I have decided to buy a Marlin .444. Now the question is barell length. I would prefer an 18" for carrying and swing, but I would imagine the 22" gets better velocity from more burn time. Anyone shoot both and can compare? Also I would like to make 100 yard shots with accuracy. The other issue what barell lengths have been made by Marlin? Any 18 1/2? not ported? Also any REAL difference between the micro groove and new barells? I should also mention that I do not hand load and will be shooting factory ammo.

fjp110...

Below is a chart I put together with the various configurations of the 444. I have a 444T and 444P, rifles with a 24" and 18 1/2" barrel, Micro-Groove and Ballard barrels. To be honest, I believe the current production rifle is a perfect blend of all the models and I would just go and buy a brand new one. You won't be disappointed.


Marlin 444
Dates: 1965 – 1971
Serial Numbers, first two digits: AA, AB, AC, AD, 69 through 71
Barrel Length: 24”
Barrel Rifling: Micro-Groove®, 12 lands
Barrel Twist: 1/38
1971: Mar-Shield® finish and vented recoil pad appear.

Marlin 444 Sporter
Dates: 1972 – 1983
Serial Numbers, first two digits: 27 descending through 17
Barrel Length: 22”
Barrel Rifling: Micro-Groove®, 12 lands
Barrel Twist: 1/38
Notes:
1976: Forearm cap replaces barrel band.
1978: Honed chamber, I’m not sure of the significance of this.

Marlin 444 SS
Dates: 1984 – 1998
Serial Numbers, first two digits: 16 descending through 00 (2000). Year 2001 starts 99 descending.
Barrel Length: 22”
Barrel Rifling: Micro-Groove®, 12 lands
Barrel Twist: 1/38
Note: The side safety appeared with this model change.

Marlin 444 SS
Dates: 1999 – 2002
Serial Numbers, first two digits: 01, 00, 99, & 98
Barrel Length: 22”
Barrel Rifling: Ballard, 6 lands
Barrel Twist: 1/20

Marlin 444P (Outfitter)
Dates: 1999 – 2002
Serial Numbers, first two digits: 01, 00, 99, & 98
Barrel Length: 18.5”
Barrel Rifling: Ballard, 6 lands
Barrel Twist: 1/20
Note: Ported barrel

Marlin 444
Dates: 2003 - Present
Serial Numbers, first two digits: 97
Barrel Length: 22”
Barrel Rifling: Ballard, 6 lands
Barrel Twist: 1/20

I have the SS and the Outfitter, They are both about equally accurate...SS=1"@100yds,.... Outfitter=1.25-1.5"@100yds. I don't think the velocity lost is enough to worry about in the 181/2" barrel., at 100ys and even beyond, that 265gr piece of lead is still moving plenty fast enough to knock the tar out of whatever it hits. I've carried both through the swamps and thickets in FL and trust me, the short barrel makes a difference. I don't think they ever made a nonported short barrel. I was thinking of cutting my SS down but then found a good deal on the outfitter.

I just bought a 444SS from a gun shop in northern NY state. It has been sitting his shelf since he bought it. So I am the first owner. Now I tried to use the chart above to age it but I am missing something,sorry Ranch dog. The Serial number starts with 1101. How old is it? And for the record, Marlin not having a way to date the guns on line is crap.

1989. After the alphabet ran out, Marlin subtracted the first two digits from 2000. so 2000-11=1989. since 2000 it's the first two digits from 2100.

Bye
Jack

O.K. that makes sence, well kind of. It seems like a idiotic way to do it but that' on Marlin. So the gun I just bought is a 15 year old brand new gun! Who ever would have thought I would walk into a gun store and be able to buy a gun off the shelf that had been sittung there fr 15 years, and be the first owner?

Ranch Dog,
In 1970/71 Marlin started putting the Square lever on the 444 until they came out with the 444S (pistol grip).
.................................................. .........................Marko

Straight wall cases DO NOT need long bbls. At 16 to 18 ins they have got the job done. :cool:
If you check the reloading manuls you will note they use fast burning powders because of their expansinon ratio. ;)