Marlin 71900 vs 71903: Which Magazine Fits Your Rifle?
Own a classic Marlin bolt-action — the 780, 80, 20, or 25? You need the 71903. Own a later Marlin .22 (post-1988) — like the 795, 995, 880, 925, 980, or a Model 70-series autoloader? You need the 71900 (or its nickel twin, the 71901). The Marlin 71900 and 71903 look like the same magazine — both are 7-round, .22 LR, black-oxide steel — but they fit two different generations of Marlin rifles, and putting the wrong one in means it either won't seat or won't feed.
71900 vs 71903 at a glance
| Marlin 71903 | Marlin 71900 / 71901 | |
|---|---|---|
| Caliber | .22 LR | .22 LR |
| Capacity | 7 rounds | 7 rounds |
| Finish | Black oxide | Black oxide (71900) or nickel (71901) |
| ARM part # | ARM556 | ARM580 |
| Rifle generation | Classic bolt-actions (design dates to the 1940s) | Later, post-1988 bolt-actions and autoloaders |
| Headline models | 780, 80, 20, 25 | 795, 995, 880, 925, 980, Model 70 autos |
Which Marlin rifles take the 71903?
The 71903 (ARM556) is the original classic — its clip-in design has stayed unchanged since the 1940s. If your rifle is one of Marlin's older bolt-action .22s, this is your magazine:
- Marlin: 780, 80, 80C, 80DL, 80E, 20, 25
- Glenfield: 25, 20, 80
- Other store brands (same rifle): JC Higgins 42 and 42DL, Foremost 20, Revelation 105
These rifles were sold for decades under several store names, so the 71903 covers a lot of ground. If your bolt-action .22 wears a Marlin, Glenfield, JC Higgins, Foremost, or Revelation rollmark, start here.
Which Marlin rifles take the 71900 / 71901?
The 71900 (ARM580) is the magazine for Marlin's later .22 LR lineup — bolt-actions and autoloaders built from roughly 1988 onward:
- Bolt-action: 25N, 25NC, 880, 880SQ, 880SS, 925, 925C, 980V, 980S, 917M2, 995, 995SS
- Autoloaders: 70, 70P (Papoose), 70HC, 70L, 70PSS, 793, 795, 989, 989M-2, 7000, 7000T, XT-22
- Other store brands: Glenfield 989G and 70, Coast to Coast 42 and 440, WestPoint 701, Big 5 700, Montgomery Ward 45
If you own the Marlin 795 or Model 70 family, or a later bolt gun like the 880 or 925, the 71900 is your 7-round magazine. Prefer a brighter, more corrosion-resistant finish? The 71901 is the nickel-plated version of the exact same magazine — identical fit, identical feeding.
How to identify your Marlin model
- Find the model number. It's stamped on the barrel, usually just ahead of the receiver, or on the receiver itself.
- Match it to the lists above. A 780/80/20/25 is a 71903 rifle. A 795/995/880/925/70-series is a 71900 rifle.
- Use the era as a tiebreaker. A mid-century classic with a metal-follower magazine is almost certainly a 71903 gun. A newer autoloader or an "N"/"800"/"900"-series bolt gun is a 71900.
Still not sure, or your model isn't on either list? Don't order on a guess — contact us with your model number and we'll confirm before you buy.
Why the wrong magazine won't feed
Caliber and capacity are the easy part — plenty of magazines are "7-round .22 LR." Three things have to match exactly for a magazine to feed reliably:
- Body length and latch position determine whether the magazine even seats and locks in the well. The 71903's older bolt-action well is dimensionally different from the later 71900 pattern.
- Feed lips control how each rimfire round is released and angled into the chamber. Lips cut for the wrong rifle release the round at the wrong moment.
- The follower pushes the stack up at the correct angle. A follower shaped for a different action can nose-dive rounds or fail to present the last one.
Black oxide or nickel?
Within the 71900 family, finish is the only choice you have to make — feeding is identical either way. Black oxide (71900) is the traditional matte-black finish; nickel (71901) is brighter with a little extra corrosion resistance, worth considering if your rifle sees damp weather or hard field use. The 71903 is offered in black oxide to match the classic rifles it serves.
Common fitment mistakes to avoid
- Assuming caliber equals fit. "It's a 7-round .22 LR mag" isn't enough — the 71900 and 71903 are both 7-round .22 LR and still don't interchange.
- Trying to feed a Marlin Model 60. The Model 60 is tube-fed — it has no detachable box magazine at all, so neither the 71900 nor the 71903 applies. There's nothing to buy for it.
- Confusing .22 LR with .22 Magnum. Marlin's .22 WMR rifles (like the 922M, 782, 25M, 982, and XT-22M) use entirely different magazines. Check the caliber marked on your barrel before ordering.
- Buying on rifle age alone. Use the model number as the primary key; era is only a tiebreaker.
Which magazine do you need?
- 780, 80, 20, 25 (and Glenfield/JC Higgins/Foremost/Revelation twins): Marlin 780/25/20/80 .22LR Magazine (#71903)
- 795, 995, 880, 925, 980, Model 70 autos — black oxide: Marlin 7-Round .22LR Magazine (71900)
- Same fit, nickel finish: Marlin 7-Round .22LR Magazine (71901, Nickel)
- Want more capacity in the 71900 pattern? 10-Round .22LR Magazine (Nickel)
- Browse every option: Marlin .22 Cal. Magazines collection or the Marlin Magazine Guide
Frequently asked questions
Are the Marlin 71900 and 71903 interchangeable?
No. Both are 7-round .22 LR magazines, but they're built to different patterns and fit different rifles. The 71903 fits the classic 780/80/20/25 bolt-actions; the 71900 fits the later post-1988 models like the 795, 995, 880, and 925.
What is the difference between the 71900 and the 71901?
Only the finish. The 71900 is black oxide and the 71901 is nickel-plated. They're the same magazine and fit the same rifles — pick the finish you prefer.
What magazine does the Marlin 795 use?
The Marlin 795 uses the 71900 (black oxide) or 71901 (nickel) 7-round .22 LR magazine. A 10-round .22LR version is also available for the same rifle.
Does the Marlin Model 60 take one of these magazines?
No. The Marlin Model 60 is tube-fed — it loads through a tube under the barrel and has no detachable box magazine, so neither the 71900 nor the 71903 fits it.
Is the 71903 still made?
Marlin ended production of the 71903 decades ago. American Rifle Magazines produces it today from the original tooling, in the USA, so you can still get a correct-fit replacement.
How do I find my Marlin's model number?
Look on the barrel just ahead of the receiver, or on the receiver itself. Match that number to the fitment lists above, and contact us if your model isn't listed.
Once you know your model, it's an easy pick. Add the correct magazine to your cart, or contact our team with your model number if you'd rather get it confirmed first — we'd rather get it right than process a return. Related: is it your magazine or just the spring? and choosing the right capacity for your rifle.
Buying for a shop, a range, or more than one rifle? See our wholesale purchasing terms for volume pricing.
About the author: Rob Haversat is the founder of American Rifle Magazines, which manufactures OEM-pattern replacement magazines for Marlin and Remington rifles in the United States from US steel and US components — including the classic 71903 built on its original tooling.
