How many rounds should my rifle hold?

[thehairlessone]

I found a great deal on a new marlin 1894C(i think) but I think it only holds 9 rounds. They have a more expensive model that holds 10 but it is out of my budget.

Will the model that only holds 9 work ok for CAS or should I keep looking for one that holds 10 even if I have to get a cheaper brand?

rick

[L.G.]

You really want a rifle to be able to load 10 with an empty chamber.  Most stages call for 10 rifle shots, and you don't want to reload on the clock all the time, just puts you out of competition.

[Book Miser]

Hairless,

If the Marlin '94 is chambered in .357, it should hold ten rounds of .38. Check with the dealer, and ask for a demonstration with dummy .38 rounds, just to be sure. But that's how it is with my Marlin '94 carbine. That 9-round capacity spec refers to .357s.

This distinction, which the gun shop was not smart enough to understand, led me to buy a Winchester '94 when I first started out. That rifle was a huge mistake, and now sits in the safe, while the Marlin is the one I use.

I haven't tried to sell the Winchucker because all my CAS pards know what a piece of junk it is. I'll probably trade it when I buy my next gun, and take a big loss on it. 

[Four-Eyed Buck]

The C/CS Marlins hold 10 .38's and will hold 10 .357's by shortening the mag spring a sufficient amount to allow it. My wife shoots one and loves it.The insides are exactly the same as the Cowboy models and will respond to tuning exactly the same. My wife's has been tuned and feels as good or better than my tuned CBC does. You won't go wrong with it.............Buck

[thehairlessone]

Thanks for all the info guys! 

I would like to get a good brand but with the other guns I have to buy I need to save a little money where ever I can.

I will check into the marlin. Sounds like it should work just fine.

rick

[Book Miser]

Rick,

You can pay more for a lever gun than the Marlin costs, but it is the best available in its price range.

[Lou Graham]

My little Marlin Cowboy in .38/357 was my very first cowboy gun.  It does hold 10 in .38.  It does run great.  Mine has been cured of Marlinus Jamitus by Rusty Marlin (but I shot it for almost 3 years before it began to happen) I've run smokeless and subs and BP through the thing.  I had a CBC in .38/357 for a very short time, it ain't worth what they ask for 'em.  I kept my old one and traded the CBC for a .45 Marlin.

[Mustang Gregg]

I did some mods on the wife's Marlin & it holds 12 + 1 now, I recollect.

[thehairlessone]

Thanks again!

I will get that one when I am ready. Shouldnt be too long.

I found them at walmart for $360. I thought was a pretty darned good price. One day for a goof I thought I would check the walmart website and couldnt believe the price.

I had another guy here in town wanting to charge me $90 for the same thing and found some of the cheaper brands for more than the marlin.

rick

[Doc Neeley]

You can get them for $319 at Big 5 if one is close to you.

[thehairlessone]

WOW!

I can't believe they are that cheap. I have never heard of a big 5 before.

rick

[Doc Neeley]

You can check on their website for the store closest to you. They are primarily in the western states.

[thehairlessone]

They dont have any in Kansas.

Oh well.

rick

[Four-Eyed Buck]

HO, the model is referred to as the 1894H. they have hardwood stocks, not walnut. I have seen some along those lines at a gun show here in Ohio. i picked one up that was in .45 thinking it was a .44 or .357. Had a round barrel 20". So, i think you can find them in the east(?) first I've seen though........Buck

[Mustang Gregg]

We don't have no Big 5's here in the Midwest neither.
They are a big sports store chain(purty much NV, AZ, CA, CO??).  Western states guys, correct me if'n I'm wrong.

I looked over some of then M-1894H's last month in Elko.
They have:
(1)   Microgroove (not a bad thing with hardcast ammo) barrels.
(2)  Stained sycamore wood (not walnut, but don't look bad).
(3)  Ramp-type front sights (fine for SASS, but not NCOWS).
(4)  When they're on sale....Costs ya what an FFL dealer has to PAY to get in a normal Marlin.
(5)  Will need an action job (if ya wanna get 'em slick for SASS).
(6)  Not all calibers were available.  They ain't in my Marlin catalog.  ? ? ?

MG

[Four-Eyed Buck]

I've seen posts listing .45Colt, .44 Mag, and .357. The .45 I looked at at the gun show was a 20" round barrel. Unfortunately, I didn't check to see what kind of rifling it had.......Buck

[Book Miser]

Rick, I bought my Marlin from Kempf Gun Shop (http://www.kempfgunshop.com). Decent price, quick delivery, etcetera.

Of course, you'll have to cough up additional money for a local FFL to receive anything you buy from out of state.

[thehairlessone]

Thanks for all the info guys. I really appreciate it.

When I am ready I think I will go ahead and get the one at walmart. Sounds like it is the same rifle and the cheapest I can find.

rick