1894 357 magnum and 1894CS 357Mag/ 38 sp

[Jc1witness]

I have two marlin 1894 rifles. One is a 1894 with no letters. Is labled .357 magnum it does not have a safety. The other is a 1894CS and has 357 mag / 38 sp. Has a cross bar safety.
I was told that the first one will also shoot 38.sp. but it is having problems feeding the .38 sp. bullets. Some times the lever will lock open aginst the next shell in the loading tube. To un lock it I have to get a small screw driver to press the shell in further. This gun also has feeding issues with 357 but the lever does not lock up with them.

I believe the issue is that the Carrier does not come up all the way to align with the Barrel

The 1894 CS works great feed every time. Both .38 and 357.

So I have two major questions? Is the first 1894 suppose to beable to shoot .38sp. What is the most likely issue causing the feed issues with 357 mag.

[Bear 45/70]

Fix the feeding problem with the 357 and chances are the 38 Special problem will go away. My 1894FG in 41 Mag had the feed issue you described and a trip back to the factory got the 44 mag lift removed and replaced by a 41 Mag piece.

[Jc1witness]

Thanks
So even though the barrel does not say 38 the 1980 model 1894 with no lattes following can and is made to shoot both .38 and 357 magnum?
Do you know does Marlin charge to fix the feeding issue?
Also what is the gun worth once I get it fixed.
The blueing is in great shape, stock is in good shape with a couple of scratches.

[Bear 45/70]

They charged me nothing as they had installed the wrong lifter.