LGS Find - Marlin 1894CS 357

[DirtyRussianAmmo]

Got lucky a couple of weeks ago and found a JM stamped Marlin in 357. Based on a serial number lookup, it was manufactured in 1997.

I took it shooting today -- after drifting the sights, was grinning ear to ear at how it shot. The 18.5 inch barrel is perfect. What a nicely balanced fun shooter!

This is my first Marlin lever gun. After having shot it, I now understand why so many people love them and seek them out.

I was shooting PPU 357 158gr

[pennstater]

Nice score! Looking for one myself. Good looking rifle. Ennnjoy!

[DirtyRussianAmmo]

Nice score! Looking for one myself. Good looking rifle. Ennnjoy!

Thanks! Be vigilant and find one. They're worth it.

[Spyder]

You bastard! Enjoy it!

If you don't mind, how much $? I've been casually keeping an eye out for one too.

[DirtyRussianAmmo]

You bastard! Enjoy it!

If you don't mind, how much $? I've been casually keeping an eye out for one too.

$700 plus fees.

[Hardwarejunkie]

That's a nice looking rifle right there!
I scored one a year or so ago, an '89, and finally shot it two weeks ago (it was missing a screw - which I ordered and then misplaced).

[nstoolman1]

Wait till you shoot 38 specials in it.
Like shooting a 22 with bigger holes.

[Spyder]

Awesome. Helluva deal!

[200Apples]

Ahhhh! Now you know why!

These things are amazing. Mine was built in 1989, and it needed a little work to feed reliably, but it has always been accurate with jacketed projectiles.

If you want someday to shoot lead bo0lits, either handloaded cartridges or something from the boutique ammo makers (Garret Cartridges, Buffalo Bore Ammunition, etc...) you will want to use a bullet +/-.002" oversize (.358-.359"), to fill the Microgroove barrel's groove diameter. This will reduce the chance of leading the barrel, and ensuring that the bullet is securely gripped by the barrel rifling, promoting accuracy.

Standard-sized (.357") jacketed bullets have a much-softer lead core which "slugs up" to groove diameter, and of course the copper metal jacket shields the bore against leading.

[golfish]

I've been looking for a new one but it seems that the new batch has dried up. Turners says they have some on the way.
The one I handled a few weeks ago was really nice, except for the front sight.

Nice gun, thank you for sharing.

[DirtyRussianAmmo]

200Apples -- thanks for the info. Not into reloading at this point, maybe in the future.

Mine cycles 357 and 38spl no problem. The action is butter smooth. Trigger weight is right around 3.5 pounds

[Kokopelli]

Conga-rats! They are great guns. My JM Marlin 1894C loves PMC and American eagle 158 grain JSP, which is the most accurate ammo that I've found in my gun. For economy shooting, Federal 38 Special 158 grain RNL works well. I can hit the steel silhouette at a lasered 137 yards with that 38 Special load.

[bluzman]

Congrats!! Great find at an excellent price for a JM stamped model. I know. Here's mine that was made in 1996.

[code_blue]

$700 is a steal. I paid $900 for mine a few years ago and had to have it shipped to CA.

[WHH]

I recently acquired a presafety JM 1894 in 357/38 and finally got the chance to shoot it. I actually put a few 38 spl rounds on a steel silhouette at 200 yards. Took me a while to figure out the hold over, but the bullet was going so slow that I could come up off the sights in time to see it hit.