One of the "bad" Marlins/Remingtons?

W

Warden70

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
54   0   0
After doing much research and saving extra $$ for months, I decided to purchase a brand new Marlin 1895. Having done my homework, I was expecting to receive a well-made firearm. When Remington took over Marlin in 2008 its production of Marlin guns was subpar compared to the ones formally produced in New Haven. This was the norm up until 2012, when Remington allegedly got the bugs worked-out and started producing good quality leverguns. Knowing this, I figured it was safe to go ahead and buy one. Well as luck would have it, I received a gun with all the problems folks spoke of: Poor stock fit and finish, cut checkering that looks as though it was pressed-in the stock, lever-action stiff and binds, blotches in the blueing, sharp edges on the lever, and a misaligned barrel - sights tipped 10 degrees to the right! WTF! A leftover perhaps? I got it on sale (awesome price by the way) at MilArm in Edmonton, Alberta. After discovering this I immediately contacted MilArm to voice my concerns and inquire as to what my options were. They agreed to examine the gun and refund my money and shipping costs. So my question is...can anybody tell me if recent productions guns are any better than ones produced from 2008-2012? If so, who has them in stock? Thinking of trying Wholesale Sports. Cheers!
 
The only way to be sure of what you're getting, is to check it out in person. Like with anything else, "They don't build 'em like they used to".
 
I bought a marlin 1895gs 45/70 in July. And it is clear than American craftsmanship is gone. The Chinese can build a better lawnmower for $300 than the Americans can build a rifle for $750. The rifle would not even cycle ammunition. When I first got the gun the action was filled with metal filings and was really rough.

I did an action job where I disassembled it and sanded off all the burrs. Luckily, I'm in the silverware business and i own a buffing machine, I buffed all the parts to a mirror finish. Now the rifle cycles very smooth and has become my favorite rifle. I load subsonic zero recoil loads with trailboss to 2000fps-405gn donkey kickers.

Hope these help :)

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/how-disassemble-clean/20184-disassembly-assembly-1895-pics.html

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/j...-round-entering-bore-steep-angle-jamming.html

http://marauder.homestead.com/files/tuning_m_1894.htm

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/p...4106-marlin-guide-gun-makeover-leverwrap.html

http://www.realguns.com/loads/4570.htm

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/p...shing-336-action-ka-basic-action-job-how.html
 
Last edited:
If it was on sale It could have been a leftover from the 2010-2011 run. Although the really bad remington production guns seems to be a thing of the past, the current models have yet to return to an equal standard. The cut checkering is gone, remington just presses in the checkering now (even the new 336dlx). The sights canted is an unfortunate Marin issue for some time (I've had 2000 and 2003 mfd guns with this). Rough edges are the new way because remington doesn't bead blast or tumble the parts anymore like Marlin used to. The rough cycling usually goes away after a tear down and cleaning/repeated cyling of the action.

All these things are unacceptable for a new gun from any mfg, and it stings even more when you've saved the pennies up to buy one. It's good the vendor is helping you out with a return/replacement.

Every new Marlin should come with a free visit to your local Gunsmith for finishing.
 
Only way to but a new one these days is in person. Have them bring out as many as they have and pick the best one and if they all suck, pass.
 
After reading numerous posts in recent years about the very low quality of the newer Marlins. I am just curious as to why folks all knowing of the issues continue to buy them..?
 
For the same reason people still buy Fords...... Sorry had to.
I have a Ford BTW.

I think there's a following with Marlin that refuses to die (I'm one). But with some of the other options for leverguns now: Rossi, Henry and Mossberg making good guns in traditional chamberings Marlin had better get their act together.
If they keep putting out the product they are and expect to get the price they're asking they will keep losing their customer base to the competition.
 
Don' t worry , the Pre Rem ones were not always better.
In 2009, mine got delivered and would not cycle any rounds. Finish was awsome tho...Send it to the smith and he rebuild the lever where it was engaging the carrier. Ok since then. Mines shoot 0.5 MOA (that's right) at 100 y with my load.

Mush
 
I picked up an almost new 336C a week ago, it had less than 200 rounds down the tube. The action is stiff, it is really hard to load the bullets due to the stiffness of the ramp, it has ejection issues, and different loads give me vastly different results. I'm going to rip it apart some day soon, polish it up, see if that helps....otherwise it is going to sit. Nonetheless, I'm sure it can be worked into a nice rifle and I always wanted a Marlin - I may just add a Win 94 next. ;)

Doors of Perception - thank you for those links!
 
I had the same loading problem - try bending out the extractor with a screwdriver a little at a time - see link above. This factory extractor is very stiff and needs to be bent out a bit. Get some 800grit wet dry and some jewelers files and go at the action next. You will need a bottle of cold blue to make the parts corrosion resistant again. The reason for the action job is the parts are all cast or stamped and then assembled without removing any of the burrs or flashing.
 
I need to add jewelers files to my tool box, everything else I am confident I can handle. Any idea how to make the feed ramp (loading gate) not so bloody tight? Previous owner even tried sanding to smooth it out but didn't accomplish it well.
 
Last edited:
I had my gunsmith "correct" a Remlin. 336ss. Cost me $60 - gunsmith said it should have been $160. The loading gate would stick unless the lever was really driven home. All the internals needed grinding or polishing. Seems fine now.

I would not buy one without access to a local gunsmith.
 
I have both marlins and remlins. I guess I've been lucky so far as I've had no issues other then the fit and finish of the later ones. They seem to have gotten their act together lately. I have seen a few bad ones though. My 2008 ish 336ss is my favorite and quite accurate. I wouldn't buy one anymore though without personally looking at it first.
 
Zedbra said:
I need to add jewelers files to my tool box, everything else I am confident I can handle. Any idea how to make the feed ramp (loading gate) not so bloody tight? Previous owner even tried sanding to smooth it out but didn't accomplish it well.
Click to expand...
;

Look at this link below and scroll down to "The Loading Spring (Gate):"

I did not file the loading gate spring (if you mess it up the part is cheep on eBay). However I did take the sharp edges off the loading gate lips(?) on both the action body and the gate - this helped a lot and also stopped the annoying scratches on my brass (combined with the extractor adjustment). I used a half round needle file and 800grit wrapped around a barbeque skewer.

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/p...shing-336-action-ka-basic-action-job-how.html
 
Last edited:
^ thanks again! As I said, the PO tried to sand it to make it smooth, but she is still really tight. I basically need to load the next cartridge by pushing on the one in front because if the gate closes it's near;y impossible to push down and then load another round.
 
Warden70 said:
After doing much research and saving extra $$ for months, I decided to purchase a brand new Marlin 1895. Having done my homework, I was expecting to receive a well-made firearm. When Remington took over Marlin in 2008 its production of Marlin guns was subpar compared to the ones formally produced in New Haven. This was the norm up until 2012, when Remington allegedly got the bugs worked-out and started producing good quality leverguns. Knowing this, I figured it was safe to go ahead and buy one. Well as luck would have it, I received a gun with all the problems folks spoke of: Poor stock fit and finish, cut checkering that looks as though it was pressed-in the stock, lever-action stiff and binds, blotches in the blueing, sharp edges on the lever, and a misaligned barrel - sights tipped 10 degrees to the right! WTF! A leftover perhaps? I got it on sale (awesome price by the way) at MilArm in Edmonton, Alberta. After discovering this I immediately contacted MilArm to voice my concerns and inquire as to what my options were. They agreed to examine the gun and refund my money and shipping costs. So my question is...can anybody tell me if recent productions guns are any better than ones produced from 2008-2012? If so, who has them in stock? Thinking of trying Wholesale Sports. Cheers!
Click to expand...

I recently talk with the owner of the gun shop that I know for a while. I trust that guy and his opinions actually. He told me to wait if I would like any, new Marlin. According to him it's just slightly better then previosly, but far away from good. After 2008 I gave Marlin a chance...twice (by mail order). Got one rifle that was totally messed up and didn't work right from the start and one that was...somehow working, but crafsmanship was below average to say at least.
 
Thanks for the replys and support. Good to know I'm not the only one out there to have this bad experience. I broke my own rule by purchasing via mail order, but in my defence I didn't have much choice. Us "Bluenosers" continue to be a have-not province and this makes getting anything from fine guns to auto parts a continuous challenge. I envy you guys in Westen and Central Canada for ths reason. The nearest gun dealer with any stock of guns, including Marlins is the McAdam Gun Dealer in NB, so it looks like I'll have to spend a full day of travel and $100 in gas to go view before I buy. Hopefully I'll find one that is suitable. Cheers!
 
I hadn't heard of any production improvements in 2012. There are big changes, lots of cnc additions to the line etc. for some models starting this year and improvements to continue across the line into 2015 though. This from an article by Brian Pearce in last Rifle magazine where he tested a couple 2014 improved versions, an 1894 and a fancied up 336 I believe it was. If I wanted a new Marlin I'd wait a bit they are investing heavily to right the wrongs, might take a while of tinkering to get it right. Hopefully.
 
Anyone know why marlin quality slipped? when Remington took over they canned everybody at marlin, but didn't change the locks right away, disgruntled marlin employed returned and may have destroyed or bent all of the dies used to make their guns, so Remington had to re tool the line, some dies were apparently a hundred years old, so now you have a bunch of old tooled marlin parts, getting assembled with new Remington parts tooled on two different sets of machines, this is where the problem is, bad tolerances.
 
I wouldn't be so quick to accuse the employees.....
After mid 2007, Remington took control of The Marlin plant and instituted "cell assembly". Up until that point most of the models were assembled start to finish by one worker (you'll find matching stamps throughout the inside of an older marlin).
Cell assembly, was 4 workers at one bench doing 1 or 2 components of the assembly at an unreasonabley fast pace, then passing it onto the next cell. This lead to inconsistencies throughout the assembly process.

When the plant shut down, the tooling and equipment was moved and subsequently was damaged and or setup incorrectly at the new plant, then used in conjunction with with new equipment and employees unfimiliar with it.

They've been chasing their tails ever since.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom