Still another iconic Marlin lever-action rifle is being reintroduced by Ruger: this time it is the turn of the Model 1894 Classic chambered in .44 Rem Mag. "We're very excited to introduce our first Ruger-made Marlin Model 1894," said Ruger President and CEO, Chris Killoy. "We have spent many months working to make this rifle the best it can be."
In 2020 when Ruger acquired Marlin for $30 million as part of Remington's bankruptcy assets liquidation, many were afraid that the products of the legendary brand might disappear from the market. But Ruger honored the promise to keep the brand alive: Ruger in fact already re-introduced other Marlin lever-action rifles, among them the 1895 SBL and the Model 1895 Guide Gun (both in in .45-70 Govt.) besides the Model 336 Classic in in 30.30 Win.
The iconic Marlin Model 1894 Classic
A beautifully finished American black walnut straight stock and forend with clean and crisp checkering for an excellent grip in most weather conditions are distinguishing features of the revived Model 1894 Classic, which also has a square finger lever. Receiver, lever and trigger guard plate are CNC machined from alloy steel forgings – receiver is blued with a satin finish. The rifle also sports a 20.25"/514 mm cold hammer-forged barrel with standard six-groove rifling and 1:20" twist rate. Front sight is a brass bead with hood, while rear sight is an adjustable semi-buckhorn type – a classic combo that is also very effective for quick target acquisition.
The tubular magazine holds 10 rounds of .44 Magnum ammunition. Being chambered in .44 magnum, the Model 1894 Classic can also shoot .44 Special cartridges, in which case the magazine will accept 11 rounds and users will experience a milder recoil. (A soft rubber buttpad effectively helps absorb recoil in both calibers.) The loading gate is located on the receiver. Safeties include a push-button, cross-bolt manual safety and traditional half-cock hammer.
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.
The 1894 Classic is offered with a suggested retail price of $1,239 in the U.S. Sling swivel studs and an offset hammer spur are included. The manufacturer already ensures that additional models in different calibers and configurations will be released throughout the coming year.
Marlin Model 1894 Classic specs and price
| Caliber: | .44
Rem.Mag. / .44 Special |
| Magazine
Capacity: | 10 or 11
rounds |
| Stock: | American
Black Walnut |
| Receiver
Material: | Alloy steel |
| Finish: | Satin
blued |
| Sights: | Brass
bead with hood front, semi-buckhorn rear |
| Length of
Pull: | 13.63" |
| Barrel
Length: | 20.25" |
| Overall
Length: | 37.75" |
| Weight: | 6.4 lb. |
| Price
(MSRP in the U.S.): | $1,239 |
