H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted September 17, 2024 Posted September 17, 2024 I am growing interested in the various Marlin models that can be used our game, be they main match guns or side match guns. To that end... I know that there are basically the following types... Top Eject. Side Eject with a closed port Side Eject with an open port .22's. .410's Pistol caliber rifles. Rifle caliber rifles. I know there are the following model designations... 1881, 1888, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 410, 39, 39A, 336. I know where some of these models fit into the above types, but not all of them. Wikipedia is not as detailed as it is for Winchester, so that's not much help. There may be other model numbers that I am unaware of. Then it occurred to me that there must be Marlin shooters here on the Wire who know all of this stuff, so why not just ask and see if anyone can help? Here is what I know for certain... 1888 is a top eject pistol caliber gun. I know this cuz I have one. 1881 is a top eject rifle caliber. 39 and 39A are .22's Something that looks like the 39 is an earlier .22 There are closed port .410s, pistol and rifle caliber guns. There are open port .410s and rifle caliber guns. I don't know if there are any open port guns in the pistol calibers. I *think* I know what some of the others are, but since I am unsure, I don't wanna speculated, or leave anything out. Can anyone help? Related to this, when did Marlin start putting the cross bolt safety on it's guns? (Okay, maybe it wasn't really Marlin anymore, just like it wasn't really Winchester who did it to the 94, but you get the idea.)
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted September 17, 2024 Posted September 17, 2024 In my humble opinion, Warden Callaway would be my 1st choice to help get info on Marlins and some of their history in model designations. To add to your list of models, don't forget the 39M (Mountie) model in .22 AND... don't forget the model 1897 .22. I think some of these models were designated the 'TEXAN', and had octagon barrels. EDIT: as for the 1894 models, most of those pistol caliber models have a loading gate port. BUT, the 1894 in .32 H&R is solid with no loading gate on the side of the receiver but rather loads like a .22 rifle in the mag tube. Its my understanding that the .32 H&R caliber was designed using the .22 magnum frame and receiver which is absent of the loading gate. ..........Widder
Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted September 17, 2024 Posted September 17, 2024 Then there is the "hen's teeth" 1894 in .32 Mag. fed by way of the magazine tube like a .22 rifle
Dacotua Posted September 17, 2024 Posted September 17, 2024 I recently purchased a Marlin 1894 in .357 mag. Overall the gun is pretty nice, however I have had a few issues with it. 1. It is almost mandatory to buy a new spring kit for the gun. The hammer spring is extremely strong, the level retention spring is way over powered requiring one to really pull down to get it to unlock. (Spring kit makes these guns smooth) 2. The magazine follower is plastic, it probably would work fine, but I replaced mine with an aluminum version 3. The magazine tube spring is way too long, ended up cutting mine down to allow easier loading the 9th and 10th rounds. 4. The most annoying thing is the front sight was too tall. The factory insert was 0.303" high and replaced it with a new one from Marbles that was 0.26" high. With the factory front sight (0.303" tall), I had to set the rear site at the maximum elevation to hit level at 50 yards with 357 magnum 158 grain loads (full house) and 38 specials 125gr (full house) still were hitting low. Once I put the 0.26" tall front sight on the gun, now the 357's hit level at 50 yards mid way up on the rear sight. Now I can adjust the rear sight even full house loads of 38 special will hit level at 50 yards. I bought the gun for my son to use in CAS and double duty as hunting rifle for deer. (During deer season, I mount a 3x-9 scope on top for 357 magnums). For CAS, I take the scope off and everything is good. The cross bolt safety doesn't bother me with the Marlin. If you don't like it, there are companies that sell a "Plug" for the hole if you remove it. I just leave it, it doesn't bother me.
Carolina Sorillo Posted September 18, 2024 Posted September 18, 2024 1889= pistol caliber, side eject w\lever latch like Win.'73 1891= .22rf and .32rf\cf 1897= .22rf 1891 & 1892 .32's came with an extra firing pin to convert it from .32rf to .32Colt cf What you're calling a "closed port" is actually called a square bolt design. Models 1889, 1893, 1894, 1895, 36 and all rimfire models are square bolt. When the Model 36 was changed to the stronger round bolt design the model designation changed to 336 with several different variants. Post-1972 Model 1895's are pretty much 336's with the ejection port opened up for the larger cartridges. CS
Lazy Eeyour Posted September 18, 2024 Posted September 18, 2024 As to the cross bolt safety: I found some small rubber O-rings that I install using snap ring pliers, around the red ring. If I were to use for hunting I’d just cut the O-ring.
DeaconKC Posted September 18, 2024 Posted September 18, 2024 And any questions you have about the innards of Marlins, LISTEN TO @Widder, SASS #59054! He may be retired now, but for many years, he was the MAN on making Marlins run right!
Eyesa Horg Posted September 18, 2024 Posted September 18, 2024 6 hours ago, Lazy Eeyour said: As to the cross bolt safety: I found some small rubber O-rings that I install using snap ring pliers, around the red ring. If I were to use for hunting I’d just cut the O-ring. There's also an Allen set screw in the rear of the receiver to lock the safety.
Warden Callaway Posted September 18, 2024 Posted September 18, 2024 Alls I know comes out of William H. Brophy's big book of Marlins. I keep it to the left side of my recliner.
Cotton Eye Joe Posted September 18, 2024 Posted September 18, 2024 1895Gunner, as he calls himself, has a really good compiled data source on a lot of brands of lever guns, and his Marlin one is excellent. You can see pretty much all models, chamberings, build numbers, etc on his site. I find it an extremely useful reference. https://1895gunner.com/gunroom.html
Doc Neeley Posted September 18, 2024 Posted September 18, 2024 I'm lucky enough to have a Marlin 1894 Cowboy in 32-20. Octagon barreled and holds 10. Sweet little rifle.
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted September 19, 2024 Author Posted September 19, 2024 4 hours ago, Doc Neeley said: I'm lucky enough to have a Marlin 1894 Cowboy in 32-20. Octagon barreled and holds 10. Sweet little rifle. So far the only Marlin I have is an 1888 in that caliber. I gave decided that if I get any other models in pistol calibers, they will be in that caliber.
Doc Neeley Posted September 24, 2024 Posted September 24, 2024 I bought it for my wife and she's never shot it. On the other hand, I"ve shot is and a couple friend shot, all at matches (Many years ago).
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