Fair price for Marlin 70p (Papoose)

[mick53]

Marlin Papoose - 70P vs. 70PSS?

Hi,

I saw an older Marlin model 70P Papoose for sale recently with the wood stock as opposed to the newer synthetic stock/stainless steel version.

Any opinions on which is the better of the two rifles? I know these takedowns are not tack drivers but somehow this little rifle has always intruiged me.

What would be a fair price for a 85-90% 70P with the case and wrench.

Thanks,

mike

 

[rangerruck]

believe it or not, down here in houston, those are quite pricey; 90 percent or better is not really seen on those, so if that is true, 150 bucks would be an easy get.

 

[rangerruck]

oh yeah, and it comes with it's origional case? that is at least another 50 bucks, especially if this is a wood one.

 

[Moonclip]

Got the stainless version in the floating case for $150 in 2007. It had some wear though and the case smells musty like it did get wet! I'm fairly happy with it.

 

[mick53]

For some reason I thought we'd have more folks here who own, uh, Papooses... Papeeses... Papeese... . Aw, you know what I mean!

I could buy one of the new ones or maybe snag this older one with the wood stock.

Anybody?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[ArmedBear]

For some reason, people seem to like the wood/blue one. Prices seem high. I've been seeing one at the store, with a good amount of exterior wear, for the price of a new 70PSS.

Personally, I've seen better wood. Lots better. On relatively inexpensive guns. And the blue wears off where the takedown nut is. Looks like crap, even if the carbon steel doesn't rust -- and the whole point of the gun, I thought, was a take-anywhere, do-anything .22.

I'd get the modern stainless/synthetic version, myself. It just makes a lot more sense, given the design and intent of the gun. And most of what I own is wood and blue.

Want a pretty Marlin takedown .22? Get a 39! Get two or three! I love 'em!

But I'll take a 70PSS instead of the old version.

 

[mp510]

I have the old 70P, and I personally like the stock feel a bit more than the new 70PSS. I also like the sights on the old model better, they have a more potential precision. Mine is finished very nicely in a amber/honey colored stain (from the factory). Maybe others don't looks so good....

That said, $140 to $175 would be a fair price, depending on the exact condition. I have seen them sell for as much $185, including the little tip off scope that Marlin included for a little while.

The stainless model would be more rust resistant in the case. It also has sling swivels- I had to make a one point for my 70P since it wasn't so equipped.

 

[mick53]

Want a pretty Marlin takedown .22? Get a 39! Get two or three! I love 'em!

Nah, one's enough for me.





I hope when I get a Papoose this rifle hasn't spoiled me for all other takedown .22s.

The Golden 39A is a real gem. This one was made in 1960. It was my first rifle. My dad bought it brand new and gave it to me for my 7th birthday. My only problem with it is who gets it when I croak? A lot of people love this rifle.

mike

 

[Robert Hairless]

I like the looks of that wood and blue, but on the Papoose the more recent stainless version seems more appropriate to me too. Although it's certainly not a tack driver it's surprisingly accurate at reasonable range.

 

[Magnuumpwr]

Not sure about manufacturing process changes since the early 90's, but the wood/blued 70P I had then was only good for about 5000 rds before accuracy started to get way off. The bolt had lots of play and rattled loudly when rotating rifle in my hands. Parts were not readily available then so I wisely traded it for a Mossberg 600AT 12 ga. shotgun.(Still have the shotgun)

 

[Moonclip]

IIRC older papoose rifles do not have an last shot hold open either. I see more Ar7 types in my travels than papooses. I like the Papoose a lot better.

 

[Robert Hairless]

IIRC older papoose rifles do not have an last shot hold open either. I see more Ar7 types in my travels than papooses. I like the Papoose a lot better.

Interesting to see you say that. I got a Papoose after observing a neighbor drive up to a range in his sports car, take out a small case, assemble an odd looking little rifle, and begin shooting at my target out 100 yards--after asking my permission of course. Then he let me try it and I was hooked. I'd been contemplating getting an AR 7 for years but never warmed up to it. I did warm up to the Papoose immediately.

 

[mp510]

IIRC older papoose rifles do not have an last shot hold open either.

They do not. You need to manually lock the bolt to the rear by retracting the bolt and pushing the chargeing handle in.

Not sure about manufacturing process changes since the early 90's, but the wood/blued 70P I had then was only good for about 5000 rds before accuracy started to get way off. The bolt had lots of play and rattled loudly when rotating rifle in my hands.

MY rifle doesn't have near that many rounds through it, BUT, I did notice that there is a lot of "vibration" when the shot goes, and the action screws do need to periodically be tightened as a result.

 

[Gator]

I bought one last year, a newer stainless one. I think it was $140 and came with a scope and the padded case. After I had it for awhile I sold my AR7 . The "pre-ban" Papooses can take high cap mags, if that matters to you. The post-ban ones have one or two (don't have mine handy) dimples in the mag well that can be filed off if you want to use high caps. Personally I like the stainless/synthetic one for what its intended to be...a knock about trunk/camping gun.

 

[Moonclip]

How "high capacity"are we talking? Is'nt there 10rd factory mags for these guns? Will those fit? I only have one of the stock 7rd nickel ones.

 

[Gator]

I had a couple of 15 round mags, I don't know if there were any higher capacity ones.

 

[Pine Cone]

I bought a used SS Papoose earlier this year with case minus barrel wrench with 2 magazines for $165 in virtually new condition. Ordered the wrench and 2 more magazines from Marlin. I think the new gun as $225 at Sportsmans.

I really like the gun and as a throw-in-the-truck beater the synthetic stock and SS barrel seem a better fit than wood and blue that I would want to baby.

It shoots well, I put a Bushnell Red/Green dot scope on it which wants to move unless you really tighten the scope mounts.

I have both 7 and 10-shot mags that both work. Don't know about higher capacity magazines.

I'm happy with mine!

 

[Moonclip]

Is the wrench really needed? I have one, don't use it. What Marlins does the mag interchange with, I assume the regular 70 model that doesn't takedown.

 

[rhoggman]

I have noticed that with the wrench you can tighten down the barrel much better than by hand (go figure). I guess that is why they included the wrench.....

 

[cane]

Actually I think the wrench is to loosen the barrel after you've been shooting it.

 

[Speedo66]

The barrel nut seems to loosen after extended shooting if you don't use the wrench.

I had a Charter Arms "survival" rifle some years back, don't think it ever fired more than 2 rounds before it jammed. Even after a trip back to the factory.

After that, the 70PSS is bliss.

I think it was $250 new about 6 months ago.