Should be a excellent choice for a Marlin lever action. Has 4 inches eye relief. You probably be able to mount this on low rings in a position where you have a comfortable head position and still keep the objective lens out of your eyebrow, with this scope as much as with any scope that doesn't mount on the barrel.

A comfortable head position when shooting is the main priority. You will need to decide where to mount your scope. It may work for you to have it forward enough to allow unrestricted access to the hammer, and/ or if not you may want to use a hammer extension. Extensions make the hammer easier to use, in my opinion.

Monarchs have excellent optics. Good choice. Nice small scope and proportional for a lever.

 

If you are not dead set on that particular scope, you may be interested in these instead:

https://www.sportoptics.com/nikon-prostaff-p3-3-9x40-16603.aspx

https://www.sportoptics.com/nikon-prostaff-p3-2-7x32-16607.aspx

I have the Nikon Inline XR 3-9x40 (the predecessor to the Prostaff P3 Muzzleloader) on my Henry 45-70, and the Prostaff P3 Shotgun 2-7x32 on my Henry 45 Colt. Both are very good for the intended purpose, good optics, plenty of eye relief.

 

Thanks for the input guys much appreciated.

 

If you decide to use a hammer extension get one from RangerPoint. I bought two for $42 but they are much better then the $8 ones on Amazon (Uncle Mikes I believe.). The set screws seemed under sized and would not tighten up. The RangerPoint ones fit better and I have had no problem with them loosening.

 

Copy that ranger point for hammer spur. They have lots of stuff I want.

 

I'm not familiar with that particular scope. I have Nikon 3-9X40 scopes on my two Marlins I use for hunting and really like them. I had to go with medium rings to clear the rear sight but they are great scopes. I use the 3pwr for hunting and when at the range I use the 9pwr. My age forces me to use glass now.

 

I have one, Nikon Monarch 3 1-4x20. I sometimes mount on my 1894c in .357. I like it a lot and use it mainly when testing loads, eliminate as much variation as possible. Mine has a No4 ret and I like it a lot. No problem clearing the hammer spur. I do use a hammer extender, but can get away with it without.

 

I had one on a Winchester Trapper in 30-30 and another one on a Marlin in 44 magnum. Worked fine but wound up replacing them with Leupold scopes.

 

Good to know kingstrider. The only Leupold I can afford now is the vx freedom. It doesn't have really great reviews though. But I am sure it's a good one.

 

What are you guys using for rings and bases. My buddy has a stainless guide gun (sbg?), not jm, and wants to mount his vx-3 3-9x40 on it. Not wanting QR rings and the thick leupold classic 1-piece base, I’m thinking Warne 1” medium rings with the two piece weaver style steel base. Also, if he takes the iron sights off, can he go with low rings? Thanks in advance.

 

FWIW, I have a Nikon 2 x 7 on my Classic Model 1895 and have been happy.

 

A 2x7 Leupold in low mounts is just about the perfect scope for the Marlin. The Freedom line of scopes is supposed to hve Vari-X 11 glass in them. I have a 2x7 Freedom on my 336 7-30 wates AI and a Burris Timberline 3x9 on a 336 Marlin and a Weaver K-4W on a 336 30-30 and a 2x7 Freedom on a 1894C. The only set of Med rings I have on anything is on a Rem 700 BDL 270 win with a big Nikon on it, it almost cleared the barrel with low rings but not quite.

 

I have the same Nikon scope and after three range visits it failed on adjustment. I adjusted via the turrets, no change. Adjusted some more, no change, same poi. Tapped the turrets several times and the poi jumped out quite a way. Clearly sticking, then released by tapping. Not going to keep it.

 

If you go with the Weaver base you can use the barrel sights. The Leupold QR base is too high to use with open sights.
I have a Redfield 2-7x32 that has been on several Marlin levers. Once you go to a 40mm bell you have to get higher mounts and for me it raises my head up off of the stock.

FWIW, I doubt he will EVER take off the scope to use the open sighs. Even if the scope becomes damaged, does he have the means to remove it in the woods?

 

I have a few Nikon and love them all. They are the one I look out first when I need a scope.
The Monarch line is up there with the best. 1-4X20 is perfect for the guide gun. I tried a Nikon Inline XR 3-9 X40 on mine and find it to big for the rifle.

 

I had the Japanese predecessor. 1.5-4.5X. Like a fool I sold it. 1/4" MOA adjustable, 100 yard parallax. These newer Nikons cut corners to keep price down. 1/2" MOA etc. Not what they once were & no longer Japan made. They're good but no Leupold.

 

I have the earlier Nikon 1.75-4 on my 1972 1895 and really like it. It is mounted low with Weaver mounts and rings and comes up perfectly every time. I keep it on low power and have made several quick shots perfectly with the wide field of view. It also stays zeroed from year to year. A hammer extension is needed with the low mount. Zero stayed on when I dropped the rifle and and broke the stock toe.

 

I have two 1x4x20mm and one 1.5x5 all Leupold and love them. I haven’t talked to anyone that had anything good to say about the Freedom line of scopes. They look to me to be a cheaper Leupold and budget line.

 

I am not a Nikon fan. Had the Prostaffs on my marlins because it was reasonably priced and looked clear and bright until...
Here in the Carolinas it can get quite humid even in November. Had trouble fogging up at sunrise one too many times. Have since replaced all of them with Leupolds. Problems solved, except I have 3 nikons on my bench that will never get used.

 

Sell them to somebody up north. By the time hunting season comes around there is no humidity.

 

The Ambassador is Nikon's top tier glass. I used an Ambassador target scope
for awhile on a bench rifle. It was just as good as the leupold I had on another
bench rifle I had at the same time.
The Monarch and Pro staff are not the same quality.

 

Not the Monarch but I have the Encore mounted on my contender (shown here with Fajen furniture)

 

One guy that has done a LOT of testing of very heavy recoil rifles says Nikon is the only one he hasn't been able to break.

(if it is ok to post links to other sites, I'll show y'all the thread)

 

Not a Nikon fan. I’ve seen several come apart, 2 Monarchs failed on bull barrel 308’s, a couple pro staffs and I think a buckmaster all decided life just wasn’t worth living.



Lots lots of guys like them but they’re just not for me.