Posted on 09/29/2008 5:28:31 PM PDT by sig226
Marlin Firearms, the very name conjures the image of a lean horseman, with a red bandana wrapped around his dusty neck and a work-worn felt hat jammed awkwardly onto his head, his chestnut mount braced at a sudden stop, and both of them are intently focused on something just out of the picture. The Marlin levergun is poised, almost at port-arms, ready to snap to the rider's bestubbled face and deal the unseen threat a leaden blow. It is a picture of a man, independent and free, taking care of himself. This image has captivated generations of American shooters, and undoubtedly has helped sell countless Marlin rifles over the years. After all, it is one of the central facets of how we Americans view ourselves -- independent, free, and capable.
Most American shooters know that Marlin has been around for quite a while, and that they have been making excellent leverguns for many years, but may not realize all the twists and turns in the trail that has made Marlin what it is today. It is a trail that has been rough and rocky in places, and at times, it didn't look like Marlin would survive, but survive it did, and today's shooters should count themselves as fortunate as Marlin came back strong to make some of the most popular leverguns of all time.
The story starts in 1836, when John Mahlon Marlin was born in Connecticut. He grew up in New England and entered the tool and die trade as a young man. During the Civil War, he started building guns, working at the Colt plant in Hartford. In 1870, he struck out on his own and founded Marlin Firearms Company in New Haven, Connecticut. He started off making single-shot brass framed derringers in .22 rimfire, and eventually added .32 and .38 caliber rimfire derringers to his product line. In 1875, Marlin added rifles to his product offerings, manufacturing the single-shot Ballard rifles (which had previously been made by others). A strategic business move was made in 1881, when Marlin introduced the Model 1881 lever-action repeating rifle. This was a well-built, accurate rifle, chambered for powerful hunting rounds like the .45-70 and .38-55. Now this was in the hey-day of the powerful Sharps single-shot rifles, but Marlin was making a big-bore high-powered rifle, and they were making it in a lever-actioned repeater (competing for the same market niche that Winchester had created with the Model 1876). The Marlin Model 1881 was well-received and firmly established Marlin in the levergun market.
ping
Got the daughter a Marlin .22 magnum for her to shoot while I was working on the .270. She got pretty good for a 14 year old and was cutting smiley faces into the targets after a while.
THE levergun for me will forever be the Winchester 1892. Not the Marlin.
There is one thing I have always noticed about Marlin. Their guns tend to be a little bit more accurate than the competition’s similar models. It is something I am certain about too.
I’ve got two Marlins, a Model 60 .22 and a Model 917vs in .17m2, but no leverguns......... yet.
We live in an urban area (Pinellas Co FL) and being a sportsman shooter does nothing to boost my son's popularity. Although if we were to buy a $40 9mm Glock knock-off out of someone's trunk and he learned to hold it sideways to shoot it.... Then he would be really cool. Thanks Hollywood. /sarc
The Marlin lever action in the heavy 45 calibers is basically America’s most lethal gun.
A friend of mine took out a porcupine that had been killing some pines on his property. Way up in a tree. With a Marlin .22 rimfire. One shot. Left ear.
Crack. Thud.
I have a Marlin Outfitter in 444 Marlin. Pretty accurate, but if scoped you need a long eye relief scope. The recoil is pretty stout, but not unmanageable. Don’t ask me how I know you need a long eye relief scope!
I wanted one of those so bad many moons ago when I was a teenager -- the ads were very inticing; never did get one.
Got myself a Ruger "single-6" pistol which is now (gulp) about 45 years old....my older brother got me a Ruger .22 rifle, but that is a piece a crap - have had that one for close to 40 years, and never have been able to fix the load/jam prob.
I agree with Rio that the Winchester model 92 along with it's big brother the model 86, are the best lever guns ever. That doesn't mean the Marlins aren't really fine guns tho, as is the Winchester model 94.
I knew a guy that put a scope on his 12GA slug gun. He couldn't hit a refrigerator at 50yds without the scope and didn't have the courage to pull the trigger a second time with it. Probably the worst shot (regular shooter) I have ever seen. But a good guy tho.
I really like my 336 (30/30). I put a limbsaver recoil pad and good scope on, but don’t shoot it much lately with ammo so high. Marlin makes a good lever carbine.
“I have a Marlin Outfitter in 444 Marlin. Pretty accurate, but if scoped you need a long eye relief scope. The recoil is pretty stout, but not unmanageable. Don’t ask me how I know you need a long eye relief scope!”
Because at one time you became a member of the “half moon club”. LOL
Have an old model Marlin carbine in .38/.357. Very trim and handy, accurate to boot. The caliber was a perfect fit since both the wife and I shoot S&W Revolvers. Simplifies reloading components and ammo supply.
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