Marlin 1894 in .218 Bee?

[Lonegun1894]

Gents,
I don't know if this is a good price, seems steep to me, but this is the first time I have seen one, but I saw a Marlin 1894CL half-magazine rifle at Cash America Pawn in Waco, TX. The tag said either $650 or $675, I don't remember. Like I said, I think it seems a bit steep, but I thought I would pass this on in case anyone is looking for this variant. And no, I am not connected to them, just went in to make a payment on a layaway and saw this one.

[marlin39a]

Pretty rare to find them these days, only made for a few years around late 1980's. I bought one 10 yrs ago for $250, along with a 32/20 from the same guy for $250.00. Both are great guns that I enjoy thinning the local jackrabbits with. I think their price is spot on for todays market.

[yooper]

I wouldn't think that price is out of line if the condition is there. There's not a lot of them around. Marlin made some pretty desirable levers in years past. I wish I still had my 219 Zipper which I sold in a moment of weakness. I haven't seen one since mine went bye bye.
yooper

[justingrosche]

I am in the process of making a trade for one. $650-675 is about what the dollar value would be.

[HARRYMPOPE]

I had one about 10 years ago.Mine never shot better than about 1.5" at 100 yards.I had a Win 92 in 218 Bee with a new 1-16" liner that shot about the same as well.Maybe others have had them shot better? As a collecor they are worth it but as a shooter i dont think so.

[birch]

I think 1.5 inches at 100 yards out of a lever gun is pretty darn good!

[451whitworth]

I think 1.5 inches at 100 yards out of a lever gun is pretty darn good!

I agree

[Lonegun1894]

I know the best I can do with my leverguns is 2.5-3" regularly, with the occasional 1.5-2" group, bu mine wear irons, so I'm sure they could do better with either a scope, or a better shooter, or preferably both.

[northmn]

Personally I would prefer the 218 Bee for my uses over my 32-20. But then I have 22 cal molds. One could load it down to about 22 LR performance or up to 218 Bee. I have even thought about rebarreling the or relining the 32-20 to one. May do that yet. Switching calibers is kind of the costly part as I would need brass and a loading dies set.

DP

[Reg]

I think 1.5 inches at 100 yards out of a lever gun is pretty darn good!

I know it is. Price is very good if the condition is there.

[windy]

i had one and traded it; great cold-barrel shooter but worthless in a prairie dog town; the first 6 shots would climb about 3/4" per pop. then it'd settle down fer a few, then wander again. not too much you can do with a captive-barrel design about heat-creep. i think it woulda done 1-1/2" groups all day--if ya took all day to shoot the groups!
mind yer topknots!
windy