Marlin Model 1894: One of 2019's Top-Selling Lever Guns

by
posted on May 19, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
no-2-lever-action.jpg

Marlin’s 1894 was the second-most-popular lever-action rifle in sales through the services of Gunbroker.com in 2019. The carbine is a classic—having been introduced in 1894 chambered for several revolver cartridges—and like nearly every gun with staying power on the top-performers list, options have expanded through the years.

The rifle was designed and patented by L.L. Hepburn in 1893 while he worked for Marlin. The firearm features side ejection and a tubular magazine.

In 2018 the company shook things up when it introduced two new versions—the CBSL and CST—at the SHOT Show. Both are chambered in .357 Mag./.38 Spl. and their tubular magazines have an eight-round capacity. They feature stainless steel receivers and 16 1/2-inch barrels. The CST’s, however, is threaded for muzzle devices and it ships with a thread protector.

Cosmetically, though, they are every different. The 1894 CBSL, which has an MSRP of $1,214.64, comes with an XS Lever Rail with ghost ring sights. Its stock is a striking gray laminate.

The CTS, which retails for $1,223.24, features a painted hardwood stock and XS Ghost Ring sights. Both guns, however, wear the company’s Wild-West Guns-style big loop and there’s even a .44 Mag. version with cosmetics identical to the CBSL (Model 1894 SBL).

They are a big departure from Marlin’s traditional American walnut furniture, although there’s no denying that timeless style remains a popular choice. Marlin offers the look in .357 Mag./.38 Spl., .44 Mag. and .45 Colt.

Octagonal barrels, stainless or blued metalwork, folding buckhorn sights (in a limited edition available now) and different wood finishes provide a variety of options in factory-fresh 1894 models.

Not all Marlin’s line remains cosmetically true to the Hepburn’s design, but that’s likely one of the primary reasons the rifle is popular to this day. The looks and features may change, but the gun has a history of reliability, performance and the kind of longevity enthusiasts deserve.

Latest

375 Holland And Holland Cartridge Web 1
375 Holland And Holland Cartridge Web 1

Powerhouse Pedigree: The .375 H&H Mag. & Its Descendants

The cartridge family dynasty that began with the .375 H&H Mag. is still gaining momentum well over a century later.

Beretta Donates Unreleased Shotgun To Benefit Marine Raider Foundation

Beretta supported the fifth annual NorCal Marine Raider Foundation Fundraiser by donating a one-of-a-kind, unreleased commemorative shotgun for the event’s auction.

KelTec's Big Move To Wyoming

KelTec is the largest gunmaker in the state of Florida, but when the company looked to expand its manufacturing footprint, ultimately, the decision was made to create KelTec West, an entirely new production facility located in Rock Springs, Wyo.

New For 2025: Rossi RS22 Pistol

Rossi USA downsized its RS22 platform in 2025, creating a compact, large-format pistol variant of its popular RS22 semi-automatic rifle.

Handloads: A .32-20 Win. For Small-Game Hunting

The .32-20 Winchester Center Fire gained a fair following after it was introduced in 1882 in the Winchester Model 1873 rifle as a cartridge of modest power and good accuracy for small-game hunting and target shooting.

Rifleman Report: Heirloom Qualities

I’m thankful that we seldom witness the loss of an American Rifleman field editor, but, unfortunately for the entire shooting community, that occurred recently with the passing of combat handgun authority Wiley Clapp.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.