Hey, new to the forum, just bought a Marlin 917, swift optics 6-24x. Gona get harris pods and riflebasix trigger in a couple of weeks. Anyway any of you guys own a marlin 917?? Any aftermarket stocks i could get(monte carlo preferably) that require minimal work. Also im told(until i get the riflebasix trigger) that there is some trick to lighten the pull with a bic pen spring?? Any know of/ can expalin this to me maybe some pics??

I havre a 917 and like it pretty well. The trigger is good for a rimfire but could be improved.
I mounted a BSA Sweet 17 4X scope on it to try out and like it very well. I use the rifle for critters and dont need high magnification as I generaly shoot offhand.

I have a straight 4X on my Marlin .22 Magnum also.

The pen spring trick is for older rifles not the new trigger. I did it to my .22 magnum and it has worked fine. This is a left over from the old Marlin Talk days - part of what killed the board and probably best left alone.

I have "messed around" a little with this new T-900 trigger and "can" make it better, but not good. Overtravel is the hard part for me. I have read "good reports" on the RifleBasix trigger.

Cheezywan

Had one but traded it off. I had seen the American Rifleman write up on it and got one set up just like their test piece, same scope and all. I never did see 100 yard groups under 1 1/2 moa. which is about double what the NRA reported. Not that 1 1/2 from a light and inexpensive rifle is all that bad but I was already getting that from my BRNO 611 and I had expected better from the Marlin.

I have a Marlin 917 and I like it a lot. I got the burris bipod and I like it better than sand bags and other tricks. As far as aftermarket stocks and triggers, I really haven't spent the money on them. I like the look of the wood, even if synthetic would probably yeild better groups. I am definately going to be getting the riflebasix trigger and a higher power scope. It's just been hard to shoot a lot on a college student's budget. My one and only complaint about the 917 is the price of the ammo which is usually $10 for like 50. The Marlin 917 is a fantastic gun. The bipod makes it even more fun. So I would suggest that. I can get about 1" to 1-1/2" groups with the setup I have. I just need a higher-power scope.

For more detailed reports from forum users on this gun, be sure to do a search on the Marlin 917 because there have been a lot of topics on it.

You can save a few bucks by mail ordering your ammo from Midsouth shooters supply.

To shoot small groups with low power scopes increase the size of your target. Cut flat black paper squares (3" sq for 50 yd - 6" sq for 100 yd) and aim for the corners. Line your cross hairs up with the sides puting the "X" on each of the corners. The horizontal hair lines up with the top or bottom edge. This helps prevent canting and gives you a clear aim point. You get four groups per target. Try it once.