have never thought about hunting with a pistol...have a ruger .45 lc vaquero and a .357 convertible blackhawk..they may both be in the woods next year!! can't wait
I've got the Marlin 1894 (out of production) in .44mag.
Took a 6 pointer with it this year.
My brother has the same gun and he took a doe AND a 10 point buck in 45 seconds. Boom, lever Boom. It's JUST that easy
Seriously Rossi and Puma both make fine lever-guns in .357mag, .44mag, 45Colt, even .454 Casull. Any would be perfectly suitable for taking deer at 100 yards or less, without much effort on your part.
Properly glassed, with good ammuntion, (I like Hornady's "LeveRevolution") you can stretch that out to 150 yards or maybe even a little better.
Most all of my shots are less than 50 yards. My 6 pointer was taken at about 25 yards. My first buck was so close when I hit him with a 12ga. slug, I dug the wad out of his shoulder, still attatched to the slug! Straight shot down, out of a 15' tree stand. Damned near broke my arm because I was so far out of position that the stock was laying on my bicep when I pulled the trigger. I was so excited about getting my first buck I didn't notice the soreness. When I got home and tore off my hunting garb I found half my arm was purple from bruising!
The Marlin 1894 in 44 mag is out of production?
Did I miss something?
The way I understand it, ALL 1894 models are out of production. All calibers.
Wow.. I had no idea. I wonder why. The 1894 is one of my favorite lever actions and seems to enjoy a strong popularity among shooters.
Looks like I will be hitting the market for another use one before too long.
I bought mine about three years ago. Shorly thereafter Marlin sold out to the same company that owns Puma.
When I bought my Marlin 1894 I paid about $500 for it. Now if you can find one new in the box they are going for closer to $700.