[Electric Factory]

Greetings ,

As this is my first posting please forgive me if the subject has been done before.
I'm considering buying a c.1880's Marlin Model 1889 SRC in 44-40. In addition to my interest in C.A.S activities I also appreciate fine old lever actions. This gun looks to be in fine and sound mechanical condition with a strong shootable bore. Has anyone had any shooting experience with vintage Marlin lever guns ? Any known problems in the feeding/ ejection dept. ?
Any and all insights would be most welcome, thanks in advance and Happy New Year to one and all !

Jon

[7.62mmFMJ]

Use only .44-40 loads to black powder specifications.

If it were me, I would hold on using this for CAS. Get a reproduction for that. The 1889 Marlin is a piece of history worthy of safe queen status.

[MaidMarian]

Sorry I can't give you the answers your looking for EF but I wanted to :welcome: you to the forum. :up:

[Nes]

Use only .44-40 loads to black powder specifications.

If it were me, I would hold on using this for CAS. Get a reproduction for that. The 1889 Marlin is a piece of history worthy of safe queen status.


If I had it all I would want to do is set and look at it. :up: :up: :up:

[Blammer]

The ol' gal was made in 1890 & she AIN'T a Safe Queen:P BP loads & light ones. Shooting this is a royal PITA, cause CAS shooters can be pests at times at the range:mad:
OBTW: smoothest trigger of any levergun I've ever shot:up:
I posted pics on this forum a couple years ago, a search should turn them up:up:
If you can get an original in shooting condition, GET IT!!!:up: :D

[Old Soldier]

MODEL 1889

- .25-20 WCF (very rare), .32-20 WCF, .38-40 WCF, or .44-40 WCF cal., 24 (approx. 39,300 mfg.) or 28 (approx. 2,260 mfg.) in. octagonal barrel most frequently encountered, side ejection with solid top frame, blued finish with case hardened hammer, lever, and buttplate, short throw lever action principle. Approx. 55,000 mfg. between 1889-1899. Ser. range approx. 25,000-100,000.
100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
N/A N/A $1,100 $800 $600 $500 $400 $340 $295 $260 $230 $200
Also available as Carbine with either a 15 in. (only 367 mfg.) or 20 in. (approx. 10,000 mfg.) barrel or Musket (30 in. barrel - very rare).
Add 300-500% for Musket.
Add 25% for carbine.
Add 15% for .44-40 WCF cal.

[Mike Weber]

Welcome Aboard Electric Factory:
If it were me, I would hold on using this for CAS. Get a reproduction for that. The 1889 Marlin is a piece of history worthy of safe queen status.
Agreed. Nothing wrong with breaking out the old rifle for an occaisional CAS match, but putting 60 rounds through it on a regular basis at the typical club level CAS match puts a lot of wear and tear on a rifle, Get a repro for your main match rifle. I've got several original antique guns most of them are shooters and a couple of them are still works in progress undergoing restoration. I still shoot the originals but I don't shoot them a lot I use repro's for my main match guns.
Shooting this is a royal PITA, cause CAS shooters can be pests at times at the range
Let me guess they all want to look the rifle over? I get that too whenever I show up at the range with something unusual.

[retiredsquid]

I would not use an antique rifle for CAS, but might once in awhile for S&Gs, though.

I have three 1894 Marlin Cowboy models in the CBII (.44 Rem Mag) CCL (.41 ReM Mag) and CB32 (.32H&R) as you can see I like the odd-ball stuff, too. :D
Regards,
Rich

[Mike Weber]

Howdy Retiredsquid!
I'm an ex squid too, I see that you're in NW Arkansas, Are you up around Fayettville? I grew up just a bit south and west of you out in the Nations and around Ft. Smith.

I like the Marlin rifles but prefer shooting repro Winchesters for CAS

[retiredsquid]

Mike,
I'm up in Benton County near Beaver Dam and Beaver Lake. I grew up in this area. It sure was "God's Country" when I was a youngster. Then WalMart came along, plus the poultry industry exploded. Now less than 10% of us are natives to the area. Not the pristine area (nor nearly as laid back and friendly) it was even as recently as 25 years ago.
Regards,
Rich

[Mike Weber]

Nice area, how's the fishin down on Beaver Lake? Yep I remember when there were only a handful of small Walmarts scattered around the state. Last time I visited down in Arkansas Clinton was still governor and it seemed like just about every industry except Tyson's poultry empire was pulling out of the state. There are times when I really do miss the south But I doubt that I'd recognise Ft. Smith if I get back down that way.