Marlin 1894C or 1894CP??

H

HookedAgain

New member
Hey Guys!

This is my first post. I used to do a lot of shooting but got away from it (other than hunting) for a few years after moving to the city. But,......I've been able to get back into it over the past few months and have been getting alot of great advice from surfing the forum so I'm hoping you can help me out. I'm looking to buy my first lever action, either a Marlin 1894CP or 1894C. Only difference I can see is the 1894CP is supposed to be 2.75" shorter which I like for carrying on horseback, etc. but it's also ported which I'm not so sure about. Which one would you recommend and why? Also, I keep hearing that the ported version will be louder but does anyone know how much?

Thanks!
 
You don't notice the porting when shooting the 1894CP. It has a 16.25" barrel and is quite handy. I think either will do just fine for you, but if you plan to carry it in a horse scabbard, then the 1894CP will clear leather faster and be a little lighter. Pick either, you can't go wrong. :D

Kilgor
 
Kilgor,

Thanks for the quick reply! I'd rather get the shorter 1894CP, I've just never shot a ported rifle and wasn't sure how much louder it would be.
 
I paid $359 + tax a few months ago for my 1894CP. You'll love it. I load 158 grain lead semiwadcutters in front of 3.5 grains Hodgdon Titegroup in .38 special cases with an OAL of 1.450". This gives right at 1,000 fps for 350 ft/lbs. Makes a great plinking load. Also Georgia Arms 158 grain GoldDot "Deer Stopper" go's 1855.3 fps for 1,208 ft/lbs :eek: . The .357 is a whole different cartridge from a long gun. Would make a nice little deer gun. Produces more power than a .44 mag from a 6" revolver. It feeds everything that I've put through it both .38 special and .357, lead and jacketed.

I've got a decent amount of chrono work done with it. If you are interested, I can email them to you.

I don't like the stock sights. Right now I have an Aimpoint reddot on it and it's a blast. I think I'll put a Leupold 1-4x on it sooner or later. If you don't like scopes on a lever gun, then there's several brands of aperture sights out there.

Have a fun!

Kilgor
 
KilgorII,

I think you're making my mind up for me. I've kind of been leaning towards an aperature sight, although I've got scopes on my other rifles. As for the chrono info, that'd be great!!! My e-mail's barthold@battelle.org - thanks!!

I've been slowly getting my horse used to the noise of a gun, starting with .22's and plan to move up to a .357 revolver soon. Next step's going to be the .357 out of the lever gun and then up to a .30-06. Of course, I haven't tried him with a muzzleloader yet either ;) Definite deer possibilities there since normal rifles aren't legal for deer here in Ohio and I've been able to get within about 20 yards of a herd of deer when I was out with the horse. Don't know if you've shot a .357 handgun or a .30-06 rifle, but if you have, where should I expect the 1894CP to fall noise-wise compared to the two? I guess one of my biggest concerns is not damaging the horses ears if I happen to be standing close to him. Rather hurt my own than his - he's been a pretty good pal the past couple of years! Not quite as worried about the recoil since I don't plan to shoot from his back any time in the near future - I do well enough falling off WITHOUT any additional help :rolleyes:.

Anyway, thanks again for all the help!!! Sounds like I'm going to be placing a phone call to my local gunshop next week :D
 
I've shot both and it's not near 30-06 or full house .357 revolver noise. It's still loud, but more like a 158 grain +P lead .38 special from a 4" barrel. The longer barrel allows the powder to burn more completly than a 4"-6" revolver. With non+P .38 specials it is about as loud a .22rf.

Once you get it and shoot it, you can decide how close to the horse you want to be.

Kick with full house .357's is about like a .223 bolt action, but with less blast. Those 158 grain lead .38's at 1,000 fps feel like a bigbore .22 :D

I'll email you my reloading data as soon as I get on my home computer (probably this evening).

Have fun and let us know how you like it when you get it.

Kilgor
 
I didn't notice my 1895G (ported .45-70) to be especially loud when shooting it at Bambi...confined in a shooting stall, it's a wee bit different!
 
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