Snakum
Member
Just got a new Marlin XS7 after weeks of reading everything I could find on the newest bolt guns. I made a spreadsheet with the weight, barrel lengths, comments from owners, accuracy, etc. And chose without regard to price initially. I finally decided to try the new Marlin line. I have it now and am putting the scope on and boresighting. It's kind of funny ... the XS7 looks like it has a Remington safety and recoil pad, a Savage barrel, bolt head and trigger, and a Winchester action.
My perceptions:
The 'fit and finish' is at least equal to any synthetic stocked rifle I've handled recently, excluding perhaps Winchester's Extreme Weather SS, Savage's LE model tactical rifles, and Remington Senderos and LE models. No real molding/flash issues anywhere, relatively clean corners, etc. The bottom seam does need to be sanded completely even and smooth, however. It's on par with the newer Savage 111 and 116 Accustocks and perhaps a little better finished then the last few Remington SPSs and Stevens 200s I've handled or shot. The matte bluing is pretty darned good and I couldn't find any blemishes at all when going over it out in the sunlight.
The synthetic stock is stiffer than the Stevens I've handled or fired. It is close to my Win Black Shadow stocks and seems to be similar to the Savage 16 nonAccustocked line (which is the only one I've seen up close while apart). Relatively stiff, considering the weight. I think it would benefit from stiffening the forearm with aluminum.
The action appears to be very solid in the stock. No looseness nor gaps anywhere. Inletted pretty well compared to my other rifles.
The barrel rifling looks very good. Nice and sharp edges all the way thru. Appears deep, uniform, and fully cut all the way to the muzzle (I've seen a new Marlin 336 and new Remington SPS that weren't).
This thing is LIGHT and quick handling. Possible as quick and 'handy' as my Rem 7600s. Snap shooting would be a breeze. It would make a helluva Scout Rifle. It shoulders and points well, and the raised stock seems it will put you exactly where you need to be on a scope, unlike my 7600 which required some work. I feel like I could point-shoot this thing without a scope or irons. It feels THAT good when shouldering.
The recoil pad is similar to Remington's SuperCell pad. I have them on my 870s and on my 7600s and I love those things. The Marlin is very similar. With the light weight I'd imagine the .270 and 30-06 carry a pretty good punch, and I'd bet the pad soaks it up quite well.
The bolt lifts without a lot of effort, operates smoothly. It closes solidly, yet without requiring one to stand on it (like my Model 70 in 300 Win Mag when I first bought it ). It locks up nice and tight, for sure.
The trigger is very nice. It feel like about 3 - 3.5 pounds and breaks pretty cleanly with practically no overtravel. It's about as nice as my worked Model 70 trigger (pre-MOA Trigger), and that's a helluva compliment. I think I like it a bit better than the Savage Accutrigger, but I have little time with the Savage so I could easily change my mind at some point. For now ... I am pretty stoked about the trigger feel.
Mine came with a one-piece scope base that looks like a picatinny rail, but may be a Weaver base. I'll find out tomorrow when the scope gets here. I have a Weaver style medium ring set and I hope it clears the scope. I will get the long range Leupold base at some point or perhaps shim the stock one-piece if it performs ok.
My only negative observations thus far ....
1. The molding seam must be sanded down smooth and evenly. It's actually an issue right on the grip, but it needs it everywhere.
2. The forearm definitely needs stiffening when the action is bedded.
3. It's so light I imagine a 30-06 running 180gr BSTs would kick like mule. The weight is good for handling, but bad for recoil. Pick your poison.
4. Two position safety? Marliiiiiiin puleeeze! I really can't understand that one.
In all, I am very impressed with it, for the money. If the accuracy claims are on the money I'd say this is the next legendary budget rifle. Right up there with the Savage 110 one day. I only hope that Marlin is not as negatively impacted as Remington has been in the quality and service areas by the Cerberus acquisition. Marlin has a great service rep and they obviously are building excellent rifles at terrific prices. But if Cerberus' bean counters are allowed to run rampant who knows what can happen? I trust Marlin won't go down that road.
I hope to get the scope boresighted and sling some lead if the wind dies down. I'll post range results if I get to take it out. And I'll put up pics if i can borrow a camera.
My perceptions:
The 'fit and finish' is at least equal to any synthetic stocked rifle I've handled recently, excluding perhaps Winchester's Extreme Weather SS, Savage's LE model tactical rifles, and Remington Senderos and LE models. No real molding/flash issues anywhere, relatively clean corners, etc. The bottom seam does need to be sanded completely even and smooth, however. It's on par with the newer Savage 111 and 116 Accustocks and perhaps a little better finished then the last few Remington SPSs and Stevens 200s I've handled or shot. The matte bluing is pretty darned good and I couldn't find any blemishes at all when going over it out in the sunlight.
The synthetic stock is stiffer than the Stevens I've handled or fired. It is close to my Win Black Shadow stocks and seems to be similar to the Savage 16 nonAccustocked line (which is the only one I've seen up close while apart). Relatively stiff, considering the weight. I think it would benefit from stiffening the forearm with aluminum.
The action appears to be very solid in the stock. No looseness nor gaps anywhere. Inletted pretty well compared to my other rifles.
The barrel rifling looks very good. Nice and sharp edges all the way thru. Appears deep, uniform, and fully cut all the way to the muzzle (I've seen a new Marlin 336 and new Remington SPS that weren't).
This thing is LIGHT and quick handling. Possible as quick and 'handy' as my Rem 7600s. Snap shooting would be a breeze. It would make a helluva Scout Rifle. It shoulders and points well, and the raised stock seems it will put you exactly where you need to be on a scope, unlike my 7600 which required some work. I feel like I could point-shoot this thing without a scope or irons. It feels THAT good when shouldering.
The recoil pad is similar to Remington's SuperCell pad. I have them on my 870s and on my 7600s and I love those things. The Marlin is very similar. With the light weight I'd imagine the .270 and 30-06 carry a pretty good punch, and I'd bet the pad soaks it up quite well.
The bolt lifts without a lot of effort, operates smoothly. It closes solidly, yet without requiring one to stand on it (like my Model 70 in 300 Win Mag when I first bought it ). It locks up nice and tight, for sure.
The trigger is very nice. It feel like about 3 - 3.5 pounds and breaks pretty cleanly with practically no overtravel. It's about as nice as my worked Model 70 trigger (pre-MOA Trigger), and that's a helluva compliment. I think I like it a bit better than the Savage Accutrigger, but I have little time with the Savage so I could easily change my mind at some point. For now ... I am pretty stoked about the trigger feel.
Mine came with a one-piece scope base that looks like a picatinny rail, but may be a Weaver base. I'll find out tomorrow when the scope gets here. I have a Weaver style medium ring set and I hope it clears the scope. I will get the long range Leupold base at some point or perhaps shim the stock one-piece if it performs ok.
My only negative observations thus far ....
1. The molding seam must be sanded down smooth and evenly. It's actually an issue right on the grip, but it needs it everywhere.
2. The forearm definitely needs stiffening when the action is bedded.
3. It's so light I imagine a 30-06 running 180gr BSTs would kick like mule. The weight is good for handling, but bad for recoil. Pick your poison.
4. Two position safety? Marliiiiiiin puleeeze! I really can't understand that one.
In all, I am very impressed with it, for the money. If the accuracy claims are on the money I'd say this is the next legendary budget rifle. Right up there with the Savage 110 one day. I only hope that Marlin is not as negatively impacted as Remington has been in the quality and service areas by the Cerberus acquisition. Marlin has a great service rep and they obviously are building excellent rifles at terrific prices. But if Cerberus' bean counters are allowed to run rampant who knows what can happen? I trust Marlin won't go down that road.
I hope to get the scope boresighted and sling some lead if the wind dies down. I'll post range results if I get to take it out. And I'll put up pics if i can borrow a camera.
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