Marlin Model 981T

[squrlhunter]

My old winchester broke today and no one can find the parts to fix it. It is the only rifle I own that doesn't have family value so on with the old and in with the new.  I convinced my wife it was time to purchase a new .22 now that squirrel season is a month away.  I am thinking of buying a Marlin Model 981T it is a 22s, 22L, and 22LR bolt action. It is priced at 135.92 at walmart.  The only thing I don't like about it is the synthetic stock that is black, but it was the only .22 marlin rifle that was bolt action that had a magazine and fired 22s, 22l, and 22 LR that I could find.  Is this a good rifle? Is the Marlin rifle going to last a long time? Does it hold a good grouping? Is there a place I can get a different stock? This would be my first Marlin and I don't want it to be a bad experience like I had with the old winchester. If anyone can give me some input or answer some of my questions I would appreicate it.

Thanks
Steve

[Bikenut]

I am thinking of buying a Marlin Model 981T it is a 22s, 22L, and 22LR bolt action. Is this a good rifle? Is the Marlin rifle going to last a long time? Does it hold a good grouping? Is there a place I can get a different stock?
Thanks
Steve

Answers in same order questions were asked....

Yes it is a good rifle, especially for the price. Yes it will last a long time if taken care of. Groupings depend on the ammo since .22's each have their own ammo preference. Try many different brands to find out which one the gun shoots best. As for a stock... I don't know.

Hope that helps even though it took me a month to see your post.

[glock fan]

I just got a 981T and am very happy with it so far.  I scoped it with a Bushnell 4x12x40.  I've only had it to the range once so far but was impressed with my first outing.  I only tried Rem bulk ammo.  I loaded the magazine tube with 15 bullets and shot all 15rds. per target.  On my last three targets I was able to put all 15 rds. into the respective 10 rings per target.  The only negative is the trigger which I will need to do some work on.  However, in spite of the trigger I'm very happy with the results.  I'd highly recommend this rifle to anyone.

[Graybeard]

The only negative is the trigger which I will need to do some work on.

Not so any longer. All the new 900 prefix guns come with the new Marlin trigger that is NICE. No need any longer to work on them. Not that all of the old ones needed work but a lot did.

I believe you can get a wood stock for it from Marlin. Either walnut or laminated. Heck I'll look, just a moment. They list them for the 881 and 883 in laminated wood. Pretty sure these two were replaced by the 981 and 983 with only real difference being the improved trigger.

[glock fan]

Gray Beard,

I noticed that you think the new triggers on the 981Ts are nice and don't usually need work.  I've only got one, which I bought NIB from Wally World a couple of weeks ago, to relate to from personal experience so admittedly my views are constrained to the one rifle.  However, my experience with the trigger it that it has the worst trigger "feel" on any rifle I own.  I own Mosins, Mausers & SKSs, etc. so that is saying something.  Now maybe I got the only one with a bad trigger, but I've seen various posts on this and other forums cussing/discussing the 981T's trigger.  Most of the time the comments aren't favorable.  However, negative comments about the trigger are usually offset by glowing comments about the rifle's quality and performance otherwise.  Thus, I went ahead and got one anyway.  I've read about two fixes for the trigger.  One is to replace the trigger with an aftermarket trigger and the other is to replace the trigger spring with a spring from a ballpoint pen.  Both solutions are said to work well.  Due to cost, I'm going to try the spring replacement option first.  I've lived with bad triggers in the past but this one is so bad I'm compelled to take action.  Not trying to be disagreeable here, but I definitely have a different view of the 981T's trigger.

[ThunderStick]

I bought a 981T about a month ago, and have been shooting the crap out of it! I have one of the BSA sweet 17 scope in 4x12 on top with the Marlin Weaver type mounts. It is a great shooter! Mine likes std. velocity ammo the best. At 50 yards mine will shoot 5 shots in side a dime easy. I also have found CCI short target rounds shoot very good from mine. This will more than likely be my squirrel combo in the fall. I would buy another in a heart beat. My son want's to get rid of his 10/22 and buy one of these bolt guns, go figure that one??

[slayer]

The 881 has been discontinued and I can`t understand why? The 881 has the walnut checkered stock and the tube and a blued barrel. I payed $140 about 15-20 years ago for mine, what a tck driver it is with CCI Mini Mag LR .22`s. This gun is so sweet looking and shooting, the 981 T is basically the same gun with the Synthetic stock. I just can`t understand why they disontinued the 881, but still make the 882, that is the 881 in .22 Mag. You would think the 881 would be more popular as the .22 LR is way more popular. I`ll never get rid of my 881, with the 4x32 Simons on it, no Squirrel is safe up to 100 yards!! Jack.

[snicker]

I believe they are pretty much the same guns except the 981 has the new 900 fire control system and I'll almost bet all the 800 models will be redesignated 900 models before too long.  I have the 981T and kind of like the synethic stock and shoots just almost one hole at 50 yards with T22's.  I have a Simmons .22 mag 3x9 scope on it.  The only thing I don't really care for is when you close the bolt it makes a loud snap unless you push the bolt in pretty tight.  I've looked at others and they all seem to do that.  But all in all I'm pretty happy with it.

[Lone spur]

Does anyone know if the 981 barrel will work on the 881, or for that matter where to find a replacement 881 barrel. I've finally shot mine out and as much as I'm jumping at an excuse buy a new gun I'm a little worried that it would be used on me if I did. She keeps forgetting the new over/under I brought home was for her.

[TC Shooter]

What is different on the 981 or 881 from a 25n?
I own a 25 n a 25 mn a 17vs all actions all stock inlets ... same same

The 25 is magazine fed and the 81 series is tube fed. The stock for the 25 will have an opening in the bottom of the stock to accommodate a magazine. The 81 series will not. The 81 series will also have the necessary inletting to allow the feed tube to fit in the stock.


Does anyone know if the 981 barrel will work on the 881, or for that matter where to find a replacement 881 barrel

I would think the barrel on the 981 is the same. Just contact Marlin - they will probably replace your shot out barrel.

[Bigdog57]

It's mighty hard to 'shoot out' a .22LR barrel.  Have you tried a thorough cleaning/deleading?  Often the slick 'smoothbore' effect is simply lead buildup.   :wink:

[Gonzo Joe]

Sorry for bringing an old thread to the top, but wanted to put in my .02 about the 981T. This is also my first post on the forum.
 
I've had the 981T now for about 6 months. Wow, what a great gun for the bargain price! First of all, the synthetic stock is not a looker, but for the price given (about $135 at Wally-World) I can live with it. The blueing was nice and even, didn't seem too thin. My only complaint is the rear sight seems a bit cheap, but again, given the price, it'll suffice. Looking at a scope for it now anyways, since the ol' eyeballs don't see the iron-sights quite as clear as they used to.  
 
The trigger: The T-900 Fire Control System trigger is nice! It has a clean, crisp break, just a tad heavier than I like, but compared to the older Marlins, this trigger is a piece of heaven. This is a major improvement over the older Marlin 880 of my dad's.  
 
Accuracy with mine is pretty good using the bulk Remington loads, but haven't tried any other rounds yet. I'm looking forward to experimenting with different brands/styles of bullets, to find it's preferred fodder. But so far, with the cheap ammo it's still capable or ridding the world of those pesky tin cans out to 75 yards.

[JeffG]

I just bought a 981T, based largely on the good feedback here.  Nice gun! I have an old 25N with a broken extractor, a real shooter.  Any ideas how to locate a part for this gun??  Thanks for any help in advance.  

[mjbgalt]

i really like marlin's rimfires. very well made and so affordable. i think everyone should have one. or two...orr....

-Matt

[JeffG]

Just an update, the 981 T is a shooter!! 1/4 " groups at 25 yds and 1/2 " from 50 yards.  Can't complain, and a nicer trigger pull, no matter what the fire control gizmo is called.

[Greenhunter]

My 981T has a tubular magazine and feeds all types of ammo flawlessly (LR, Long, Shorts, and CB Caps). I put a Bushnell 4 reticle red-dot scope on it and it makes nice litte groups that i can cove with a nickel and sometimes with a dime.
The trigger is crisp, but a tad heavier than I really prefer, but I can live with it considering the groups I get out of it.
I don't mind the synthetic stock as I dont' have to worry about damaging a nice wooden one in the field. That always made me sad to see a nice rifle with a worn out stock. This synthetic one won't warp on you, you don't have to refinish it either.. Just wipe it down with a damp rag at the end of the day.

[rangerruck]

I just bought a 981T, based largely on the good feedback here.  Nice gun! I have an old 25N with a broken extractor, a real shooter.  Any ideas how to locate a part for this gun??  Thanks for any help in advance.  

 try e gun parts, jeff. As far as the 981 goes, i know that they make it in wood as well, there is used one at a shop down here that is tube fed, will hold 25 shorts, i will be buying on monday.