About the Latest Timney
Timney has officially launched a pair of Marlin triggers: the Lever Gun and the Lever Gun-16, the latter our test piece. The variants reflect two finishes: black and nickel-plated. The company is clear about their end goal of matching not only historical rifles but modern stainless numbers, too. And yes, we did install the stainless kit on a blued rifle, but we’ll all survive.
They’re advertised to fit Marlin Models 1894, 1895, 336, “and other blueprint models,” according to product packaging. Like many of the company’s other parts, our test unit is touted as a complete drop-in assembly with easy installation and no gunsmith needed. The pull weight is factory-calibrated at a nonadjustable weight of 3 to 3.5 pounds.
The physical trigger assembly itself is well-made. The trigger shoe, sear, and hammer strut are cut from A2 tool steel, then hardened. The hammer itself comes from S7 tool steel, again hardened for shock resistance. All components are wire-EDM cut for tight tolerances.
Like the company’s other devices, this latest run is made in Phoenix, Arizona, with the same American pride since 1946. As with all Timney’s triggers, these have a stellar lifetime warranty. The Lever Gun trigger retails for $199.95, while the Lever Gun-16 lists at $224.95.
Why Upgrade your Marlin?
Is the trigger worth the price? To determine that, we must first look at the factory trigger pulls on Marlin’s latest Ruger-built rifles. Luckily, we spent quality time with all three. Here are the trigger pull notes on each, measured five times with a Lyman Digital Pull Gauge.
- Marlin 336 in .30-30 Win: 7.15 to 8.05 pounds
- Marlin 1894 in .44 Rem Mag: 5.45 to 6.2 pounds
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Marlin 1895 in .45-70 Gov’t: 6.2 to 8 pounds
Not only did the new Timney trigger measure significantly lighter than the original on a pull gauge (3 pounds, 9.4 ounces), but it’s also much crisper and with a smaller degree of variance. Though the packaging advertises “3 to 3.5 pounds,” we never got more than a hair under 3.5, but that’s just fine in this hunting rifle. The gains are significant, especially for us trigger snobs, and worth the cost and easy installation. Check out the below video for a look at the Timney trigger in action.
The end game is a more consistent, lighter, crisper pull. It’s also worth noting that Timney’s engineers found a way to eliminate the trigger flop common on Marlins, which is now even more prominently floppy on Smith & Wesson’s 1854 lever guns. Timney continues to prove why its name is synonymous with quality triggers, and we can only hope to see kits for more makes and models in the near future.
The Installation
We opted to drop the new part into the recently released Marlin Model 336 Classic, as it measured the heaviest and least desirable overall trigger pulls of Ruger’s lever gun trio. While the rifle shot well enough, and was certainly more than serviceable as-is, most rigs leave room for improvement.
Related Review: The Re, Re, Return of the Deer-Dropping Marlin 336 Classic
Fret not about installation – even those of you who, like me, do very little home gunsmithing involving the trigger mechanism. Timney includes a Tootsie Pop along with the trigger unit, with the explanation, “How long does it take to get the center of a Tootsie Pop? Our answer: longer than it takes to install your Timney Trigger.”
Only two tools are needed: a straight punch and a slotted screwdriver. A procedure card provides detailed steps, complete with concise photos. Though this is an oversimplification, the entire process took less than 10 minutes, and that was with deliberately slow actions and photography breaks.
Verify a clear chamber, remove the buttstock, disengage the hammer spring, remove three screws, pop out the lever/trigger assembly, knock out a pin, and then it’s already time for reassembly. The trickiest part – which is not difficult – was reinstalling the new hammer spring assembly.
Before even unwrapping the lollipop, that new Timney Lever Gun trigger was in place. On the off chance you have trouble with installation or function, Timney offers troubleshooting tips on its website and welcomes calls and emails to customer service. Partner that with the lifetime warranty, and the buy is a no-brainer for those wanting more from their Marlin’s factory trigger.
Conclusion
Timney builds triggers for a vast array of firearm types including pistols, hunting rifles, competition guns, ARs, and even shotguns. Some guns benefit more than others, as a number of young guns come out of the box with pretty darn nice triggers.
In the case of our Marlin test rifles, we were pleased with them as-is; however, the triggers – like so many lever gun triggers – left room for improvement. Now, Timney swoops in with an answer. Despite a little initial trepidation, installation was a total breeze. The upgrade adds not only accuracy potential, but value.
American-made quality in an American lever gun? Yes, and yes.
