current Marlin quality?

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Big Mike

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Has anybody checked out any new Marlin lever actions? Just wondering if they have addressed any of the quality control issues. Specifically the 1895 SBL. I want one but the stories of the off square sights and so on have me on the fence.
 
These Marlin stories made me fall off the fence 30 years ago.Just another round of more of the same.I know marlin makes guns,but i did not know anyone bought them.
 
I just hope that all of the New Haven produced guns are well made, as I just purchased a new 308MX made in 2008, off of the EE.
 
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I briefly handled a 1895 SBL a couple of weeks ago. The sights seemed to be o.k., it cycled o.k., but what really got my attention was the way the stock and rubber buttpad looked to have been assembled by a 9 year old.

Looking up at the sales guy I asked him if all the bad press lately around Marlin was true.....He told me the first batch from Remington had some issues but everything was fine now.....B.S. in my books.....
 
stubblejumper said:
I just hope that all of the New Haven produced guns are well made, as I just purchased a new pre Remington 308MX off of the EE.
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I think the QC started dying before the takeover, because I've shot a few of my co-workers pre-Rem Marlins and I could tell the difference in smoothness. I've shot 444, 1894, 1895, and you could tell the 90s straight stocks were smoother and lighter and better fitting.

I was told that 2012 has been good for production, but that was from a guy trying to sell me a new Marlin, so I take it with a grain of salt.
 
Funny I was at Wholesale Sports last week playing with a couple Marlin leavers. Other then not being aloud to cycle some ammo through them LOL, I don't have any complaints with them. My brother in-law bought a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag, we have 1000's of rounds through it at the range and in the bush, nothing wrong with it.

I would suggest you buy one and make your own call. Internet roomers are just that as far as I am concerned.
 
My latest GG bought in 2003 (late pre-Remlin) or so barely cycled. Had to force the first round in and the next round would actually come in under the carrier, jamming it up completely (that is the "Marlin Jam" I've come to understand - I didn't have internet access where I lived then to research it) - not a great scenario if a grizzly bear were coming at me.

I took it upon myself to polish & tweak it (I was a looonnnggg way from any service center or the store I bought it at that point), got it functional & since then I've tuned it to a point that it works flawlessly and I love it.

But paying new rifle prices for a DIY project was not what I had in mind when I bought it. I really hope they've straightened themselves out and that Marlin isn't just another loss leader for Remington.
 
Its too bad that these problems persist. I really like the looks of that 1895 SBL but I would want it to be 100 percent reliable. I guess I will have to handle one rather than buy one sight unseen.
 
Last year I bought a new 336, it was a steaming pile of jam-o-matic crap.

I had to wait a while for remington to resume production (apparently they stopped producing levers to try and figure out their issues) and the gravel agency sent me a new one to replace it. It's nice, doesn't jam, action is nice and smooth. Soooo, I may have got lucky with my replacement, or they may have solved their issues.....your gamble!
 
gtrussell said:
These Marlin stories made me fall off the fence 30 years ago.Just another round of more of the same.I know marlin makes guns,but i did not know anyone bought them.
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Ha! ha! Gtrussell [ put down the crack pipe !] Marlin rifles have sold in the millions 3 million to be correct. All Marlin guns made before 2008 were good rifles I am sure there were some issues as with All guns ,since 2008 with the Cerebrus takeover The new untrained staff were forced to put rifles out in 135 seconds ,so the current situation ,,,,but please dont insult the majority of browsers that all marlins made 30 years ago were junk ,I am not a Marlin lover but it is hard to hear someone with little fact tear down an American company that gave millions of people great reliable rifles since 1893 .

Henry rifles and others are in business following the copy of Marlin and business is good .......nothing personal but stop the hate mongering ,sounding too much like Ottawa politicians
 
NorthCoastBigBore said:
My latest GG bought in 2003 (late pre-Remlin) or so barely cycled. Had to force the first round in and the next round would actually come in under the carrier, jamming it up completely (that is the "Marlin Jam" I've come to understand - I didn't have internet access where I lived then to research it) - not a great scenario if a grizzly bear were coming at me.

I took it upon myself to polish & tweak it (I was a looonnnggg way from any service center or the store I bought it at that point), got it functional & since then I've tuned it to a point that it works flawlessly and I love it.

But paying new rifle prices for a DIY project was not what I had in mind when I bought it. I really hope they've straightened themselves out and that Marlin isn't just another loss leader for Remington.
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While i don't have to worry about grizzly bears in ontario, i did have to worry about a brand new 336XLR in 35 Remington jamming up on me while moose hunting. 1000$ for a rifle and it has the "Marlin Jam"? F#*k was i ever mad. Add to that, the fact that i had to make a 13 hour round trip just to pick it up and you can see my frustration. I ended up bringing it back to the dealer, selling it back to them (at about a 300$ loss) and picked up a 30 year old Marlin in 35 remington and a savage 99 in 300sav. I was going to just bring it back to them and tell them i wanted an exchange or something but after the horror stories i've heard about dealing with Gravel (waiting a year or more for your rifle to be fixed or exchanged) i decided to cut my losses. Will i buy a marlin in the future? It's possible but only once they get their sh*t together.
 
Ok,

So I'm looking to buy a Marlin 336 .30-30... What do I need to look for? Are there markings on them that distinguish what is new crap, vs, the older better models? (like where they were made?)

I understand that Marlin doesnt put anything on their guns that you can easily identify the year it was built in...

Any info would be great... (gun show is coming up lol)
 
Find a dealer who has one in stock and that you can actually handle, fondle check for fitment etc...
That way you will have made an informed and educated decision rather than one made of pure speculation of a few who had a bowl of grumpy for breakfast.
The ones I was able to handle at a Banner Sponsor on Fraser St in Vancouver cycled and fitment where good2go , as good as they where in 2000AD.
Others will call Bravo Sierra, but at least I will know what I saw and felt.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
Doing some research online, it appears that although Remington bought Marlin at the start of 2008, they didn't started interfering with the manufacturing process for the 2008 year. Apparently any rifles with a serial number starting with 92 should still be of good quality, but the later 91 numbered rifles had some issues. My rifle has a 92 serial number, so I am hoping that there won't be any issues with it.
 
I bought one that was not soo great because i wanted a 45-70 lever action. took it home and took out the dremel and smoothed everything out, then removed all the oil and put on a movie and started working the action over and over. cleaned it again, and then oiled it and now its action is smoother than you could imagine. so far I am impressed its a decent gun, just needs "finishing" if your willing to do that. just make sure your front sight is not out.

I am happy with it now. it looks great.
 
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