Marlin Model 983

[Boulevard]

I am looking into buying one of these but info seems a little scarce. I worry about reliability, quality of construction and general overall accuracy. The rifle is a Marlin made .22 mag, tube loader, bolt action with a wooden stock. I can get one in a plastic stock for $250.00 but I really prefer wood so I am hoping to spend $300.00. I am not worried about aftermarket parts since I almost never alter a fire arm and I do not re-load. It is not on the Marlin web site but if you google 'Marlin 983' and then enter the Marlin web site it shows up...strange.

Bruce

 

[ISaidShotgun!]

I have a Marlin 982, same gun or close enough just magazine fed. It is a good rifle, the only issue I have ever had was the wire which serves as an ejector bent backward and failed to eject the casing. A quick twist with some needle nose pliers and problem solved. Out of the box the trigger was quite heavy, but a few light passes with 1000 grit paper on the sear fixed that.

As for quality, I cannot really complain. It is a simple gun, everything seems to fit as it should. My rifle has the cheapie plastic stock on it. Which suffers from all the disadvantages of cheapie plastic stocks.

I think Marlin has stopped production of these rifles in favour of the newer models with adjustable triggers. Which is why you can't easily find it on their website.