I've got both.

The Rossi has by far the smoother action, after the Steve's Gunz modifications.

The Marlin has a better feel to it. Slightly heavier and easier on recoil. Wood is walnut on the Marlin, and some nondescript Brazillian hardwood on the Rossi. Factory iron sights equivalent on both. Trigger equivalent on both. Accuracy essentially equal--excepting that my Marlin wears a scope and the Rossi does not.

Price is about $200-300 less on the Rossi. Rossi has a non-intuitive hammer block situated on top of the receiver. It is easily removed and the hole is easily plugged. The Marlin also has a hammer block, but it is located in a site where the shooter would not need to release the shooting hand to activate/inactivate the hammer block. Marlin's hammer block is also easily removed and the hole plugged.

Marlin's receiver is tapped for a scope mount. Rossi is top eject and a scope mount would need to be fitted to the left side of the receiver. Receiver would need to be drilled and tapped by the owner. A scope in this position would be struck by ejected brass. Another alternative would be to mount a scope forward of the receiver, in a scout scope position.

Reliability for not jamming; I would have to give the edge to the Rossi. Marlin has several described jams that occur with wear, variations in effort of lever cycling, and/or over all length of rounds.

Which one do I prefer? The Marlin. Mine was made in 1976. It has history and character. I think it is more comfortable and more fun to shoot than the Rossi.

My Rossi is a 20" octagon barrel and has color case hardened receiver, crescent butt plate, and end cap. Recoil of 44 mag with that crescent butt is painful, even with my padded butt cuff.

Good aftermarket parts, instruction, and gunsmithing for the Rossi are available from Steve's Gunz, including your tang sights.

Potential for resale value retention--Marlin.

The choice is yours.

 

As for peep sights there are a number of options for the Rossi, the easiest is the bolt mounted peep sight sold by Steve Young which replaces the safety. He also sells a number of rear peeps that fit into the rear dovetail but the sight radius is shorter. Of course there are always tang sights too. I have a stainless Rossi 357 and am going to drill and tap my receiver for the XS Winchester 94 ghost ring sights.

 

I was going through a similar decision myself. I just bought a Marlin 1894CB44 Cowboy in 44 mag with 20" barrel. Ended up paying $900 before tax (MSRP on that model is $1,097). I'm pretty pleased with the fit and finish on the rifle. Taking it out next weekend to try it out before a drop in a Skinner peep sight. I did cycle a full mag load through 3 times and chambered 30 rounds without any issues. I will start a new thread on field test after next weekend. This one has the 20" Cowboy Limited Octagon barrel and was assembled in November 2016.

 

I'm a Marlin man through and through and would take a JM stamped gun over anything, anytime. If given the choice between a Remlin and a Rossi though, I would take the Rossi hands down. The Marlin also has a slower trust rate (1:38"), whereas the Rossi is slightly faster (1:30). Not sure that matters to you but the faster twist rates do stabilize heavier bullets better. I just wish someone made a lever action .44 magnum or .45 Colt with a 1:16 twist rate.

 

I'd be leery about getting a Remlin 1894. It may shoot accurate and work properly for a while but I would be nervous about how long it would last. Apparently the don't heat treat some parts to a proper hardness and you can start to get malfunctions and headspace issues after a some hundreds of rounds. You can read it in a stickies from Ranger Point Precision's vendor page.

 

Outstanding info HIkayaker

I just purchased a 1894 in 44 mag (1983 model) but originally wanted a 357 mag however prices are expensive for the 357 mag.. I think some time in the future I will purchase the rossi in 357 mag I have also seen reviews online different rossi models and one with a normal butt plate and that for me is a must even if I have to alter the stock I do not like a crescent plate or pad.

My little brother had one of the rossi levers I think the only thing lacking on the rossi is if you want to mount a scope and as you said you have the scout option which I do not even consider myself I don't like them personally as for the peep I seen a review for a tang sight that looked like it worked good not a receiver mounted peep however a viable option.

 

New vs. New, take the Rossi + Steve's Guns kit + good tang sight + you choice of front sight and you will have a better all around rig for less. Get the 24" full octagon Cowboy. The extra weight and barrel length helps manage the recoil of heavy loads and the extra sight radius helps my old eyes. I have a 45 Colt and it makes 5 shot one hole groups at 50 yards with 200 - 280 gr cast bullets.

Both have the same general issue. They do not finish much beyond what the CNC machining leaves behind. If you can take it down, file, hone, and polish where the machining left rough contact points and add the lower tension springs from Steve's, you will not look back. The only additional work needed on mine was to true up the ejector. It was not square causing feeding issues. A quick file and hone was all it took. There are tricks to getting it back together with only two hands. Not hard to do you just need to see it once. Get Steve's DVD or search YouTube.

Enjoy

 

Got both older JM Marlin 94 & Rossi 92-----both are just fine-----Marlin can be smoothed out easier & is much easier to dis assemble for cleaning---really can't go wrong w/ either!

 

Early rossi's are fine guns but adding a sight is limited to specialized because of non standard dovetail or tang sight

 

I'm not familiar with the Rossi. Is there a peep sight setup for their '92? Receiver drilled and tapped? That's a big issue for us old guys that can't shoot buckhorns anymore.


Rob

 

Too many Marlin 44's on GB for me to consider a Rossi 92

had a very bad C/S issue with Rossi 4 yrs ago.....but still have the rifle..45 Colt 20" oct w/CH receiver...

Yes...even had Steve's Guns tune it...remove safety...etc...will never get my $$ back out of it...

be patient...watch GB...buy a Marlin...I prefer the pre safety...but a Beartooth delete is an easy fix if you so desire......

 

I can deal with the marlin safety and even like it on the 39as 22lr, does not bother me on the centerfires either. The rossi safety looks like it would be a pain to engage or disengage however that's just from looking at it. The review I watched on a 357 the guy had to send the first one back for a broken part and he said instead of repairing the replaced it with a gun of his choice and the upgrade didn't cost extra.... from my understanding the rossi does have a high failure rate but for the price and service they seem to replace or repair them it's worth the gamble on the 357 to me. I do agree with above post on the 44 mag they run a good bit cheaper and one that is in good hunting condition or maybe in need of a stock refinish (not many marlins from the 80's back don't need a stock refinish) might be found at a reasonable price.

 

Marlin, if it's an older one and if I am scoping it, hands down. For a light,handy peep sighted hunter, I'd go with the Rossi.

 

I have owned several Rossi M92 rifles. The older ones were just fine. The ones sold now are a 50/50 crap shoot. I dont own any now, but would like the have the old ones back.

Today, I only have the 1894 CB 24" in 44 Magnum.

 

I'm just the opposite, feeling the newer ones are better. I have an Interarms version that is the biggest P-O-S that I've ever owned, but my Braztech/Rossi/Taurus is my newest sweetheart. I was really sweating the Braztech after my experience with the Interarms, and the Braztech did have some very minor issues in the beginning, but they were easily worked out and it is without doubt, the smoothest and slickest lever gun that I've ever owned. The last Marlin 1894 (2009) I bought also had some small issues in the beginning, just to put it all into perspective. Right now with the Remlin situation as it is, I'd opt for a Rossi if I were looking to buy right now.

 

..just for fun I was looking at any/all aftermarket parts for both guns.

..could provide a little insight?

 

if you're strickly looking for NEW....

I've heard both can be hit/miss.
Some folks have had feeding issues with their Rossi's. But with some polishing, they are easily remedied. The Rossi's can be a little more cumbersome to takedown for cleaning.
I own two... 92 stainless trapper model & 92 octagon model in 44mag. Both have been excellent to me. No issues. No complaints (hence why I brought a second one. )
Sights on the Rossi's can be changed out (see Steve's gunz). Or a scope can be added (mounting points under the factory rear sight).
Some folks don't care for the Brazilian wood or fit/finish. Mine is a shooter, not a show piece.

I've handled a friend's JM 1894. and would not hesitate to buy a older 1894 if the funds are available.
I've seen & handled the new 1894 at LGS. It felt less refined than the JM. But some folks got lucky & they're happy with their 1894 Remlin's.

I would suggest going to your LGS and handled/ inspect both & see which one fits YOU best.

 

Yep, but the newer ones use standard dovetails. I installed a Marbles Semi-Buckhorn in mine, and kept the factory front sight, as it has a larger bead which I can see a little better.