Modern rounds fireable in 1893 Marlin?

[JaboobiGinips]

Hello everyone,

I made an account just to ask this question, as I could not find a conclusive answer elsewhere. I inherited my great-grandfather's Model 1893 Marlin lever-action (serial no. 90894, caliber .38-55), and its in pretty good condition with a completely working receiver and everything, with just some cracks on the butt and little scratches and dings elsewhere, nothing serious considering it hasn't been fired since at least the 50's, according to my grandfather. I really wanted to see if I could get it in to working order again and go hunting with it someday or maybe have it for protection or whatever. I guess the meat of my question is:

Can I fire modern .38-55 rounds in this rifle without significant danger to myself?

Sorry if this got long winded!

Thanks,
Jaboobi

[marlinman93]

Most modern .38-55 ammo is not too hot because it could end up in older guns. So it usually isn't an issue. But your gun is a very early 1893 and thus has a softer steel black powder era barrel. For that reason I would suggest that any modern ammo you shoot in your 1893 should be a plain cast lead bullet, and not modern jacketed lead bullets.

[JaboobiGinips]

Alright thank you! As I am very new to guns, how can I tell the difference?

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

JaboobiGinips;

Buffalo Arms ( www.buffaloarms.com ) currently sells black powder cartridges suitable for your Marlin Model 1893. A little pricey, but if you buy more than one box of 20 cartridges, they give a little price break. Check under the "Black Powder Ammunition" icon in the "Ammunition" section of the website.

[marlinman93]

The box will tell you if it's jacketed bullets or not. Here are some other good choices for your gun.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1001896488

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101813502?pid=624078

Ignore the fact that the idiots at Midway refer to this as ".38-55 WCF". Your .38-55 is a Ballard cartridge, and not Winchester, but seems Midway doesn't know it.

[JaboobiGinips]

Alright, thank you guys so much! I appreciate all the help.