Marlin or Puma?

[jim4065]

I've about convinced myself to buy a 38/357 plinker - the question is which? Had a Marlin 357 umpteen years ago, but only fired j-words. Already have a 480 Hog rifle and a 44 mag for short range deer, so I'm thinking either the 16" or 18.5" barrel, but it has to be Boolit friendly. Anyone have both?

[jdhenry]

My wife and I both have a Marlin 1894. We love them. They are both 18.5 and both shoot well. Only boolit I have had any problems with is the W/C if seated flush they Jam other than that, they like what ever is fed to them. I did however have Feed problems with BOTH of them when I bought them. They were bought about 1.5 years apart. I bought a new lifter for mine and that fixed the problem. With my wifes I called Marlin and they shipped a new one for hers, Free of charge. Now they cycle great.
Just my 2 cents

[deadguy]

My Marlin 1894 in 38/357 is probably the gun that I shoot the most, and I have lots of guns! I got it about three or four years ago, and it has already seen well over a thousand rounds, if not a couple thousand rounds. After fixing the "marlin jam" problem several hundred, maybe a thousand, rounds ago, (fix it before you shoot it, if you buy it new, it's much easier that way!) operation has been smooth and flawless. The more you shoot it, the smoother it gets.

[454PB]

I own both a Puma in .454 Casull and a Marlin 1894 in .357 magnum. If you think you may want to mount a scope, the Marlin is a better choice. If you don't want to deal with a microgroove barrel, the Puma is a better choice.

[6pt-sika]

Well lets see , I had a Puma in 480 Ruger . Bought it new and never fired it , then about 4 months ago I traded it to a gentleman in SD .

As for the Marlin's I have quite a few of them .

The Marlin's seem to grow on me , but I never could get excited with that Puma

[deadguy]

Marlin got rid of the microgroove barrel years ago, if you are looking for a new gun, you don't need to worry about that!

[6pt-sika]

Marlin got rid of the microgroove barrel years ago, if you are looking for a new gun, you don't need to worry about that!

Thats not correct Deadguy , some of the rifle's still have micro groove barrels . Although mostly the 30-30's , 35REM's and 22's I believe !

[6pt-sika]

Also I have about 10 Marlin's that are Micro that I shoot cast in with no problem !

[deadguy]

I was referring to the 1894 in .357/38, since that is what the current topic is about.

[corvette8n]

I just got a Puma in .45 Colt 16" bbl, large lever saddle ring, 5lb weight.
This thing is a hoot to shoot at fifty yards, got pretty good groups offhand, I just painted the from sight with that glow paint so I have to get back to the range to see how it helps. I have Marlins but not in pistol calibers.

[Three44s]

I think it comes down to features.

The Winy, the Marlin or the Puma ...... I don't think there are any bad ones.

I own a Marlin in .357 and only have fired J-words ..... funny .... I cast for my revos a bunch too.

If you are concerned about Micro barrels ...... rest your heart and buy the books from Beartooth bullets and the one from Veral Smith of LBT ...... they will tell you that a properly seasoned Micro is not to be avoided ........ but to be cheerished!!!!

Three 44s

[jim4065]

The 38/357 got delayed by a 444 Marlin. Gives me more time to shop around - may even get a deal. Buds has a pretty good price on the 20" bbl Pumas, but I'm thinking either 16" or 18.5" or maybe 24" - something a little different.

Sure hope that 1 in 38 micro-groove 444 will handle cast - subscribed to the Ranch Dog 265 gr.

[Morgan Astorbilt]

If you want a copy of a Winchester'92, you can't do better than one of the Rossi 92's being produced for cowboy action shooting. The 92 is a very strong action, being a scaled down Win.1886. I"d been using an original, first year .38-40 Marlin 1894(made in 1894), as my main match rifle, when I had a chance to pick up a nearly new Rossi 92 in .45LC. I took it apart to slick up the action, and was surprised to see how well it was made. A bit better than the original Win 92 in .32-20 I used to own. The finish on these rifles varies with the importer, mines an EMF Rossi Hartford Model. It's got a genuine walnut stock, beautiful case hardening, and a 24" octagon barrel. it's my understanding that the ones Navy Arms imports also have walnut stocks, the others are a stained South American hardwood of some kind.
Morgan

[Old Ironsights]

The Puma/Rossi comes in stainless. Makes for a better beater. Just bead-blast it first.

[6pt-sika]

Sure hope that 1 in 38 micro-groove 444 will handle cast - subscribed to the Ranch Dog 265 gr.

I have copies of all three of RD's 44 moulds the original 285 , the 265 and the 300 .

And they have done very well in my three old 444's !




I have been shooting the RD 265 in this one !



Been shooting the RD 285 in this rifle !



And have been shooting the RD 300 grainer in this rifle !!!!

All three of these rifles were made before 1972

[jim4065]

Seeing those 3 Marlins reminds me of the problem with iron sights - they're not making them as accurate as they used to (or something). Score one for the Marlin - may have to stick with glass in the near future. Damn shame, really, since 3/4 of my rifles are strictly iron sighted.

Can see it happening to some of these decrepit old duffers, but I'm way too young and pretty.

[6pt-sika]

Seeing those 3 Marlins reminds me of the problem with iron sights - they're not making them as accurate as they used to (or something). Score one for the Marlin - may have to stick with glass in the near future. Damn shame, really, since 3/4 of my rifles are strictly iron sighted.

Can see it happening to some of these decrepit old duffers, but I'm way too young and pretty.

I might add that the Ranch Dog used a Marlin just like the one I am shooting the 285 grain bullet in to work up his data

[6pt-sika]

Jim , I am in on a group buy for a 330 grain bullet for use in the 444's . I am curiouse to see if these three will stabalize that bullet

[Poohgyrr]

I have an EMF and it is sweet. Marlins have their good points and all, but the M92 Lever has done well throughout the Americas for good reason. I'd buy both, but since the budget didn't have the money, I got the Rossi made EMF.

EDITED: And all these pics of great looking Marlins and Rossi's that I don't have (but I do want) are making me re-evaluate how important food and shelter are..

[biggome]

Well, you might as well know, I don't care for Marlins!

My only Marlin is an old Mdl. 322 (made from '54-'56) which is a bolt action .222 (Sako short action with a microgroove barrel) that I am quite fond of.

I just didn't care for the action design of the many Marlin leverguns I've fired (both large and small) and had decided on the Winchesters as my only choice.

When it came time to get a levergun in a pistol caliber I looked at '94 Winchesters and felt the action to be suited far better for rifle calibers. With original '92s going for megabucks even in poor condition and being too weak for heavy magnum pressures a '92 copy was my only option.

After an exhaustive search I came up with an early 16" .357 Mag. Rossi (no stupid safety on top, no cat head on stock) in "not broken in yet" condition. It was a must have buy and I have not regreted it a bit. I replaced the "BBgun" quality rear sight with one from Marbles and it is a most handy all purpose rifle and a great companion for my .357 Mag. wheelguns when I want to travel light!

Paul