Marlin 1894 CL Rifle

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  • Last Post 11 December 2017
reggleston posted this 08 December 2017

Anyone out there know if a Marlin Lever Model 1894 chambered in 32-20(Ducks Unlimited edition) has conventional or Micro Grove Rifling? Serial number of rifle in question is CL 320073.

Thanks.

Bob E

 

R D Eggleston

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Ken T posted this 09 December 2017

My 1894 CL has conventional rifling.It is a standard edition.Not sure if that makes any difference.

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reggleston posted this 09 December 2017

Hi Ken: Would you be willing to share the serial number of your rifle so I can compare it to the one I am considering purchasing? PM me if you can I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

Bob E.

R D Eggleston

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lotech posted this 09 December 2017

I thought all these guns, .218 Bee, .25-20, and .32-20 had conventional type rifling, but maybe not. I have a .32-20 that is about 1300 numbers behind the gun you mention. I bought mine new in 1988. I don't remember when they were introduced, but I don't think they had been available too long before I got one. I would guess the rifle in question is a pretty early example. 

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RicinYakima posted this 10 December 2017

FWIW, I too thought all the re-introduced 32/20's were Ballard rifled, as was my 218 Bee. I bought a 32/20 barrel from Numrick when Marlin quite making rifles and re-barreled my original 1889 with one, and it was Ballard rifled.

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lotech posted this 10 December 2017

I know less than I thought I did and suppose I have terms confused. I mistakenly thought "Ballard" rifling was "conventional" rifling. What is the difference?

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Dale53 posted this 10 December 2017

“Ballard Rifling” IS conventional rifling. My Marlin 1894 CL in 25-20 had conventional (Ballard) rifling. Truly a FINE smallgame rifle, too!

FWIW

Dale53

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RicinYakima posted this 10 December 2017

Ballard is a six land and groove style of rifling noted for having taller lands designed for lead bullets. I'm confident that Marlin barrels from the 1980's were broached rifled with a carbide button. What set it apart in the 1880's was that paper patched barrels had very shallow rifling, usually only 0.003" tall. Grooved and lubed bullets shot better with 0.006" or taller lands.

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John Alexander posted this 11 December 2017

I have had 5 25-10 barrels and one 218 all six groove. 

John

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Ken T posted this 11 December 2017

The SN of my .32-20 is CL320422.

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D.E.powell posted this 11 December 2017

 I have the marlin 1894CL's in .32-20 and .25-20 and both are Ballard type . The .32-20 is also in the 32000 range the .25-20 is in the 25000's. 

Don 

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45 2.1 posted this 11 December 2017

If it helps, when Marlin issued the current 1894 configuration in 32-20, it was Ballard rifling. When they brought it back after some years, it was micro groove and have examined both issues. I haven't seen a DU to examine, but am looking for the first issue 25-20 with no luck.

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