SHORTENING A LEVERGUN...IS IT WORTH IT!

4t5 · Post by **4t5** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:36 pm

I HAVE A MARLIN COWBOY IN 44 MAG., AND AM THINK'N ABOUT HAVING IT SHORTENED TO 18",KNOWING THAT IT REQUIRES THE BARREL,MAGAZINE TUBE AND SPRING TO BE CUT AND REATTACHED,AND REINSTALLING THE FRONT SIGHT IS IT WORTH THE EFFORT? OR SHOULD I SELL IT AND BUY A SMALLER GUN!
DON'T KNOW THE COST OR WHO COULD DO THE WORK, ANY RECOMMENDATIONS?

tman · Post by **tman** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:07 pm

i've always wanted to cut my browning flm down from 22" to 20" . same as u, looking for a reasonable gunsmith to quote me a price.

homefront · Post by **homefront** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:09 pm

How much do you want for it?

71fan · Post by **71fan** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:16 pm

If it's the checkered 24" limited, it's worth a bit of dough - about $600 assuming it's in nice condition.

I love mine and wouldn't change it for the world. OTOH, I already have 16" Winny Trapper, and wouldn't change THAT for the world. Both are 44s.

I would say (A) look for a cheaper version for your short rifle and keep the Marlin the way she is, thus having two rifles, or (B) sell it, buy a shooter for 1/2 to 2/3 the price, chop it if necessary, and spend the delta on ammo or components.

Having said all that, I think that octagon barreled short rifles are pretty slick looking.

Poohgyrr · Post by **Poohgyrr** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:42 am

I like the handiness of the short barrels. Some gunsmiths are listed here: http://www.leverguns.com/leverguns/leversmiths.htm

Steve Young (Steves Gunz) shortened this 20" 44-40 to 16" and rechambered it to .44 Special for me. He did a real good job.

4t5 · Post by **4t5** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:40 pm

YES IT IS THE LIMITED 24" CHECKERED VERSION, HAVEN'T YET DECIDED TO PART WITH IT.
HOMEFRONT.. I'LL PM YOU FIRST IF I DO, THANKS FOR ASKING.

blueroan · Post by **blueroan** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:52 pm

I had the same idea about cutting my 44 Cowboy from 24 to 20 inches and then stumbled across one already done at SHOOTING WORLD in Boise in 2003. It's approximately 19 inches. It made a nice souvenir BUT I don't like it as much as I thought I would. It has a slick action (by Paul Cooper aka Wog?) but I found I liked the longer barrel a lot more. I've been tempted to send it back to Marlin to have the original length barrel installed, if possible.

If you want a shorter rifle, get one with the factory 20 inch barrel and leave the 24 in the safe...or sell it to someone who wants that length and will not hesitate to pay the premium.

I'd guess the gunsmithing would run close to $200; dovetail for magazine retainer, dovetail for front sight, cut and crown barrel, cut magazine tube.

If you were close to St Louis MO, I'd talk to you about a trade or sell mine to you. I'm going to the Quigley shoot in June.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:08 am

I have always been a rifle fan. Carbines are handy tools, but never really filled me with the awe that a rifle does. Then I saw this little "Trapper" mdl 94. The fact that it was in my favorite caliber didn't hurt either.

I was told it'd have a horrendous "bark", but... my reality is that I stand behind it; don't even notice any appreciable increase over my other .30-30s.

However, although it's become my truck gun, I still can't part with any of my rifles. I've found this one to be about minute of deer @ 200 yards, and it's quick and handy, yet I still find myself entralled with the potential of her longer limbed cousins!

Jarhead · Post by **Jarhead** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:15 am

Griff wrote:I have always been a rifle fan. Carbines are handy tools, but never really filled me with the awe that a rifle does. Then I saw this little "Trapper" mdl 94. The fact that it was in my favorite caliber didn't hurt either.

I was told it'd have a horrendous "bark", but... my reality is that I stand behind it; don't even notice any appreciable increase over my other .30-30s.

However, although it's become my truck gun, I still can't part with any of my rifles. I've found this one to be about minute of deer @ 200 yards, and it's quick and handy, yet I still find myself entralled with the potential of her longer limbed cousins!

Very nice rifle....I love them short "Shooters."

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:31 pm

I'm partial to 16-inch leverguns.
Had a Marlin .357 & a Marlin .44 shortened and I very much like the way they tote & handle. The .357 was quite a while back, the .44 was recently & cost $130.
Denis

meanc · Post by **meanc** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:41 pm

Depends on what you're doing it to.

I wouldn't cut down that Cowboy Limited due to their limited numbers and are no longer produced.

However, I did cut one of my Win94 30-30's and a Henry H001 22lr down to 16".

These are my goto rifles because they are so much more handy and fit in the back of my Jeep Wrangler like a glove.

Of course, I think I only paid about $200 a piece so no big deal.

adirondakjack · Post by **adirondakjack** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:09 pm

if ya want a short rifle, start with a 20 incher that is still in print.

If ya don't wanna invest in a second rifle, PLEASE sell the 24 inch CB-L to a CAS shooter who is on the hunt for one. (There are lots of em). I have two CB-Ls in 24 inch .45 trim, and could sell em at virtually any CAS event I go to.

If your rifle is in good shape, you could likely sell it, buy a round BBL 20 incher and have some cash left to help pay for the work.

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:51 pm

me... my opinion. I'd only shorten a rifle that has a bad bore at the end.

If it is original and good I'd leave it alone. one possible exception.. a later model 336 or 94 that needs a massive overhaul anyway.

I have a 70's vintage 94 with stamped innards and some pitting that I will 'traperize' one day. I am always on the lookout for a beater to re work as a 38-55 too

Jeff

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:57 pm

To me, the 4" between 16(.25)" & 20" isn't nearly as big a deal as the 4" between 20" & 24".

IMO 20" is just the right length for a small caliber and 24" for a large caliber.

Which, oddly enough, is exactly what I have between my .357 & .45-70...

Post by **Old Savage** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:14 pm

I shotrtened one rifle barrel and wish I hadn't done it.