Marlin 1894CB .44 Magnum Lever Action Rifle with Walnut Stock: Power, Precision, and Tradition Combined

Marlin 1894CB 44 MAG Lever Action Rifle with Walnut Stock. The Marlin 1894CB .44 Magnum Lever Action Rifle is a living piece of American firearm heritage. With its robust design, powerful chambering, and beautifully crafted American walnut stock, it offers both the aesthetic charm of the Old West and the performance capabilities of a modern sporting rifle.

Whether you’re a hunter in search of a hard-hitting brush gun, a cowboy-action shooting competitor, or a collector seeking a high-quality traditional lever gun, the 1894CB chambered in .44 Magnum and .44 Special delivers on all fronts.

Legacy of the Marlin 1894 Series

The Marlin 1894 has deep roots in American firearm history. Originally introduced in the late 19th century, the Model 1894 was developed as a direct competitor to the Winchester Model 1892. What made Marlin unique was its solid-top receiver with side ejection—an innovation that allowed easier scope mounting and improved strength and durability over traditional top-eject models.

The “CB” in 1894CB stands for “Cowboy,” highlighting its popularity among cowboy-action shooters who appreciate its period-correct styling, smooth action, and consistent performance.

Marlin 1894CB .44 Magnum: Technical Specifications

Aesthetics and Craftsmanship

The Marlin 1894CB is a showpiece of traditional American craftsmanship. The American black walnut stock is richly grained and features crisp checkering on both the forearm and pistol grip, providing a firm hold and a classic visual appeal. Its fit and finish echo the rifles of the Old West while benefiting from precision modern manufacturing.

The 20-inch octagonal barrel isn’t just for looks. It adds rigidity to the rifle and enhances its old-school charm while contributing to better heat distribution and accuracy. The blued finish on the barrel and receiver provides both a beautiful, deep color and protection against wear and corrosion.

Every detail, from the steel buttplate to the finely polished lever loop, reflects Marlin’s commitment to producing firearms that balance form and function.

Chambering: .44 Magnum / .44 Special

The versatility of the Marlin 1894CB really shines when it comes to its chambering. This lever gun accepts both .44 Magnum and .44 Special cartridges, offering flexibility to shooters for a wide range of applications.

• .44 Magnum provides heavy-hitting power, suitable for taking down medium game like deer or hogs at short to medium ranges.
• .44 Special offers milder recoil, making it a great option for target shooting, plinking, or for newer shooters getting used to a lever-action platform.

The ability to shoot two different types of ammunition from the same rifle makes the 1894CB a practical and cost-effective firearm.

Performance in the Field Marlin 1894CB 44 MAG Lever Action Rifle with Walnut Stock

Hunting Powerhouse

Thanks to the .44 Magnum’s excellent terminal performance, the 1894CB excels in thick brush environments and tight quarters, where shots are often taken under 100 yards. Its compact size, maneuverability, and quick lever-action cycling make it an outstanding rifle for woods hunting. Whether stalking deer, wild boar, or even black bear at closer ranges, the Marlin 1894CB delivers the stopping power you can rely on.

Target and Recreational Shooting

With its mild recoil when shooting .44 Special rounds and intuitive iron sights, the Marlin 1894CB makes for an enjoyable day at the range. The rifle’s balance, smooth trigger pull, and precise Ballard-type rifling ensure tight groupings and consistent performance.

Cowboy Action Shooting Favorite

The Marlin 1894CB is a top choice among cowboy action shooting competitors. Its fast lever throw and ability to handle reduced-recoil .44 Special loads make it ideal for speed and accuracy-focused shooting events. The smooth, reliable feeding of flat-nose bullets is another reason why it’s highly trusted in timed competition settings.

The traditional design also matches the aesthetic requirements of cowboy action shooting leagues, making it both a functional and compliant choice for enthusiasts of the sport.

Ergonomics and Handling

Weighing just over 6.5 pounds and measuring 37.5 inches in overall length, the 1894CB strikes an excellent balance between stability and maneuverability. The slim fore-end and curved grip design allow for a solid grasp and confident shouldering.

The rifle cycles exceptionally well, thanks to its finely tuned lever mechanism. The action is slick right out of the box and gets even smoother with use, often compared favorably to far more expensive lever guns.

The brass bead front sight makes target acquisition fast and natural, even in lower light, while the adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight offers windage and elevation tweaks for dialing in your point of impact.

Durability and Build Quality

The Marlin 1894CB is built to last a lifetime. With steel components, a hammer-forged barrel, and rugged walnut furniture, it’s designed for use in the field as much as it is for display. Properly maintained, this rifle can easily become a generational firearm, passed down from hunter to hunter.

Its side-eject design also ensures better protection from the elements and debris, reducing the risk of jams or fouling compared to top-eject models.

Maintenance and Care Marlin 1894CB 44 MAG Lever Action Rifle with Walnut Stock

Maintaining the Marlin 1894CB is straightforward. The rifle is easy to disassemble for cleaning, and thanks to its robust design, it doesn’t require excessive maintenance. Cleaning the bore, lubricating the action, and occasionally treating the walnut stock with appropriate oil will keep it in pristine working order.

The lever action itself is known for being resilient and forgiving even in rough field conditions, so this is a rifle you won’t be afraid to take into the woods, rain or shine.

Who Is the Marlin 1894CB .44 Magnum For?

This rifle appeals to a broad spectrum of gun owners:

• Hunters looking for a reliable, hard-hitting, fast-handling brush gun
• Cowboy Action Shooters who want performance, tradition, and speed in one package
• Firearms Collectors drawn to classic lever gun aesthetics with modern build quality
• Recreational Shooters who want the versatility of shooting both .44 Mag and .44 Special
• New Shooters who appreciate the forgiving recoil and intuitive controls of a lever-action rifle

A Lever Gun You Can Trust Marlin 1894CB 44 MAG Lever Action Rifle with Walnut Stock

The Marlin 1894CB .44 Magnum Lever Action Rifle with Walnut Stock is everything a lever gun should be—powerful, reliable, accurate, and classically styled. It embodies over a century of American gun-making tradition while still meeting the needs of today’s shooters.

Whether you’re taking it hunting, entering a cowboy action match, or just admiring it in your collection, the 1894CB is a rifle that will not disappoint. Rugged enough for the field, elegant enough for the display case, and versatile enough for any purpose, this is a firearm that earns its keep.