Marlin 989M2

[PattonD]

I just found out about Project Appleseed a few weeks ago and working to select a rifle.    I currently only own a bolt action H&R Targeteer .22LR and a Winchester 94 .25-.35 and realize neither would work for Appleseed. 

I was looking at Ruger 10/22's and Marlin 795's, but just found a Marlin 989M2 is excellent condition.   It has the original adjustable rear sight and sling and I really like the walnut stock and the M1 Carbine look.  Marlin 70 (and 795) magazines will fit this rifle and outside of the rear sight (which this has) parts are available.  Cost is about the same as getting a used 10/22.

Any reason this would be a bad selection?  If I don't do this, will likely buy a 795 when the black friday sales are posted.

Thanks

[number6]

The only caution would be that the magazines drop free.  If you need two hands to operate the magazine release and pull the magazine it would not be well suited.

From image searching for pictures, I do like the looks.

number6

[PattonD]

The mags are the same design used in the Model 70 and 795 so it should operate the same.   I have seen posts where people say that the Marlins don't drop like the Rugers, but mag changes were manageable.   Don't know how much I should take that into account.

[LawDog]

The mags definitely don't drop free (or even easily) on my 795.  There are allegedly some 7 round mags which will drop free, but I have not been able to replicate that.  Mag changes on a 795 are a 2 handed operation for me.  Not good for NPOA, but I like a challenge!

[PattonD]

Do you regret the choice of 795?

[dragit]

I have watched attendees shoot rifleman scores with Marlin 795s (yes the mags are not the easiest to remove).  M1A magazines are not the easiest to insert or remove either, yet again rifleman scores are achieved.  Base your decision on what will work best for you based on your budget and what is available.  Keep mods simple (if any needed) and spend money on ammo for max. practice in the field.  Dry fire for free at home.

[PattonD]

Thanks

[Kosciusko]

Had a young man get his  RM with one last shoot in Holmen, WI.

drawbacks:  hadn't been cleaned since it went into the closet in the late '70s

7 round mags, we had him load 3+7 instead of 2+8

a good cleaning Saturday night resulted  in RM scores on Sunday

also, it worked with the modern 795 mags, 7 and 10 round, even though they are designated for "post-1996 autoloaders"

as far as accuracy, the receiver, bolt, barrel, etc., scream Marlin 60/975 family, so why wouldn't it shoot an RM score?

I like the looks of it a lot better than the 795s, which are just plain ugly to me.

Kosciusko

[stoneknives]

The 989 M 1 / 2 are going up in price and have been running between 225 and 350$ here. The adjustable rear sight are going for 75$ and up by themselves as this piece was easily lost after it was taken of to mount some optics.

As far as using it for a 'seed it's very similar to a 795 just no bolt hold open/release, the adjustable sights on a M1/2 are a darn sight better than the leaf sight on a stock 795. The stock swivels are 1 inch and I wouldn't go drilling holes for new ones because of the growing collectors interest.
Another plus is the triggers on the old 60's, 80's and 989's were light years better than most of the 795's I've unboxed and the finish internally is better also.

Remember that the model was last made in the 70's so I would definitely check to make sure the rubber bolt buffer is ok. Also they had a tendency to crack or ring the screw holes on the trigger group if they were over tightened.

Myb suggestion as to the perfect solution is to get the 989 for an investment and some light duty action. Then pick up 795 and tweek it up for Appleseed work. The cost for both Marlins will be close to the cost for just 1 tweeked Ruger.

[Unbridled Liberty]

You will not regret buying a Marlin 795.  Regarding the magazine release, I did a mod on mine that improves the release of the mags immensely by allowing a quick, one-hand operation.

First I played around with CAREFULLY bending the spring steel mag release lever so it wasn't quite so aggressive.  Then I CAREFULLY, with a flat punch and SMALL hammer, tapped on the little protrusion on the mags that engage the release lever so that it did not protrude as much. 

I finally got everything where all it takes to change mags is a push up on the mag release, which pops the mag out about 1/16".  Then a light pull down on the mag to clear the well.  With the fresh mag in the right place, the hand drops straight down and grabs the fresh mag and then goes straight back up into the well.  With some practice a mag change takes less than 2 seconds.

The 795 is a great little rifle.

UL

[PattonD]

Kosciusko

Thanks,

BTW I spent a couple of years living in Kosciusko, MS in the early 90's.  I had never heard of Tadeusz Kosciuszko until I lived there and saw a statue and biography at the Natchez Trace Parkway station there.

[PattonD]

Myb suggestion as to the perfect solution is to get the 989 for an investment and some light duty action. Then pick up 795 and tweek it up for Appleseed work. The cost for both Marlins will be close to the cost for just 1 tweeked Ruger.

If I can scrape the cash together, I am buying the 989, I just like the rifle.

[Kosciusko]

Kosciusko

Thanks,

BTW I spent a couple of years living in Kosciusko, MS in the early 90's.  I had never heard of Tadeusz Kosciuszko until I lived there and saw a statue and biography at the Natchez Trace Parkway station there.

There 's a Washington-Kosciusko elementary school about 3 miles from me, so named by the local Polish community (all the elementary schools in town were named solely for US presidents, save that one).

I am  100% Polish/Kashubian, and he is a largely unheralded Revolutionary War hero, so I chose my forum name to honor him and raise awareness of his contributions to our Liberty.

[AFTERMATH]

I just found out about Project Appleseed a few weeks ago and working to select a rifle.    I currently only own a bolt action H&R Targeteer .22LR and a Winchester 94 .25-.35 and realize neither would work for Appleseed. 

I was looking at Ruger 10/22's and Marlin 795's, but just found a Marlin 989M2 is excellent condition.   It has the original adjustable rear sight and sling and I really like the walnut stock and the M1 Carbine look.  Marlin 70 (and 795) magazines will fit this rifle and outside of the rear sight (which this has) parts are available.  Cost is about the same as getting a used 10/22.

Any reason this would be a bad selection?  If I don't do this, will likely buy a 795 when the black friday sales are posted.

Thanks

What's wrong with the H&R? 


From what I understand the AQT was originally developed for the 1903, only thing they changed were the 2&8 mag count to accommodate the M1 - Then it was reduced by Appleseed to the Quick & Dirty version - Target numbers reduced and put all on one sheet, of a slightly lighter printing. 


Bolts work fine for Appleseed.  Just gotta put in a little practice working the bolt without breaking the position.
I've seen lefty's score Expert with righty bolt-guns.  Just mount a GI sling on her, and pick up a few extra mags - You're good to go.  Then you can buy the 989 and have some extra fun.

[PattonD]

What's wrong with the H&R? 

Nothing is wrong with the H&R in and of itself.   I learned to shoot on that rifle, and love the sights.   I only have 1 maginzine (lost the other in a move) and finding extras is neither easy or cheap.

[AFTERMATH]

What's wrong with the H&R? 

Nothing is wrong with the H&R in and of itself.   I learned to shoot on that rifle, and love the sights.   I only have 1 maginzine (lost the other in a move) and finding extras is neither easy or cheap.

That can be a problem!
My first pistol was a Llama IX-D - The double stack model...  Came with one factory 13rd mag, I find later that extra mags are virtually nonexistent and go for ~$50 ea when you can find them.  Needless to say, I now check mag prices/availability before making a purchase. 
Now for the real moral of the story - A rifleman Improvises, Adapts and Overcomes - Even with pistols.
After much research and a bit of experimentation I found that I could modify Para p14 mags to fit it.
I've got no experience with the Targeteer, but I'd check into whether you could mod some mags to fit it.

[Unbridled Liberty]

What's wrong with the H&R? 

Nothing is wrong with the H&R in and of itself.   I learned to shoot on that rifle, and love the sights.   I only have 1 maginzine (lost the other in a move) and finding extras is neither easy or cheap.

That can be a problem!
My first pistol was a Llama IX-D - The double stack model...  Came with one factory 13rd mag, I find later that extra mags are virtually nonexistent and go for ~$50 ea when you can find them.  Needless to say, I now check mag prices/availability before making a purchase. 
Now for the real moral of the story - A rifleman Improvises, Adapts and Overcomes - Even with pistols.
After much research and a bit of experimentation I found that I could modify Para p14 mags to fit it.
I've got no experience with the Targeteer, but I'd check into whether you could mod some mags to fit it.

IAO: Run it with one mag.  On stages 2&3 prep with 10, fire 2, remove mag and touch it to the mat, reinsert and fire 8 more.

UL

[PattonD]

I bought the 989 M2 this morning, its a beautiful rifle.   He threw in an extra mag (I have a 15 and a 10), plus 450 rounds of subsonics.     Its a good day, try to get to the range with it this weekend.

[LawDog]

Do you regret the choice of 795?

Not a bit.  At the time I bought it, I was a complete novice.  The price point ($100 after the rebate) let me try rifle shooting without breaking the bank.  A few inexpensive mods later (MCarbo trigger springs, pipe foam on comb, weight added to forestock), it is now MY rifle.  Plenty accurate enough for AS, too.  That said, I buy up 10/22s to use as loaners.  The mag changes on the Marlin frustrate a lot of folks. 

[PattonD]

Here is a pic of the 989M2, like I said, I am happy with it, can't wait to see what I can do with it.