What is a decent price for 1894 in 357 Mag

Thanks to those who responded. I think I get the picture. You know, I kind of hate to go to the auction sites because for the most part I think they are high. I usually buy a Marlin or two every year and I can tell you this, I always buy them for less than what I see similar gun s for on the auction sites AND I don't have to pay shipping or an FFL charge. Those two things right there add up to a good chunk of change. Mostly I just hit the pawn shops in my travels and find that many will deal pretty good from now until mid July. Not so much as hunting seasons near or during season. This rifle is in very good condition without a safety and I think I can get it for $400 or so. They also have a 444 that has caught my eye and maybe I'll try to do a package deal. The 444 is not in as good a shape but not bad and is also pre-safety. I have one 444 and absolutely love it. I take two guns to deer camp and the 444 is always one of them and the other is usually a 35 or a 32. I have quite a few Marlins but no 1894's. 336 (multiple versions), 36, 39, 444.............but no 1894. I like the lines of the gun. I just have never had a caliber like 357 in a rifle. In one sense it seems under powered and in another, too big and slow for a varmit gun. I don't know...........what do you all use these for? I guess deer and similar game as long as you are SURE your shots are under 100 yards and likely under 75. I just can't see me taking it to camp and feeling real confident, probably not appropriately so but nonetheless, uncomfortable. Talk me into or out of it because I like the look but question everything else.

Based on data for this track:

Marlin 1894C 18-in Bbl Rifle in .357 Magnum, .38 Special, Plus. Bluebook of Gun Values (31st Edition) indicates between $365 in 95% condition and $550 in 100% condition for this gun. I have 93 recorded prices for this model gun from $325 to $705 over a period of 5 Yrs 10 Mos ending February 16, 2011. The average price as of that date was $495. No refurbs, no refinishes, regular sights. All represented as 95% or better. No distinction for import location or engineering revision, if any, no special editions, no distinctions for box, papers, tools. Current or last MSRP is $687.72.

Maybe I should buy it, play with it a bit and sell it and make $100 or more. Sounds like I may have some interest here. I have thought about this gun for 2 days and have come to the conclusion that if I got it, it would be for "joy" shooting. I am not going to go hunting with it, even though I know I certainly could. I know I'd reach for the 35 or the 32 every time over the little 357mag. I had to really talk to myself and ask; do you really think you'd hunt this gun? The answer was........................no, probably not. So, I reasoned with myself, if you buy it just know it will be a "toy" purchase and see a lot of safe time. Not looking good for purchase unless I can make a sweet bundle deal with the 444 this shop also has. Honestly, I don't NEED any more Marlins. My daughter just ask me; "why do you keep buying these things, you can only use one at a time, you could hunt every day of any month and not use the same Marlin twice-------it is insane." I looked at her and could not argue with her logic and then said this: "they just bring me joy and, at my age, that might be reason enough". She just shook her head and walked away. I do feel a bit guilty having beautiful nice hunting guns do more sitting than hunting. It is like spending good money for a blue blood hunting dog and then making it nothing but
a house pet. They look all content and satisfied in the safe when I open the door but I know they are all on anti-depressants!

Gee there is nothing wrong with the 357 as long as you pay attention to its limitations. With Buffalo Bore loads it is basically a 30-30 when fireed from and 18 or 20 inch barrel. So anything you can do with a 30-30 you can do with a 357 mag. Some would say its even a little better than a 30-30 due to the large bullet daimeter. It really doesn't matter much the differences in the two are basically on paper and not any realistic field differences. A 44 mag or 45LC is certianly better but not so much as to matter on most whiteltail deer and at ranges of 100 yards or less I doubt you would see much of a difference.

I too stop in pawn shops and local gunstores when I travel, but I rarely find Marlins in anything but 30-30 and have never seen a used 1894 in any shop I have tried in TX or OK. I did pick up a winchester 94 in 30-30 for $150. It was a little rough on the outsdie but the barrel was brite and sharpe once I cleaned it. Seems to shoot well too but I haven't been able to go to the range with it.