Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have been kicking around an idea to do some deer hunting here in Pennsylvania with an old 1893 Marlin, preferably in 38-55.

For those of you who have used one, what is your opinion of the 1893's accuracy, quality of manufacture, ruggedness and ease of maintenance?

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

I hunted western Oregon for 4 years in the early 1960s with a Marlin Model 93 octagon 26" barreled 30-30 which I bought used for $30.

It was as accurate as any other Marlin lever gun I have ever owned (and I currently have 7 other Marlins). It also was very reliable as far as feeding and functioning, and used whatever factory ammo I fed it (and a lot of my handloads) without a whimper. Because it is a snap to remove the bolt and lever (10-15 seconds, just take out one screw), it is dead simple to clean from the breech, unlike the Model 94 Winchester.

I actually preferred it to most of the Marlins I have now...the very slim, tapered its full length, octagon barrel was much more comely to look at than just about any other lever gun I have seen over the years. And the slim forend and buttstock seemed handier to shoulder, carry, and even hold, to me. The "square" bolt worked as well for the rimmed cartridges as the round ones do now, so I am really not sure if Marlin gained much by the change to the round bolt configuration, though presumably the round bolt models are stronger or some such.

Perhaps the round bolts were part of adding the .35 Remington cartridge to the chamberings; I don't recall for sure.

My dad and I also hunted for years in both California and Oregon with the successor to the Model 1893, the model 36, prior to my getting the 1893. The 36 also had a square bolt, but was starting to gain some of the clunkier aspects of the 36's successor, the Model 336. One of those clunkier bits was a much thicker forearm, even though the M36 we used was a carbine, not a rifle. We both killed our first deer with the 36, on the same day. I don't believe any of the 1893s or 36s came factory drilled for scope mounts, and neither did the 336s for the first few years they were made. I still have an early post-war (WWII) M336 in .35 Remington which is not drilled or tapped for a scope mount, though it WAS factory drilled and tapped for a receiver (peep) sight, which it is wearing now.

Anyway, my much shorter answer is: I would not hesitate to hunt with a Model 93 Marlin rifle in .38-55 and, in fact, would relish that opportunity.

should work just fine. I have been thinking of buying one, if I can find a nice one at not too much $$$$.

I had one in .30-30 for a while and it was a decent rifle. I prefer the '93 to the newer 36 and 336 if both rifles are chambered for a .30-30 family cartridge.

There is one in my gun safe, which belonged to my wife's grandfather. It actually is my sons gun now. I was told it was purchased new in 1930 for $18. It's a 30/30. I've thought about using it one deer season just for old time's sake.

Mine is not a 93 but a model 36, same square bolt though which I prefer. I added a Williams 5D peep sight, and I have been totally ecstatic ever since. The round bolt 336 might have a slight edge in strength but a moot point at 30/30 pressures. I believe the main reason for switch to round bolt 336 design was ease, and lower cost of manufacture. My 36 is I believe a 1947 vintage the last year of the square bolt design.

quote:

lower cost of manufacture.

Yes easier to drill the hole in the receiver and easier to make a round bolt.