Well, I went and did it again, I bought another Marlin. It's an 1894 CB Limited with a 24" octagon barrel. The gun is about six or seven years old and only has about 30 rounds through it. It's in .45 Colt and I might have paid too much for it, I paid $450 but the guy I bought it from is a friend and I didn't want to diker on the price. It looks like a brand new gun. I called Marlin today to try to find the year of manufacture and what type of barrel it has. They close at noon on Fridays so I wasn't able to talk to anyone. I've shot this rifle a couple times at the range and it is a real sweet thing with mild loads. I hope to load up some high power loads using gas checked bullets. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

Well, I went and did it again, I bought another Marlin. It's an 1894 CB Limited with a 24" octagon barrel. The gun is about six or seven years old and only has about 30 rounds through it. It's in .45 Colt and I might have paid too much for it, I paid $450 but the guy I bought it from is a friend and I didn't want to diker on the price. It looks like a brand new gun. I called Marlin today to try to find the year of manufacture and what type of barrel it has. They close at noon on Fridays so I wasn't able to talk to anyone. I've shot this rifle a couple times at the range and it is a real sweet thing with mild loads. I hope to load up some high power loads using gas checked bullets. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.
I have a 45 Colt, a .357 Mag, and just bought a .44 Mag all 24" CB Limited. All mine were NIB and I paid $550 to 585 for them. My favorite so far is the 45 colt. It has the best trigger and is very smooth like it was given some special attention at the factory. I love the 24" barrels, they just settle in your hands so well. The 45 and 44 have the tapping in the side of the reciever for the reciever sights but the 357 doesn't. I don't know the exact ages but I think all mine were made 4 to 6 years ago with the 357 the latest which may be why it doesn't have the tappings in the side of the reciever for the sights. If the heat and humidity would just drop a little here I could stop fixing A/C's and shoot some targets for the postal match with them! I think you got a good deal and you'll love the gun! Have fun!
Mike B.

Take the first two digits of the serial number and subtract them from 100. This will give you the year of manufacture. SN 02***** would be 100-2 = 1998

Count the number of rifling grooves in your barrel. It probably has six, what Marlin calls "Ballard Rifling. Try sticking a Q-tip about 1/2" into the muzzle, it will light it up so you can see.

The twist rate you can measure with a good ball bearing cleaning rod and a tight patch. Put an index mark on the rod and measure how far the rod has to travel through the barrel to make a complete rotation.

Great guns! Congrats. That was an excellent find.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Apparently my new rifle was made in 1998. I love this thing already and the only time I've shot it was at the range last spring when it belonged to someone else. I agee, the 24" barrel makes the rifle settle into your hands extremely well, very well balanced. Hey Mike B, funny thing, I also fix A/C units for a living, also do heating work and manage a few projects from time to time.

Thanks, Doug

[QUOTE=Doug in Alaska]Thanks for the feedback guys. Apparently my new rifle was made in 1998. I love this thing already and the only time I've shot it was at the range last spring when it belonged to someone else. I agee, the 24" barrel makes the rifle settle into your hands extremely well, very well balanced. Hey Mike B, funny thing, I also fix A/C units for a living, also do heating work and manage a few projects from time to time.

Thanks, Doug[/QUOT

I would've thought you'd starve to death fixing A/C's in Alaska! :)

Mike B.

I would've thought you'd starve to death fixing A/C's in Alaska! :)
Mike B.

If it weren't for computer rooms I probably would!! :eek:

Nice levergun, hope you enjoy. I have a 1894 cowboy limited in .45 colt with 22" barrel. It's the funnest rifle I have.

What size bullet do most folks shoot with thier 45lc Cowboy's?

Well, I went and did it again, I bought another Marlin. It's an 1894 CB Limited with a 24" octagon barrel. The gun is about six or seven years old and only has about 30 rounds through it. It's in .45 Colt and I might have paid too much for it, I paid $450 but the guy I bought it from is a friend and I didn't want to diker on the price. It looks like a brand new gun. I called Marlin today to try to find the year of manufacture and what type of barrel it has. They close at noon on Fridays so I wasn't able to talk to anyone. I've shot this rifle a couple times at the range and it is a real sweet thing with mild loads. I hope to load up some high power loads using gas checked bullets. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

You got a nice gun there. I have a CBII limited with a 24" barrel in .44 mag. you'll have fun with it.

What size bullet do most folks shoot with thier 45lc Cowboy's?
I'm still working with mine but so far it likes Lee's 452-255-RF & C452-300-RF. I've also used their 452-200-RF for fun plinking loads. I'm hoping to shoot a deer with it this year and will use either the 250 or 300 grain, which ever one ends up shooting the best.
Mike B.

Shoot 0.453" bullets through mine....