Barrel length in Marlin Cowboy Rifles

RowdyBill · October 26, 2004, 09:30:02 PM

Thinking seriously about getting a Marlin 1894 Cowboy in .44 Magnum. The Marlin website shows this as having a 20" barrel, but in online searches, it seems this rifle has a 24" barrel. Either they changed or both are offered.

Which is best for the .44 Magnum cartridge? Will "cowboy loads" function well with a 24" barrel?

Thanks.

Four-Eyed Buck · October 26, 2004, 09:37:20 PM

The earlier CB's had 24" barrels. In 2002, they changed to 20". either length will work okay, more a matter of personal preference than anything else. I have CB's in both lengths and do okay with all of them. It just depends on how long a certain gun has been in the pipeline asw to which you find. Hope this helps some.........Buck

RowdyBill · October 26, 2004, 09:40:02 PM

Quote from: Four-Eyed Buck on October 26, 2004, 09:37:20 PM
The earlier CB's had 24" barrels. In 2002, they changed to 20". either length will work okay, more a matter of personal preference than anything else. I have CB's in both lengths and do okay with all of them. It just depends on how long a certain gun has been in the pipeline asw to which you find. Hope this helps some.........Buck

Thanks. I was leaning more towards the "short rifle" approach (20" barrel). Glad that's what the new rifles are being configured in.

Silver Creek Slim · October 27, 2004, 12:16:14 PM

Have you checked Gunsamerica.com? They are a bunch of Marlin .44 Mags listed with 20" barrels.

Slim

Silver Creek Slim · October 28, 2004, 11:41:12 AM

RowdyBill,
Here is the one for you? I have one just like it, but mine was converted to .45 Colt. And only $295. These were made the in early 70's so no cross-bolt safety.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976521242.htm

Slim

RowdyBill · October 28, 2004, 08:10:21 PM

Quote from: Silver Creek Slim on October 28, 2004, 11:41:12 AM
RowdyBill,
Here is the one for you? I have one just like it, but mine was converted to .45 Colt. And only $295. These were made the in early 70's so no cross-bolt safety.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976521242.htm

Slim

Thanks, I'll check 'em out.

Sergeant Smokepole · October 28, 2004, 08:37:42 PM

According to Kempf's Gun Shop in Indiana, the 24 inch Octagon Barrel has been superceded by the 20 inch octagon barrel.

Personally, I like the 24 incher. It hangs better for me.

RowdyBill · October 28, 2004, 08:41:21 PM

Quote from: Sergeant Smokepole on October 28, 2004, 08:37:42 PM
According to Kempf's Gun Shop in Indiana, the 24 inch Octagon Barrel has been superceded by the 20 inch octagon barrel.

Personally, I like the 24 incher. It hangs better for me.

Yep, both look nice. However, I'm looking for a fast-handling short rifle, so 20" barrel fits the bill.