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Posted By: T_O_M Marlin 1894 rimfire - 12/21/11
I went shootin' with a friend on Sunday. He showed up with an older Marlin 1894 in .22 mag. I didn't know they were ever chambered for rimfire cartridges. How many of these were made? The cutout in the tube mag seemed sized for .22LR cartridges, too short really for .22 mag. Was this "normal" or was his mag tube replaced at some time?

I may have to look around for one. I like the idea. There's some good aftermarket stuff for the 1894s ... triggers, especially, which is important 'cause most lever action triggers are crap. I'm a fan of the WW lever guns triggers, they make a Marlin a viable option for a trigger snob like myself.

Tom
Posted By: huntsman22 Re: Marlin 1894 rimfire - 12/22/11
The tube cut out is normal. Good luck finding one.......
Posted By: huntsman22 Re: Marlin 1894 rimfire - 12/22/11
GB has two listed now. And about as cheap as you're likely to find....

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=266084804

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=264883234
Posted By: T_O_M Re: Marlin 1894 rimfire - 12/22/11
Thanks. Little more than I want to part with right now, I got a little "Christmas crazy" this year. smile Knowing they exist, though, at least I can keep an eye out at the local gun shows and hope ...
Posted By: huntsman22 Re: Marlin 1894 rimfire - 12/22/11
I've had to scope mine since I took this pic. It now wears a redfield 2x7 like its little cornpadre mountie.

[Linked Image]
Posted By: T_O_M Re: Marlin 1894 rimfire - 12/22/11
I was favorably impressed with my friend's rifle. My exposure to .22 mag lever actions is a couple 9422s in the past. They had nasty triggers. I assume the Wild West Leverguns triggers for the 1894/1895 would work in these rimfire versions which would make them a lot more useful to trigger junkies like me.

Yours is in better shape, his has been around the block a few times, maybe under a pickup seat.

Tom
Posted By: TnBigBore Re: Marlin 1894 rimfire - 02/16/12
Neat rifles, but very scarce and expensive when you find one. I have owned three and none were especially accurate although they were slick and handy. Good luck in your search.
Posted By: Rangr44 Re: Marlin 1894 rimfire - 02/17/12
I had one, but soon sold it because I thought it too heavy for a RF rifle - heavier than the same rifle in .357 or .44 Mag.

I soon found a Winchester 9422XTR Magnum that was of more normal .22 levergun weight.

They're pricey today, because they're scarce, having been made for only a short while - a collector's dream.

I'd opine they didn't sell well, due to excess weight & relatively high ammo cost for most prospective buyers.

.
Posted By: TnBigBore Re: Marlin 1894 rimfire - 02/17/12
Originally Posted by Rangr44
I had one, but soon sold it because I thought it too heavy for a RF rifle - heavier than the same rifle in .357 or .44 Mag.

I soon found a Winchester 9422XTR Magnum that was of more normal .22 levergun weight.

They're pricey today, because they're scarce, having been made for only a short while - a collector's dream.

I'd opine they didn't sell well, due to excess weight & relatively high ammo cost for most prospective buyers.

.



I never weighed mine, but they seemed to be lighter than a 44 and about the same as the 357. It had a lighter contour barrel and much smaller magazine tube.
Posted By: Fischer Re: Marlin 1894 rimfire - 02/17/12
Originally Posted by Rangr44
I had one, but soon sold it because I thought it too heavy for a RF rifle - heavier than the same rifle in .357 or .44 Mag.

I soon found a Winchester 9422XTR Magnum that was of more normal .22 levergun weight.

They're pricey today, because they're scarce, having been made for only a short while - a collector's dream.

I'd opine they didn't sell well, due to excess weight & relatively high ammo cost for most prospective buyers.

.


You nailed it. Mine went down the road as well, because it was just too heavy for a rimfire. Replaced with a 9422m, much slicker and handier. Action felt like oiled glass and more reliable too. I do love my Marlins, but they can't all be great.
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