I have been looking for a good buy on a lever action that I can use for deer in Indiana, home defense if SHTF, and general plinking. 
After serious research I decided I wanted this one:
Marlin Model 1894 Cowboy 20" Octagon 357 Magnum, octagon barrel with Ballard type cut rifling, 10 shot magazine, 357 magnum straight grip stock. (I really wanted the 16" barrel because it would be easier to handle around the house if needed or a bit lighter in the bush, but they seemed to be very difficult to find.)
Today I stopped by:
Tomlinsons Shooting Supplies Inc
8475 E US33 Suite G
Churubusco, IN 46723
260.693.2830
info@tomlinsonshootingsupplies.com
They had a Marlin 1894C in .44 magnum. Brand new. Beautiful. Good price.
They also had a Marlin 1894 Cowboy with a 16" barrel in .357, used, at a very good price. Seems Tomlinson's has an excellent repeat customer who often buys a new piece, shoots it a bit then trades it back for something else. This piece had about 150 rounds through it. Well, that little puppy just followed me home.
I took it directly to the range at H & H Fort Wayne (yep, I can shoot pistol caliber rifles at the indoor range!).
First mag (ten rounds, Blazer 158 gr JHP .357 magnum—cheapest I could get at H & H; .38 Special was sold out), I had a 2.5" group, a bit high and right of bull's eye, at 25 yards. Not bad for these 60-yr-old eyes with the original steel sites. I put another 40 rounds through it, and the rifle proved as accurate as I am.
I discovered that this rifle will snag a bit when I work the lever. On two occasions I thought I was out of ammo, but when I checked to be sure I discovered the lever had not functioned perfectly. The cartridge was there, the lever just snagged on the way. I found that I needed to work the lever with authority for it to work properly. Lesson learned. Other than this small matter, the rifle worked perfectly. I like this one. It's a keeper.
If you are in the area, stop in to talk with the folks at Tomlinson—especially the big guy with the long beard. They know their firearms. They are willing to talk and to share their knowledge with rookies. They are willing to negotiate on their used weapons, and they have a very good selection—new and used.
OK, nuf said.
After serious research I decided I wanted this one:Marlin Model 1894 Cowboy 20" Octagon 357 Magnum, octagon barrel with Ballard type cut rifling, 10 shot magazine, 357 magnum straight grip stock. (I really wanted the 16" barrel because it would be easier to handle around the house if needed or a bit lighter in the bush, but they seemed to be very difficult to find.)
Today I stopped by:
Tomlinsons Shooting Supplies Inc
8475 E US33 Suite G
Churubusco, IN 46723
260.693.2830
info@tomlinsonshootingsupplies.com
They had a Marlin 1894C in .44 magnum. Brand new. Beautiful. Good price.
They also had a Marlin 1894 Cowboy with a 16" barrel in .357, used, at a very good price. Seems Tomlinson's has an excellent repeat customer who often buys a new piece, shoots it a bit then trades it back for something else. This piece had about 150 rounds through it. Well, that little puppy just followed me home.
I took it directly to the range at H & H Fort Wayne (yep, I can shoot pistol caliber rifles at the indoor range!).
First mag (ten rounds, Blazer 158 gr JHP .357 magnum—cheapest I could get at H & H; .38 Special was sold out), I had a 2.5" group, a bit high and right of bull's eye, at 25 yards. Not bad for these 60-yr-old eyes with the original steel sites. I put another 40 rounds through it, and the rifle proved as accurate as I am. I discovered that this rifle will snag a bit when I work the lever. On two occasions I thought I was out of ammo, but when I checked to be sure I discovered the lever had not functioned perfectly. The cartridge was there, the lever just snagged on the way. I found that I needed to work the lever with authority for it to work properly. Lesson learned. Other than this small matter, the rifle worked perfectly. I like this one. It's a keeper.
If you are in the area, stop in to talk with the folks at Tomlinson—especially the big guy with the long beard. They know their firearms. They are willing to talk and to share their knowledge with rookies. They are willing to negotiate on their used weapons, and they have a very good selection—new and used.
OK, nuf said.
Thanks!
