Marlin or Winchester
Which one to buy as a 44mag lever action. Both are the same price I'm just deciding on which one. Give me some of your opinions.
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As I mentioned before, I am personally partial to the Marlins for many reasons, but predominantly the aesthetics and the fact that scope mounting is easier on the Marlin, being a side eject. Has less of a tendency to pick up dirt and detritus since the bottom of the action does not open up and suck everything into it each time you rack the lever. Marlin also prides itself on a "buttery smooth" action that takes less smithing to make pleasing than the Winchester.
On the Up-side for the Winchester...John Moses Browning designed the action so it's tough to go wrong there! I would take the Marlin, but perhaps that is just me!
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0 -
both are good , I like the Marlins better but thats just me, I think Marlin has more models available than Wichester, I would say get which ever feels better to you 0 -
The Marlin is my personal choice. It is much more "user friendly" when it comes time for a complete tear down for cleaning. 0 -
What are you going to use if for? If it is to ba a wall hanger and historical conection then get the Winchester. If it will mostly be shot iron sights at cans and such then it is a toss up. If you want to scope it and hunt with scoped then go with the marlin hands down. My favorite marlin is the 20" barreled 45-70. Shoot the light govt loads or the bring down a bull hot rod loads. 0 -
The Marlin has a smoother action in addition to the above stated plus features. I've heard a complaint that someone had difficulty loading 44 Mag rounds through the loading gate. If you can put together or buy a couple of dummy rounds you can check that out before you buy. 0 -
Never had a problem with my 44 or any of my other Marlins. Only had one Winchester, it was a family passdown and had seen a lot of service, but it was a bit of a pain to tear down. My son has it now so he can cuss it until his son takes it.
Both are good rifles, but the Marlin, as previously stated, is the easier one to strip down, and the best for mounting a scope.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
i personally would go with the marlin .
but that is just my opinion0 -
I will be using the gun on back packing trips, and will use it as a brush gun during hunting season. I wont be putting a scope on the rifle. I guess Marlin from what is more reliable, also got that info from Field and Stream Magazine when they had a special survival issue. But I'm leaning towards the Winchester. The Winchester I think feels and looks better. Also the safety I like better on the Winchester. I'm just wondering if the Wichester will be just as dependable as the Marlin, and perform just as well. The only thing I dont like so far about the Winchester is the Lever seems loose/it moves,(but could just be a loose screw etc.) as the Marlin stays solid and firm. I haven't had the salesmen to strip the firearm but when I buy it I will have him show me how. Another question is, is the winchester alot harder to strip down? Could I do it in the field if needed quickly and proficiently? If I buy the Winchester will I be satisfied and will it be a firearm I can trust and depend on. 0 -
winchester designed its lever guns loose, to work in all harsh environments. but i like marlins myself. 0 -
JMB did indeed build in a little play with the action and that is what I don't like about them. As mentioned, the Marlin is much easier to field strip and would likely make the better pack gun. Keep in mind also that the dirt entering the action thing is a bit more likely with the Winchester. With either gun, I would reccommeend a reciever peep sight ( cheaply acquired from Williams, and a bit more expensive from the likes of Marbles and Lyman) as it is, to my eye, easier to use and a bit less likely to become deranged coming out of a scabbard or get knocked about in brush.
BUT, if you like the looks and feel of the Winchester, GO FOR IT! All of our prodding and coaching means nothing if you don't LIKE the MARLIN. You know what they say..."Opinions are like ***holes, everybody has one and they all stink!!". HA!HA! Go for what you like...but my vote goes to the Marlin!
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0 -
Based on the forums at sassnet.com, I ended up choosing a Marlin and haven't regretted it. 0 -
I like the Marlin myself. Seems more sturdy, less rattling and a much smoother action.[:p] 0
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