Marlin 1894 Trapper .357 Magnum review, short sweet, and savage.

Marlin 1894 Trapper .357 Magnum review.

Tradition and adhering to the traditions that folks have grown comfortable with are important. Improving your product is a great way to keep your older customers happy while drawing in a new crowd. This is the new Ruger-built Marlin 1894 Trapper, in a nutshell.

Outwardly, it is reminiscent of the old school Marlins while featuring improvements that increase shootability.

Let’s get into that.

Traditional lines of the old-school Marlins are prevalent here, but you will notice a slightly larger lever, increased quality on the laminate furniture, bead-blasted stainless steel construction, and a big-time sight upgrade.

Skinner sights are featured on many of the new Marlins. The rear sight is adjustable, and the fine rear peep is removable to give 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. Incidentally, the muzzle terminates in 1/2 x 28 threads. We ran the Liberty Suppressors Centurion, as reviewed here. 

The time-honored cross bolt safety is simple, comfortable, and effective. The trigger broke clean at about four and a half pounds. There was some takeup and enough overtravel to be comfortable.

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.

The rifle is quite handsome and is wielded easily.

3 shots from a rest at 100 yards

Conclusions 

The Marlin 1894 Trapper in .357 Magnum would efficiently serve many roles, but I see it as a woods companion at the top of the list, especially if your sidearm is chambered in .357 Magnum. Home defense and self-defense would be fine, but I doubt that would be my first choice. Adding a silencer helps with .357 Magnum, but in .38 Special, it is nearly Hollywood quiet with no real perceived recoil. This rifle would make a nice entry into the lever-action world with its excellent sights, ease of use, and robust build. For me, the fun factor of the rifle itself makes it worth having. Lead round nose .38 Special is still somewhat affordable, allowing you to keep your lever action prowess honed without busting your wallet with a .45-70.

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. It is also available in .44 Magnum if that is more your speed.

Specfications 

Acknowledgments 

Ruger Firearms

Marlin Firearms

Doubletap Ammunition

Hornady Ammunition 

Defender Ammunition

Liberty Suppressors