Marlin

This page updated 23rd April 2026

Whilst there are several other manufacturers of good quality lever action rifles whose products are available in the UK including Winchester, Rossi, Henry and Chiappa to name a few we have always had a special affinity for the Marlin. The main reasons for our preferred choice is largely based on the requirements of competition shooters and certain features of the Marlin brand are particularly relevant to the more action orientated disciplines. Firstly the receivers used for the 1894 models feature a solid top and  side loading and ejection. This also allows for the easy fitting of a scope or red dot sight which is more difficult to fit to most of the other brands of lever action rifles.

We are particularly pleased to offer all our new centrefire pistol calibre Marlins with our complete tuning package. This is done by stripping the rifle after checking for correct function, and polishing some internal parts.  The hammer is reshaped to help reduce the jerky movement found as the bolt rides over the hammer as the lever is raised to close the action.  Most importantly the trigger pull is lightened to an average of around 2.5 lbs or frequently lighter. This is achieved by stoning the sear on a specific jig to alter the engagement angle and cut a small relief angle before it is hardened. During reassembly the factory hammer spring is replaced by a custom spring made in England for us. The factory uses a three  piece firing pin assembly comprising a front firing pin, a rear firing pin, and a small leaf type firing pin spring. This system works well but here in the UK we tend to give our lever action Marlins a bit of a hard time, often cycling them rapidly for many shots. This leads to failure of the factory parts in particular the front firing pin which has a small slot cut in it to receive one end of the firing pin spring. This slot acts as a weak spot and breakage of the front firing pin is not uncommon. So we replace the three parts with a one piece stainless steel firing pin manufactured for us in the UK.

Other parts and accessories are available from us to fit both to the rifles we supply and for you to use with your own rifle if you already have one. This includes our reshaped sear, one piece stainless steel firing pin, modern style extractor, reduced power hammer spring, picatinny scope base, aperture sights etc.  Details and prices are shown below.

TUNING SERVICE FOR MARLIN PISTOL CALIBRE RIFLES

Our tuned Marlin rifles have proved very successful and we have been asked on many occasions if we are prepared to tune a Marlin which is already owned by a customer. The answer to this question is “yes” and you are welcome to call in with your rifle and leave it with us for tuning or alternatively you may send it to us for attention. We will carry out exactly the same tuning service that we offer on the new Marlins we sell here but reserve the right to refuse to carry out any work if we feel the rifle has already been modified and may be rendered unsafe if we carry out further work on it. The cost for our tuning service is  £190 but a surcharge MAY be applied if the rifle is in a particularly dirty internal condition and requires extra time spent cleaning it before the work may be carried out. The charge includes the supply and fitting of our modified sear, springs and one piece stainless steel firing pin. Return carriage of £30 will apply where necessary.

MARLIN LEVER ACTION RIFLES FOR SALE

With virtually no new Marlins currently available in the UK we will continue to take in as many used Marlins we can find at reasonable prices. The dearth of these fine rifles has inevitably seen prices for good, clean examples rising quite dramatically although some shooters are demanding what we feel may be excessive prices! This has meant we are needing to pay more than we would prefer for good quality Marlins but would respectfully point out that ALL our centrefire pistol cartridge Marlin lever action rifles are offered with our latest full tuning package applied which is aimed at providing maximum shooting pleasure including a smooth and easily operation of the cycling action plus a trigger pull weight usually between 1.5 – 3.0 lbs

SY20016  Marlin .38/.357 cal lever action rifle. This is a very clean example of the sought after model with a 24″ octagonal barrel. It is in excellent all round condition with only a smallest number of minor marks to the metal and wood work with evidence to show a scope base has been fitted in the past. It has now been treated to Roger’s full tuning and slicking procedure and now presents with a trigger pull of slightly less than 2.5 lbs and a wonderfully smooth to operate feel to cycling the action …. £1,200  ON HOLD

SY20034  Marlin -38/.357 with the usual 18″ barrel this is another beautiful example of this iconic lever action rifle which reigns supreme for modern shooting with this style of rifle. Sold by us when new the only previous owner has clearly cherished this rifle and it is in lovely condition. As it has had a bit of use Roger’s previously slicked action has become even smoother and the trigger pull is just 2lbs 4 oz. It has been fitted with a Ranger Point Precision loading gate and a Williams red fibreoptic front sight combined with an aperture rear site on a scope rail (Ace in the Hole system) …. £1,000  SOLD

SY20003  Marlin .45 LC Marin Cowboy rifle with 24″ barrel.  This calibre was never offered in original 19th Century lever action rifles due to the very thin rim on this cartridge failing to function correctly with the extractor which had a habit of tearing through the thin rim. Fortunately modern cartridge case design now allows this chambering so modern shooters can enjoy shooting this mild shooting cartridge, even replicating traditional black powder cartridges if desired for an interesting perspective and something different! This example has been very well cared for and shows only one or two very minor marks and as you would expect has been fully tuned by Roger and comes with a 2lbs 4oz trigger pull to enhance shooting pleasure ….. £1,000

Errors & omissions excepted