Marlin 1895 444 Marlin

[Archer]

There's one at the shop I frequent. It claims microgroove but looks like a shallow Ballard cut.
It's a JM proof but the stamp is double tapped and about half off center on the second strike.
The stock has a few dings and the metal was dry as a bone when it came into the shop

If it was a .45-70 I'd probably be dickering with the shop owner as I already have that caliber in my Winchester 1886. I've never messed with the 444 and I'm not certain there's any real advantage to doing so.

Any thoughts?

[Ranch Dog]

I had both a 1895G and 1895MR and after the RG4570, both of the Marlins were sold.

I've always been a fan of the 444 Marlin, no particular reason, just one of my favorites. I owned a 444, a 444P, and a 444T. The 444 was one of the last rifles build by Marlin, not Remnigton, NIB. All I was shooting was my beloved "T", so I sold the other two. I've made some incredible shots with the 444 while hunting, Killed a desert Mule Deer at 290 yards with it.

When I was in the business I sold molds to two fellows that where brown bear guides in Russia. They carried the 444P in their business.

[outsidebear]

In 1968 bought a .444 Marlin (high comb stock, original factory barrel was 24") from a friend who use to be a Game Warden. The vehicle he used was a CJ-5 Jeep. The 24" barrel was a might too long for him getting in n' out of the Jeep, so he cut the barrel back to 18". Ahead of his time with that thinking, eh!!

Loading 4198 behind the Hornady 265 gr jacketed bullet, was a real thumper out the front. Not too bad on the back end either. A side aspect with that short barrel: if you were not sure where you were in the woods after dark, ya could fire off a round, lighting up the landscape and see where you were!

My brother talked me out it (though I kept visitation and use rights). He shot a medium sized black bear one evening, that was looking at him from around a plumb tree in the orchard, about 20 feet away! The bullet hit between the eyes, slightly moreso towards the left eye. Needless to say 'ol bruin was DRT! When skinning out the bear I found the nicely expanded bullet down in the body cavity. The short barrel and a receiver peep sight made for easy handling. As my brother use to say, "Standing with an off-hand shot, it was 'minute-of-toaster' at 100 yards all day long (when he was out shooting behind the garbage dump - remember them from the old days)."

I had another high comb early .444 Marlin shortly afterwards, but brother talked me out of that one also!
Haven't had a .444 since, but wouldn't mind having one around, a grand cartridge mostly overlooked and underrated by many folks today...

[Archer]

Well this one is to my way of thinking priced at least $200-250 over what I'd be willing to consider paying.
Evan at that price I might rather have the .44 Mag 20" RB Rossi on the shelf next to it.

If'n it was a .45-70 it might only be priced $150-200 high.

[Dan 444]

If'n it was priced right, you would need to get it. Just because

Dan

[Missionary]

Greetings
Another option is to find a rusty bore 336 (30-30's are about) and buy it for $100. Be sure it is complete and the action works. Now send it to JES Reboring to get it bored and chambered to 444 Marlin. Get the 3 groove or 5 groove rifling. So now for about $350 total you have a new bored 444 Marlin in a rifle you will not be afraid to hunt with. I did this with several "ugly" 336's the lastest ending up as a 405 JES (41-444). No regrets !
Mike in Peru

[Archer]

Marlins have just about reached Winchester status in the U.S..
That is to say that everyone who has one is convinced it is a gold mine and even ratty ones are being offered at $300-$500 or more.

I haven't seen even a incomplete lever gun going for the hundred buck range in a while.

[Archer]

If'n it was priced right, you would need to get it. Just because

Dan

In going through my reloading equipment I discovered I already have dies for this caliber.
NOT that I ever owned one before but a buddy gave me 4 sets of dies he had laying around including an RCBS set for .444.

STILL doesn't make sense for me to go there.

Looked into the gun a bit more. This one is a 24" from about 1970 seems mechanically solid but cosmetically somewhat challenged. As a first series gun it has a slow twist micro groove barrel.

[Missionary]

Greetings
Sounds like a true ready to go hunting rifle you would not have to worry nothing about it getting a blemish.
I only buy used rifles and have no fears dragging then through a swamp or thick woody zone. That twist will reliably shoot a 265 grainer straight and fast. No critter east of big muddy is going to get proprely thumped with that weight of slug and get to far. Micro groove loaded with a fat enough bullet works.
I went with a caliber .41 based on the 444 Marlin (405 JES) and it loves 265 grain - 300 grainers. I even worked up a 340 grain load to use out to 50yards if I ever needed to stop a rampaging toyoto.
Mike in Peru

[Archer]

If'n it was priced right, you would need to get it. Just because

Dan

Well, looks like I'll be bringing it home. The shop owner made me an offer I could not refuse.
Gotta decide if I'm buying ammo or not. I've got 14 rounds that came with the gun.
Components are pretty much out of stock for the preferred 265 grain FP bullet and any brass.
Word is it probably won't group the 265 grain FTX and that bullet requires the shortened brass that isn't appealing either. Might buy a box just to test it out but at $30+ that's a little stiff.

Might just shoot the rounds that came with it and see how she kicks.