I prefer the feeling of the pistol grip. I'm younger than most here probably and like the looks of them better as well. But I do have one straight stock.

 

I prefer the straight stock look and feel although I have both and don't find either style a huge deal. Given a lever over a bolt I'll choose the lever every day, every season!

1895gunner

 

Me too! - T.S.

 

I've always been a straight stock fan.

 

For off hand shooting I prefer the straight stock. I also like the looks of a lever gun with a straight stock.

 

I own both--but the pistol grip stock feels better in my hands. My military service beat up my hands pretty good--holding onto wood at an angle works better for me.

 

Yeah--what Arkie said. Although, I have 7 straights an 3 pistol grips.

 

I think the pistol grip of the Marlin is what lead me to Marlin over the 94...... Years ago..

 

I've always thought the straight grip would be the best if you ride horseback 'John Wayne style' after a bad guy, shooting at him when he shoots back.....
LOL. Actually handling a lever gun in and out of a scabard would be better with a straight grip.... Cowboy opinions welcome here!

 

My preference is the straight stock. The pistol grip is fine, no complaints, but given the choice, I would chose the straight stock. Right now, all I own are straight stock Marlins. I just like the look of the straight stock on a lever rifle.

 

i have a 45 colt straight grip that rides in a scabbard all day every day. wouldn't try with a pistol grip as the mouth of the scabbard would let it fall out easier. just my 2 cents. ymmv

 

I like them both for different reasons. pistol grip has a more relaxed hand position and is a bit more comfortable and feels easier to work the lever. Straight stock is slimmer, handier, and works better for with snap shooting. If one were to carry in a scabbard on horseback, a straight stock would win hands down.

 

Im a straight guy

 

Straight grip. Feels better, looks better.

 

I like pistol grip for a scoped rifle and straight stock for iron sights. I do agree that the straight stock is what we all imagine on a "cowboy" levergun. That is the cool factor !

 

The pistol grip is considerded more "ergonomic". When the M-16 was developed they threw away many of the classical designes for rifles and created a more user friendly or ergonomic rifle. The grip on the M-16 offers more finger strength for trigger pull. While not related the straight back design of the barrel to the shoulder gives better recoil control. When I looked at the evolution of muzzle loaders there was a trend to the pistol grip. While the stock was straight griped the trigger guard rails were curved and lowered the grip position to more of a pistol grip. The early English game rifles were really pronounced. I have a flintlock in that style that I need to finish which has a very pronounced curve to provide more of a pistol grip. Later ones in the percussion era were made with pistol grips. They did not believe in single triggers and the grips provided more of a positive trigger pull and feel.
Consider how awkward it would be to fire a pistol with a straight grip and then look at the designs of pistols over the years. There is nothing that points better than the old Colt cap and ball revolvers. While their sights were pretty rudimentary they just pointed beautifully. The Navy and Army Colts are the best examples and that pointability may have been a feature that made them more popular (Sam Colts marketing, which was close to bribery was also a factor) even against the Smith and Wesson break top which was a better design for cavalry. The old German Luger was another pistol that felt right. The old Colt 1911 was considered ergonomically awkward and some claim may have added to its reputation for inaccuracy.
You have more of a reach to the trigger with a straight grip with less available finger strength. When you look at a M16 you have the most finger strength. Double set triggers on muzzle loaders and lightened trigger pulls on straight grips tend to compensate but a pistol grip offers a better "feel" for trigger pull but it needs to fit the shooter to gain its advantage. Saying all this I do like my Marlin Cowboys with their straight grips but my old G model with its pistol grip is not all bad either. Rudy Eischens had his own adaptation of the M-16 style stock for trap guns and some snipers have a hardening goo that they wrap around their rifle grips to make them fit better.

DEP

 

I had 3 straights and 1 pistol. I now have 2 straights

Guess ya know what camp I squat in.

They both shoot the same, the straights are better for walk about. Thats what I have them for

 

I like and own both.

 

I own both.... but I prefer a pistol grip. Same for end caps vs. bands.... own both but prefer end caps.

 

I have both. I like the looks of the straight grip, it's a bit more 'classic'. But the Marlin pistol grip fits me like a custom fitted shotgun. Years ago at a gun store I picked up and handled a Marlin 444. I have never had a gun ever fit me so perfectly as that gun. I truly regret not buying it even though the asking price was a bit high... Lesson learned! If you ever find a gun that fits you perfectly, buy it!! My current Marlin 336 has about 90% of the fit of that Triple Four... but there was something magic in that gun, I still think about it as the one that got away!

 

I hear yah... I have a few that fit that way... one is my TC Hawken .50 cal. The other is my 1895SS and the other is my Citori Lightning O/U 12 ga. There are a couple that are close but also have a couple that I have to work at to make them shoot.

 

I also have rifles of both types, and really don't notice the difference while using them in the field personally. I like 'em both, and if anything might give a slight edge to the straight stock "appearances wise" in some historical type sense I guess...

 

I also own both, but if I had to choose. I mean had to. I would choose straight grip.

 

Either...as long it's a Marlin!

 

I like straight grips on pistol cartridge rifles, they are quick to point and handle nicely. Once the recoil increases on the larger bores, I very much prefer the pistol grip.

 

I have two Marlin pistol grip rifles BUT I will own a TEXAN God willing.

 

I like a pistol grip better,I own 7 Marlin lever rifles all pistol grips,I also have a 94 Winchester with a straight grip,it fits me good on the Winny.