CAS Rifle Suggestions

[Coyote Tim]

I'm looking for my first CAS rifle and I need some input. I was at Big 5 today and they had the Winchester 1894 in .45 LC on sale for just under $400.00. I was thinking about picking it up but I believe I read somewhere in these forums that they have a lot of jams with the pistol calibers. Is that true? Also, how authentic looking is the Winchester?
I've also been looking at the Marlins and was wondering if the lower priced 1994 models are ok or do I need to stick to the Cowboy Competition model? (I'm really hoping for an Uberti 1873 or Uberti Yellow Boy replica but that will dedend on whether I get a decent tax refund or not.)

[Camille Eonich]

IMO opinion the '66s and the '72s are the best.  If you are competitive at all you will probably end up with one or the other anyway so you will actually save yourself money by just going ahead and buying one.  If you can't then go with the Marlin.  YOu don't need the cowboy comp just get the cowboy model.  You can have a gunsmith slick it for you for less than the extra cost of the cowboy comp.

[E.R.Beaumont]

Howdy Pards/Pardettes.

Tim, Pard I'd wait untill Big 5 had the cheap Marlins for sale.  I am not knocking Winchester (US Repeating Arms), The '94 is a fine gun for rifle length cartridges. 

The problem comes from pistol length cartridges, I have watched many Pards and Pardettes fight with their '94s for a whole match.  There is nothing more frustrateing for a shooter than to have to fight their equipment.  With all of the other stuff a beginner has to remember a balky gun don't make it fun.  That being said, some '94s work fine with short cartridges , some don't and untill you get it you won't know which you got.

If you go with the Marlin there are several good sites on the web as to how to slick them.  Or you can do what I did and just shoot it untill it snooths out.  I like Marlins, but if you want a "Winchester" you might look at the various '92 clones.  The '92 was JM Brownings design for a Pistol caliber rifle.  ( He also designed the '94).

The nice folks will tell you about the '66 and the '73 good guns tried and true,  These are what our G G Grandfathers/Grandmothers brought west with them.  These rifles fed them and protected them.  Now for the bad part,  All of the shortstroke brewhaha comes from Pards trying to make their '73s keep up with a Marlin.  Yup folkes thought the Marlin was faster than the '73 so they redesigned the internals so it would keep up with the Marlins.  Seems kinda funny to spend over a grand for a rifle, and then have to spend another $200 plus to keep up with a $500 Marlin.  Of course the Marlin shooters thought that sucked so the equipment race was on.

My advice to you would be to buy the Big 5 Marlin, first just so you can get to shooting.  You have some decisions to make as to caliber and catagory.  You can shoot the Marlin in any catagory except Classic Cowboy/Cowgirl.  I am not sure, and someone will correct me if I am wrong but I don't think you can shoot a '73 in B Western.  Your caliber will also depend on which catagory you shoot in.  Classic requires .40 caliber and above.  You didn't ask about it, but if you are not Married to a Lever you might look at the Taurus T'bolt pump gun for around $400.

Tim, Pard if you are like the rest of us you will either change gear, or just add to it as your game progresses, start cheap get into the game shoot for a while and find out just what/who you want to be/play.  The single most important thing is to get to shooting.  You will have a safe full of cowboy guns you only have to decide which ones you get first, get what you want, you are the only one you have to make happy here.

That is all I think I know.
Regards, Beaumont

[Micheal Fortune]

What she said except if money is tight and you want something fast go with the Marlin 94.  If you are lucky enough to live where there are "Big 5" stores (there isn't one around here) you can get a Marlin 94 for around $350 or so.  The wood isn't as good as the $600 model but you can run a lot of ammo through it for the difference.  

And again, specially with a Marlin you don't need a gun smith to tune it up.  If you can turn a screwdriver and read instructions you can have your Marlin race ready in about a half an hour.  (after your new springs arrive)

Go to Marauders rifle page and read everything about the Marlin before you start.

http://www.marauder.homestead.com/Rifles.html

I own a slicked up '73 (no short stroke kit) and a slicked up Marlin, they are about the same in performance.  The '73 has more style points but at $300 more than the Marlin it's just a matter of money.

Head out to a local match and try them all before you buy them.  The locals will be more than glad to shoot their guns if you show an interest.  That's a great place to get more advice too.  

Good luck!  

[Big John Denny]

What the others have said is too true. I would stay away from the USRA made 1894 Wichesters because the rifle was never chambered in that caliber originally, and they have been known to have a lot of problems. The Marlin is the best buy to get started in the game. You may find it more convienant to match the caliber of your rifle with your revolvers. That way you only have to buy or re-load one caliber for all your guns. If you check the classifides here at CAS City or the SASS Wire Classifides you may even find a good deal on a used Marlin that may already have been slicked up some.

Above all, get what you feel most comfortable with and get out and shoot. You'll never be the same after that.

[Dakota Dan from OZ]

Go for Marlin Cowboy and get the same calibre has your handguns,save a mixup when you have a stage reload .

My main battle rifle is a Marlin Cowboy in 38-357 I have owned it for over 7 years and it just keeps going.I own many rifles mainly Marlins I like them they are easy to shoot and strip to clean and are very reliable.

D D

[Coyote Tim]

Howdy Pards/Pardettes.

  You didn't ask about it, but if you are not Married to a Lever you might look at the Taurus T'bolt pump gun for around $400.

Actually, I almost bought the Taurus but I've been reading a lot of messages in the forums and it seems a lot of people are having problems with that particular gun (and 6-8 week waits for gun returns.) I'm using 2 Uberti .45LC  1873's so I do want to stick to that caliber.

[Boss Hoss Fly]

If it was me i'd borrow anuther hundred or so & dicker sum with ole Catclaw http://sassnet.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=27325
And i ain't a Marlin fan