I've got serious Marlinitis for an 1894. This would be a "just for fun" gun. But right now I can't decide: .44 Mag. Cowboy, .357 Mag. Cowboy, or .357 Mag. 1894C.

I like the long barrels and think I will eventually put on a tang sight. But the 1894C gets high praise for handiness and it costs a bunch less than anything listed as Cowboy. I am geared up to reload for .38 Spec./.357 Mag. already for pistols.

I already have serious antelope, deer, and elk guns although I might dedicate a hunt to this gun now and then. Mostly it will be for shootin' fun and draggin' around up in the hills off season.

Anyone care to give me a little push in one direction or the other? ;)

Well, I'm a huge fan of the 1894C myself, so my opinion might be slightly biased.

Seriously though, I can't think of a better choice than the 1894C 357 magnum for the use you're describing. The 1894C is definately handy, and surprizingly accurate to boot. I shoot mine a lot, and can vouge for the potential these rifles have.

I hunt everything from squirrels to deer with mine, and wouldn't trade it for nothing.

Get the .357 since you already reload and have pistols for it. As far as which one, which one fits you best and you can work the best deal on.

That's what I was thinking...leaning toward the 357. The local Wally World price of $360 for the 1895C looks like it will be hard to beat.

In the Rockies these aren't guns that turn up on the used market too much. You can find lots of 30-30s, tons of '06s, and plenty of 7mm and 338 magnums. So new looks like the way to go.

Since I shoot 38/357 handguns I bought the 1894C. All I need now is a horse. Sounds like that's the rifle for you as well.

For me it was the longer octagonal barrel that sold me, and since it on sale, only one left in .44, that's the caliber I shoot for cowboy action. That way I can have cowboy loads, .44 specials, or .44 mag loads in my Ruger as well as my Marlin when hunting, and I've taken some deer and hogs with no problems at all. I had bought another with the regular round barrel and sites, but even though it was handier to carry in the field, it just wasn't what I wanted for the .44, so I got rid of it. Sounds like the .38/.357 is the same way for you, and then it just boils down to cost vs. looks as to which model you're going to buy. I vote for the CBII, limited if you can find one, but that's my biased suggestion.

I don't know if there is a better "just for fun" rifle out there than a .357 mag lever rifle. Cheap ammo with reasonable power and negligible recoil. Get the configuration that pleases you. I like the 1894C.

Another vote for the C.

I have both .44 Mag and .357 Mag 94's and I shoot the 1894C far more than my .44 Mag 94'. It's just plain fun to shoot and can take game up to and including Deer. It's my first choice when I want to browse the woods!!

Been interested in the 1894SS for quite a while. The stainless steel really appeals to me. And I miss not having a .44 mag carbine since I sold my Ruger semi-auto to my father. Ran across an 1894SS Monday at a local gunshop and couldn't resist even though I was broke. The shop has a one year layaway so that's where it went. Lets see, if I skip lunch at $4 a day....................................... ;) ;) ;)

I've had a 1894 SS (.44 mag.) for a while now and am very happy with it. Other shooters at the range always seem favorably impressed by it.

I've got Marlins in 44, 35 and 357, and the one that gets shot the most is the 1894C in 357, no contest. Handy, light, fun and cheap to shoot, easily scoped, or peeped, or left as is. There is no more FUN gun around. Got my honey one for Christmas, and now she's constantly after me to go shooting!
Which is precisely why I got it! ;)
PJ

Don't forget the .357 Cowboy. I'm glad I got mine when the 24" bbls were on them. I'm sure there are still some around for sale, it wasn't that loing ago. The 24" oct. barrel has great balance. Can't miss with it.

I'm glad I got mine with a 24" barrell also. The shorter barrells cannot match the balance of the longer ones. A friend of mine bought a 1894C, and when he picked up & fired my Cowboy he didn't want that C no more. When I got mine a couple of years ago the price was a lot lower too, I believe I paid a little over $500. Now they got 20" barrells and want $700. If that makes you sick check out the Asian Winchesters.
The .357 is always a far more accurate rifle round than the .44. the twist rate is so slow they sometimes "keyhole" or tumble.