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Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 390

Should I defile a Marlin M90 in 16GA., by getting the barrel set fixed with new choke tubes?

Thinking of pair for Skt 1 & SKT 2 [ for grouse and woodcock] and a pair of IC & IMP MOD tubes for larger birds?

What is the consensus of the brethren (& Ladies)??

Joined: 21 May 2024 Posts: 90 Location: Eastern Tennessee

Would I? No. Just another excuse to acquire another firearm.

Does that mean you shouldn’t? Not at all, if you want a Marlin for certain uses and love it, by all means, tailor it as you wish.

I have 2 myself. A 26 inch in IC/M and a 26 inch in M/F.

You may have subconsciously answered your own question by choosing the word "defile" over options such as "upgrade" or "modify".

What are the current constrictions? Has anything else been changed? Is it a beater or beauty? Do you intend to sell it later? Do you tend towards practicality or original intent?

I have nine 16s. Only 2 are in their original condition, 1 other could be returned to original condition in a pinch. 3 were modified when I bought them. Only one will stay original when I am done. I doubt any will be sold, but possibly 3 if I need room or some quick cash, only 2 of those would be original as of right now. They all have a legitimate shooting purpose, though the one could be considered an investment of sorts.

All I could offer is an opinion. You are the one who has to be ok with it.

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 1170

For me, the decision to have screw-in chokes installed or not depends on how I want to use the gun. If I want the gun for only one type of bird hunting, then fixed chokes are fine. However, if I want to travel to different areas and hunt many different game birds then screw-in chokes make a lot of sense. I take good care of my guns, but recognize they are just tools to accomplish a specific task. I currently use my Upland Gun Company Zeus for field trialing and preserve quail and chukars with Skeet/IC chokes installed. For preserve pheasants and wild quail I change to the standard IC/Mod. For wild pheasants and prairie grouse I install LtMod/IMod. I obviously could get by with fixed IC/Mod, but would be over choked or under choked for a lot of my hunting. I would never let sentimental feelings about the guns (bird harvesting tools) I have sway my decisions on screw-in or fixed chokes

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3278 Location: NCWa

Sounds like a reason to purchase another gun.

Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 508 Location: WI

I find that once I settle into a combination of chokes that suit what I'm doing with the gun, I never take them out again other than for periodic cleaning.

It sounds like what you're thinking of for choke selection, you'd probably be happy with an SK/IC combination. The size of the bird doesn't demand the choke, it's the load and the distance. Maybe just open the fixed chokes up a little and see how you like it.

Joined: 25 Jan 2014 Posts: 264 Location: MN

Personally, as I season, my mind can't keep choke tubes straight. especially on double guns.

My wife has a beautiful Citori that is used for all of her bird hunting, from bobwhites to ducks to turkeys. She relies on me to keep the proper chokes installed. She should have married a more organized guy. I think we have seven different tubes for that gun. Aargh.

If you are going to defile your gun, I recommend going all in and getting extended chokes that old eyes can easily see the constriction on. Maybe in even in different colors.

Of the three guns that I shoot most often, 2 have 70 year old polychokes installed and one has a fixed modified choke barrel. I cant lose them.

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2514 Location: West MI

If you reload and the gun is choked/shoots tight... reload w/spreaders to open it up for close work.

Otherwise add tubes and agree strongly with the extended tube instant recognition
easy swap theme.

Joined: 09 Mar 2016 Posts: 788 Location: Mn.

I've had Briley install thinwalls in 3 of my guns no regrets. I couldn't fall in love with the Marlin 90 that I had for awhile we just didn't mesh.

Picked up a CZ 16 Sharptail before they stopped making them original idea was for Sporting Clays as it was supposed to be IC\Mod but was only choked .003 and .009. IC\Mod would have been perfect for clays but was far from it. Wasn't going to spend Briley type money on a CZ so had Colonial install tubes for half the price of Briley. It was a good choice for that gun and me.

Joined: 21 May 2024 Posts: 90 Location: Eastern Tennessee

I will add, and I don’t know this was ever confirmed, but a lot of talk about Marlin 90 including exceptionally long chokes.

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1474 Location: Western WA

In our modest collection, the best patterns come out of fixed chokes. The worst come out of choke tubes. And some of the latter are abysmally bad.

Another consideration: The M90 value is likely not enhanced by choke tubes. It is factory intact only once. Metal removed can never be replaced. Enjoy your gun as it came from the factory. Let the next owner install tubes of his choice.

V/R
B.

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 1170

I handle what choke tubes are in the gun by storing the tubes in canvas pouches I get from Midwest. I mark the choke designation on the plastic choke tube's cap and mark the outside of the pouch with the gun they belong to. When I have a question about what choke tubes are in the gun I just grab the pouch for that gun and check which two tubes are missing. Takes just seconds to determine what's in the gun.

If you do it, go with flush rather than extended. Only you will know. I have had good luck with Briley's work on three of my SxS's-no regrets.

If you do it, go with flush rather than extended. Only you will know. I have had good luck with Briley's work on three of my SxS's-no regrets.