RUGER BRINGS BACK THE MARLIN 1894 IN .44 MAG

Ruger Marlin 1894

Ruger continues to play the hits with its resurrected Marlin Firearms brand, announcing this week that the famed Model 1894 is back in production.


WHAT IS THE 1894?

Marlin first introduced the now classic revolver-caliber lever gun back in 1894, hence the name, originally chambered in then-contemporary cartridges such as .25-20, .32-20, .38-40, and .44-40. With a straight grip, rectangular lever, 24-inch octagonal barrel, and a healthy 10-shot tubular magazine, the “solid top” Model 1894 was popular enough to remain in production well into the 1930s.

Marlin 1893
The original Marlin 1894 was a product of the company’s LL Hepburn era and drew heavily from preceding designs such as the very similar Model 1893, shown here in the Cody exhibit at SHOT Show 2019, with the big difference being that the 1894 was the company’s first “solid top” rifle. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

Marlin restored the M1894 to its catalog in 1969 – when Old Western TV shows like “Gunsmoke” and “Bonanza” were must-watch prime-time family programming – and updated the caliber to the more readily-available .44 Special/Magnum. At the same time, the company shortened the rifle a bit via an easier-to-shoulder 20-inch round profile barrel but otherwise kept the same general layout as the original.

Marlin kept the Vietnam-era M1894 reboot in and out of production, including shorter carbine options and variants chambered in .357 Mag, .41 Mag, and .45 Colt, until the model finally vanished altogether in 2020 with the bankruptcy of Remington Outdoors, which had acquired the Marlin brand a decade prior.

Remington Marlin 1894
In its final days before going out of production in 2020, the Marlin 1894 was seen as an ideal suppressor host, seen with an AAC Illusion fitted. Note the solid top design allowed easy fitment of optics. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com) 

THE NEW, AND IMPROVED, RUGER MARLIN 1894

Fast forward to this week and, with Ruger now firmly in the driver’s seat of the rebooted brand, the Marlin 1894 is back. Whereas the old “Big Green” era guns were noted for having lots of issues in terms of fit, finish, and functionality, the new Marlin says today’s Model 1894 Classic has quality crafted into every detail.

“Improved manufacturing processes create tight tolerances, resulting in a reliable, attractive rifle,” stressed Marlin on the new rifle. “Multi-layered quality control procedures, including daily function and accuracy audits and multiple inspections, result in a high-quality product.”

Ruger Marlin 1894
Chambered in .44 Rem Mag, the Ruger-made Marlin Model 1894 Classic sports an American black walnut straight stock and forend with checkering that accentuates both the aesthetic and utility of the rifle. (Photo: Marlin)
Ruger Marlin 1894
The side-gate loading receiver, lever, and trigger guard plate are CNC machined from alloy steel forgings. Weight is 6.4 pounds and overall length is 37.75 inches. 
Ruger Marlin 1894
The tubular magazine will accept 10 rounds of .44 Rem Mag or 11 rounds of .44 Special ammunition. Ruger’s Marlin line is produced in Mayodan, North Carolina. 
Ruger Marlin 1894
The 20-inch cold hammer-forged round profile barrel is made of alloy steel and features a hooded front sight with an adjustable semi-buckhorn rear. The Ruger-made 1894 Classic is marked “Mayodan, NC,” bears an “RM” or Ruger-made serial number prefix, and features the red and white “bullseye” in the stock.

“Our focus continues to be on quality,” said Ruger President and CEO, Chris Killoy. “We remain committed to making firearms worthy of John Marlin’s legacy. The fit and finish of this rifle is reminiscent of what was produced by Marlin craftsmen in New Haven, CT many decades ago.”

Other features include a rubber buttpad, sling swivel studs, and offset hammer spur.

The MSRP is $1,239, with limited availability.