[Fber]

I wouldn't be hunting with it so some of the larger calibers may not be necessary.

What Marlin would you suggest for someone who just wants to add a Marlin to their collection?

 

[oldbrass]

The options are endless, from a .22 mountie to a 45/70, if you really want to have fun sport shooting get into reloading,its a whole other aspect of shooting and a very addictive hobby, not to mention a money saver !!

 

[Shooter]

I know you said no to larger calibers, but they are a blast to shoot.

If you're looking for something inexpensive to shoot .22 is always a good route to go.

 

[Big Shrek]

I'd search for an old "Levermatic" Marlin 56/57/57M/62
56/57 are .22lr's box-mag/tube-mag styles
57M is .22WMR
62 came in 256-Magnum & .30 carbine (same as an M1-Carbine)
The selling point was the extremely short lever-throw to work the action...VERY fast.
Man who practices can make it seem like he's shooting a semi-auto

Here's a 56

 

[1895gunner]

I shoot paper almost every weekend except during hunting season. I take all of my Marlins to the range from 22LR through the Marlin 450. I enjoy them all but the big bores are what make me smile the most. Hope you find what you're looking for.

1895gunner

 

[greyhawk50]

I'd search for an old "Levermatic" Marlin ---------------
62 came in 256-Magnum & .30 carbine (same as an M1-Carbine)
The selling point was the extremely short lever-throw to work the action...VERY fast.
Man who practices can make it seem like he's shooting a semi-auto

Here's a 56

Many years ago, I owned a mod. 62 that was a 30 M1 Carbine. I kick myself often for not keeping it. Another story.
My point is, I found a M 62 at a gun show last year that was the 256 mag.
After much research, I found that 256 mag. ammo is very hard to find and very pricey. Needless to say, I passed on that one
I would, however, love to get my hands on a Marlin 38/357. That would be my idea of fun. JMHO.
And; any of the rim-fire models that you mentioned would be a great addition to any collection.
Grey

 

[Rooster59]

The 1894C in .357 is the easiest for everyone to shoot from 7 year olds to granny. But, you better reload in bulk once you and your friends shoot it. It's hard to let it sit long enough to cool the barrel.

They are all fun. At our house we have .22lr, .357, .30-30, .45LC, and (2) 45-70's. My wife prefers the .45-70 even at the range. She gets a lot of stares from the bolt gun guys when that big fat brass pops out of the ejection port and "dings" on the concrete range floor.

Jeff

 

[AR_hillbilly]

The 1894C in .357 is the easiest for everyone to shoot from 7 year olds to granny.
Jeff

My wife would disagree with ya on that. A while back we had a coyote come in the yard and grab her little lap dog (dust mop without a handle). I kilt it with a Marlin 357, but hit the dog too and it died. She wanted me to set a gun up for her in case she saw another one around and I wasn't home. I had her shoot a couple different 22's, then the 357. She said it was entirely too loud, and kicked way too hard. So she picked a 10-22

 

[Rooster59]

Tragic story. Sorry to hear that but the 10-22 will do a pretty good job with the right bullet and placement. That's part of the reason why my wife started practicing with what was then "my" 1894C. We have a Bichon who could be carried off by racoons. Annie got so good at picking off '***** in the back treeline at 72 yards that she confiscated the .357 for her own. Of course, she wasn't shooting in a situation like yours.

Amazing that those '***** will walk/crawl for 10 or 15 yards with a baseball sized exit wound in their ribcage. Makes me glad they don't weigh 200+ pounds.

 

[JohnnyLoco]

I would suggest a good used 30-30 with BlueBox federal rounds

 

[Shooter]

My wife would disagree with ya on that. A while back we had a coyote come in the yard and grab her little lap dog (dust mop without a handle). I kilt it with a Marlin 357, but hit the dog too and it died. She wanted me to set a gun up for her in case she saw another one around and I wasn't home. I had her shoot a couple different 22's, then the 357. She said it was entirely too loud, and kicked way too hard. So she picked a 10-22

That's a good round. Sorry to hear about the dog, we have coyotes in my area that come close to the houses when it's cold.

 

[Hyphenated]

Fber,
Are you a reloader? If so don't rule out the larger calibers. They are economical to shoot with cast bullets and big holes equal instant gratification. The 357 and 44 mags are always a good place to start especially if you already have a handgun in those calibers.

Price wise, one of the easiest additions to your collection would be a model 336 in 30-30. There are a lot of good used ones out there and ammo is available every place guns are sold.
Hey who doesn't think of the 30-30's when you are talking lever actions. I even think it is in the new Healthcare bill...everyone will 'have' to own a 30-30.

Whatever you choose you can't go wrong.

 

[greyhawk50]

@ AR_Hillbilly.
If your wife fines the 357 to be too much gun, here are a couple suggestions;
Least favorite due to extra attention is required when cleaning the chamber but the 38 Long Colt will work in a 357 with much less noise & recoil. Not sure if they will feed properly. Back in the day, I had some for my wife to use in a 357 home defense revolver. They were pretty mild.
Another idea is to find some Cowboy Loads for your 357. The shooters at SASS use them all the time. Very mild. If you re-load, all the better. If not, they can be found at most gun shows and even some dealers have them now.

 

[oldbrass]

AR Hillbilly,sorry to hear about your little dog. We have a lhaso and shitzu mops with legs, How about a .22 mag for yotes and plinking.no recoil but twice the pop of a .22LR and ammos cheap. I took a yote at my sisters with a savge model 93 bolt action 22 mag. I know its not a marlin but there cheap and deadly accurate. Hope you get`em all

 

[28Shooter]

I'd go with a .22 or the 1894C in .357. The advantage of the 1894C is that it can pull double duty as a "fun" gun and also practical home defense weapon.

 

[dinger1]

Get a Marlin 336Y .They are so fun to shoot. I put a limbsaver pad on it to give it more length.

 

[Shooter]

Did you ever figure out what rifle you wanted?

 

[1894]

Last Activity: 12-22-2011 05:10 PM

On and off like a young lad it seems

 

[Shooter]

Well I hope the come back.