23-Sep-2026
Marlin occupies an unusual spot in British shooting. It is one of the most recognised names in American rifle-making, yet most UK shooters meet it second-hand: a well-worn Model 60 passed down for rabbits, a lever-action 1894 bought because it looked like nothing else in the cabinet, or an XT bolt-action picked up as a sensible first .22. Very few dealers hold new Marlins in depth, which means the UK market is largely a used market, and that changes how you should shop.
This guide walks through the Marlin families you will realistically encounter on a British ticket, what each one is good for, and the specific things worth checking before you commit. If you already know which model you want, you can jump straight into the current Marlin rifle listings and work back from what is actually available.
Why Marlin still matters to British shooters
Marlin built its reputation on two things: affordable semi-automatic rimfires that simply kept working, and side-ejecting lever-actions that took a scope without argument. Both of those traits translate well to UK conditions. A rimfire that tolerates damp, dirt, and a decade of neglect is exactly what most vermin shooters want, and a lever gun that mounts optics conventionally is far more useful here than one that ejects straight up into the scope.
The brand has changed hands over the years, and production has moved more than once. In practice, this matters less than the condition of the individual rifle in front of you, Marlins were made in enormous numbers over a very long period, so a carefully kept example from decades ago can shoot better than a neglected one from a more recent run. Judge the rifle, not the date.
What Marlin is not is a precision-target brand. If your ambition is bench-rest groups or long-range stalking, you are better served elsewhere. Marlin’s strength is honest, useful, affordable field shooting.
Browse: Marlin rifles · Ruger rifles · Henry Repeating Arms · Winchester rifles · all rifle listings
The Model 60 and the rimfire semi-autos
The Model 60 is the rifle most British buyers picture when they hear the name. A tube-fed .22 LR semi-automatic, it was produced in vast quantities and remains one of the most common rimfires in circulation. Under a UK firearm certificate it sits comfortably as a general-purpose rabbit and rat rifle: light, cheap to feed, and accurate enough at realistic ranges that most shooters run out of skill before the rifle runs out of precision.
Alongside it you will find a scattering of related models, the 795 and similar magazine-fed variants, and older numbered rifles such as the 780, 925, 926 and 995, which share the same basic philosophy with different feed systems and stock treatments. Magazine-fed versions are quicker to top up and easier to unload safely; tube-fed rifles hold more but are slower to clear.
The main thing to check on any Marlin semi-auto is the feed system. On tube guns, work the inner magazine tube fully in and out and look for dents or kinks; a bent tube causes feed stoppages that no amount of cleaning will fix, and replacements are not always easy to source. On magazine-fed rifles, make sure at least one magazine comes with the gun and that the feed lips are undamaged. Then check the bore for the ring of hardened fouling that builds up in neglected rimfires; it usually cleans out, but heavy pitting does not.
Browse: Marlin Model 60 · Marlin 917 · Marlin 926 · Marlin 995 · CZ 457 rimfires
Lever-actions: The 1894, 1895, 336 and Golden 39A
Marlin’s lever guns are the reason many British shooters seek the brand out specifically. The 336 is the classic mid-bore hunting lever, the 1894 the pistol-calibre carbine, the 1895 the big-bore, and the Golden 39A the long-running rimfire lever-action that predates almost everything else in the catalogue.
In a UK context, lever-actions occupy a particular niche. They are compact, quick to handle in cover, and pleasant to carry, but they are not the obvious first choice for deer where a bolt-action is easier to justify on a certificate and easier to shoot precisely at distance. Where they come into their own is close-range work, woodland use, and for shooters who simply enjoy the action. If you are weighing a lever gun against a bolt rifle for stalking, our UK stalking rifle guide sets out the practical trade-offs.
When inspecting any lever-action, cycle the action slowly several times and feel for grittiness or a lever that will not close fully. Check the loading gate for cracks or a weak spring, look closely at the muzzle crown, and pay attention to where the wood meets the metal at the wrist; this is the area that suffers most from decades of hard use. Bore condition on older lever guns varies enormously, so take a torch.
Browse: Marlin 1894 · Marlin 1895 · Marlin 336CS · Marlin Golden 39A · Marlin 1881
The XT bolt-actions
The XT family is Marlin’s answer to the sensible, affordable bolt-action rimfire, available in .22 LR and .17 HMR forms as the XT-22 and XT-17, with a magazine feed and a straightforward two-position safety. They were designed to compete directly with the established budget rimfire bolt guns rather than to reinvent anything.
For a first rifle, or for a knockabout gun that lives in the truck through the winter, the XT makes a lot of sense. Accuracy is usually perfectly adequate for vermin work, and the simple bolt action is easier for a newcomer to handle safely than a semi-auto. Where the XT loses out is resale visibility: it is a less famous name than the Model 60, so used examples often sit at sensible money. That is bad news if you are selling and good news if you are buying.
If you are cross-shopping, it is worth putting an XT alongside the obvious alternatives before deciding; our .22 LR rimfire guide covers the main contenders, and the CZ 455 versus CZ 457 comparison is useful if you are leaning towards a Czech bolt gun instead.
Browse: Marlin XT · Marlin XT-22 · Marlin XT-17 · Marlin 25N · Marlin 70PSS
Buying used: Parts, spares and the practical realities
Because the UK Marlin market is predominantly second-hand, spares availability deserves real thought before you buy. Common wear items for the popular models are generally obtainable, and there are specialists who deal in Marlin components; you will find them alongside other UK trade listings in the business directory. Less common models, and particularly older numbered rimfires, can be harder to supply.
A sensible approach is to buy the most complete rifle you can find. A gun that arrives with its magazines, original sights, mounts and a decent stock is worth paying a premium over a cheaper example missing pieces you will then spend months chasing. Be wary of anything where the action has obviously been dismantled by someone who did not put it back properly.
On price, resist the temptation to anchor on American figures. UK values reflect UK supply, and a model that is commonplace elsewhere can be genuinely scarce here. If you want a structured way to think about what you are looking at, our guide to working out what a gun is worth covers the method rather than the numbers.
Browse: Marlin General listings · gun parts and accessories · moderators · thermal and optics · UK gun shops and dealers
Setting one up: Optics, moderators and ammunition
One of Marlin’s quiet advantages is how easy its rifles are to fit out. Side ejection on the lever guns means conventional scope mounting without compromise, and the rimfires almost all take standard rails or bases. For general vermin work a modest fixed or low-magnification variable scope is ample.
Moderators are worth considering on any rimfire used around livestock or near housing. Ammunition choice matters more than most newcomers expect: rimfires are notably fussy, and two rifles of the same model can prefer different brands. Buy a few types, shoot them over the same target, and let the rifle tell you what it likes.
Browse: thermal and optics · moderators · ammunition listings · gun parts and accessories · safes and cabinets
Frequently asked questions
Is Marlin a good rifle for UK conditions? For vermin control, rough shooting and general field use, yes. The rimfires in particular are tolerant of weather and neglect in a way that suits British shooting. For precision target work or long-range stalking, look at a dedicated bolt-action instead.
What is the difference between the Marlin 336 and the 1894? Broadly, the 336 is the mid-bore hunting lever-action and the 1894 is the shorter, lighter pistol-calibre carbine. The 1895 sits above both as the big-bore option. Which suits you depends far more on the calibres you can justify on your certificate than on the actions themselves.
Can I still get spares for an older Marlin in the UK? For the common models, generally yes, there are UK specialists dealing in Marlin parts, and you will find them among the trade listings in our directory. For obscure older rimfires, availability is patchier, which is a good reason to favour complete, original examples.
Are used Marlins worth buying? Often they are the best value on the second-hand racks, precisely because the brand is less fashionable here than Ruger or CZ. The risk is condition rather than design, so inspect carefully and prioritise a sound bore and an undamaged feed system.
Browse Marlin rifles on Rightgun.uk
Marlin rewards patient shopping. Because the UK market is thin and largely used, the right example tends to appear when you are watching rather than when you are hurrying, so it pays to know what you want and to check listings regularly. Start with the full Marlin range, compare against the wider rifle listings, and if you are selling a Marlin, listing it on a dedicated shooting marketplace puts it in front of the buyers who are actually searching for it.
Further reading: Best .22 LR rifles in the UK, CZ 455 vs CZ 457, Ruger 10/22 review, Best hunting rifles for UK stalkers, and How much is my gun worth?.
