Marlin 1894 Trapper 10mm review – Serious Power in a Compact Package.
Who remembers Steve Miller’s song The Joker? In that song, he talks about being a Space Cowboy and whatnot. When I envision a true Space Cowboy, the romantic side of me is confident he is still grounded in the old ways, but with a modern take. In that same vein, Space Cowboy would indeed be rocking a lever-action rifle, but I expect it would be a more modern cartridge. The 10mm Auto fits the bill: a bit more contemporary, with a refreshed nostalgia. Hell, you can even get revolvers in 10mm, so this is looking like an even better idea.
All considerations in place, it looks like our cosmic gunslinger will be outfitted with the Marlin 1894 Trapper in 10mm Auto, and I am way cool with that.
A handsome carbine with beautiful laminate wood furniture and matte stainless steel for the rest. Traditional lines are still prevalent, but notice the slightly larger lever and 5/8×24 threaded barrel, bringing this rifle a bit more up to date.
The rifle is compact enough to be wielded easily with a silencer threaded on, keeping the noise signature to a minimum. We ran the Liberty Suppressors Cosmic as reviewed here—larger rubber butt pad. In contrast, the only ammunition that generated very noticeable recoil was the heavy DoubleTap. I am not sure recoil absorption is genuinely needed, but the rubber pad was somewhat tacky and aided in keeping the butt of the rifle in place while shouldered.
Skinner sights are featured on many of the new Marlins. The rear sight is adjustable, and the fine rear peep is removable, giving you a larger aperture for close-up and quick sight work. The front sight is highlighted in white and contrasts well with the rear peep.
The time-honored cross bolt safety is simple, comfortable, and effective. The trigger broke cleanly at about 4.5 pounds. There was some take-up and enough overtravel to be comfortable.
3 shots from a rest at 50 yards
Conclusions
Throughout testing, we were between 300 and 350 rounds from Doubletap, Defender, and Hornady, and there were no malfunctions or misfeeds. Accuracy at fifty yards was very practical, with groups averaging at two inches or just under.
The Marlin 1894 Trapper in .10mm Auto is, in many aspects, the same rifle as the Trapper in .357 Magnum as reviewed here. It also serves many roles, but maybe some better than the .357 Magnum. First and foremost, it is a larger bullet with more sectional density that will work great against barriers and bone. It also suppresses the 10mm far better than the .357. Considering subsonic ammunition, the 10mm is a better choice for energy downrange. You have two more rounds of capacity over the .357, and every little bit helps. Home defense and self-defense, of course, and even more so if your sidearm is 10mm. That cuts the complications of ammunition logistics by 50%. This rifle would make a nice entry into the lever-action world, thanks to its excellent sights, ease of use, and robust build. For me, the rifle’s fun factor makes it worth having. Don’t get me wrong, I genuinely love the Trapper in .357 Magnum, but in many instances, the 10mm makes more sense. Ideally, having both is the safest option.
Whatever your needs or wants are, if you are in the market for a new lever gun or a new rifle that is eat up with cool points, it would behoove you to take a gander at the Marlin Trapper line.
Specfications
| Model # | 70453 |
| Caliber | 10mm Auto |
| Capacity | 10 |
| Stock | Black Laminate |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Finish | Matte Stainless |
| Front Sight | Skinner Sights™ Blade |
| Rear Sight | Skinner Sights™ Adjustable |
| Weight | 6.3 lb. |
| Overall Length | 33.25″ |
| Length of Pull | 13.38″ |
| Barrel Length | 16.1″ |
| Thread Pattern | 5/8″-24 |
| Barrel | Cold Hammer-Forged Stainless Steel |
| Twist | 1:16″ RH |
| Grooves | 6 |
| UPC | 7-36676-70453-8 |
| Suggested Retail | $1,599.00 |
Acknowledgments
