that is one of the slickest lever rifles I own. At our last CAS match the last stage was a dump stage and I had the fastest time of all the shooters, even out shot an 1894 Marlin. An 1889 Marlin that is in correct working order can be as fast as you can shoot it.
TGM

Just out of curiosity, does your 1889 have the retaining button through the bottom tang at the rear of the lever? If not, is there a small hole in the bottom tang at the rear of the lever where a button used to be?

[TGM]

Yes my 1889 has the lever latch button. The one you tried that was stiff to operate may have been bound up with crud.

TGM

[Steelbanger]

Kittery Trading Post in Maine has an 1894 Marlin in 38-40. http://www.ktpguns.com/interior.php/pid/28/gid/116253

[August]

I use an Uberti (Taylor's) '73 in 38-40 for Cowboy Cavorting and think it is the best available rifle/caliber for the game.

Winchester recently did a run of '92s (Miroku, of course) in 38-40. They are about like the price of the Marlin mentioned in the previous post -- 2K. Out of the question for a "back-up" IMHO. In the modern era, Marlin has not made a rifle in 38-40. 44-40, Yes. 38-40, No.

My strategy is to take black powder rounds in .38 Special to a match and have my smokeless battery along for the ride. So, I can switch over any, or all of my gunz if something goes South during a match.

If I didn't have a complete battery of gunz for back up, I'd probably buy another '73 in 38=40. Around my part of the country, it is very, very popular at matches with as many people shooting smokeless in it as are shooting H-B. I suspect its popularity is due to the flawless feeding it exhibits in the '73.

So, get another '73 or make up some rounds for your smokeless gunz to get you through an emergency.