Marlin Model 18 .22

KeithR41 · May 14, 2007, 08:16 PM

Hi, I just bought a Marlin 18 slide action .22cal. It's a nice old rifle and I plan to clean it up for my son.

I'm having a hell of a time finding any information about the rifle on the internet. Anybody have any info or know where I might find it.

Thanks, Keithr41

Trapper L · May 14, 2007, 09:47 PM

Looks like you have a treasure there. The Model 18 Marlin pump action 22 Short or Long Rifle was the first pump rimfire made by Marlin. Production started in 1906. There is conflicting information as to when the rifle was discontinued but at the latest, it would have been 1909. Production numbers of around 16,000 units. Might want to check the rifle before trying anything with it. ALL of the Model 18s were shipped from Marlin, without exception, as a 22 Short only. If the owner wanted he could order, at an additonal $2.00 cost, the carrier for the 22 Long ammo and install it himself. If yours will cycle the 22 Longs, you have the extra carrier in your shooter. These are also called the Marlin Baby Featherweight Repeater. The Model 29 is a larger version with some improvements. The tang should be marked Marlin No. 18. The serial number, if it has one, will be on the side of the top tang. Stock removal is required to see it. All barrel lengths were 20" from the factory- no known customs have been recorded. The receiver, if case hardened, is an optional finish as the standard was blued. Another option was select wood. If it has any factory checkering on the forearm or the buttstock, it has select wood. Otherwise it will have standard slick walnut wood. If it has sling swivels and they appear to be factory, they were an option. They were only offered in manufactured years 1907-1908. If it has an octagon barrel, that was another option. The cost of the octagon barrel was another $.50. The standard rifle in 1906 sold for $12.50.

I might want to add that I would not shoot high velocity Long Rifles in it. I would stay with either the standard velocity shorts or if it will feed them, the longs in standard velocity. It has been my experience with these old shooters that any of the current production high velocity rounds won't shoot with any accuracy. Put in standard velocity and they shoot in a hole. Only issue with that is the cost- standard velocity rounds are more expensive.
Hope this was helpful info.
Trapper.

KeithR41 · May 14, 2007, 09:59 PM

Trapper, thanks for the info.

My rifle is marked for .22 long and it does say Marlin #18 on the tang. The wood is uncheckered. The forearm is in great shape but the buttstock needs to be finished and I'm going to have to epoxy a small crack in the wrist.

I don't know what the original finish was but it looks to me like it has been reblued. I was considering installing a tang site on, any thoughts?

One last question.

If my rifle is chambered for .22 long will it also fire .22 shorts?

Thanks again, Keithr41

Trapper L · May 14, 2007, 10:13 PM

ALL of the Model 18s were marked for the 22 Longs but ALL went out the door with the carrier for 22 Shorts only. That's why you need to see if it will cycle the Longs- it may not have the optional Long carrier. If you will look at the carrier with the action open, you will see the carrier is milled for a specific length cartridge. If it is short- it will shoot shorts only. if it looks long, then it should cycle 22 Longs. Yes it will shoot shorts. I have never seen a tang sight for one and there is not one listed on the factory parts list. I assume that there never was one. Might inquire over at Buffalo Arms to see if they have one that might fit.

May 14, 2007, 09:59 PM	#3
KeithR41 Member Join Date: April 25, 2007 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 20	Thanks for the info Trapper, thanks for the info. My rifle is marked for .22 long and it does say Marlin #18 on the tang. The wood is uncheckered. The forearm is in great shape but the buttstock needs to be finished and I'm going to have to epoxy a small crack in the wrist. I don't know what the original finish was but it looks to me like it has been reblued. I was considering installing a tang site on, any thoughts? One last question. If my rifle is chambered for .22 long will it also fire .22 shorts? Thanks again, Keithr41

May 14, 2007, 08:16 PM	#1
KeithR41 Member Join Date: April 25, 2007 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 20	Marlin Model 18 .22 Hi, I just bought a Marlin 18 slide action .22cal. It's a nice old rifle and I plan to clean it up for my son. I'm having a hell of a time finding any information about the rifle on the internet. Anybody have any info or know where I might find it. Thanks, Keithr41

May 14, 2007, 09:47 PM	#2
Trapper L Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 804	Looks like you have a treasure there. The Model 18 Marlin pump action 22 Short or Long Rifle was the first pump rimfire made by Marlin. Production started in 1906. There is conflicting information as to when the rifle was discontinued but at the latest, it would have been 1909. Production numbers of around 16,000 units. Might want to check the rifle before trying anything with it. ALL of the Model 18s were shipped from Marlin, without exception, as a 22 Short only. If the owner wanted he could order, at an additonal $2.00 cost, the carrier for the 22 Long ammo and install it himself. If yours will cycle the 22 Longs, you have the extra carrier in your shooter. These are also called the Marlin Baby Featherweight Repeater. The Model 29 is a larger version with some improvements. The tang should be marked Marlin No. 18. The serial number, if it has one, will be on the side of the top tang. Stock removal is required to see it. All barrel lengths were 20" from the factory- no known customs have been recorded. The receiver, if case hardened, is an optional finish as the standard was blued. Another option was select wood. If it has any factory checkering on the forearm or the buttstock, it has select wood. Otherwise it will have standard slick walnut wood. If it has sling swivels and they appear to be factory, they were an option. They were only offered in manufactured years 1907-1908. If it has an octagon barrel, that was another option. The cost of the octagon barrel was another $.50. The standard rifle in 1906 sold for $12.50. I might want to add that I would not shoot high velocity Long Rifles in it. I would stay with either the standard velocity shorts or if it will feed them, the longs in standard velocity. It has been my experience with these old shooters that any of the current production high velocity rounds won't shoot with any accuracy. Put in standard velocity and they shoot in a hole. Only issue with that is the cost- standard velocity rounds are more expensive. Hope this was helpful info. Trapper.

May 14, 2007, 10:13 PM	#4
Trapper L Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 804	ALL of the Model 18s were marked for the 22 Longs but ALL went out the door with the carrier for 22 Shorts only. That's why you need to see if it will cycle the Longs- it may not have the optional Long carrier. If you will look at the carrier with the action open, you will see the carrier is milled for a specific length cartridge. If it is short- it will shoot shorts only. if it looks long, then it should cycle 22 Longs. Yes it will shoot shorts. I have never seen a tang sight for one and there is not one listed on the factory parts list. I assume that there never was one. Might inquire over at Buffalo Arms to see if they have one that might fit.