Ruger Follows Up the Marlin Dark Series with the Re-Release of the Marlin Classic Model 1894 Chambered in .357 Magnum

Hot on the heels of the re-release of the Marlin Dark Series, Ruger has just announced the re-release of one of Marlin’s all-time classics, the Model 1894 lever action chambered in .357 Magnum. Unlike the Dark Series guns, the 1894 Classic is, well, a classic. It has blued steel and an American Black Walnut stock with tasteful checkering and a rubber recoil pad.

The new Marlin 1894 sports an 18.63-inch cold hammer forged barrel, an adjustable semi-Buckhorn rear sight, and a hooded brass bead on the front. Capacity is 10 rounds of .357 Magnum or .38 Special loaded into the full-length magazine tube below the barrel.

Overall length is just 36 inches and weight is only 6.2 pounds. Although I don’t see it listed in the specs, it looks like the new 1894 is drilled and tapped for optics mounting as well. It comes with sling swivel studs installed, and an offset hammer spur if you do decide to mount a scope.

The Marlin 1894 in .357 Magnum is probably my all-time favorite lever gun. It’s sleek, fast-handling and packs a good punch for its size. I used the Model 1894 Cowboy in .357 Magnum for years when I was doing Cowboy Action Shooting and got a have of trigger time in behind that gun.

My buddy shot the same model 1894 and there were always a lot of them represented on the line at any match we went to. It’s a heck of a camp and brush gun, too.

Mine has the 24-inch heavy octagonal barrel on it, which I love, but I appreciate the traditional 18-inch carbine as well, so I’m glad to see that being the first 1894 that Ruger is bringing back into the Marlin line.

There’s still a lot of merit to matching up your lever gun to a handgun of the same caliber when it comes to general utility or range and field use, so if you’re a .357 Magnum fan you should be excited to see the comeback of the classic Model 1894.

Specifications

Caliber: .357 Magnum/.38 Special
Capacity: 10+1
Stock: American Black Walnut
Material: Alloy Steel
Finish: Satin Blued
Front Sight: Brass Bead with Hood
Rear Sight: Adjustable Semi-Buckhorn
Weight: 6.2 lb.
Overall Length: 36″
Length of Pull: 13.63″
Barrel Length: 18.63″
Barrel: Cold Hammer-Forged Alloy Steel
Twist: 1:16″ RH
Grooves: 6
MSRP: $1,239