A few years back, Ruger officially announced some big news that lever-gun fans had been breathlessly waiting—the return of the Marlin Model 1894 Classic lever-action rifle in .44 Rem. Mag.! The iconic carbine returned with a very classic take on its traditional form.
Marlin Model 1894 Classic Lever-Action Returns in .44 Rem. Mag.
“We’re very excited to introduce our first Ruger-made Marlin Model 1894,” said Chris Killoy, Ruger president at the time. “We have spent many months working to make this rifle the best it can be.”
The Model 1894 is chambered in .44 Mag. and features an American black walnut straight stock and forend. It also comes with classic, crisp checkering. Blued and featuring a square finger lever, the alloy-steel rifle comes fitted with a 20-inch cold hammer-forged barrel. The barrel features a 1:20 twist and six-groove rifling. The rifle’s tubular magazine holds 10 rounds of .44 Magnum or 11 rounds of .44 Special.
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Ruger CNC machines the receiver, lever and triggerguard plate from alloy-steel forgings. The receiver exhibits a blued, satin finish. Adjustable semi-buckhorn sights provide fast target acquisition for woods hunting and the like. A soft rubber buttpad keeps the recoil push to a minimum. A positive, push-button, cross-bolt manual safety and traditional half-cock hammer complete the system.
Ruger-Built Marlins
The 1894 Classic follows the Ruger-made Marlin Model 336 and Model 1895. It became the next Marlin rifle to bear the “Mayodan, NC” and “RM” Ruger-made markings and serial number prefix. It also features a red-and-white “bullseye” in the stock, adding to its classic appeal.
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Ruger plans additional models, branching out in both calibers and configurations. The strong demand will no doubt make this rifle and follow-ups in the line extremely hard to get at times.
This post was updated on Jan. 7, 2026.
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Editor’s Note:
Ruger is simply killing it when it comes to bringing out exactly the guns most Marlin fans are clamoring for. Only issue they seem to have is making enough of them fast enough to quench the thirst from collects, shooters and hunters. The Marlin Model 1894 remains one of those classic firearms talked around campfires and hunting camps everywhere. We fully expect these Ruger-made editions to function every bit as good as they look. And they are stunners. Like Marlin says, “Long Live the Lever Gun!”
Marlin Model 1894 Classic Specs
| Caliber | 44 Rem Mag / 44 Special |
| Capacity | 10 / 11 |
| Stock | American Black Walnut |
| Material | Alloy Steel |
| Finish | Satin Blued |
| Front Sight | Brass Bead with Hood |
| Rear Sight | Semi-Buckhorn |
| Weight | 6.4 pounds |
| Overall Length | 37.75 inches |
| Length of Pull | 13.63 inches |
| Barrel Length | 20.25 inches |
| Barrel | Cold Hammer-Forged Alloy Steel |
| Twist | 1:20″ RH |
| Grooves | 6 |
| Suggested Retail | $1,279.00 |
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