RUGER DEBUTS MARLIN 1894 TRAPPER CARBINE IN .44 MAG

Ruger this week reintroduced a factory stainless big loop Marlin 1894 Trapper model chambered in hard-hitting .44 Magnum/Special and shipping with a 16.1-inch barrel.

Originally patented on Aug. 1, 1893, by L.L. Hepburn, the Model 1894 was the first flat-top lever action with a side eject receiver. However, across its production run, Marlin typically liked to make the 1894 in longer barrel lengths, only making limited runs of short “trapper” carbines. This abbreviated take on the model, in a stainless-steel (1894SS) format, returned to Marlin for brief runs (e.g. 351 guns made for Davidson’s in 2006) and in a stainless big-loop (SBL) variant that popped up in the catalogs for 2011 and 2018.

Now, Ruger has brought it back for 2024.

the new Ruger Marlin 1894 Trapper in .44 shown in a lightbox
Using a stainless-steel barrel and receiver mated to black laminate furniture, the carbine is handy, taping out at just 33.25 inches overall while still keeping a 13.38-inch length of pull. Weight is 6.3 pounds. (Photos: Marlin)
the new Ruger Marlin 1894 Trapper in .44 shown in a lightbox
Chambered in .44 Magnum, the underbarrel magazine tube accepts 8 rounds, or when using shorter .44 Special cartridges, will hold nine. 
the new Ruger Marlin 1894 Trapper in .44 shown in a lightbox
The 1894 Trapper has an adjustable rear and blade front sight made by Skinner, while the cold hammer-forged 1-in-20-inch twist barrel ends with a threaded muzzle (5/8×24 TPI pattern) for muzzle devices and suppressors. 

 

The ask on the new Ruger Marlin 1894 Trapper in .44 is $1,499, a price generally lower at retail. That price matches the current Model 1895 Trapper in .45-70 and the Model 336 Trapper in .30-30, with each of those carbines having a 5+1 capacity.