I actually picked it up about two weeks ago, but due to weather and other stuff, I haven't shot but just a few rounds to check function until yesterday.

I loaded 40 rounds of 158 swc 6.2 grains Unique yesterday morning and went out with the Marlin and a Model 19 in the late afternoon. I shot the Model 19 at 15 yards with very satisfactory results. That load is way less than a "full house" .357 load, but definitely hotter than .38 special +p.

I ordered a Skinner sight for the Marlin. It was in yesterday's mail, and only took a few minutes to install. I believe it is going to work well with the factory front sight.

The little rifle could stand some "slicking up," but I am going to fire a few hundred rounds and cycle the action a bunch before I send it off somewhere. It cycled the swc rounds real well, no hang-ups, but it just isn't as slick as my ca. 1961 39A. It has a few rough spots, but I think use will work some of them out.

The sight was fairly well adjusted without any changes. The target in the picture is 9 rounds, off-hand rapid fire from 20 yards. The .096 aperture in the peep is going to work real well, but I think I am going to have to paint the little white dot on the front sight either red or orange. I can remove the aperture and have a .200 "ghost ring" for really fast work. I haven't tried that yet.

I can tell already that this little sucker is going to consume ammo like my 454 cubic inch four-barrel carb Monte Carlo consumed gasoline back in the 70s. Just about as much fun, too. Headed to load some more right after lunch, then shoot it all this afternoon.



This is 9 shots from 20 yards, fast as I could work the lever and acquire a quick sight picture with the .096 peep.






My "back-yard" range. Actually about 300 yards from the back door. Note the high-tech portable shooting bench, set up at twenty yards.

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Georgia On My Mind

Nice looking gun. Always wanted one in 357. The range I use is too far and I have other long guns to shoot when I go. Do some serious shooting with it and see what groups are obtainable with it. Mind if I move next door to you and help maintain your range, Maybe I'll buy one then. Larry

Mine will not feed SWC at all. I had to get RN. My 44 will shoot the SWC though. Weird. ?

Fun rifle to shoot though. It will loosen up a little after shooting it a bit.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Nice looking lever gun . . . the Marlin's are not cheap but I like 'em.

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- Change it back -

Congrats!

My buddy just got one, so I made him up some rounds and shipped them off.

Lyman 358156 w/o GC over 5g W231 - soft shooting fun.

Lyman 358156 w/GC over 15g W296 - hard hitters.

Lyman 358429 over 15g W296 - very hard hitters.

You're going to love that rifle!

Nice. I've got one with the Microgroove barrel. I haven't shot it much but with .38 Spl loads, it shoots very low.

I have the Skinner sight on my 39M. With the hood on the front sight, it confuses me. Without the hood, the gun just doesn't "look right."

I picked up an older one without a safety today that was chambered for 44 Magnum. I shot five shots offhand at 15 yards, and had one ragged hole. This gun is really neat. I'd love to have one like it in 357.

Had one when they first came out.Brain cramp and sold it. Was a neat little rifle that shot well but no real use for it here.

Congrats on the Marlin 357. I bought an older one for my husband. Then we had a chance to purchase a new one last year. Enjoy!

I just picked up a Marlin 357 too...........they are a blast to shoot! You did well.

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One day at a time

Mine wouldn't feed SWCs either. They're good guns, I just sold mine (not a hunter, more into handguns). A lot people wanted to buy it, though. Decent accuracy, but nothing like the one I had in 44 Magnum... I think I had a "good one," I shot that thing better at 100 yards with a 4x scope than most bolt guns! Enjoy, the receiver sight makes a big improvement.