Shooting the Marlin 1894, 38 Special
- Thread starter Ben
- Start date
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
Ben--I have a similar Marlin 1894 with suffix "CCL", chambered in 32/20 WCF and bought new in 2004. Octagon barrel of heavy contour, 20" long. Is the rifle Trevor is shooting in the video chambered in 38 Special, or is it 38/357?
462--that is a beautiful Model 1866. I have an 1897-made 1873 Winchester carbine in 44/40 WCF. Both models share a knee-action locking system which seems entirely appropriate for calibers in the pressure ranges of 38 Special and 44/40. It gives me the fantods to know that some foreign makers are chambering their 1873 repros in 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum calibers. Modern steels and moderated pressures in current ammunition may allow this, but it is not a stunt I would perform. This--like J-frame S&Ws chambered in 357 Magnum--are ideas I just cannot get my head around comfortably.
462--that is a beautiful Model 1866. I have an 1897-made 1873 Winchester carbine in 44/40 WCF. Both models share a knee-action locking system which seems entirely appropriate for calibers in the pressure ranges of 38 Special and 44/40. It gives me the fantods to know that some foreign makers are chambering their 1873 repros in 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum calibers. Modern steels and moderated pressures in current ammunition may allow this, but it is not a stunt I would perform. This--like J-frame S&Ws chambered in 357 Magnum--are ideas I just cannot get my head around comfortably.
462
California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Al,
My soul cried out when I saw the rifle on one of the consignment carousels. Its action is smooth and positive, and the only thing I did was a tear-down to check for burrs, give the innards a thorough cleaning and lubing, and the previously mentioned poor man's trigger job.
The .38 Special is the same overall length as the original .44 Henry rimfire, but the Henry used a heavier bullet (215-grains?) and had more velocity (1200 fps?) than the .38 Special, so I think the .38 Special chambering is perfect for the rifle's action. I agree with you as to chambering the weaker actions of the 1866 and 1873 in magnum cartridges. Just because it can be done does not necessarily mean it's a good idea. I cringe when one of the range regulars shows up with his .357 Mag. 1873 clone.
Michael
My soul cried out when I saw the rifle on one of the consignment carousels. Its action is smooth and positive, and the only thing I did was a tear-down to check for burrs, give the innards a thorough cleaning and lubing, and the previously mentioned poor man's trigger job.
The .38 Special is the same overall length as the original .44 Henry rimfire, but the Henry used a heavier bullet (215-grains?) and had more velocity (1200 fps?) than the .38 Special, so I think the .38 Special chambering is perfect for the rifle's action. I agree with you as to chambering the weaker actions of the 1866 and 1873 in magnum cartridges. Just because it can be done does not necessarily mean it's a good idea. I cringe when one of the range regulars shows up with his .357 Mag. 1873 clone.
Michael
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
There are Winchester 92s and Marlin 94s for those sorts of adventure travel. As reloaders, we can control what pressure goes into our guns to run them. I just get a chill down my neck at the thought of a 1960s level 44 Magnum load running 43K CUP getting into one of the new-series '73s. The Keiths, The Ackleys, The Casulls, and a few others of that time didn't mind pouring the coal on, or in exhorting others to follow their lead. There must have been lots fewer lawyers running around without keepers back then.
