New Release - Marlin 1895 Trapper in 45-70

I don’t think the wait times on these rifles will be like the months previous. This is just what I’ve been reading across the internet, but it seems like production rate on Marlin’s and Henry’s is improving. Between pandemic demand and the Ruger takeover there was a perfect storm which caused some serious scarcity. I think things will improve from here on out, at least for the Trapper, Guide Guns and SBL’s. It’s probably gonna be a minute before we see any 336’s though.
 
Yeah, there was two that i saw on the EE in the last few days that were anywhere from $400 to $1k higher than retail. Ill never buy from those guys now that i know their names.

I've got a guy wanting to trade me his NIB RuMar trapper straight up for my Big Horn Armory lever gun. Nope.
 
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I've got a guy wanting to trade me straight up for a Big Horn Armory lever gun. Nope.

See, isn’t this a funny world?
Because I sold a Ruger SBL to specifically buy a Bighorn model 89.

I’ll put this lightly, if you’re being honest you’re stupid not to take the deal.

Even IF you thought the ruger was better quality,(it’s not) their prices are only inflated temporarily I’d bet you $1000 within a year you see them on the shelves for MSRP. The bighorns just had a 20% cad price increase and you couldn’t buy another one for under 4k and that’s if tou can find a last years order in stock.

I’ve owned all 3 of the new ruger 1895s.
The trapper had a loose stock.
The guide gun had a slightly off center buckhorn sight.
The SBL was immaculate in its fit and finish and a beautiful gun but still in no way compares to the hand finished quality of the bighorns… clearly you’ve never owned one lol
 
See, isn’t this a funny world?
Because I sold a Ruger SBL to specifically buy a Bighorn model 89.

I’ll put this lightly, if you’re being honest you’re stupid not to take the deal.

Even IF you thought the ruger was better quality,(it’s not) their prices are only inflated temporarily I’d bet you $1000 within a year you see them on the shelves for MSRP. The bighorns just had a 20% cad price increase and you couldn’t buy another one for under 4k and that’s if tou can find a last years order in stock.

I’ve owned all 3 of the new ruger 1895s.
The trapper had a loose stock.
The guide gun had a slightly off center buckhorn sight.
The SBL was immaculate in its fit and finish and a beautiful gun but still in no way compares to the hand finished quality of the bighorns… clearly you’ve never owned one lol

I own both and can confirm the bighorn is superior, but obviously the price reflects that, I would give up my marlin for another bighorn in a second
 
Seems like nice units and wouldn’t mind to compare to the older ones eventually.

Here are some of my observations on the old vs new TSBL or Trapper models

Fit and finish on the metal on both is equally really good, fit of the wood is good on both but a bit better on the Ruger made Trapper.

Action on the older gun is smoother but it’s been worked a lot more, new Trapper is smooth but will take some use to get as buttery as the older gun.

The lever on the new Trapper is much better than the older gun, edges are very round and smooth, edges on the TSBL were a little sharp out of the box.

Loading gate on the new Trapper is a lot less stiff then the old gun, that along with the lever are the biggest things that jump out right away.

The new Trapper is about 0.5” shorter and does feel a little better in hand with the slightly slimmer forend but that’s a marginal difference and hard to tell unless trying each back to back..

Trigger on the SBL is lighter.

The matte finish on the TSBL holds up really well and is smoother than the matte finish on the new Trapper, the new one is tougher and the stainless is darker, haven’t tested it yet but I suspect it will show scratches a bit more than the old gun.

The stock recoil pad on the TSBL is more squishy than on the new Trapper, both seem to work about the same though.
 
Oh, a tip for anyone looking…
Pick up a phone and call the stores that don’t have websites in small towns.
Lots will still ship, they will take Payment over the phone and you get the gun you want.

My local store has a trapper sitting on the shelf for 3 days now.
Unfortunately he specifically won’t ship so don’t ask, but lots do.
I’ve found several in BC alone at little backwater shops.

Everyone and their mother had email notifications for in stock 1895s at all the big online dealers.. they literally sell in 30 seconds- 2 minutes.
 
See, isn’t this a funny world?
Because I sold a Ruger SBL to specifically buy a Bighorn model 89.

I’ll put this lightly, if you’re being honest you’re stupid not to take the deal.

Even IF you thought the ruger was better quality,(it’s not) their prices are only inflated temporarily I’d bet you $1000 within a year you see them on the shelves for MSRP. The bighorns just had a 20% cad price increase and you couldn’t buy another one for under 4k and that’s if tou can find a last years order in stock.

I’ve owned all 3 of the new ruger 1895s.
The trapper had a loose stock.
The guide gun had a slightly off center buckhorn sight.
The SBL was immaculate in its fit and finish and a beautiful gun but still in no way compares to the hand finished quality of the bighorns… clearly you’ve never owned one lol

Sorry, I own the Big Horn, they were trying to trade me their Ruger/Marlin. I have seen the new Trappers on shelves recently, I have 2 JM stamped guide guns, I'm not paying double. ;)

I'm probably going to keep my BHA and just display case it with my other levers guns. I keep getting offers in RuMar and Winchester territory so it's no longer worth the hassle.
 
Sorry, I own the Big Horn, they were trying to trade me their Ruger/Marlin. I have seen the new Trappers on shelves recently, I have 2 JM stamped guide guns, I'm not paying double. ;)

I'm probably going to keep my BHA and just display case it with my other levers guns. I keep getting offers in RuMar and Winchester territory so it's no longer worth the hassle.


Ok that makes ALOT more sense lol
Sorry for the confusion!
 
Ok that makes ALOT more sense lol
Sorry for the confusion!

No problem I worded the reply oddly. But here's a new one today off another for sale website. "It's on of those made in China ones right, so would you take $1000?" and upon further messaging I guess people are thinking that BHA is akin to Norinco, or even TNA and BCL etc. I'm not sure how to avoid that impression in the listings. haha

I handled a RuMar trapper in 45-70 yesterday a coworker just picked up, very nice gun.
 
No problem I worded the reply oddly. But here's a new one today off another for sale website. "It's on of those made in China ones right, so would you take $1000?" and upon further messaging I guess people are thinking that BHA is akin to Norinco, or even TNA and BCL etc. I'm not sure how to avoid that impression in the listings. haha

I handled a RuMar trapper in 45-70 yesterday a coworker just picked up, very nice gun.

Best solution is to not sell that beautiful rifle, but such is life I guess eh!
 
I've had my deposit down and have been waiting patiently for a year to get this rifle...

Low and behold, walked in a local sporting goods shop yesterday picking up some fishing gear and there one is... was nice to at least finally put my hands on one... A few hundred $ more than the one I have a deposit on and I'm out of town for a week, but I'm thinking pretty hard about calling and getting this one.

I contacted the store I'm waiting on and they say they are seeing more, but my number hasn't come up yet. Told me they don't know when, might be more rifles this month or next month, they just roll in every so often.

Has production ramped up more on these? Has some of the hype died down? I would really like this rifle by October... but then again I said that last year... An I better to wait and see and save a few hundred towards powder, brass, bullets? I already have the dies... Or should I just eat it and call my LGS and tell them I'll take it?

I can't imagine a year later, on what was expected to be a fall 2022 delivery, I would have a problem getting my original deposit back... or maybe I'll get stuck with 2 of these...

Decisions...
 
First get your deposit back. It states right on the Marlin website, do not place deposits at gun shops for these rifles!

See below from their site:

There are no confirmed shipments for any Canadian dealer.

Second, buy the gun you saw. Ever heard of the bird in the hand saying?

You will not be disappointed, these rifles are sweet!......:)

Now Shipping with Limited Availability. Please Contact Your Local Retailer for More Information.
Note: Ruger encourages retailers to contact their distributors for availability and advises consumers not to leave deposits with retailers that do not have confirmed shipments.
 
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I've had my deposit down and have been waiting patiently for a year to get this rifle...

Low and behold, walked in a local sporting goods shop yesterday picking up some fishing gear and there one is... was nice to at least finally put my hands on one... A few hundred $ more than the one I have a deposit on and I'm out of town for a week, but I'm thinking pretty hard about calling and getting this one.

I contacted the store I'm waiting on and they say they are seeing more, but my number hasn't come up yet. Told me they don't know when, might be more rifles this month or next month, they just roll in every so often.

Has production ramped up more on these? Has some of the hype died down? I would really like this rifle by October... but then again I said that last year... An I better to wait and see and save a few hundred towards powder, brass, bullets? I already have the dies... Or should I just eat it and call my LGS and tell them I'll take it?

I can't imagine a year later, on what was expected to be a fall 2022 delivery, I would have a problem getting my original deposit back... or maybe I'll get stuck with 2 of these...

Decisions...

Ruger/Marlin could ramp up production for the next year, this still will not create a catch-up as you ask.

The hype as you say has cooled off somewhat, when I say this I mean the rifles are not bringing in the $3000.00 to $4000.00 resale price tag on the EE or Gun-Post.

My opinion only is: get your deposit back, buy the one you saw and enjoy my friend!.....:)
 
First get your deposit back. It states right on the Marlin website, do not place deposits at gun shops for these rifles!


Thanks for the comment.

Their site didn't say that a year ago. And I've never had an issue doing a deposit to secure an order, but this has gotten brutal...

As you say, bird in hand... but if it's going to be like next month for 300$ less? That's fine with me... I'll wait... that's why I'm trying to get an idea on how many of these are starting to come in.

And yeah it felt really nice. This is going to be a great backcountry rifle... can't wait.
 
Ruger/Marlin could ramp up production for the next year, this still will not create a catch-up as you ask.

The hype as you say has cooled off somewhat, when I say this I mean the rifles are not bringing in the $3000.00 to $4000.00 resale price tag on the EE or Gun-Post.

My opinion only is: get your deposit back, buy the one you saw and enjoy my friend!.....:)

Thanks. There's a lot to be said for just getting it done...
 
I've had my deposit down and have been waiting patiently for a year to get this rifle...

Low and behold, walked in a local sporting goods shop yesterday picking up some fishing gear and there one is... was nice to at least finally put my hands on one... A few hundred $ more than the one I have a deposit on and I'm out of town for a week, but I'm thinking pretty hard about calling and getting this one.

I contacted the store I'm waiting on and they say they are seeing more, but my number hasn't come up yet. Told me they don't know when, might be more rifles this month or next month, they just roll in every so often.

Has production ramped up more on these? Has some of the hype died down? I would really like this rifle by October... but then again I said that last year... An I better to wait and see and save a few hundred towards powder, brass, bullets? I already have the dies... Or should I just eat it and call my LGS and tell them I'll take it?

I can't imagine a year later, on what was expected to be a fall 2022 delivery, I would have a problem getting my original deposit back... or maybe I'll get stuck with 2 of these...

Decisions...

BUY the one you saw immediately
 
Was the deposit a firm price or will they Jack it up when you pay the balance because of inflation . Buy the gun you just saw,you can always sell the other if you can’t back out of the deal
 
Was the deposit a firm price or will they Jack it up when you pay the balance because of inflation . Buy the gun you just saw,you can always sell the other if you can’t back out of the deal

This here.
I’d be willing to bet your deposit reserves the gun but not the price.
Looks like a lot of retailers took it upon themselves to raise the retail price once they saw how much they were selling for on the “used” market.

I’m also willing to bet that the MSRP on these didn’t go from 1599-1949 in 3 months.
Retailers just joining in on the feeding frenzy.
 
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