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Old Marlin Pump Shotguns

Wehrmacht_45
I have heard that the old Marlin shotguns like the model 49 are not safe to shoot with modern ammo. Why is this? Is it the design or the metal used too weak? COuld a persosn get by using lighter loads like target or dove and quail loads with them? I am looking at one as an alternative to a winchester 97.
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5 comments

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  • GuvamintCheese
    There might be some info your looking for in this article: http://www.100megspop3.com/oldvalkyry/marlin.html
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  • Emmett Dunham
    quote:Originally posted by Emmett Dunham
    The older shotguns like the Marlin 1898 with the exposed hammer is being used in the cowboy shooting competions with light loads, just as the Winchester of the same ventage are being shot with light loads. The shotgun shoud be taken to a gunsmith and check to make sure it is in good condition. If you search the Web for 1898 Marlin, There is a link there that will let you download a disasembly procedure and has 5 safty checks to do on the weapon to make sure it is functioning safely. Don't let the Marlin statement that these shotguns are not safe fool you they are trying to duck the liabilty. Lots of them are being used and enjoyed, so do the same safely.


    Emmett
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  • Throckmorton
    I have to question the use of Marlins in cas matches.I"ve shooting matches for five years and have never seen a Marlin used.Too many stories of flying bolts for most folks to want to chance it.There may be 'some' out there but surely not a lot of 'em.I'd have it checked over by a good 'smith and even then I'd be leery of 'em,just personal opinion.

    Throckmorton SASS #23149
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  • Emmett Dunham
    Do a search of the net using 1898 marlin and you will find quite a few articals on the us of the shotguns and what kind of loads to use in cowboy shooting and quit a few articals by people using them. You will also find material on how to trouble shot the shotgun and safty checks of the weapon. As stated before a lot of the info out there is the first issue shotgun had no safety device and would let you open the bore with a hot shell in the chamber. The next models of the shotgun has a recoil safety device, firing pin blocker, and a secondary sear and basic materials it is made out of is the same as any other shotgun made in that era. The recoil device will not let you open the bolt until you press a release button. The firing pin blocker holds the pin back until a certain point in the forward travel of the bolt to stop slam fires. The secondary sear will not let the trigger release the hammer until the bolt is in battery. There are five safety checks you can do on the shotgun to determin if it safe to shoot. I would like for someone that has written info of an accident were the bolt let loose on one of these shotguns, the closest I've come to anything like this is the failure of the weapon (not catistropic) with no harm to the user and you make a wall hanger out of it.

    I would like to see the failure rate of the Winchester shotgun, I think it will be close to the Marlin. As stated the major factor in the idea that these shotguns are not safe come from the manufacture due to the age of the weapon.
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  • Emmett Dunham
    I found a Model 17 stock that will fit the Model 26 I, I'm not sure if it is the same stock and forearm. Does anyone know if the two stocks and forearms are the same.
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