Recoil from .357 Mag Marlin 1894C vs .44 Mag Marlin 1894

[Joe Williams]

So, my wife is trying to decide whether she wants a .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum Marlin lever carbine, but she's not a fan of a sharp recoil.

My .357 Marlin had basically zero recoil. It was a ton of fun to shoot, too. But I've never fired the .44 Mag lever guns from Marlin, or anyone else for that matter, so I have no idea how hard they kick, or how they kick.

Any input?

[Soundslikejosh]

The .44 is pretty mild on recoil, but then again I am not a small-framed person. Mine is a carbine, so it probably can't get much worse than it already is. Has your wife shot any other rifles or shotguns that we might be able to compare to?

I'd be glad to let you shoot it sometime if I come up to C-Ville.

[Joe Williams]

Originally Posted by Soundslikejosh

The .44 is pretty mild on recoil, but then again I am not a small-framed person. Mine is a carbine, so it probably can't get much worse than it already is. Has your wife shot any other rifles or shotguns that we might be able to compare to?

I'd be glad to let you shoot it sometime if I come up to C-Ville.

She does have a Rossi single shot 20 guage, one of the ones that comes with a 20 guage and a .22 barrel. Frankly, that thing was painful to shoot, bruised us all until I put a recoil pad on it.

The only other long guns besides rimfires has been the 1894C I used to have, and our son's Mossberg Bantam Youth 500 20 guage.

A couple of 9mm and .40 carbines, but I don't think those will provide a useful comparison.

[SMiller]

I am a sissy when it comes to recoil, a 12 guage tears me up and I hate shooting them, just to give you a idea of what a sissy I am. I have a Marline 1894SS in .44 and it is like shooting my .22 just a whole lot louder, zero recoil. The only bad side is that this is the 3rd yes 3rd 1894SS I have had and it has the Marlin jamb, I have sent one back, sold one off, and getting ready to find a way to get this one gone. I think it is only the stainless guns that really have the problem but I have had enough, even called and talked to Marlin, they couldn't care less even though they know this is a major problem. I think the 1894SS is the best looking gun ever produced, just a shame I can't get it to cycle.

[indyjoe]

I can't agree with the zero recoil on my 1894. While I was shooting full house 240 grain jacket soft point, but it has some kick to it. Definitely not a .22. However, it isn't as bad as a single shot 12 gauge with bird/skeet shot in it.

As with the .357 to .38, you have the option of shooting .44 special, or if you load just use a high volume powder and load to .44 special specs.

[Leadeye]

I have an old 1894 44 mag that I now use to hunt with. Use 265 grain cast lead bullets at high power and the recoil is about the same as a 410 shotgun. Get the Wild West trigger if you get the Marlin, it makes all the difference in the world.

[spainy79]

Originally Posted by indyjoe

I can't agree with the zero recoil on my 1894. While I was shooting full house 240 grain jacket soft point, but it has some kick to it. Definitely not a .22. However, it isn't as bad as a single shot 12 gauge with bird/skeet shot in it.

[kludge]

I she's a deer hunter then yes, I would go with the extra ooph of the .44... If not then the .357. She's not going to notice the recoil in layers of clothing. Otherwise a pound of lead goes a lot further in 38 caliber reloads than it does on .44's.

On the other hand... why limit yourself to .357 or .44 Mag?

A .45 Colt will go clean through a deer with no more recoil than a .357.

[FordMan08]

The 44mag is not bad, I mean it wont knock your front tooth out or anything.....

[cosermann]

Originally Posted by FordMan08

The 44mag is not bad, I mean it wont knock your front tooth out or anything.....

LOL! You're killing me!