Marlin Model 444S Sporter .444 Marlin Lever-Action Rifle, 22 in Micro-Groove Barrel, 1977, Bushnell Sportview Scope, Pre-Crossbolt-Safety
This 1977 Marlin Model 444S Sporter is a .444 Marlin lever-action with the desirable pre-crossbolt-safety configuration. It features a 22-inch steel Micro-Groove barrel, blued finish, and a factory walnut pistol-grip stock. It comes equipped with a Bushnell Sportview scope mounted in see-through scope mounts, and a leather sling, making it range-ready with classic Marlin handling.
The rifle retains its North Haven, Connecticut barrel address and Micro-Groove marking, and uses a partial-length tubular magazine with a 4+1 capacity. Iron sights include a ramp front sight and an adjustable semi-buckhorn rear with elevator. The receiver is drilled and tapped, and the action uses an external hammer with a gold-colored trigger and standard lever loop.
Stock details include walnut construction with a pistol-grip profile, black grip cap with white-line spacer, an uncheckered fore-end with steel fore-end cap, and a ventilated recoil pad molded with 'Marlin'. Sling swivel studs are installed. The rifle uses right-side ejection with a side loading gate and omits barrel bands in favor of the fore-end cap retention.
The installed accessories complement lever-action operation: the see-through rings preserve use of the iron sights. The leather sling with detachable swivels is installed and ready for field carry.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The rifle is structurally solid. It shows various cosmetic imperfections, including scratches, blemishes, and areas of finish loss.
What’s Included
- Optic: Bushnell Sportview riflescope with crosshair reticle (installed)
- Scope Mounts/Rings: See-through scope mounts (installed)
- Sling: Leather rifle sling with detachable swivels (installed)
- Accessory: No hammer spur extension installed
The Model 444S Sporter configuration pairs the .444 Marlin chambering with a 22-inch Micro-Groove barrel for strong downrange performance. The partial-length tubular magazine provides a 4+1 capacity, and the standard lever loop maintains traditional handling characteristics.
Iron sights consist of a ramp front sight and an adjustable semi-buckhorn rear with elevator, while the see-through scope setup allows quick transitions between glass and irons. The receiver is drilled and tapped from the factory, and this example carries a North Haven, Connecticut barrel address and Micro-Groove barrel marking.
The external-hammer action includes a gold-colored trigger and right-side ejection with a side loading gate. As a 1977 production gun, it is a pre-crossbolt-safety configuration. The fore-end is retained by a steel cap with no barrel bands.
The walnut stock features a pistol-grip with a black grip cap and white-line spacer, an uncheckered fore-end, and a ventilated recoil pad molded with 'Marlin'. Factory sling swivel studs are installed, and the rifle comes fitted with a leather sling and detachable swivels.