444 Marlin-straight grip: Square Levers?

[Big Paulie]

Dear Folks,

   As you may know, the 444s made before 1971 have straight grips, but round finger levers.   Marlin has made their 444s, on and off over the past 3 or 4  years, with straight grips and square finger levers (especially in those guide type guns.)  

    Does anybody know how, or what source, I can contact to try to get a square lever for a 444?  (I would imagine that it would have to be fitted by a gunsmith?)   The Marlin Company doesn't seem to have any customer support boards any more, and the parts lists in Brownell's do not list a square lever for the 444.

   Also, since the 444 is based on the exact same receiver as a 336, would a square lever for a 336 (cowboy models) be the same as a square lever for a 444?     (Using a micrometer to measure the round lever versions, the 444 levers and 336 levers are identical in terms of dimensions and thickness once you get past the loop sections.)

Thanks for any info.

Big Paulie

[Winter Hawk]

I don't know about not having customer support.  Here is their contact information:

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/About/ContactUs.aspx

I recently bought a barrel band with the attached sling swivel stud from them for my 336.  I believe I just phoned them, they mailed out a couple of parts lists with exploded drawings, I found the part number I needed and phoned in the order.  A couple of weeks later it showed up in the mail.

-WH-

[Mikey]

Big Paulie - I think those levers are just mounted with one screw.  I know that sounds strange but if you lever the bolt back a bit (to unlock the bolt) you can feel the free-play in the lever.  Unscrew the lever screw and pull the lever out and replace it with another one.  As I recall it is a pretty simple job to do that (simple enough so even I couldn't screw it up - lolol).

And I think that is all you have to do.  If Marlin has a 444 with a square lever I believe you should be able to replace your rounded lever with a square one.

I also know that Marlin has some great customer support - give them a try I'm sure they will be glad to help.  HTH.  Mikey.