OT - Marlin Rimfires

cnjarvis · Post by **cnjarvis** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:30 pm

Well folks, it's my daughter's birthday time again and I've promised her a 22 rifle. Silly me, I know...

I took her to a local gunshop and let her handle the levers, bolts and semi-autos to see which she liked best. As it turns out, she likes the bolts so that's what she's gonna get.

I've narrowed it down to one I think: The Marlin 981T

Do any of us have one of these? Accuracy & reliability reports? I'm leaning toward this one b/c I don't like the box magazines on the 980 - difficult to extract and only holds 7.

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:42 pm

I have no experience with that rifle, but my experience with Marlin is they stand behind their product. Put a 3x9 Simmons on it and it'll be a lot of fun on the cheap.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:50 pm

I have no experience with that model, but for my son's first gun I did also pick a .22 bolt action without a box magazine. At the time Marlin made a wood-stocked youth model called the "Little Buckaroo", model 15YN. I am not sure if they still make it.

Even with it being a youth model, the length of pull was too long for him (probably having something to do with him starting, in earnest, to shoot it before he was 5!

).

I got a second stock from Marlin, and trimmed it down to fit his frame. I added some brass black powder furntiture to it, and he asked that I decorate it like an indian trade rifle, which he'd seen pictures of.

He is extremely accurate with this gun! I can not say enough good things about this gun or Marlin!!!

His little sister started shooting it over the summer, so over Christmas I picked up a Western Auto Supply rifle - a store brand Marlin - and refinished it for her. She's set!

Good for you on getting your daughter a gun and teaching her how to shoot it. Let us know what you end up picking up!

wm · Post by wm » Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:51 pm

I started my boys out a few years back with a Marlin 15YN 'Buckaroo' which is a single shot, short stocked version of the Marlin rimfire bolt action.

Accurate and reliable ......what more could you ask for.

Wm

P.S. I am going to hang onto it for another couple decades....grandchildren doncha know.

wm · Post by wm » Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:52 pm

Wow Kid....great minds really do think a like!!!

Wm

SMP · Post by **SMP** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:10 pm

I have the 81TS,same rifle as the 81T.It is fantastic .22,accurate,reliable and fun.For a budget priced .22 you cannot go wrong with the 81T.HTH.

cnjarvis · Post by **cnjarvis** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:19 pm

Thanks guys, I think that settles it. I may even paint the stock pink for her.

I've been happy with my Marlin M60 that I bought when I was 16. It's not exactly a tack-driver but it isn't awful either.

I bought her a red ryder BB gun for her 8th B-day and she has been shooting my dad's (now mine) Win. M67 and loves it. She'd like to have it but I won't let go of it.

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:27 pm

Ysabel Kid wrote:I have no experience with that model, but for my son's first gun I did also pick a .22 bolt action without a box magazine. At the time Marlin made a wood-stocked youth model called the "Little Buckaroo", model 15YN. I am not sure if they still make it.

Even with it being a youth model, the length of pull was too long for him (probably having something to do with him starting, in earnest, to shoot it before he was 5! ).

I got a second stock from Marlin, and trimmed it down to fit his frame. I added some brass black powder furntiture to it, and he asked that I decorate it like an indian trade rifle, which he'd seen pictures of.

He is extremely accurate with this gun! I can not say enough good things about this gun or Marlin!!!

His little sister started shooting it over the summer, so over Christmas I picked up a Western Auto Supply rifle - a store brand Marlin - and refinished it for her. She's set!

Good for you on getting your daughter a gun and teaching her how to shoot it. Let us know what you end up picking up!

My kids were too small for the Marlin as well at first. Its a full sized action in a shorter stock. My second son I got a Crickit, its the same as a Chipmunk & truly is a childs gun. Its a very tiny action & with the small stock I think a 4 year old could shoulder it. I know a 5 year old could. I liked too that you need to cock it manually. The Marlins cock on opening.

Anyhow, any gun is great if it gets a kid into shooting.

Post by **Hobie** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:15 pm

I have it in my head that I want one of the Marlin Levermatics but I'm going to be particular.