[roninrlm]

I just bought a almost mint Marlin Mod 24 12ga pump shotgun. So what is the truth about the safty issues with this Shotgun. This wepon is truly not shot much---serial # 1009xx range.

Ronin

[Fred Fuller]

- from http://www.marlin-collectors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8880&sid=e06fba0ccc00151767565a4f745aa49d

The Model 1898 Marlin enjoyed a poor reputation because supposedly an overloaded shell fired in the original design allowed the bolt to exit the rear of the receiver, striking the shooter. I don’t know about the original design, but to accomplish that with this gun, it would have to (1) fire out of battery and the (2) forged carrier arm, the (3) recoil lock screw shaft, and the (4) forged locking bolt link would all have to break…a practical impossibility. While the steel in these is softer than in modern-made guns and the barrels are thinner and lighter, if in good condition, properly maintained, and checked by a qualified gunsmith beforehand, I don’t hesitate to use them with a light diet of low-pressure loadings and lead (never steel) shot. They are certainly as safe as the fabled Model 12’s and Model 97’s of similar vintage few have second thoughts about shooting. Guns of any make I would hesitate shooting without further evaluation include those with dinged or worn locking lugs, badly pitted bores, short chambers, badly dented or bulged barrels, twist or Damascus barrels and those made before 1900 and proofed only for black powder.

Last is a reminder that these old pump guns are all “slam-fire” guns that lack the trigger disconnects present on modern guns. Hold the trigger back and the gun fires immediately as the bolt goes into battery. This makes them faster to shoot, but entirely unforgiving about lack of trigger discipline. Insure you and your students keep fingers out of trigger guards until ready to shoot. While the older Marlin hammerless pumps have their safety catches inside the trigger guard and are often called ”slam-fire guns with suicide safeties”, remember that because they cycle straight to the full-cock notch, all the hammer guns are “slam-fire guns with no safeties”.

Additional References: http://marauder.homestead.com/files/Marlin98s.htm


The whole series of Marlin hammer pumpguns is similar in nature to the original Model 1898. There were also the Model 17, Model 19, Model 21, Model 24, Model 30, model 42 and Model 49 as well, in this series. The only reference I have that mentions the Marlin hammer pumps says "... the Marlin slide-action was a better and stronger gun than its main competitor, the Winchester of 1897." (Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly, Part V: Shotguns)

Keep in mind, these are OLD guns that may have various problems for various reasons, and in spite of their original quality, current examples might not be safe to fire with modern shotshells. Have your gun examined by a qualified gunsmith to make sure it is safe to fire. It's also important to make sure the chamber is of the appropriate length for the shells you wish to fire.

[roninrlm]

Thanks---thats just the information I needed. The bad rap on the Marlin Mod 24 allowed me to buy this almost MINT Marlin shotgun for $75 dollars. Thats ---7---5--Dollars

Thanks again
Ronin

[Peter M. Eick]

I have a Marlin 24 that is my Grandfathers. Hit the link above and then read it carefully. I have done a lot of research on what it takes to get a Marlin 24 up and running so PM me if you have questions. The link above is the best though.

Lucky guy. I have been searching for a NIB or similar Marlin 24 for several years.