Thoughts on Marlins

[Hooptie]

Out of curiousity, who has first hand experience with bolt action Marlins? I know the autoloaders are decent little rifles, but I've never heard squat about the bolt actions.

Rifle in question:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/323/products_id/41318

I would do a mag, since they're just darn fun to shoot.

 

[phoglund]

I have a Marlin Bolt Action in .17HMR. Decent trigger, very accurate, nicely made. I'd buy another.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

I also have a .17HMR on the 917V platform. Great shooting gun out of the box, even better with the RB trigger I put in it. IT will not shoot 1moa or better pretty regularly. Not bad for about $400!

 

[woof]

I've had 22lr and mag and they have all been built like the levers and very accurate out of the box. Can't go wrong IMO.

 

[Hooptie]

May see if I can browbeat the wife at some point. She's a city girl and doesn't think much of guns and I'm, well I'm displaced in the city...

I'm pretty smitten with the 983T, plain black and simple.

 

[pdowg881]

I have one of those old 2035 models. .22 bolt action. Good reliable gun. Accuarcy isn't too bad.

 

[Gustav]

Hooptie welcome to THR

Marlin makes a fairly price dependable reasonably accurate and durable rifles.

For the money they meet many peoples needs they are more of a plain Jane firearm but never judge on looks alone, never judge a book by the cover.

The Micro Groove does help accuracy IMO.

You can spend twice as much money for some other finer built rifles but performance wise you will not gain that much unless you plan to pick flies off at 25 yards how much more accuracy is needed.

Marlin is a great field grade plinking and hunting rifle for what they sell at.

I have seen some that were over 30 years old with little original finish left and glued or duct taped stock, they still would group as well as many of the new .22s being built today.

Take good care of it and keep the bore clean you should have decades of use from one.

 

[ACORN]

I agree with all of the above. They're a good no-frills rifle that delivers good to exceptional accuracy at a reasonable price. The factory triggers stink but you can tweak yours or go with an aftermarket kit if you so desire.

 

[Hooptie]

Thats the issue, I'd like to shoot one first. I LOVE the trigger of my Irma M1, it will group 3/4" open sight at 30 yards. I've had it for close to 12 years and is dead nuts reliable.

I actually shot a birds noggin off whil it was sitting in a tree from about 50 yards out, friend didn't think it would happen again, so I made it happen.

I'm torn on doing this or a matched pair from Rossi, maybe do a .243 and a 20 gauge for the same cost.

Basically I alreayd have the fun SA revolver, the very accurate .22LR, I'm just indecisive about geting another plinker or a good single shot hunter.

 

[12Bravo20]

The only reason that I didn't go with a Marlin .17m2 bolt is because they don't make any lefty's.

 

[Bartkowski]

I have a marlin 25n in .22lr and it isn't the most accurate gun, but for a gun that I got for $70 with a scope case and ammo, 3/4" at 50 yards is fine with me.

If you are in search of a .22 mag, a marlin is a good choice in my opinion.

 

[fgr39]

If your not set on a .22 mag I have a nice Marlin 981T for sale here.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=311429

 

[MachIVshooter]

I've got an old 81G .22 S,L,LR and a 917M2 .17 Mach II. Both very accurate, and good quality. They're not on par with Kimber or Cooper, but they didn't cost $700+ either.

 

[rangerruck]

I love them all, the 780 81's, the 882 the 883, the 81 and 80 series have been made since about 1937. i have an 81 dl from about 1940, with a factory peep site, and it rocks. also have a 717mach2, and a 917lssmach2, . I have not owned an unsatisfactory, or non accurate, bolt action marlin.

 

[gp911]

I bought that very gun from Woof (see post #4) and it is one fine looking piece. The bolt is a tiny bit clunky as it isn't broken in yet, but it is smoothing out quickly. The front sight is super cheap, but it's getting a scope soon anyway. Aside from the front sight everything else is very nicely turned out. The wood looks great and the stainless has a nice finish to it.

I like my rimfires tube fed, so that's a plus as well. Now if only the 981T was available with the laminated wood stock and stainless goodies...

gp911

 

[glimmerman]

I have the one your looking at in the ad, i can only say one thing. TACK DRIVER!!!!!

 

[Mal H]

I've also got a Marlin bolt in .17 HMR, nicely made and accurate.

IT will not shoot 1moa or better pretty regularly.

Now don't go bragging, every single rifle I own can do that any day of the week. Heck, I can shoot them blindfolded and get that same accuracy!