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09-20-2017, 05:38 PM
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Marlin 90 over/under ... time to come out of the closet
Hi, I've got a model 90 that has sat in a closet for 30 years. I'd like to figure out if its safe to shoot and thought I'd ask for some interweb advice. There isn't any trauma to the gun, like dents or cracks or anything. Still, its just plain sat for a very long time. It was my dad's gun and I just came across it. Its got to have been 30 years since it was last shot.
So, I figure I am either going to clean it up and shoot it or hand it over to somebody else to inspect and shoot. Advice? Sound advice I mean.
Thanks, FB
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09-20-2017, 05:41 PM
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They're good guns; somewhere in an older Double Gun Journal there's a good article about them. I'll see if I can find it later
I wouldn't have any problem myself swabbing out the bores and shooting it.
Edited to ask a question, just because I'm a curious sort: There's nothing wrong about joining the S&W Forum to ask this question, but why not ask it on the specialty shotgun/Marlin forums?
Last edited by Bullet Bob; 09-20-2017 at 07:43 PM.
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09-20-2017, 06:48 PM
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Long ago, I had a friend with one of those. I think I may even have fired it a few times. There is nothing unsafe about them. Fire away.
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09-20-2017, 06:51 PM
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I would just clean it and shoot it as well.
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09-21-2017, 01:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bullet Bob
They're good guns; somewhere in an older Double Gun Journal there's a good article about them. I'll see if I can find it later
I wouldn't have any problem myself swabbing out the bores and shooting it.
Edited to ask a question, just because I'm a curious sort: There's nothing wrong about joining the S&W Forum to ask this question, but why not ask it on the specialty shotgun/Marlin forums?
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Christmas is coming and I think I'd like an M&P 45. Thought I'd join this S&W site and read up. However, my first post about the Model 90 was because I found folks in this forum had discussed the shotgun ... and ... it was kind of a generic question ... would you or wouldn't you shoot a gun that had sat for so long.
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09-21-2017, 01:58 PM
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I would check it over for any hair line cracks or imperfections and if none found I would clean it and shoot it.
I never saw one of those so some pics would be nice. I searched the web and saw some pics of this gun and it is a very fine looking shotgun. Marlin has made many fine long guns for sure.
Last edited by gman51; 09-21-2017 at 02:34 PM.
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09-21-2017, 02:06 PM
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They are great guns. When cleaning bear in mind that the finish on a 50-75 year old wooden stock may not respond well to some of the cleaning products currently marketed for hosing down ARs and polymer pistols. Ask me how I know that. Hoppe's is your friend.
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I need ammo, not a ride.
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09-21-2017, 02:39 PM
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Back in the early-mid 1950s, the basic Model 90 O/U sold for around $95 - fairly expensive for that time vs. other shotgun types, would probably be close to $1000 in today's money. They also offered a little fancier version for $125. The basic (Belgian) Browning O/Us were selling for around $250 then, so the Marlin was a relative bargain for the man who wanted an O/U. The only problem I can think of for the Marlin is if an internal part broke, finding a replacement part would probably be very difficult.
Last edited by DWalt; 09-21-2017 at 02:45 PM.
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09-21-2017, 06:16 PM
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I have seen and shot a few. Seems to a solid built American made o/u made of walnut and steel. However they just don't look sexy. A new trap shooter bought a used model 90 and shot it against $10,000 trap guns. The lack of panache on the Marlin earned it the nickname "Lampshade" as it reminded several of the old obsolete guns used to make lamps in the 1950's. I would buy one if one showed up at the right time and at the right price.
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09-21-2017, 06:30 PM
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The only real weakness of the 90 is it is striker fired, and that is about the only thing to get out of whack. To check, make sure it is unloaded, slam it shut a few times to make sure the sears don't trip. Then bounce the butt on a carpeted floor to see if that will set it off. Do it with the safety on and off. They were made from .410 up and I think a few in 30-30. Shoot and enjoy an under appreciated American classic.
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