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Lever Gun Review! Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag (Patreon)

Published:
2020-07-09 17:13:45
Edited:
2020-07-09 17:18:16
Imported:
2026-08
Tags:

Content

Compact with a big bark, it's time we take a look at the fabulous Marlin 1894.  Of course I had to get in .44 Mag, a beloved cartridge for me.  We take it out in the snow and the heat to see how this stainless, laminated wood big bore performs. 

TaticalDoodle and Sean the TNPr help and both fall in love with the gun too.  TD is here for the review too; I have to hold him back from his LockTite rant.  

We find this iteration of the 1894 to smooth, fast, adequately accurate, and just plain cool.  A vintage Marlin 336C in .30-30 is present as we bounce briefly to POU.  Other versions and calibers are discussed.  We do love the .44 Mag but we won't gush here acting like it's our first choice.

We probably shot this gun a bit much for the review but we find it addictive as we do with all good lever guns.  Downsides are present and they're discussed.  The 1894 ain't cheap and that would be primary.  But in the end you'll see how Marlin is still putting together one the baddest and coolest lever guns out there...still!

 Gunnies Western Wear Store in Orem helped make this review possible. Buy from them and thank them for their support of TNP. Gunnies Great American Gun Store, Address: 396 State St, Orem, UT 84058 Hours: 10AM–8PM, Ph 801-226-7080 www.gunniesonline.com

Vortex Strike Eagle scops, these would be perfect for the 1894:  https://shrsl.com/2djgl

Also the Holosun red dot:  https://shrsl.com/2djgp

 

Files

Marlin 1894

Comments

steve garrett

the very recent production 1894's are great. I have an 1894c in 357, man its a hoot to shoot, the kids love it. its not excessively loud. its basically like shooting a 22 lr , but it chunks a brick, I prefer the 1894 over the 336, but for that matter I like the winchester 94 better than a 336, its only 2 oz heavier than my 1894c. all you give up is ease of levering with the winchester. the only use for a 336 IMO is if you must scope the gun. but that defies the secret sauce of the lever action. love me some levers!!!!!

Joe Eldorado

I have one in .357 mag. First gun I bought. Still gives me that smile everytime I take out for plinking.

Daniel P

So happy to see a 44mag lever action review!! I love mine and hunt with it all the time. That said I love my 1895 and hunt with that all the time also. Very cool... thanks!

MCatl

I got one just like this a few months back. Workmanship and function is top-notch. I thought I had wanted the Cowboy model, but I am finding the compact size of the SBL, the XS sights, and pistol grip stock all work to make a more usable rifle.

Connor Murphy

Aww, man! Lever guns get me exited! Great video as always.

J Wolf

Great content as always boys! I’ve always been intrigued by lever actions, I think I’ll have to put one on the list and grab one when the budget affords.

John S

Would a 45ACP silencer work on a 44Mag? I know the bullet diameter would be fine, but is there too much pressure going from 45ACP to 44Mag?

Daniel P

You should... that’s what I got mine for. Works great for Ohio whitetail.

Anthony Schaad

I don’t have a marlin 1894, but I do have a pre 1964 Winchester 1894 in 30-30 n man there’s just sumn about lever guns that are so exciting. They were and are an awesome piece of Americana, levers rock ! And great review, now I want that marlin lol

Red dog 1

Shame on you Nutn. You can take down a t-rex with a 45-70!!!! I saw the lever gun and thought you were going to review the 45-70 version, I just about made a mess in my pants.

Joshua Mount

I am a lever gun fanatic and have recently got a few newer Remington made Marlin's including a 1894 in 357 as a project gun. I have a whole mess of ARs but I wouldn't feel under gunned with a 30-30 especially after I finish building these guns. I don't feel bad about modding the new Remington made Marlin's. My older Marlin's have been in my family for decades and are family guns. I threaded my 1894 in 357 and have the XS rail on top with a holosun 503. It's a pretty amazing gun. Powerful out to 75-100 yds, stupid quiet with 38 special, lightweight, fast follow up shots, no recoil. It's a whole new animal when you suppress a lever gun. My next project is to get my 16 inch barreled 30-30 suppressed with Leupold 2x7x32. Short, light, powerful. Lever guns are tough and reliable dude more people should get into them. Yeah obviously I would prefer a AR in WROL but the lever gun in 357 is quieter suppressed for sure and hits hard. You could roll with revolver and have ammo commonality S&W model 66, 686, or honestly the Kimber k6 DASA is a really sweet revolver too not to get too far in the weeds. I never really got into 44 mag as I feel like for defensive use against 2 legged predators it's a little excessive and hard to get fast follow ups when using revolver. Yeah I'm sure there's dudes doing it but it's just not for me. If I lived in bear country I may be singing a different tune. Anyway you rock been watching from the beginning.

Nathan Simms aka Darkpriest

Still working will watch when done. dammit nutn I can't afford a lever gun I've been holding out on not getting a 30-30 lever and here you are making life hard

Bludjin

I'd like to see a 10mm lever gun to pair with my Glock 20 if they ever make one. I wonder how comparable it would be to the 30-30 out of an 18" barrel

Ryan Reese

Dudes! Nutn & TD thanks a ton for the OSW review. This was very refreshing. If anyone ever discounts the capabilities of a lever gun, I encourage them to watch some Cowboy Action videos on YT. Those guys can shoot them soooo fast, granted they’re light 38 spl loads, it shows that the guns still have a ton of potential. A serious competitive option would be the Henry Model X in 44 or 357. They now have side loading capability, they come with polymer MLOK furniture and you can find them for $750 (you have to look really hard). This may have been filmed prior to the Model X release though. As always excellent content!

Tacticaldoodle

Well, fast to shoot, but very slow for most to load. You can practice but there's a learning curve and it's not something I think I'll do all that well if I'm takin' fire. If only there were some kind of speedloader kinda like shotgun tubes.

Arthur Krieger

Siiick gun! Glad to see Marlin is putting out quality!

TheOlsonOutfit

Dang it, I really want this and an accompanying revolver. Just too cool.

Kenny VanCleave

I have one in 45/70 and it rocks. I bet, without taking my shoes off I harvested at least thirteen bucks with my Marlin 1894. It has the beautiful stainless steel frame and the gray stock. One of the best purchases I've made.

Justin Clark

Great video. My dad started me on a Red Ryder when I was about 5 and my own first real gun was a Henry lever action in 22LR. I got away from them after that, got into semi-autos, but lever actions do hold a special place in my heart and now you have me thinking about picking up a bigboy version!

The Nutnfancy Project

So true Anthony, there's just something about them. Thanks for sharing our enthusiasm!

The Nutnfancy Project

THanks for the insight on your builds...they sound fun. Indeed the .357 versions are so chill to shoot and whisper quiet with .38 Specials. If I used the 1894 for serious purposes I would practice that reload lots.

The Nutnfancy Project

.30-30s hold a siren song for me too. You could watch patiently for a good used one. A Win '94 also really xlnt. I would go with an older one, maybe 70s or 80s build. That's what mine is.

Tacticaldoodle

But did it even do anything? Seems like everything in JP is worthless. They even had a minigun that amounted to nothin' at all. Bummer, I always wanted to see the marines light up that spinosaurus in the 3rd one.

Tacticaldoodle

Gotta check to make sure, but from what I see most support a pretty good range of calibers. I think there's a minimum barrel length req for some of the loads like 45-70 though.

Ryan Reese

TD, you need to patent these reloading ideas... you nailed with the stripper clips in the CA legal AR lowers too! 😁 I never knew about the Spee-dee loader for the tube fed 22’s until I saw the Henry videos that you guys did. Those things are amazing! Btw, I love that FDE M&P9 2.0 that you guys sold me on about a month ago. I can shoot it better than my Glocks and XD. New carry setup with a PL-Mini 2. 🤙

Tacticaldoodle

Levers are probably not my pick if I were ONLY equipped with those in the family's armory, but they're a lovely addition to other stuff. Rurally, you can definitely make due, but it would take quite a bit of practice to get me feelin' anywhere near as comfy with it as I am with a loaded up, stock 16" M4gery. Depends on how many uh....bears you think will assault you at once. If you're living somewhere with lots of bears, or methhead wolves, you may want some additional options over 8 rounds in the tube. As an all arounder, rock on. Suppressed levers rule for fun and as a scabbard gun. It's funny how many younger guys have gotten the bug lately, right after they buy a new marlin their mom says they could've taken any of dad's leftovers. Would save a bunch of money for some guys, there are a lot of them slumbering away in closets and under beds.

Tacticaldoodle

Or some of the Miroku ones. I think those will definitely appreciate a lot, if not a true winchester, a really good Jap made ones as one of the last examples of their build abilities.

Nathan Simms aka Darkpriest

Thanks for the tips I'll keep looking and sighing I don't know why I'm ok with putting 1300 into the best AR build but hesitate on 750 for a lever action

DuginIN

When Winchester announced their factory closing I found a Winchester Model 94 Trapper in 30-30 at a fair price. Also got a second Winchester 1300 Defender. I’ve been considering a Marlin 1895 SBL for years but now I see the Dark Series as an option, looking for opinions. Your Cold Steel Dragonfly O Tanto SRV in 2016? Guess what happened after watching that video.

Aaron Martin

I gotta say I lust over these more than wannabe sub-guns. Super cool!

Aaron Martin

Especially with some nice paracord work on the lever.

Aaron Martin

@12:13 it's jam packed with 2nd cool!

Red dog 1

Especially in the SOZ when you cant own anything tactical or god forbid scary, the lever gun makes sense. Then you can strap a s&w trr8 right shot 357 on your hip. Matching ammo. Makes things heavy hitting and simplistic.

InfamousNose

I'm in NY and this is my tactical rifle riding in the truck with me, You can put a simple o-ring on the safety to negate it. Its too easy to bump it on when you might not want to...

Red dog 1

I'll donate 10 boxes and come help you test it.

Pedro

Haven’t seen it but it’s on call for lunch tomorrow. Nutn any update on the side loading port Henry lever action? Is it worth the price?

Pedro

Love me a 45-70.

Alexander Brittain

Not the 10mm review I was hoping for. But it is worth a watch none the less.

EthanRX

Great review guys thanks for the content! Might have to pick one of these up soon. I have a ruger 44 carbine that was my mentors who passed away so I don’t like to shoot it too much. This could scratch my 44 rifle itch quite nicely!

Outrider950

I had both the Winchester 94 Trapper and the Marlin 1894P chambered in .44. They were sold off many years ago to close friends. I found that I just wasn’t shooting them anymore. And then you post this.....argh...now I want another one. I really don’t like you.

A Random Walk

Yep. Great review and another renewed desire to visit the local gun shop. And to think I pay for my own demise.🤬🤬🤬

A Random Walk

Josh, agree completely. I discipline towards magazine and cartridge commonality to prevent buying everything under the sun...not that I could but it still provides focus. Revolvers and levers do away the magazine portion of the equation. I’m 357 crazy and would love a lever in the same. One day.

POIsuit47

Another lever action review! Nice!! I always loved lever guns, something cool in my opinion bout old age weapons. And this one and others are definitely on my list to buy! I also wonder if for my first rifle it should be a lever gun such as this or a proper semi-auto.... hmmm

Ryan Benn

I've wanted a marlin 1894 for a long time and now it has a nutnfancy stamp of approval. I'd prefer the 30-30 but my state has restrictions on hunting with that cartridge.

Ryan Benn

I like the safety feature for hunting. Is it bumped off just as easy?

Colin Ford

Fantastic video Nutn and TD!!

Jacob Hurst

Wind River was such an excellent movie! Glad to hear the shout out to it!

Zachary Jackson

Hey nutn... remember when we all had guns and marched on the Utah Capitol and no one got shot or hurt and there was no property damage?

Plumber Angelo

The levergun is real! Man she is nasty, old school cool.

Ricky Kurtz

Hey LTC, I own several Marlin level guns and enjoy them all. I last year purchased a Marlin Guide gun model GBL in .45/70, installed the picatinny rail and a Vortex Scout scope, Diamond D leather Butt Cup, Diamond D D4 large lever leather loop wrap, and a Turner 1.25” Leather Match sling and really enjoy this rifle. I have had a Marlin 1895s in .45/70 for years that I use for protection against bears in the Mountains above Ojai California up above Rose Valley between the 6500 and 8000 foot level. Never had to use it to protect against a bear but it was way cool shooting. Load used are 430 Gr hard cast lead. Sorry, but I disagree with you on scout scopes. On lever guns in the woods I find I can acquire a target faster and not worry about scope eye. Terrific presentation, thank you and your team for your hard work putting these presentations together. Ricky from IBM

Tacticaldoodle

If you're function-first, you'll appreciate the ability to mod the newer ones. Having a sweet red dot is awesome on them, and that' not even mentioning the sweet sights now. No dickin' around with modding older ones and worrying about threading it wrong.

Tacticaldoodle

Every time I open up a rear takedown pin I wish I could use the pump action from the Troy PAR to somehow unlatch the upper and lower receivers. Granted, it'd essentially be an SKS in AR form, but everyone loves that about garands. You feel so cool when you nail the rhythym just right. Who knows, maybe as it gets more restrictive someone will try it. I have some speedloader tubes for shotguns that NF got way back when, every time I want more they're some dumb price like $75 for what's basically PVC with a groove cut out. I like them when they work tho.

Tacticaldoodle

I like the dark series, especially if you're tossing a midwest rail on it. The idea of a laser on it for cowboy hip firing sounds so cool, but it's a tough choice. I'm a sucker for really gorgeous, but shitty, laminated wood and the stainless one like we had looks great to me. In the end, the best option of all is "why not both?" which seems to be the optimal choice for all x vs. y selections in the firearms market.

Tacticaldoodle

Even people who know nothing about guns find the front end of the R8 pretty scary. Seeing all those copper half-jackets sticking out reminds you that if you're downrange those things might be rearranging your guts soon. a lot scarier than 1.6 rounds showing in a j frame at least.

The Nutnfancy Project

Yeah I do remember that. Apparently the Marxists can do that and a lot more. Like painting inflammatory political symbols on the streets and killing children. I don't see pushback on it either except from us small voices.

The Nutnfancy Project

I will be reviewing the Marlin 336 Dark Ops too! In .30-30 it will be hunting legal. It did not like the S&B flat nose bullet but others worked great.

The Nutnfancy Project

Great comment Ricky, thanks. No worries on the disagreement...it's approved! The .45-70 is a rocking cartridge. I don't have a need for that in my systems but in AK I'd probably put one in inventory. Most fishing guides in Brown Bear territory are using 12 ga with slugs up there.

Ricky Kurtz

Hey LTC, Thanks !!! When I do not feeling like fielding a rifle I have 2 4” S&W 500 Magnums, on a Galco/S&W leather rig, and one 8” S&W 500 with a S&W scope(not the best scope and was pulled from the market because the concussion would break the reticles). These guns were purchased the 1st month of production. Typically loaded with a750 Gr hard cast lead projectile traveling between 1350 and 1400 fps. The Marlin rifles are the best. I have a 336C as well and would not part with my Marlins for love or money lol. Really enjoy you presentations, I alway learn something. Again thanks to you and your team !!! Ricky from IBM

Tacticaldoodle

I remember ours as not being awful, it clicked, but not with absolute authority. If I were to keep that one as a truck gun I'd probably add "safety off" to party of my inital pickup muscle memory, just in case. Depends on how you plan on it though, with hammer up or down, loaded or unloaded. I'm sure there are some rousing debates about tactical carbine/lever gun studies going on somewhere.

InfamousNose

Mine is pretty easily bumped either way, So I put a 1/4" o-ring over the red ring and the safety is negated. I just keep it without one in the chamber...

Zachary Jackson

Tim Vetere says they may have watermelons in about two weeks or so

Outrider950

Totally on the mark. I had outfitted the Marlin 1894P with XS sights and rail. The red dot sat a bit high but was definitely workable.

Kinoons

The moment I saw a lever gun on the table, before any voices could be heard, I said “TD needs to be in on this one” - Win!

Bluegill097

Lever gun Nirvana in TNP! freaking awesome

OpFor

Stripper clips guides are available for the mini-14, I can't speak to how good they are.

Casey Jones

Great review, glad you aren’t overlooking Marlin. They aren’t the most popular name but have been around forever

Tacticaldoodle

Part of the fun would be the experience of opening it up like a break action shotgun. Every kid with a breaker 20 gauge pretends he's shooting grenades out of it like the terminator, an AR would combine the fun of that with a garand action. Dunno why, just seems like it would be a good feeling nailing a speed load like that.

Tacticaldoodle

Them five hundos will probably be worth a pretty chunk soon enough. The original bear scrollworked S&W's were unappreciated upon release, I expect similar in the future. Seems like most guys who bought the 500's just for range fun seldom hold onto them for long, ultimately they'll end up being rare enough to build scarcity in the right sizing. The short ones with the orange pelican case were rad, but I haven't seen one in years.

Mike Maddox

Henry has side loaders now.

The Nutnfancy Project

I got a 10mm pistol review I'll edit together for ya~ It was filmed in the desert, hopefully the audio is ok~

Jeff

I have a Marlin 94 in .357 mag with a Midwest ind hand guard. Great gun. Also, have a 1951 Winchester 94 in 30-30. Lever actions are awesome! I don’t think I have ever asked the TNP project for a review, but I think a Nuttin & Tac bunker review of the Henry long ranger (.223) lever action would be awesome. The scenario- semi auto rifles get banned. All of our rifles were lost in a boating accident. The Henry long ranger is the new patriot rifle. Medium range scope. It has an detachable 5 round magazine. Don’t know if Midwest ind has a hand guard for this model. Definitely a rifle I look to add to my collection to hand down to my son. Great video on the .44. Been following since 2009.

Jorge

Dang it Fancy, I just watched an old Glock 21 review of yours and had to buy one ( love it by the way) I think this one is next😬

Mike

Can't find this darn thing anywhere been looking for one for a while. Great review, its not first or second cool its all the cools!!!

Daniel Herb

I love my Marlin 1894 and Ruger Vaquero in .44 MAG. I would probably shoot that combo more if it was .357/.38 sp though. Maybe I need another rifle/revolver set.....

Craig

It will be interesting to see which Marlin models survive the sale to Ruger.