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

Gotw Wilson Combat Divison 77 Project 1 Web
Gotw Wilson Combat Divison 77 Project 1 Web

Gun Of The Week: Wilson Combat Division 77 Project 1

Join American Rifleman staff on the range in this video to get a closer look at Wilson Combat’s somewhat cryptically named “Division 77 Project 1.” 

The Armed Citizen® July 18, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: POF-USA LMR BASE Rifle

The Patriot Ordnance Factory LMR Base offers a .308 Win. chambering in a lightweight, AR-15-size package, which makes it a capable platform for today's new gun owner. And it comes at a fair price.

2025 Accessory Of The Year: Wyoming Sight Drifter

For each of the past 23 years, the editors of American Rifleman have convened to select our top picks for the past year’s best and most innovative products. Here are the most recent winners.

Henry Donates Rifles To Support Young Leukemia Victim

Henry Repeating Arms has donated a limited run of 50 “Team Keane” Golden Boy .22 lever-action rifles to support 13-year-old Keane Rhodes of Universal City, Texas, who is currently undergoing aggressive treatment for ALL T-cell leukemia.

Rifleman Review: Springfield Armory Echelon

Springfield Armory introduced its Echelon in 2023, bringing a modernized, chassis-style, striker-fired handgun to the market that has since seen several notable line extensions.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.