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M1 Carbine vs. Marlin 1894P for HD?
- Thread starter longeyes
- Start date
I'd have to go with the 1894P, loaded with .44 Spl. Silvertips. Recoil is negligible with the Specials, lever rifles are capable of very fast aimed fire, and I'd feel comfortable with 9 200gr. JHPs on tap.
I've had too many reliability problems with the M1 Carbine to rely on it for HD.
I've had too many reliability problems with the M1 Carbine to rely on it for HD.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
At home defense distances, I doubt there's much difference between the two cartridges, for effectiveness.
Since I've never had any reliability problems with the GI Carbine--from my M-2 in Korea through three M-1s since then--I'd probably go with the self-loader.
With the M-1 Carbine, I've had bad luck with after-market five-round magazines. Zero problems with GI 15- and 30-round magazines when loaded with round-nosed bullets.
FWIW, Art
Since I've never had any reliability problems with the GI Carbine--from my M-2 in Korea through three M-1s since then--I'd probably go with the self-loader.
With the M-1 Carbine, I've had bad luck with after-market five-round magazines. Zero problems with GI 15- and 30-round magazines when loaded with round-nosed bullets.
FWIW, Art
IMO, I'd take the M1 Carbine. I've shot several thousand rounds through my carbines, and other than tinkering with aftermarket 30 round magazines, they go bang every time. I'd stoke it with SP rounds, because the only failed experiment with mine was when I loaded some HP ammo for it.
Considering ONLY the factors you mentioned, the M-1 probably wins. Of course, it's partly a religious question: do you spray and pray?
But as Glock10 intimated, there are other factors you might wish to consider, especially the ones concerning ammo.
There are many more readily available types of ammunition for the Marlin than there are for the M-1.
No matter how reliable a semi-auto carbine may have proved in the past, a lever action works as long as you have a hand to work the lever.
Ammo, magazines, and parts for the M-1 may be available for a long time to come. But the odds are that a hundred years from now, with equal care, the Marlin will still be shooting, while the M-1 is rusting in a landfill.
For HD, PC is a consideration. The DA will have a harder time selling a bum rap to the grand jury if you can claim that you defended yourself with your 'deer rifle'.
I'm pretty sure that a good new M-1 Carbine, plus the necessary spare magazines, will cost a lot more than a brand new Marlin, even at the inflated price situation that Cowboy shooting has created.
I suspect that, paper ballistics aside, the blow struck by most .44 Mag loads is greater than that of the M-1 .30 round.
And the Marlin is a handsome piece, while the M-1 is as homely as a pump handle. (Yeah, pride of ownership is a valid criterion of ownership, too.)
On the whole, I guess you can understand why I'd choose the lever gun. And I did. (And BTW I shot expert with the little M-1 chatterbox, before many TFL'rs were born)
But as Glock10 intimated, there are other factors you might wish to consider, especially the ones concerning ammo.
There are many more readily available types of ammunition for the Marlin than there are for the M-1.
No matter how reliable a semi-auto carbine may have proved in the past, a lever action works as long as you have a hand to work the lever.
Ammo, magazines, and parts for the M-1 may be available for a long time to come. But the odds are that a hundred years from now, with equal care, the Marlin will still be shooting, while the M-1 is rusting in a landfill.
For HD, PC is a consideration. The DA will have a harder time selling a bum rap to the grand jury if you can claim that you defended yourself with your 'deer rifle'.
I'm pretty sure that a good new M-1 Carbine, plus the necessary spare magazines, will cost a lot more than a brand new Marlin, even at the inflated price situation that Cowboy shooting has created.
I suspect that, paper ballistics aside, the blow struck by most .44 Mag loads is greater than that of the M-1 .30 round.
And the Marlin is a handsome piece, while the M-1 is as homely as a pump handle. (Yeah, pride of ownership is a valid criterion of ownership, too.)
On the whole, I guess you can understand why I'd choose the lever gun. And I did. (And BTW I shot expert with the little M-1 chatterbox, before many TFL'rs were born)
Doc Hudson
New member
It depends on how reliable the rifles are.
If I had an M-1 Carbine that was 100% reliable for at least 500 rounds, I would use it rather than the Marlin .44 RemMag.
My reason for picking the Carbine is that I've had serious feeding problems with two Marlin .44 Mag's over the years. I do not trust them as a result of the repeated failures.
I'd really rather have a Marlin .30-30, or a Rossi M-92 in .44 RemMag or .357 Mag for reliability sake.
Doc
If I had an M-1 Carbine that was 100% reliable for at least 500 rounds, I would use it rather than the Marlin .44 RemMag.
My reason for picking the Carbine is that I've had serious feeding problems with two Marlin .44 Mag's over the years. I do not trust them as a result of the repeated failures.
I'd really rather have a Marlin .30-30, or a Rossi M-92 in .44 RemMag or .357 Mag for reliability sake.
Doc