Last night I had a couple of hours, so I zoom off to the farm to shoot a few loads through my new to me Marlin 35 rem. It has very little blueing left on it, and is not tapped for a scope. I put a Williams peep on it and will keep it that way. It was made in 1951 and has the 24 in. barrel. It is of the A configuration without the barrel band.

I think the barrel band slows me down! I got all 50 rounds fired off in a very short amount of time. I had a hotter barrel than I like, but accuracy never diminished. It shot accurately through the whole thing. Throat is as short and none-existant as when the thing was bought. That ballard rifleing was beautiful. Excellent accuracy.

I have two Marlins with the barrel band, and will not get another. My 336SS in 30-30 is very accurate, but will start throwing bullets after the 3rd round every time. The 1894C is a bit worse with hot loads. I much prefer no barrel band with a 2/3 magazine. If they have a SS offering later on with the guide gun configuration, I will be all over it. i just don't care to buy another gun with a barrel band...

Perhaps this wouldn't be an issue if I just shot a little less. :rolleyes:

Last night I had a couple of hours, so I zoom off to the farm to shoot a few loads through my new to me Marlin 35 rem. It has very little blueing left on it, and is not tapped for a scope. I put a Williams peep on it and will keep it that way. It was made in 1951 and has the 24 in. barrel. It is of the A configuration without the barrel band.

I think the barrel band slows me down! I got all 50 rounds fired off in a very short amount of time. I had a hotter barrel than I like, but accuracy never diminished. It shot accurately through the whole thing. Throat is as short and none-existant as when the thing was bought. That ballard rifleing was beautiful. Excellent accuracy.

I have two Marlins with the barrel band, and will not get another. My 336SS in 30-30 is very accurate, but will start throwing bullets after the 3rd round every time. The 1894C is a bit worse with hot loads. I much prefer no barrel band with a 2/3 magazine. If they have a SS offering later on with the guide gun configuration, I will be all over it. i just don't care to buy another gun with a barrel band...

Perhaps this wouldn't be an issue if I just shot a little less. :rolleyes:

I'm with you doc, I've got three leverguns and none have barrel bands. I prefer the look of the cap, and prefer pistol grips as well, though my 1894 Marlin has a straight grip. :cool:

Seems like there would be a pretty good market for an after market firm to produce barrles and modified mag tubes for folks just like you folks.

I for one would love to reduce the mag tube on my 2003 35 rem and replace with end cap. I suspect there are alot of others as well.

I don't quite understand if Marlin can make 45-70's and 444 Marlin with 2/3 mag tube and an end cap and no barrel band. Why can't they offer it in 30-30 and 35 Rem :confused:

Seems like there would be a pretty good market for an after market firm to produce barrles and modified mag tubes for folks just like you folks.

I for one would love to reduce the mag tube on my 2003 35 rem and replace with end cap. I suspect there are alot of others as well.

I don't quite understand if Marlin can make 45-70's and 444 Marlin with 2/3 mag tube and an end cap and no barrel band. Why can't they offer it in 30-30 and 35 Rem :confused:

I would agree that there is a Market. But I feel Marlin does not think the choice would make them the money.

I think it is in the lack of Marketing . A little work in promotion goes a long way. Not everyone knows what is being offered .
On Marlin Owners forum there is a survey .
I add it up as folks wanting choices that could be offered though a custom shop.
Well some of us are getting older , and dreams will die with us.
Happy

There is an alternative that Marlin could do. They could go back to the "Short rifle" configuration of the pre WWII Marlins. Full length mag tubes, heavier barrels, with forearm caps, and mag tube bezel dovetailed into the barrel, under the front sight.
On a carbine weight barrel this wouldn't be feasible, but on a rifle weight barrel, it would be easy, and no loss of mag tube capacity. A plus is the heavier barrels hold their accuracy longer as they heat up.
I've got a couple of older Marlin short rifles, and I really like the combination of a 20" barrel and a full length mag tube, without barrel bands.

Hmmmm...... I may look into that, thanks! I have not been real happy with the front barrel band on my 336 / .35; the main gripe I have is that you have to take the front sight off to get the mag tube off the gun. I do occasionally shoot iron sights, and I've been rained on with that gun, and needed to disassemble to clean. There looks to be enough meat at the front of the barrel to make a dovetail cut.....

thanks!