Marlin lever owners, hep a brutha out.

[desertrider]

I have a Rossi R92 in 38/357 that I bought in '13, and it's one of my favorite plinkers. I've recently acquired a couple of 44 mag handguns and am now looking for a lever carbine to accompany them.

I started by looking for a Rossi, but not having much luck. Today I stumbled upon a used Marlin that caught my attention.

After spending some time googling and searching here, I'm more confused about choosing a decent Marlin than probably any other firearm I've ever researched.

Micro Groove vs standard rifling.
JM stamped vs non JM stamped.
Pre cross bolt safety vs cross bolt safety.
Remlin/Marlington QC nightmares vs original Marlin quality.

WTH?

The Marlin I saw today was, I believe, manufactured in '88 ( 12 prefix serial #). It has a cross bolt safety, but because I didn't know about the different rifling at the time, I didn't think of looking at the bore. Didn't look for a JM rollmark either. The wood looks mismatched, with the handguard appearing a bit darker than the buttstock, and no checkering on either.

The blueing and condition of the metal parts looks good, though the stock has some obvious, but normal wear dings in it. Price is $650 plus tax/dros.

Should I consider this, or forget it? Why?

Thanks for any input.

[Horrendo Revolver]

If it was manufactured in 88 it is a JM. The crossbolt safety doesn't bother me but it does some people. $650.00 is high for a 30-30, don't know about a handgun caliber Marlin but I think they go for a premium. The forend on my Marlin is a good deal lighter than the stock. I've seen this on a few and wonder if this happens with birch wood stocks.

[Kokopelli]

IMO - If you plan on shooting any lead bullets, get the one with Ballard rifling. the deeper Ballard rifling will be more lead bullet friendly. If you stick with copper jacketed or pure copper bullets, microgroove rifling will be fine.

My 2006 JM Marlin in 38/357 with Ballard rifling shoots both copper and lead fine.

[WMG]

Despite the cost of the new marlins , I could probably get $650 for mine and it's dated to maybe about early 1990's JM with crossbolt and ballard.
All I shoot from it is lead.
It's in very good condition.A lot of the people from Ohio are hunting pistol caliber rifles/carbines for their hunting since they became legal in certain areas.
I have seen rougher ones as low as $400 but even then ,they will not last long and are few and far between.
I'd think $650 was high , but my market and yours may not be the same.
But for $500 and I'd def be happy........... but it probably would have sold already ...................... you got the money? , you like it? then just get it..... what the heck , they are nice firearms.

[desertrider]

If it was manufactured in 88 it is a JM. The crossbolt safety doesn't bother me but it does some people. $650.00 is high for a 30-30, don't know about a handgun caliber Marlin but I think they go for a premium. The forend on my Marlin is a good deal lighter than the stock. I've seen this on a few and wonder if this happens with birch wood stocks.

^^^ Yup, that's about the shade difference on the one I held yesterday, except reversed. The stock was lighter than the forend.

IMO - If you plan on shooting any lead bullets, get the one with Ballard rifling. the deeper Ballard rifling will be more lead bullet friendly. If you stick with copper jacketed or pure copper bullets, microgroove rifling will be fine.

My 2006 JM Marlin in 38/357 with Ballard rifling shoots both copper and lead fine.

^^^ After searching the web late into the early morning hours, I think this is the main issue I'm debating right now (besides price/value).

I know that Marlin ran the microgroove barrels from the 50's into the 90's, but with the popularity of CASS and the number of participants casting their own lead they switched back over to Ballard rifling. Apparently because accuracy was poor if the bullets weren't appropriately oversized enough and hard enough.

At this point, I have no intention casting my own lead, but that may change in the future if the cost savings is substantial enough. As I understand it, the correct size and hardness of the lead bullets can provide excellent accuracy and minimal fouling. So keeping that in mind, maybe the Micro/Ballard rifling debate is a moot point? I'll probably run Xtreme copper plated bullets in the mean time, depending on the velocity of the loads and whether or not the plating can withstand it.

Back to the price/value issue, at $650 + tax + Dros, I'm looking at approx $740 OTD for a used rifle that I will have no personal history on.

It's looking like price might be the issue now, as it looks like an '88 model is an actual pre Remington Marlin.

Any additional info is welcome. Thanks guys.

[desertrider]

*** snip ***
I'd think $650 was high , but my market and yours may not be the same.
But for $500 and I'd def be happy........... but it probably would have sold already ...................... you got the money? , you like it? then just get it..... what the heck , they are nice firearms.

In the last three months I've bought a Desert Eagle 44 mag, a Ruger Redhawk, and a bunch of reloading supplies as well as bulk factory ammo.

Available funds are dwindling as the wife's hawkeye glare on my spending is increasing. And keep in mind, that $650 turns into $740 OTD.

Lately I'm learning to sleep with one eye open.

[WMG]

$740 out the door huh?
Yeah , I'd probably have a hard time swallowing that myself.
Maybe keep shopping.
Cali is a big state , I'd look around.
You can fire lead in a micro groove barrel , normally it's done at a lesser speed than normal for best results .............. this even applies in the Marlin 30/30's.
I think my 240gr hardcasts leave my Marlin about 1600fps without checking my log book.
That could still be do-able in a micrgroove I'd IMAGINE with good results

[tmh1]

From your original post, I'm assuming that you are looking for a lever gun in 44 Mag???

If so, these have been relatively easy to find if you want NEW. Davidson's Gallery of Guns currently has multiple Rossi R92's, a Henry or 2, and the Marlin '94 all in stock in 44 Magnum.

If I run the Marlin through my favorite local kitchen table FFL it comes out to $741.95 OTD for a brand new rifle.

Lots of folks seem to want the old Marlins. I guess that I'm not that much of an aficionado - I like my non-JM '94 in 357/38 just fine, and since I didn't want the cross bolt safety, I just bought the plug which matches the receiver. Maybe it doesn't "have the resale value" of a JM marked gun, but that is really meaningless to me as I bought it to shoot it, not to sell it. And is shoots just great.

Not as smooth as we got my wife's Rossi R92, and a bit heavier, but those guns both work just fine for us shooting fast in Cowboy matches.

So if you are O.K. with a brand new rifle, maybe check to see if you have any local FFLs who give good deals on rifles ordered through Davidson's. I like (and have had to use several times) the Davidson's lifetime warranty as well.

[mattt]

Sounds like it has a birch stock=big 5 discount model.walnut marlins have the eye on the bottom of the butt stock.

[dy57]

I've got a 1894 .44 JM with the Micro-Groove rifling and a couple of .44 wheel guns too.

Tried my LSWC pistols loads in the Marlin accuracy was terrible. Some rounds actually key-holed. Experiment with different bullets and found that a 240 Gr Jacket - Hollowpoint works well.

The video explains the difference between the Micro-groove (used in the older Marlins) and the Ballard (used in newer Marlins ) rifling:

[MongooseV8]

Just find a rifle made 2007 or earlier with a JM stamp. No need to worry about the cross bolt safety or what type of rifling was used. Even the worst of the Marlins are superior to the best of the Remlins.

Although they are pricey my favorites are the Cowboy Limited 1894. Here is a picture of mine in 45 Colt. I cut it down to about 17" and its one of my favorite rifles. It has about 12k rounds through it.

[Oceanbob]

A JM barreled .44 Magnum Lever is worth easy $800 to $1300 (for a Cowboy Limited that's clean)

All are Ballard rifling.

All Marlins have a crossbolt safety after 1983.

All Marlins that have Micro Groove rifling will say "Micro Groove" on the Left rear
Side of the barrel. Along side "North Haven CT. Where all JM Marlins were built.

New Remlins are built in New York.

.357 JM Marlins are the most sought after at this time.

.44 Magnum in second place. Both are fun, fun, fun. A good excuse to
Start reloading.

One of my .44 Mag (2006) levers




Did I mention I love lever guns?

[SquidBilly]

I'm a Marlin guy. And took a strong pill when it became Remlin. But I have slowly gotten ny feet back in the water. Have a 795ss from '13 that turned out real nice and just this week my new 1894 came in. Haven't seen it in person yet but i'm keeping my fingers crossed that all the reviews and articles about recent Remlins being solid is true.

However I darn near bought a Rossi. The lgs had 3, a .44 and 2 .357s. I fondled the .44 and boy if it didn't have a sweetly smooth action! I was shocked. It was a nicely put together levergun. I almost went for it, I still might have to one day. Those stainless versions look fantastic. Great all weather brush gun too.

[GregsCCW]

I just bought a 336C that is supposed to be factory new from buds, still shipping. Am I likely totally screwed. Btw it was $475 w/o tax and dros

[Kokopelli]

I just bought a 336C that is supposed to be factory new from buds, still shipping. Am I likely totally screwed. Btw it was $475 w/o tax and dros

Dick's had a Marlin 336 in 30-30 for sale @ $399. Regardless, Marlin is offering a rebate on new purchases. The details are in the Calguns deals, steals and coupons section.