Rimfire levergun w/ side loading gate?

[alukban]

Hi guys,

Is there a rimfire levergun which has a side (or bottom) loading gate?

PS. I think this is my first posthere, HOWDY TO ALL

[Duff L Bagg]

If there is one I am unaware of it. but that is not to say that there is not one.
Welcome to the forum, pull up a chair and make yourself at home.

[O.S.O.K.]

Welcome to the forum!

I don't know of any either...

[Killer Kanuck]

The Marlin model 1891 had a side loading gate - only one I can think of.

[gamekeeper]

Welcome to the fire.
I've not seen one, even the first levergun in .22 rimfire the Winchester 73 had no side loading gate.
K.K. I'll try to find a 1891 marlin, I have always wondered if such a gun was made!

[Killer Kanuck]

Welcome to the fire.
K.K. I'll try to find a 1891 marlin, I have always wondered if such a gun was made!

They're in the same aisle as hen's teeth.

[gamekeeper]

K.K. I thought they might be. i was looking in the Rocking Horse Poop Aisle

[Hagler]

alukban,

Welcome!

The Marlin 1891 did, indeed, have a loading gate:

http://antiquearmsinc.com/marlin-1891-deluxe-rifle.htm





"Marlin 1891 Deluxe Rifle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is very scarce Model 1891 Deluxe sideloader rifle in .22 Caliber with a 24" octagon barrel, checkered wood and a pistol grip stock. The 1891 was Marlin's first lever action in .22 caliber. This is called a First Variation as it has a distinctive fire blued side-loading port on the right side of the receiver. Marlin only made 5000 side-loaders before they adopted a simpler tube-loading design that is still used today in all .22 caliber lever actions. Incidentally, another unique feature found on all 1st variations is the use of a 3/4 length magazine tube. Deluxe variations of these early Marlin 91's are very rare....in fact, this is the only one I've ever seen outside of photographs in books.

Overall condition is NRA Antique Excellent in untouched condition with 90% receiver blue. The fire blue on the loading port and the sideplate screw are at least 85% and if you're like me, these colors will leave you gazing for hours upon end...nevermind the photos, they simply won't translate how vivid these fire blue colors truly are. The hammer still has 70% original case colors with 25% faded colors remaining on the lever. The barrel and magazine tube have 85% original blue remaining. Nice screws. Excellent markings throughout which includes the 1878, 1887, and 1890 patent dates on top of the barrel. The top of the receiver is marked "MARLIN SAFETY". Original sights are the early non-adjustable fixed-style. The wood is in Fine Plus to Excellent condition still retaining 90% original varnish. The checkering on the pistol grip and forewood is still sharp and un-enhanced. Good action and bore is also in good condition with decent rifling.

I can't emphasize enough how few of these Deluxe 1891's ever turn up on the market. This is probably one of the nicest examples of a Deluxe side-loader you could hope to find. With values more than doubled over the past 5 years for many of the deluxe Model Winchesters, nicer examples are now fetching prices well into the multiple five-figure ranges. With these higher prices, Deluxe models in high condition are becoming collectibles for only a few very dedicated colletors. The result is a vacuum has formed within the market for Deluxe models from other manufacturers like these Marlins. I am having to pay considerably more for these than I used to but they are still an excellent value, especially Engraved Marlins. Coupled with the rarity of this Model along with the craze surrounding early antique .22 repeaters, this will make a great investment that you can enjoy while it only appreciates in value."

Shawn

[J Miller]

alukban,

Welcome to the forum.

I've never seen a .22 RF rifle with a side loading gate, but I haven't seen everything.

Joe

[Leverluver]

I would think it would require a sliding or hinged gate like some of the earlier "transition" models to work very well. Also would think that the stress of overcoming a conventional spring type loading gate would be too stressful on the 22 slug. They wouldn't take a side load applied to the bullet tip (to open the gate) very well.

[marlinman93]

The 1891 does have a side loading gate, but only the first variation. Second variations were changed to tube loading gates. The 1891 loading gate actually does not move inward like all others, but actually slides downward to allow entry of cartridges. Marlin made a "gallery tube" to help in assisting with loading. The tube was filled with cartridges, then the end was inserted into the gate and a lever pushed all the ammo into the gun.
I don't mind loading cartridges through the gate of my 1891 1st model, but it's a lot more fun just dropping them down the tube on subsequent models.
Just a note; the first model 1891 gets huge premiums, as they built less than 5,000 of these guns. Even beaters will go $750, and nice examples in std. configuration will get a couple thousand. Deluxes, and minty 1st models can go $5k, and maybe more!

[Pete44ru]

You could always make a side-loader of sorts, out of a modern lever rimfire with a tube magazine, via rotating the tube (and it's loading port) 90 degrees.

.

[GonnePhishin]

First, Welcome to the Forum

Second, Doesn't Browning make a 22 with the loading port in the stock?

While its technically not a "loading gate," the shells do get fed into it.

Just my 2 cents

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Though it's not a levergun, I believe the Colt Lightning pump action in 22 RF was a side loader as well. That's the only other one I can think of aside from the Marlin 1891 show in the earlier posts. A fine looking gun shown in those photos.

[marlinman93]

Though it's not a levergun, I believe the Colt Lightning pump action in 22 RF was a side loader as well. That's the only other one I can think of aside from the Marlin 1891 show in the earlier posts. A fine looking gun shown in those photos.

The Colt Lightning had sort of a sideloading device, but not a true gate like most lever actions. If memory serves me, the brass block swiveled out to the side to allow cartridges to feed into the mag tube.