My new to me Marlin 1894 carbine, pre-safety 357, is in like new condition. I thought the seller was telling tall tales when he said his father bought it new in the early 1980's and never fired it. He inherited it and never fired it. Well, after close examination with a magnifier I can say I think it was never fired. Had a small safe make on the barrel and a few pressure marks on the wood, that's it. Not one screw has ever been touched.
Seller had done his research so it was no steal, but I had to have it.
Marlin overall is nicer than the Rossi. Better blue, better wood, better sights. Out of the box better action also. Surprising, both loading gates suck hard.
But with my military discount I could buy two of the Rossi's for what one of the Marlin's go for normally. And for $2 worth of sandpaper and four hours work I'd say the Rossi can be just has good a shooter has a Marlin.
(Now my Winchester 94 (30-30) is a different animal all together. 1991 Limited addition 28 inch cowboy gun with an action custom guns dream of. It's a longer action, but wow, smoooooth is an understatement. And accurate.)
Looking forward to shooting the 357's side by side tomorrow.
