1889 Marlin (pics)

[1historian]

Hi

First post...I have a 1889 Marlin I purchased several years ago from my favorite gun shop...I was in for some other purpose..and noticed a ling slim rifle in the midst of sks's and mausers on the floor rack...an 1889 Marlin in 38-40 (actually its marked .38 w)..a little rough..wood is beat up/weathered...metal maybe refinished...a brass replacement screw for the loading gate(!)...action worked real smooth.....The owner of the shop said it had cleaned up better than he expected so I imagine he got it a low price and took $50 off for me. Put it on lay away..and a few weeks later had it at the range with a box of ultramax 38-40...(target to be posted later)...50 yard target was a fifty foot pistol target made a relatively tight pattern ..so I was happy...feeding was iffy but after repeated disassembly cleaning /polishing was fairly reliable.

Tried some loads with 2400 (very mild ) and 1/20 lead bullets (the old lyman mold for this caliber) good bullets wih black powder lube purchased from a gentleman in Vt. Very accurate...

With the same bullets tried some loads with fff Goex...there was a learning curve...but I was allowed to used them in informal shoots with the muzzle loader guys..on steel turkeys...the load would drop them reliably out to 75 yards but the accuracy/power was not there for anything longer ranged...but off hand at reduced turkey targets...I was having fun...

Haven't shot it over the last year...but picked it up recently...amazed at the slimness and grace of old Marlins..

[Dave]

That is a cool gun. You can tell the old guns were designed by guys who understood shooting instead of beancounters trying to make a price point.

[J Miller]

1historian,

Welcome to the forum.

That's a nice Marlin. I "think" the loading gate screw from an 1894 would fit. That's what I'd do were it mine. But is isn't so ..... how does it shoot?


Joe

[nemhed]

Welcome to the forum! I love those square bolt Marlins!

[AJMD429]

I've ordered new Marlin parts (screws) that fit my 1889 perfectly. I forget which screws, but if you have access to an 1894, you can pull the screws out of that one and test them in the 1889. All three of the ones I needed fit just fine.

[gimdandy]

WELCOME
I would also enjoy owning such a rifle very much , really enjoyed the pic's as well ............. thanks

[kimwcook]

Welcome to the forum. Something about those old rifles. They just feel like they're supposed to be carried and used.

[LeverBob]

Just one word...Drool.............

What a find!

LB

[JerryB]

Looks like you done real good on that deal. Have you tried any factory ammo? I reckon that old girl will still get a deer for you.
I forgot WELCOME TO THE GANG.

[pokey]

welcome home.

purty nice, even if it is a marlin.

[rjohns94]

Welcome to the forum. Nice rifle.

[1886]

Welcome! Great shooter. Where is Vall? 1886.

[Mutt]

Nice rifle. Looks like it was shot in the stock? Maybe indian war ? ,,,,,Mutt

[1historian]

Thanks for all the interest...I talked to a gun dealer about the rifle...he wasn't concerned about the replacemnt brass screw (by the way its filled flat to the receiver...(originally domed?) so no screw driver slot!)...but he did ask if it was refinished...

for the factory target see attached