If you’ve been reading my material for any time at all, you know I have an affinity for revolver-caliber lever action carbines. Just over a year and a half ago, I’d contacted the people at Remington – current owners of Marlin – to check out their current iteration of such a gun.
Nothing happened. Several months passed, I met with Eric at the Remington booth at SHOT Show 2019 and he expressed regret. We talked about rectifying that situation and he was good to his word, sending along the M1894 CST.
Got it, shot it over several range trips and returned it. For those who missed it, it’s the Model 1894 updated with a stainless steel barreled action, a 16 ½” barrel with a threaded muzzle, black painted stock and forearm, XS Sights peep and front sight combo. The stock isn’t a straight-wrist carbine stock, but a “pistol-grip” style rifle stock. And the corresponding curved lever is oversized for gloved hands. I liked this version a lot.
Before that, I’d used – in order – a Rossi M92 in 357 Magnum and a Henry ‘Big Boy Steel’ with a similar length barrel, also a 357.
Just before the recent unpleasantness, I’d gotten a call from the licensee I use for transfers. It was explained that a package, addressed for me, had been ‘found.’
It was the Model 1894C from 2018 . . .
I notified Remington and went to get the sample.
It’s like going back in time, a ‘new production’ from a previous year. And it was none the worse for its storage. While circumstances have prevented a proper evaluation – so far – I have shot it.
I had a range of ammunition to use. I had some recent loads – Hornady American Gunner and Critical Defense in 357 Magnum, as well as some earlier-issue Speer Gold Dot (158 grain GDHP), Federal Premium 158 grain HSHP and Remington 125 grain SJHP.
First – the gun: it’s a traditional blue steel and walnut carbine with a straight-wrist stock and an 18 ½” barrel. The magazine is rated for nine rounds of 357 Magnum and the sights are traditional semi-buckhorn rear and a top-dot post up front (brass bead) – there’s a hood around the front sight and it hasn’t yet come off the rifle.
The receiver is tapped for scope mounting. The recoil pad isn’t ‘grippy’ like the ‘premium’ pad on the M1894 CST and it seems to serve just fine.
As I was on the ‘wrong range’ for accuracy work, I just checked function – for now. Like the CST, it seemed reluctant to accept the Hydrashoks unless I approached the magazine tube ‘just right.’ American Gunner, Critical Defense, Gold Dot and Remington SJHP seemed to load just fine.
The sights are – just like those sight have always been: quite useful. Do I prefer XS aperture sights or Skinner Sights? – Sure, but these will do. As to the action, it runs smoothly. Feeding, extracting and ejection are 100% thus far. It’s early, but it’s something.
The trigger is service grade – which, for me, is just fine. I don’t want an ultra-light match trigger on a rough duty firearm and that’s what this is. Any modern aspects that are irritating? Well, the little square identity emblem – a “QR code” appears next to the serial number on the receiver – isn’t obvious enough to give me heartburn. Nor is the now-common cross bolt safety, which actually may have some application in field use.
Of what use is such a firearm? Well, if you live ‘on the farm,’ there's a lot of potential – especially hereabouts where we have nothing in the way of a bear population, but have been known to run into some good-sized cats, coyotes, similar-sized critters afflicted with disease. With the right loads and discipline, it’d do for hogs. If you are around those who are sensitive about those ‘evil salt-and-pepper weapons’ or whatever they call them, this Model of 1894 would be less disconcerting for them.
Thus far, I’m liking it – but I’m a fan of the platform anyway and I’m glad to see these being made. If ‘the bug’ calms down, there’s more I can do with this slim ranch gun. I’ll keep you posted.
- - Rich Grassi