Okay guys, this year i get to buy another rifle. I am a lever nut already owning a Savage 99 and a Win 94 in .38-55. I have always loved the Win 94 Trapper model 44 magnum, but i am torn between it and a Marlin in 444. The Winchesters just seem more "old west" to me than the Marlins and for this reason i love them. I have never owned or let alone shot a Marlin. I know this might open a huge can of worms, but i am wondering what opinions are out their.

Mark: I have owned the Marlin in 444 and it is a very accurate and sturdy powerhouse which you can also load down if wanted. By accurate i mean 1-1/2" or better if i hold it right. Wish i had mine back, Sold in an act of stupidity. The ones Marlin makes now have ballard rifling so you can use a good cast bullet (LBT) and nothing will withstand a hit from that. I don't have any experience with the 38-55 so can't comment but do know it is knowwhere in the same park as a 444 in power. Also, Marlins are stronger actions with less parts. Swede96.

Is a owner of a M94 I wouldn't buy one unless it is cheap $$$$. Mine, lately, lives at the gunsmith. The Marlin seems to be easier to work the action. I like the looks of the M94 but the action isn't slick.

It may have won the west but I wouldn't take it into Iraq!

Am now on my third "early version" of the .444 Marlin...keep selling them off every 10 years or so, but always wish I hadn't, so go get another within a year or two.

Major advantage to the Marlin is the ability to clean from the breech...just remove the screw through the lever, take lever out the bottom. Then pull bolt out the back of the receiver. Be careful you do not LOSE the ejector, which rides in a slot inside the left hand side of the action. Best bet is to just reach in and take it out after removing bolt but before cleaning, and drop it back in place after cleaning but before re-inserting bolt.

Just reverse the procedure above to put the gun back together after cleaning. So simple even an adult can do it!!

Next big advantage of a Marlin is that you can scope it. May not seem important now, but will as you age and become far-sighted. The newer Marlins are drilled & tapped, so all you need is a Weaver base and either Weaver rings, or someone else's rings that you like and which will fit Weaver bases. Mine generally have Millets on Weaver bases.

The .444 Marlin is a very authoritative round compared to a .44 Mag, especially if you get a mould for a nice 285 or 300 gr. cast bullet. With jacketed bullets 50 grs. or so of 3031 behind a 265 gr. Hornady bullet is also a plenty adequate stomper. May not be safe in your gun, so work up your own load. Performs fine in my gun, with my powder, bullets, dies, and loading techniques.

Personally, I prefer the "early" Marlin 444's...the ones with the straight buttstock, and the 24" barrel. Mine have always shot 1" or under when scoped and using the load cited above.

Having said all that, if the reason you are buying the rifle is the way it looks, and you prefer the looks of the Winchester, don't even consider the Marlin. Get the one you like!!

AC

[ 03-26-2003, 12:17: Message edited by: Alberta Canuck ]

Marlin's are supposed to be drilled and tapped for scope mounting. Personally i'm still jonesing for a .444

I have two marlin levers and have owned a win 30/30. I much prefer the Marlins they feel better for me at least and I think they feel stronger. I also love the 45/70 round.

[ 03-27-2003, 15:05: Message edited by: PC ]

Mark Marchand,

I own 2 Marlin rifles one in 30/30 and one in .444.

The accuracy is great at 100 m with both calibers.

I agree with other replies as Marlin is very easy to clean and very accurate.

I love my 444 but I suppose i'll love a 45/70 Marlin rifle too

Thanks guys!!

Having owned both I much prefer the Marlins.

I prefer the Marlin...seem to get more bang for the buck, less rattles. Winchester levers are not what they once were. Seem to be paying for the name more than anything else.

You can mount a scope on the marlin easily. My two cents.

swede

moc.murafsmraerifehT

FWIW the new Winchesters can be scoped as easily as the Marlins. The new Winchesters eject out the side and at least 4 companies manufacture scope mounts for them.

I hear all the folks that love their Marlins....and with good reason, point taken. The new Winchester tang safety though is a HUGE improvment on either the old Winchester or the current Marlin design, and would be the factor that tips my descision toward the M 94.

Gabe

Pick up a Winchester and shake it, then do the same with a Marlin. My guess is you will purchase the Marlin.

Go for the marlin 444.You will be happy you did mine is very accurate straight out of box

Mark,
I know you have a lot of replies but I need to put in a plug for the Marlin. I purshased a 444ss three years ago and hunted with it for the first time this past deer season. I am very pleased with the quality of the Marlin and the 444 is a hammer on deer. Good luck, Bryan

I like my Marlin and my Savage but if I could go out and get any lever gun my heart desired, it would probbably be a Browning in 358 Win.

I have nothing bad to say about Marlin except they look and feel "clubby" to me. I like the looks and feel of the Winchester much better. Presently I own three 94s in 30-30 all of which shoot great. One of them, a Black Shadow with 24 inch barrel and Weaver 3x scope will consistently put three factory 170 Winchester Silver Tips under an inch at 100 yards. Pay your money and take your choice. You really won't go wrong with either.

I have owned both, and I put my vote on the marlin. easier to clean, more accurate, lots quieter (no rattles at all, unlike the winchester,which sounds like a coffee can with bolts in it) and looks much nicer.

I like the Marlin myself. Picked up an old 32Win from decades ago and the action felt as tight as any new one. Winchesters seem to get a litle slopy with age. One thing I'd think about with the Marlin is having the forend slimmed down more like the Winchester.