Marlin model 1894

I need an opinion, how much do you think a Marlin model 1894 Carbine is worth. This particular one is in awesome shape. It has wonderful bluing and there is one 1/4 dent in the stock. It has been shot and I do not know the round count. It is JM stamped. I would say it is 95%

Thank you

Depends on the exact model (standard, cowboy, etc.) and what it's chambered for

This one I believe is a standard and it is chambered in 357 Magnum

can you get the serial number to check year made/provenance? i happily paid $475 for a 1974-made 1894 in .44 magnum that would grade about 85 percent, but in perfect working order.

Depends on if it has the snail cam jam that you might have to fix. And if its 44 mag, depends on the chamber diameter that week.

When the lever hits bottom, if it doesn’t have a smooth roll going back up, instead having a hitch, the carrier has already started the groove line caused by a sharp edge (snail cam) on the lever.

Best of luck, those old Marlin 94’s can be finicky

I will see if I can get the serial number.

Thanks fellas

Is it special somehow? I've seen plenty of JM stamped Marlins at gun shows in the last few months under $500.

I like people to check Gunbroker for prices myself. That usually get's their hopes up right before I offer then under $500 for whatever they have.

According to Marlin the serial number indicates it was manufactured in 1982, not exactly an old gun but an original Marlin.

Just keep in mind that unless there is something about it that was different the gun is not rare or unique. Marlin started making those in 1894 and chambered it an a lot of different cartridges. They made a lot of those and everything else up until 2008 when they sold out. In our lifetime it will never be that collectible. So consider that and either just use it, put it back for the grand kids.... or try to get the most you can out of it today.

But when you see JM stamped guns going for 2x what a new one cost that doesn't mean that whatever model you have on hand is going to bring that kind of money. A JM stamped 30-30 in decent shape can still be bought around $400. So in fact that is roughly the same prices as the new guns.

If you want a nice one keep it because everyone recognizes that the new guns are not quite as nice. That's they they are holding their value but I don't see this wild appreciation that some others see. And I'm basing that on prices I see at gun shows where people are trading and paying cash. JM stamped Marlins are everywhere. And one in .357 is pretty standard and I don't believe those bring as much as a .44 which is better suited for a deer rifle.

Don't want to burst your bubble the gun is still worth some decent money just don't expect to make some kinda huge profit here.

I am not trying to sell one, was thinking of buying one and the last few gun shows that I attended did not have a Marlin in 357 or perhaps I overlooked them. I was wanting to know what kind of price would be fair for a Marlin such as the one I am looking at. Since I already load for 357 Magnum a lever action rifle, always wanted one, chambered in this caliber would be fun to have and shoot.

Thanks for the help

If it is in really good shape I would say between $5-600 in a private sale is reasonable. You'll just have to decide how much you want it. Consider the 1894 is about $600 new.

For example I wanted a Ruger 44 carbine.... I use to have one and sold it years ago. They are about $650-800+ on Gunbroker. That's what everyone on here said they were worth. Referenced Gun Broker as their source of info.

I could have purchased about 10 since that time (we'll say 2 years) for between $5-600.

A 44 would be worth more than a 30-30.

Anything is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, not a penny more or less.

I would say a 336 is worth maybe $4-500 in the described condition that's what I see those going for. But that's just my opinion. I'm not going to show up with a train car load I bought for less than $500 just to prove a point.

Blue Book list the following values for that rifle based on when you say it was made:

100% = $800
98% = $700
95% = $600
90% = $425
80% = $350
70% = $300
60% = $250

Realistically, like Goatkiller said, your probably looking at somewhere around $500-$600. It's really hard to find a gun that meets the 95%-100% Blue Book range.

Would you believe the newer Remlin 1894’s might be better due to factory modifications. An older might be better if you can afford modifications.

I tried to be an 1894 fan and have shucked a lot of $$$ in the process.

For off hand shootin my favorites in Forty-Four there is the Winchester 92, The CVA scout, and Henry Big Boy Steel Carbine.

My favorite wanna like but stops where the shootin starts is the Ruger 77/44 and the 1894SS Marlin.

I think the key thing here is that it is a marlin 1894 in 357 magnum. The 44mag and 45colt 1894's are my really that special and are still in production. The 357 mags are not in production and haven't been for a while. So if it's a good condition jm stamped 1894 in 357 is not uncommon for them to easily go for $700 and up. If you are just hankering for a 357 lever gun though, if you can stand to wait, marlin will be releasing the 1894cst and the 1894sbl models here soon and they look sweet. Worth a google.

There were supposed to release the 444 again too. I hope you are right but I ain’t holdin my breath.

The 1894C is still production in .38/.357

Which one would be better, an old Marlin or a newer one? I would assume that is is the same thing.

Fall of 2018 is the release date, they already have them listed on the website

Having worked on both, the internals required the same amount of stoning/polishing. The only real difference I have seen between the two is wood to metal fit and overall finish. The newer ones have that sorry matte bluing Remington uses on everything and will rust if you think about touching it.

Abram, Call Ranger Point Precision in Cypress Texas and Ask Adam

Where

The new models of 1894 in 357 and 44 as what I'm referring to

If you find one in 357 stainless, jump on it. The Marlin 44’s are behind me now, they have been a disappointment.

They have made things to slightly different specs with the remlin ones which could make them function better in some respects over the JM. You can’t tell unless you have your calipers and a good eye.

Or you could got to the your gun store and order as many brand new 1894 csbl or cst
models as you want.

I have an FFL and they ain’t available on any of my accounts at the distributors.

But, if your gun store has them, more power to ya.

When they are released in the fall of 2018 I plan on getting one of the csbl

This is very interesting. What's wrong with the 1894SS? I have the only one I've ever seen in person, and it's a good little rifle. Mine was made in 2002, and I've only shot it about 200 rounds total -- 197 rounds at targets and 3 rounds at bucks I took home and ate. The action is very stiff, but nothing I can't live with.

I'm always interested when someone comments on this rifle . . . good or bad.

don't know about the .357 version. my 1974-made 1894 in .44 magnum is slick, and shoots very, very, very well. it won't be going anywhere other than into a son's or grandson's hands one day ...

Vernon, the 95’s in 44 seem to have some terrible chamber size variants over the years in JM models. They will shoot great but you sometimes can go through a pile of different ammos till you find one. I’m not fond of the skinning knife sharp edges on the square bolt either. Average 44 stuff seems to range from .429 - .432

The 1894’ss in a gem. I used to convert some to laminate too. After using the CVA scout 44 mag and the Henry Big Boy Steel 16” carbine, I just couldnt find a 44 that shot better. The Win 92 is great too. Basically after evaluation I sold my 94SS collection and kept all my 336SS collection.

I shoot tons of 44 and everything I like about the Marlin 336/95 action is there in the Henry except the action is sized right for pistol calibers and lightning fast

The 77/44 is a wonderful rifle but has an anomaly when shooting off hand. The recoil is moving the muzzle before the bullet exits. The 180gr are flying so fast they seem to work better off hand.

Love my 1894, .44mag. My favorite Lever.

If a man can’t do it with a 44 or 30-30 Leveraction, it can’t be done. Either is a one gun solution.