Has the marlin quality gotten better in the past year or two after it went down when remmy took over? Looking to buy a model 60 but after my 795 experience, I'm on the fence. Though I do miss the way that gun felt though.. Maybe I'll take the chance...
Recent Marlin quality?
- Thread starter jhedsy
- Start date
My 795 that I bought about a year-and-a-half ago is very nicely made, with a nice finish and no rough edges or surfaces. I feel like those who've had poor examples of Marlin rifles had exceptions. Every company produces a clunker for every hundred good ones. Nobody posts about their rifle when they get a good one, but everyone posts when they get a crappy one. I feel like that's what we see with many of the Marlin QC issue posts we see. That being said, I don't know what your 795 experience is.
I bought a beautiful stainless 60 this year. Ran a bore snake threw it and sprayed a bit of G96 and off to the range I went. Fired 2 tubes worth to check for operation. Then preceded to nail the 100yard gong with the open sights 10 out of the 14 shots. I'd say QC was fine. Oh was using Winchester 333 pack bulk ammo.
heavyBullet
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Just off the island of MTL
I believe the biggest issues was with the lever action rifles.
Marlin can't seem to get the iron sights mounted straight on their 795s...but other than that, both of my post-Remington buy-out Marlins are well built, very accurate, nicely finished, etc. I had plans to scope both guns anyway.
Well, I was going to buy a new marlin rifle, but I just broke my tooth
Ouch! Maybe you could save some money buying a used pre Remington Marlin for less money. I bought one of the last Marlin target rifles before Remington took over. It was close to Anschutz quality and accuracy. During that time, Marlin had decided to spend some money on R and D, build a competition rifle and sell it at a lost as a marketing strategy. That line was dropped right around the same time Remington took over. The quality post Remington was pretty bad but has improved over the last couple of years. I think there might be a concious effort to concerntrate on the Marlin brand with Remington sales slumping, recall troubles and settling of a class action law suite. The Marlins are priced right and even with a few fit and finish issues, it is still the best bang for the buck. On a side note, the Marlin 60 series predates the Ruger 10/22 and is still the worlds best selling .22, number wise.
I had 3 Marlins recently. The model 60 was great with the Laminated Stock. Very well made and accurate. Found the Tube Feed a pain so bought a 795 which I love. Want to get a Stainless one now too. Put scopes on both of them. Used UTS pellet gun scope mounts which work a lot better than scope rings for under $20. Also have a new Papoose on which the sights are slightly canted to the left. I hold it slightly to the right to aim but will be putting a small scope on it sometime. I also have a beautiful $400. Savage Bolt gun Heavy Barrel Stainless with Thumb Hole Laminated stock which I am now thinking of selling cause I'm so impressed with my 795 and have to thin the herd. My 795 is now my go to gopher gun.
- Location
- East ontario
marlin is no more, Remington/ freedom group put them under last year..
My 795 has been a champ this gopher season. So much so, that I just ordered her a fancy Boyd's thumbhole stock to purdy her up a bit.
Given that the 795 + a Boyd's stock is still cheaper than a bog standard 10/22, is way more accurate, and just as reliable, to me it's a no brainer.
Given that the 795 + a Boyd's stock is still cheaper than a bog standard 10/22, is way more accurate, and just as reliable, to me it's a no brainer.
Really, what a shame.
They closed the Connecticut plant, but "Marlin" still operates as a wholly owned subsidiary - just the firearms are produced elsewhere (mostly Remington factories).
The guns will continue to be produced. There is enough value in the brand, than even if Remington/Freedom group folds, someone else will pick up the name and keep producing the designs.
Rem QC for the past 3 years anyway had been fine....I've got 2 SPS 700 with 16.5" one in .308, one in .223, no issues with any fit/finish and they shoot great.
Also got a Bushmaster 20" HBAR A3 which has also been great and very nice fit/finish.
Latest was a 783 in 30'06 which cost a grand total of $249 new after rebates. Now it's a budget rifle of course, but no fit finish issues, throws fired cases out like a semi, and I just zeroed it with some 165 Speer HC which printed MOA.
I got no issues with Remington quality.
Also got a Bushmaster 20" HBAR A3 which has also been great and very nice fit/finish.
Latest was a 783 in 30'06 which cost a grand total of $249 new after rebates. Now it's a budget rifle of course, but no fit finish issues, throws fired cases out like a semi, and I just zeroed it with some 165 Speer HC which printed MOA.
I got no issues with Remington quality.
