Marlin 55 20ga

[Mr. Mosin]

Just bought a Marlin 55 20ga. The barrel has been chopped, threaded for chokes. Will it handle 3" shells, and if I can find the appropriate choke, will it handle rifled slugs ? Also, it is in good mechanical condition, is it safe to leave loaded w/ a round in the chamber ?

 

[illinoisburt]

I wouldn't trust it to be dropsafe with a round in the chamber long term, so leaving loaded is probably not great idea. Foster style slugs can be fired through any standard choke (no turkey chokes!) Usually best results come with IC or Modified. If the gun is safe for bird shot, it should be safe for standard slugs loaded with similar projectile weight and dram equivalent. Pretty sure only 2-3/4 or shorter.

** Check what's marked on the receiver or barrel for length. They made these guns for a long time and may have some okay for longer shells

 

[Mr. Mosin]

I wouldn't trust it to be dropsafe with a round in the chamber long term, so leaving loaded is probably not great idea. Foster style slugs can be fired through any standard choke (no turkey chokes!) Usually best results come with IC or Modified. If the gun is safe for bird shot, it should be safe for standard slugs loaded with similar projectile weight and dram equivalent.

It has an EF choke of unknown thread. I have full intent to permanently affix a modified choke in it.

 

[Kleanbore]

Best of luck with it!

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Best of luck with it!

Thank you. I intend to clean it thoroughly, then run it like no tomorrow. I absolutely love it, and haven't even shot it yet.

 

[Kleanbore]

Do keep us informed.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Do keep us informed.

It patterns well out to 50 paces. I intend to have my 'smith detail clean it and cerakote it.

 

[PapaG]

Like stated above, 3” ok only if so marked.
Leaving it loaded while hunting? Unload it, cock it, put on the safety and see if a firm trigger pull drops the firing pin. Then, take off the safety and if the pin drops, it is not safe. I don’t remember if this one had the sliding lever on the side, the knob on the back of the bolt or the top tang. Slugs, Foster only and not through an extra full. If you can find them, Federal TruBall is great in a smooth bore as are traditional Brennekes. For hunting. For just shooting,buy the cheap stuff.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Like stated above, 3” ok only if so marked.
Leaving it loaded while hunting? Unload it, cock it, put on the safety and see if a firm trigger pull drops the firing pin. Then, take off the safety and if the pin drops, it is not safe. I don’t remember if this one had the sliding lever on the side, the knob on the back of the bolt or the top tang. Slugs, Foster only and not through an extra full. If you can find them, Federal TruBall is great in a smooth bore as are traditional Brennekes. For hunting. For just shooting,buy the cheap stuff.

I did as such.