Hello to all! I am new to this forum, but it looks like I will be a frequent visitor. I just purchased a Marlin 881 from a local pawn shop. It's in great shape, with jus a couple of small marks on the stock. Serial # 085831xx. Anyone have an idea how old this rifle is?
I paid $97.00. Did I get a good deal? Next rifle I want would be a Ruger Mini 14. Any thoughts on that one? Thanks to all for any help and it's great to be here! :)

Welcome to the forum fishndude. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

I can't help you with the Marlin, but any decent rifle for a hundred bucks sounds like a deal in this day and age. If your looking for maximum accuracy from a semi-auto platform I'd take a look at the AR platforms rather than the mini-14. Remington just brought out their DPMS R-15 that is vary comparable to the Ruger in pricing. Nothing wrong with the Rugers, it's just I've never seen a really accurate one. For a home defense gun they are plenty accurate.

Your best bet might be to contact Marlin and inquire about the age of your rifle. For $97.00, you did just fine. All the best...
Gil

It was made after 1988 (my records go up to 1988) and likely in 1992 as first two digits were the year 2000 minus this amount or in this case minus 08 which means 1992.

Starting in 1973, the year of manufacture maybe determined by subtracting the first two digits of the serial number from 100:
Example: SN 2512345 would have been made in 1975 [100 - 25 = 75].
54cal is correct, Hope this helps

Thanks to all for your replies.. I have been reading the Mini 14 has accuracy issues.... I saw a video on You Tube and a fellow was sighting one in for a friend and he seemed to get it down pretty good. Any other suggestions for a .223 cal rifle? How is the Savage 25 sporter or classic 14?

I had a SS Mini 14 once for a few years and even even had old style trigger that could be made full auto (never did that though) It never was very accurate with about 4 inch groups at 100 yards being the norm for it. If you want a 223 that is a nail driver, it is not mini 14. You might look at Ruger a mini 30.

Thanks to all for your replies.. I have been reading the Mini 14 has accuracy issues.... I saw a video on You Tube and a fellow was sighting one in for a friend and he seemed to get it down pretty good. Any other suggestions for a .223 cal rifle? How is the Savage 25 sporter or classic 14?


Take a look at the CZ 527's. Very accurate and not near as ugly as the Savages. The single set trigger is also nice. Mine is set at 6 ounces set and 3 pounds unset.