Marlin 980--how long have they been making it with the T-900 trigger?

[jblane]

I found a used Marlin 980 .22lr rifle for sale online that they owner says he bought 3 years ago. I'm wondering whether older 980's have the T-900 trigger or not, as this could be a factor in deciding whether or not to buy it. Those who own this rifle with the newer trigger, is it a real improvement? And does anyone know how long this gun has been coming with it? I may buy it even if it doesn't have the T-900, I just want to know.

 

[General Geoff]

I have a recent production (about a year and a half old) Marlin 980S-CF, the trigger is ok, but nothing to write home about... Dunno whether it has this "T-900" trigger to which you're referring.

 

[jblane]

Thanks for the feedback on the trigger. The "T-900" is mentioned on Marlin's webpage, whree they say that "All Marlin bolt action rimfire rifles feature the new T-900 Fire Control System." Here's the link for the page with info on the 980: http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/BoltAction22/980S.asp

Not sure whether it's anything real or just some BS. Just wondering whether it's worth having. Anyway it seems like a good deal, $170 plus $25 shipping for the used 980. Could be a bit cheaper though, considering they sell it new for $250. Kind of on the fence about it right now.

 

[General Geoff]

For that price, I'd go for it. Despite having an average trigger, my "Carbon Fiber Fish," as it's been dubbed by my friends, is a real tack driver. The bolt is smooth, the fit & finish is superb, and it's a real looker to boot.




I paid $269 for mine new, but this was right after the CF model was introduced, so I probably paid a bit of a premium. I don't regret the purchase at all. It's my most accurate .22 rifle.

 

[Geno]

I have the 981T with the newer trigger. It was pretty harsh at first. Yesterday I broke it down, sprayed out the factory applied grease and relubed it with Neco Moly and M Pro 7. That made a huge improvement. It feels lighter, and far more clean pull. It still doesn't compare to my older Marlins, or to many of my other .22LRs. All the same, the Marlins are awesome firearms.

Geno

 

[FMJMIKE]

I have a 980S-CF that I paid $270 at Walmart last year. It is a nice gun but the trigger is nothing special. I am going to replace the trigger with a Rifle Basix trigger when I get the money. Looks like you are getting a good deal if it is a stainless steel model.

 

[jblane]

Thanks for all your informative replies. I'm close to jumping at this deal. Just one last question for owners of this gun: do you prefer to use it with the factory sights or with a scope? One thing I like about this gun is how it allows you to use both, but I read in another thread that rifles tend to work better with one or the other but not both. Would this be a good rifle for a beginner to learn how to use both iron sights and a scope? Looking at pictures, the comb seems a bit high for iron sights.

 

[General Geoff]

I use a scope with mine, though I took it on several range trips before I installed the scope, and used the stock iron sights. They worked very well; I was just looking for more precision with this particular rifle. I'm by no means a scope fanatic; the 980S-CF is the only rifle I own that has a scope.