Taurus 62 or Marlin 39?

The Marlin is a classic.

I like the Marlin (got one!), but I've also shot .22 pumps that were pretty sweet. I personally wouldn't weigh the ability to shoot .22short or .22longs as a deciding factor.

Marlin 39. I've always thought that one of the 20" barrel Mountie models would make a great all around .22.

Picking between the 62 and the 39, even with the price differential, I say go with the Marlin. But if you were comparing the 39 with the Taurus 63, then I'd have to think about that one for a minute. That 63 is a very nicely built unit. And talk about classic looks...

Anyway, I have a 39 which is an heirloom rifle. It will never be sold...something I can't say about any other long gun I own. But I could see one of those Taurus 63's in the same light I think. It's a classic Browning design and the Taurus metal/wood fit is really exceptional in this day and age.

I agree with others who say shooting anything other than .22LR is a non-issue.

The Marlin is a classic, however the Taurus is really fun to shoot! I own a stainless shortbarrel 62.

Since I already own a Winchester '06, I can't warm up to the top mounted safety on the Taurus 62.

In addition to the '06, I also own a Browning Auto, a couple of Ruger 10/22s, the Taurus 63, and a Marlin 39. The Marlin is the most solid of the lot, and would be my favorite if it weren't for the fact that the '06 was the first weapon I ever fired.

Well, the Marlin 39 is indeed a classic, and everyone should have at least one lever .22 in their safe. I'm not overly fond of the new ones, though (actually, I'm not overly fond of any newly manufactured .22 lever rifle, but that's another story). Besides, if you have a lever action .22 in your collection, already, then you need a pump.

I bought one of the Taurus 62 pumps last year, and I love it. I got the "youth" carbine in basic blue. It is as small and light a rifle as you will find. It's the perfect plinking gun! The youth models come with two buttstocks fitted to the gun: a standard length one and a short one. They're a great deal if you think you'll ever want to take some kids shooting. And we should ALL be taking kids shooting every chance we get.

The last time I looked, Taurus 62s were selling for $200 to $250 depending on model (blue, stainless or CCH; carbine or rifle; youth or standard). That's a great deal on a reliable, accurate and just plain fun little gallery gun.

P.S. Mine also came with a "free" tang sight, but it wasn't mounted. I don't plan on mounting it. This is a short range plinking gun, and the barrel mounted rear sight works great.

There is no comparison in quality, accuracy ( or price) between the two. You only get old once. Get the Marlin now and save beer can deposit coin for the Taurus when you hit 21

I've had my Marlin 39M for more than twenty-five years. God alone knows how many rounds have been through it. While it sure doesn't look new anymore, nothing has ever broken and it just keeps getting slicker with age.

I also have a couple of pre-Taurus M62s (can't help it; I'm a certifiable .22 junkie) that I'm real fond of. There's just something about that old trombone action that's addictive. Can't just be nostalgia, as my nephews aren't old enough to even have a context to hang the term "shooting gallery" on and the 62 is still the one they ask for when it's time to go plinking.

Sure, the Rossi/Taurus isn't a Winchester 62, but when was the last time you saw a working original for $200?

The older Rossis like one of mine will feed S,L and LRs, as will any Marlin 39. As a practical matter, it's pretty much moot IMO. When I was a boy the main reason that we bought Shorts to plink with was because we could buy more of them at the Western Auto for what little money we had. Ditto 'standard' velocity vs 'high velocity'. Times have changed.

On aesthetics alone, the newer Marlins (redundant safety aside) have a big edge. Real cut checkering on real walnut. It just looks 'right'.

The dark, muddy-looking stain on some of the recent Rossi/Taurus offerings is a shame. Some folks will pass them up on that point alone. FWIW, an afternoon with Formby's Furniture Refinisher makes an amazing difference. A lot of that tropical hardwood has beautiful color and grain, if you're willing to invest a little time and elbow grease. The Formby's is a one-step way to get rid of the stain and add a real tung oil finish without a lot of stripping and sanding.

If you really want an heirloom, get the Marlin. If you just want a great utility .22, either will do it.

Buy a marlin preferably an older one new is nice some of the older ones are simply slick as a silk, Soooooo smooth


once you have one, you will realise why, and a taurus can be had later,

My rule of thumb is special guns should be special, MY college graduation present was a ANIB savage 99, made in 1927, same year as my dad was born, It meant something to me that my dad took the time to find one, It meant something to him that I knew why it was special.

Rimfire pumps are great fun.....

My first rimfire repeater was a Winchester Model 61 (another of those guns I shouldn't have let get away). A great plinking and woods-hunting rifle.

But since discovering the Marlin 39, I have become convinced that the Marlin is indeed a "Classic".

The Taurus is a great bargain - the Marlin an enduring classic.

One of each?