Thread: Marlin 7000 Dilemma

My current project is not going to plan. The plan . . . to build a very accurate 22 Semi with a short heavy barrel - without spending a bunch (at least by my own accounting and definition, so logic may not apply). Bear in mind that I don't want to use a 10/22 platform.

First I bought a Marlin 795 ($181 thanks TM) but before it arrived a Marlin 7000 (the quite rare heavy barrel version of the 795) came up on TM and I got it quite reasonably. The 7000 arrived and its in very nice original condition, I've had a couple of Marlin's through my hands over the years and the 7000 feels by far the best, quite an adult size stock and nicely balanced. I've shot the 7000 a bit and its just "good", holds its own with a 795 (which in the interim arrived and was given to a good friend who has chopped it to 12") and a Brno 2E, not really too bad as its un-tuned and the trigger hasn't been touched. I'm sure we could tighten the groups significantly with a trigger job and some fine tuning of the bedding etc.

However it might be considered a crime in some quarters to alter what is an uncommon rifle (even if the 7000's were not "expensive" at first cost) - so do I do a tune, barrel chop and integral suppressor job on it or pass it onto someone who would value it "as is" ??

Cheers