Straight vs. Pistol Grip

My question is, why was the rifle offered in "pistol grip" stock edition?
After all, weren't straight stock levers first?

Welocome to the Texan 35 club.

;D

I've got a Texan in .35 Remington myself. Some time back I passed on a Texan in .30-30 at a gun show, and I've been kicking myself ever since. I probably paid a bit too much for my .35 through Gun Broker, but I really had to have it. It did come with a Leupold scope, however. Marlinitis keeps driving me. We're up to 24 Marlins now, and I just went to Wally World a couple of days ago and ordered a .45-70 Cowboy.

Brian in FL said:

I just went to Wally World a couple of days ago and ordered a .45-70 Cowboy.

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;D ;D ;D

I prefer straight stock (Texan) versions. I even converted my .338MX to straight stock .

Here is a neat little Gun Digest article on the "Texan". I'm guessing Marlin was angling for those customer's given to nostalgia as well as horseback hunters/ranchers/etc. As indicated in the article, it was advertised as "easy to scabbard". The pistol grip obviously won out! I've really taken a liking to the straight grip version but, I'm tall, and the pistol grip definitely has a better fit for folks like me. In any case I think those straight grips really have soul! I don't know if the actual length of pull measurement is the same between straight and pistol grip versions (if anyone has both and could clarify, I'd be thankful)


http://www.gundigest.com/article/littlemartin

Thanks for the replies guys!
I just bought this rifle from a neighbor and I'm anxious to get it shooting.
50 rounds of new brass, bullets and dies arrived this past week so it's fun time once again.

The straight stocks are highly sought after, but I don't like them as they don't fit me well at all. It's probably something I wouldn't buy unless I really got a deal on one.

+1 on what Hal said. The pistol grip models just feel more natural and comfortable to me.

My first center fire rifle was a Marlin 444 pistol grip. Loved that rifle but eventually sold it. : When I got back to replenishing my firearms this time around I decided to go with straight stocks. I like em both but the straight stocks just caught my eye, especially with the calibers/models that interested me.

To the OP, not sure what the answer is to your question but you're gunna love the one you picked up!

Zeke/pa said:

My question is, why was the rifle offered in the straight stock edition?

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Because that's what the standard lever action rifle/carbine has worn since the dawn of the lever action. Pistol grips were special orders back in the day.

Mario
Straight Grip Posse

Wait till arthritis sets in.The pistol grip is a must.

mario said:

Because that's what the standard lever action rifle/carbine has worn since the dawn of the lever action. Pistol grips were special orders back in the day.

Mario
Straight Grip Posse

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Townsend Whelen thought the pistol grip was better for accuracy and such. I tend to agree.

mogwai said:

Townsend Whelen thought the pistol grip was better for accuracy and such. I tend to agree.

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Only because you can pull the firearm tighter to your shoulder. For an experienced marksmen, it should not matter. I can shoot both exceptionally well and just as good as the next guy; but I do prefer the look of the straight grip.

186 Tmanbuckhunter said:

Only because you can pull the firearm tighter to your shoulder. For an experienced marksmen, it should not matter. I can shoot both exceptionally well and just as good as the next guy; but I do prefer the look of the straight grip.

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You might want to research the name before blowing him off. Althought his Marlin Owner post count was small, TOWNSEND WHELEN knew a little bit about guns and shooting.

Back in my Winchester 94 days, I preferred straight grips, but, now that I'm into Marlins, I find that I have no particular preference. I have both kinds, and I pretty much like them all.

mogwai said:

You might want to research the name before blowing him off. Althought his Marlin Owner post count was small, TOWNSEND WHELEN knew a little bit about guns and shooting.

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I am very much aware who Townsend Whelen is and am not blowing him off, and I am not chastising someone for their Marlin Owners post count, that is the least of my worries my friend.

Here is the way I see it. Will a pistol grip allow you to bring the firearm tighter to your shoulder? Yes. How can this help with accuracy? It helps with accuracy by allowing a tighter and steadier grip, and also easing up the felt recoil. Like I said, with a good marksmen it should not matter, but personal preferences are personal preferences. I think you need to go back and read my post again. I was simply posting my personal preference since the thread title is Straight Vs. Pistol grip. I own marlins with both types, so I'm not exactly biased. I just prefer the look of the straight grip. No need for hostility, we are all friends here.

I've always been a pistol grip guy, but after handling a straight stock realized I really don't have a preference...like em both. My only preference is short and stubby, for whatever reason I'm drawn to short barrel Marlins.

Brian in FL said:

Back in my Winchester 94 days, I preferred straight grips, but, now that I'm into Marlins, I find that I have no particular preference. I have both kinds, and I pretty much like them all.

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I'm with you Brian, I like em all too!! Even though the pistol grip has a better fit, the "Texans" have a high "cool" factor and are hard to pass up if you are lucky enough to find one.

skeeter said:

Wait till arthritis sets in.The pistol grip is a must.

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33 yrs old with arthritis in both hands and Carpal Tunnel surgery on one already. ;D

mogwai said:

Townsend Whelen thought the pistol grip was better for accuracy and such. I tend to agree.

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And if I was shooting across meadows, canyons, corn fields, etc I may agree. But I'd also probably be using a bolt action... 8)

Mario