Yes wad cutters and semi wad cutters are problematic for 1894’s in general.I have a Marlin problem...both lever-actions and their older bolt-action .22s. I own a few, both JM guns and newer "Remlins". All of my JM guns have good fit and finish, and are good shooters.
My two Remlins are an 1985G in .45-70 and an 1894 in .45 Colt. The 1895 is as nicely finished and functional as my JM guns. The 1894 in .45 Colt has some issues. It won't feed semi-wadcutters reliably...if you cycle it hard they hang up on the shoulder of the bullet. The front sight was also loose in the dovetail when I bought it and required replacement. Despite these issues, that gun may be the most accurate levergun I own.
If you find one for a decent price I'd say jump on it...you won't be disappointed.
Straight stock octagon barrel walnut and blue steel. So nice. Smooth unchecked wood so I am thinking 1980 early 1990s year of birth.View attachment 105946
Mine is a 1895cb, octagon barrel in 45-70. I have removed the pedersoli sight and put a factory one back on.
Yes wad cutters and semi wad cutters are problematic for 1894’s in general.
I load lead round nose or JSP and have no issues but as soon as the wad cutter rounds go in the tube issues happen. I own nothing but JM Marlins so it has nothing to do with Remington made ones. They all do this.
Thanks! It's 1982 mfg, according to the S/N. I picked it up used about 12 years ago, and it was my first levergun so it's kinda the one that started it all. That thin forened makes it very well balanced, and it's a great shooter. That gun has made me look a lot better than I am on more than one occasion! It doesn't show up too well in the picture, but it's seen some use (both from the previous owner and myself) and has the bumps and bruises to show for it, but it's my favorite rifle and will get handed down to my son someday.The wood on the 357 1894! Is sweet.
You could be right. My JM was a gift from an aunt that passed away a few years after. I do think the action on it is as smooth as any lever gun I've used though. But, the late model 336 that I have shoots just fine too.I've had many late mfg Marlins, 336's and 1894's that I thought were much nicer than JM's. I think much like older Colts that Marlin rifles are now going to be over romanticized into something they never were. They were always just a working man's rifle made for the masses, as of 2008 they had made over 30 million of them.
Great looking group of rifles.I also just realized that I have been remiss in sharing photos....here are a few of mine:
336 Texan .30-30
1895G .45-70
1894 .45 Colt
1894 .357 Magnum
View attachment 105997
Yeah, my post might have come off a bit harsh but don't get me wrong I love Marlins of all era's. I got caught short as I had just started shopping around the time of the Remington announcement and now people want much more than i'm willing to pay unfortunately. All I have right now is my model 60 I got as a kid and a recently acquired NIB beautiful walnut stocked XT-22 magnum.You could be right. My JM was a gift from an aunt that passed away a few years after. I do think the action on it is as smooth as any lever gun I've used though. But, the late model 336 that I have shoots just fine too.
You're good. I get it. It's hard to find anything for a reasonable price. Especially nostalgia pieces.Yeah, my post might have come off a bit harsh but don't get me wrong I love Marlins of all era's. I got caught short as I had just started shopping around the time of the Remington announcement and now people want much more than i'm willing to pay unfortunately. All I have right now is my model 60 I got as a kid and a recently acquired NIB beautiful walnut stocked XT-22 magnum.