Lot more 44-40s out there now than 38-40s. 44-40 ammo is also the easier of the two to find.

 

I was just going to say the opposite. I have more 38-40's than 44-40's. Seems like whenever I picked a rifle up it was a 38-40. I have also had better luck at buying 38-40 ammo cheaper than 44-40. Might just depend on where you are located as to what is easier come up with. I like both rounds as far as shooting goes.
Ken

 

I have seen 38-40 more as well, and I know were a long barrel Winchester is now. They want to much for it.

 

Welcome marlin93

Are you looking for new or old model. If you are looking for new, the 44-40 is your only choice. If you want an old model, 44-40 is probably the most desirable in a collector standpoint. Most people want the 44-40, so you will pay more for it, and you will also find it harder to find.
Like the other guys said most of the ones I see are 38-40.

 

I have been watching for an 1894 in either one, and not finding much to choose from. Prices seem very high, and condition of guns usually seems poor. Most that are within reach price wise need a reline job. As to shooting, The 38/40 that I do have has a long octagon barrel, 1907 vintage win 92. Bore is well worn, but still intact end to end no pits. Shoots pretty good, and is a delight to shoot with mild cast bullet loads. I have thought about having it rebored and cut to 44-40, but not sure if that is enough caliber change to clean it up. Thought also about reline, but I think It shoots to well to merit that. I do not want to hurt it's value as an investment.

Ballistics with either, should do for up to deer hunting, and compete well with any modern 1894.

When you find the rifle you will know what caliber pistol to look for, as either one should do well.

 

I have been watching for an 1894 in either one, and not finding much to choose from. Prices seem very high, and condition of guns usually seems poor. Most that are within reach price wise need a reline job. As to shooting, The 38/40 that I do have has a long octagon barrel, 1907 vintage win 92. Bore is well worn, but still intact end to end no pits. Shoots pretty good, and is a delight to shoot with mild cast bullet loads. I have thought about having it rebored and cut to 44-40, but not sure if that is enough caliber change to clean it up. Thought also about reline, but I think It shoots to well to merit that. I do not want to hurt it's value as an investment.

Ballistics with either, should do for up to deer hunting, and compete well with any modern 1894.

When you find the rifle you will know what caliber pistol to look for, as either one should do well.

I think there is a 38/40 on an auction board right now.

 

Tough decision! If you are going to shoot b.p., I would suggest the .44-40.
Also, there are more bullet types available for the .44-40.
I have two .44-40 rifles and would not part with either one

The .38-40 is a neat looking cartridge though, having a more pronounced bottle neck.

Good luck,
w30wcf

 

thanks for all the comments. i'm still undecided. i only want the old antique origanals. i have never shot either caliber. the 38/40 is all over the for sale listings. as a hand gun is one more fun to shoot than the other? which caliber was most common back in the day?

 

38-40 = 40 Caliber.
44-40 = 42 Caliber.

It's like asking 'which do you prefer 41 magnum or 44 magnum?'

You might have more bullet options for reloading with 38-40 as that's a 10mm.

Just my thoughts.

I'd go with 44-40 personally.

 

If it's primarily a collector, caliber is no big thing.

If you're going to shoot it, both calibers are a PITN compared to 357--44--45 Colt. There are some Special Edition Ruger VAQUERO 38/40s out there. There are several 44/40 VAQUEROS on Gunbroker at this time and not too exorbitantly priced. Anything else is a collectible or a caliber conversion. If you have enough yankee dollars...and are willing to wait long enough!... you can get anything you want.

You can get a replica 1866 or 1873 Winchester replica from Buffalo Arms, etc. but they aren't giving them away either. There are some recent manufacture 1894 MARLINS in 44/40, but the collectors have discovered them and the prices are going up.

The 38/40 was popular, but had the same place as the 41 Magnum does today...a good cartridge, but limited appeal to the majority of shooters.

 

I use bullets designed for the 44 Special/44 Magnum in my modern made Marlin 1894 in 44-40, so I get a good selection of bullets to work with.

One thing to keep in mind about the Ruger Vaquero in 44-40 is that Ruger used their standard 44 groove diameter (.430) in the barrel and it's a very loose fit for a normal 44-40 bullet (.427). Don't expect real good accuracy out of one. Actually, it's not uncommon for a modern made 44-40 to use a barrel sized for the larger 44s. I've ran into a Rossi 92 with a .431 barrel. My modern made Marlin 1894 slugged out to .4285 which works better than the larger 44 barrels.

 

merry christmas, i want a marlin pistol caliber carbine rifle to add to my collection and wanted to get some thoughts from those of you who know more than me about what is desireable. it seems most people look to the 44/40. i want the rifle for fun and collecting as i have 30/30 for hunting. should i go with a 38/40 or 44/40? i do not have a colt saa as of yet and will buy oe based on which rifle caliber i decide on. thanks for your help bill

Actually, in my understanding of the history of the 44-40 (44 WCF) and 38-40 (38 WCF), you have the sequence backwards. These were originally rifle cartridges that were adapted to the Colt SSA. The 45 Colt was originally chambered in the SSA and never in a rifle until more recently (according to what I have read). The 44 mag/special and 357 mag/38 special cartridges would be pistol cartridges that have been adapted to rifles.
If you are counting votes, I would choose the 44-40 for the reasons already mentioned. If wanting "the rifle for fun" might include doing a little deer hunting, the 38-40 was always a second choice for that use. Though I have no personal experience with either cartridge, most consider the 44-40 superior for deer though by modern standards it would be considered marginal. In "Cartridges of the World" it states that the 44-40 "has killed more game, large and small, and more people, good and bad, than any other commercial cartridge ever developed."

 

44/40 looks like the best choice. should i be weary of shooting black powder shells thru antique firearms such as the 1888 or 89's? i will only buy a rifle in very good condition.

 

44/40 looks like the best choice. should i be weary of shooting black powder shells thru antique firearms such as the 1888 or 89's? i will only buy a rifle in very good condition.

Properly loaded black powder cartridges shouln't damage the older rifles but why take a chance? If you intend to do high volume shooting the new ones are the only way to go. I vote for the 44-40 simply because it was first and it's bigger.

.

 

If you do go 38-40 let me know I got a box of ammo with one round missing I can let you have ! You pay for shipping !!

 

.38-40 & .44-40 black powder ammunition was the only ammo available until 1895 when smokeless became another option. If a gun is in good shape, b.p. ammo will work just fine. ;D

w30wcf