Russian SKS vs. Marlin 1894P

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8200 rpm

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I have $300-$400 to spend on my next rifle. I already own a Bushmaster Dissipator and a beater Romanian SKS (not yet picked up). I'm sure the beat up Romanian SKS will shoot fine, but leaves me unsatisfied when it comes to "pride of ownership". Also, I don't plan to waste money tricking out the Romanian; I like authenticity.

I need a rifle that I can be proud to own and have fun shooting. And, I can use the Romanian to waste cheap ammo, so I don't really care about the cost of .44Mag vs. 7.62x39mm at this point.

So, what's it gonna be...

A pristine Russian SKS or a Marlin 1894P levergun in .44Mag? Which would you pick considering my circumstances?
 
The Marlin.....

You HAVE an SKS. You don't have a short range, fast firing HD weapon more effective than any handgun that will still leave you some shreds of hearing after firing it indoors.
 
Yeah, get the Marlin. If you actually use it in self defense you can shake your head as the TV reporter calls it a "lever action automatic assault weapon". If you have two SKS's you will have "laid an ambush with an arsenal of AK-47s".
 
My vote goes to the Marlin. Great little rifle, extremely quick handling. I upgraded mine with a Williams peep sight and am very impressed by the accuracy. The Marlin is fun to shoot and if you reload not that expensive. The compact 1984P with its 8 in the tube and 1 in the pipe makes a perfect "Politically Correct" home defense or trunk gun.

Marlin 1894P's are extremely difficult to find used which means those that have them like them. New ones are not that easy to find either. The shop where I bought mine can't keep them in stock.
Take Care
 
I've had a bunch of SKS's- maybe 6 or so. I still have one, and I like it a lot- but since you already have a shooter, I'd probably go for the Marlin. Wouldn't mind picking up one of these little beauties one day, myself...in another 5 years or so!
 
JWR,
Good thing I didn't read this in the morning, or I would have spit hot coffee on myself. Now I only need to clear up cold beer... ;)
 
I have the Marlin 1894P and I love it! You can shoot specials at 800 fps or load up 250 gr. LSWC's at over 1,700 fps (which gives you nearly 1,800 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle). It is pleasant to shoot at all levels.

I have an Ashley Outdoors Scout mount with a Leupold 2x IER scope on it. The 1894P is cheap and easy to reload for with a wide range of bullets.
 
one of the few guns i regret selling off years ago was my 1894 saddle ring marlin (can't beat the micro-groove barrel) 75-100yds while the milk jug was on it's way down you could still make it dance before hitting the ground.
outside of the asthetics of owning a russkie sks, they are all fairly much the same, and since you have one (i picked up a romainian so i wouldn't shoot my still in grease russian from 6yrs ago) get the marlin.
 
Thanks folks!

The Marlin must be a great gun; I do want one. But maybe not just yet...

I live in the PRK, and considering the changing political situation here, I think I need to amass "a cache of semi-automatic military weapons" (as the news reporter would say).

The Russian SKS is a 50 year old military rifle previously owned by a communist government. Ahhh, the historical significance. It's supply is limited, and it may not be legally available here in the near future.

I could probably pick up the Marlin here for at least another 10 years. So, I think I'll get the Russian SKS, now. The Marlin, in a couple years.

Do you disagree?
 
since you reside in kali get the sks
HOWEVER
remember that eventually (sooner than later in kali) the center fire / sniper rifle is next..
 
California or Florida, Michigan or Maine; now or in the future, this is a no-brainer. The Marlin has that Commie crap beat in every way: accuracy, power, pride of ownership and political correctness. I admit that I owned an SKS for a year or so, but no longer. I have two Marlins which I'll NEVER let go.
If you want a good semiauto rifle, go through the steps it takes to acquire a CMP Garand: save a GI from the torch, and get some REAL pride of ownership at no additional cost.
I didn't have to clean up a spew, after reading this, since I never bring liquids near my keyboard. But I did shake my head a lot...
 
Originally posted by slabsides
The Marlin has that Commie crap beat in every way: accuracy, power, pride of ownership and political correctness.
Click to expand...

This is exactly the cure I need, a good convincin' not to buy the Russian!

But c'mon, "political correctness"? Who care's! That's just another reason I'm leaning towards the SKS. And also, pistol caliber .44 mag more powerful than the 7.62X39mm!? I think I need more convincin'.

Please forgive my ignorance. But, I dearly need your help to cast out the Commie demons that possess my soul.

Now, that CMP Garand, that seems to be the cure I'm looking for!

Thanks!
 
quote:
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Originally posted by slabsides
The Marlin has that Commie crap beat in every way: accuracy, power, pride of ownership and political correctness.
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SKS's are an absolute gas at the range.

See my signature for the rest of what I'm thinking.

Tim
 
Nothing against SKSs - it's a perfectly serviceable mid-power carbine - but I certainly wouldn't spend $400 on one, especially if you already got one in the stable. Are you planning on shooting two at the same time, one in each hand?

Slabsides is right on with the CMP Garand. Not even a question, SKS vs. Garand if the price is the same. I think the Danish grade M-1s are $400 now. The CMP web site is http://www.odcmp.org I think.

If you don't want the M-1, take the Marlin.
 
The Marlin 1894 just plain feels right(Win 94 for that matter too). Both tuck under the arm easy and seem as natural as pointing your finger.

A 125+ yard usable tragectory out of a rifle barrel, adequate for deer and blackbear, much more polite around a dairy farm than most centerfires.

Get the 44 rifle for starters. Then get the matching 44 mag hand cannon. Being you are reloading for that caliber the 44 Special snubby is the next step.....

Tom
 
The problem with the CMP garands is that you have to have a service rifle to compete in a service rifle match to qualify for the garand.

I'd love to get one but without one, (or ar15, etc) how on earth do you compete?

Tim
 
No contest - The Marlin or something you can be even more proud of in that same price range. Pre 64 Winchester 94.
 
Tim Wilson - there are multiple ways to qualify to purchase a rifle from CMP. Current or former military or police automatically qualify. According to CMP's site,

"To establish your eligibility under (or exemption from) CMP marksmanship participation criteria, PHOTOCOPY and return THE COPY of only ONE of the following (if you are a parent or guardian purchasing a rifle for a Junior shooter, the document may pertain to the Junior):
• Proof of CMP or Military Distinguished Rifleman/Marksman or Distinguished Pistol Shot status.
• Current Instructor or Coach Certification for Rifle or Pistol.
• A dated NRA or USA Shooting classification card, temporary score record book, or match bulletin showing that you have fired at least 50 shots in an NRA, CMP or USA Shooting sanctioned rifle or pistol competition within the past 5 years.
• A letter from a CMP-affiliated organization official confirming that you have fired at least 50 shots in an instructional clinic or annual record fire within the past 5 years.
• Proof of firing at least 50 shots in a silhouette shooting competition within the past 5 years.
• A certificate of completion of the rifle or pistol Small Arms Firing School at Camp Perry, Ohio within the last five years.
• Proof that you competed in any CMP-sanctioned John C. Garand Match within the past 5 years.
• A current military identification card (copy both sides) showing status in an active or reserve or retired component of the U.S. armed forces.
• Proof of honorable discharge from the U.S. armed services.
• Credentials showing that you are a full-time, part-time, retired or reserve law enforcement officer in a department or agency of federal, state or local government.
• Proof that you are 60 years of age or older."

Semper fidelis.
 
Tim Wilson, you do not have to have a service rifle to compete in a CMP match. "Service rifle" is one of the categories to which guns are assigned for scoring purposes, but there are other categories, including "any rifle, any sight". This is where a scoped bolt-action would compete.

My local group turns out with M1s, ARs with standard sights, flattop ARs with scopes, bolt-action varmint rifles, Mini-14s, etc. There are a few restrictions (must be centerfire, no more than .35 caliber), but pretty much any old rifle will do.

Additionally, you may be able to share a rifle. We split into 3 relays; one shoots, one keeps score, and one works the pit, then we rotate. That means two-thirds of the rifles are sitting on the rack, idle, all the time.
 
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