Has Marlin got their act together

terez

terez

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I have been told by numerous reliable sources that late model Marlin firearms are now of exc build quality.
I have handled many late model Marlins at the store and they SEEM to be good.
Not seeing glaringly obvious issues like crooked sights, burrs, poor fitting etc that were very common previously.

A few retailers and gunsmiths have suggested that Marlin identified their post takeover issues and addressed them.

Considering acquiring a couple pistol caliber short carbines in 357/44.

What has been the experience of actual late model Marlin buyers been?
 
I'm curious about this as well: I've never owned a Marlin. I dislike any safety added beyond the half #### and proper use of traditional lever actions. I'm minded more toward patronizing Henry on that point alone but I often think of an 1895.
 
My 1895 was perfect. Bought in 2016. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another. If you’re into the straight stock, small loop, short magazine, then finding an older jm in mint shape for the same price as new is probably a better option.
I’m not saying there wasn’t any big loop full length mag tube jm marlins made, but they’re rare in my experience. Remington seems to have straightened out somewhat.
 
I had one if not the first jm stamped 1895 sbl in Canada ,sold it like a fool awhile ago.
I was in Cabelas the other day looking at different 1895’s.. no sbl’s or dark series. But the Few 1985s I did look at seemed fine . Fit and finish was good , no sharp edges and sights were on straight. Nothing bent.
They felt good to shoulder. That being said the lever locks were on them so I couldn’t work the action or obviously fire one.
The trapper was nice, seemed really short tho . Would really like to get my hands on a dark series for feel. Don’t now how that
Stock we feel with check weld.. may just go with a gbl and put the up grades on other the the stainless.
Long winded, in short . The ones I handed I would have no issues purchasing , in fact I will soon.
 
I have owned Marlins for over 30 + years.. John Marlin rifles had a few issues over the years. The Remington take over did a huge amount of damage to the Marlin name. Granted they are trying. It's going to take a long time to heal those wounds.
 
The fit and finish on the newer Marlins is now excellent since they upgraded all their machinery to CNC. I have owned more than a handful of JM 1894's in different calibers with different dates of manufacture and can tell you with 100% certainty that since the upgrade all is good.

Please take the time to read the info from the following link. I found the page quite by accident and I'm so glad I did as it helped me decide to purchase my two 2018/19 production 1894's in .357 and they are every bit the equal of any JM I owned in the past in form and function.

Here's the link... http://www.whitetailtrackers.com/2018/03/an-illuminating-trip-to-the-marlin-firearms-factory/

Make sure you scroll down the page to the included videos of the factory tour as that is what really interested me.
 
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There are at least 3 guys at my club with newer Marlin 1894's, 2 .357 and one .44. They are all really happy with them. I had a good look at them and shot 2 of them and wouldn't hesitate to get one.
 
It sounds like they have sorted out the Remlin quality issues. I got my son a 336 for Christmas and we looked around at a few first. They have good fit and finish and the cycling is good but perhaps a little stiff. It wasn't bad, but I wanted to see if I could make it better, so we took it apart and gently de-burred a few parts with fine steel wool. This made it smoother.
 
I got myself a Marlin 795 over Christmas.
When I unbox the rifle I found the entire rear sight was missing !!!!!
Still trying to figure out how the rifle make it out of the factory like that.
Call up Gravel Agency and they say they will send out the parts so at least the warranty service is ok.
 
A question for the guys with cal. 38/357 in your new(er) 1894's; will they shoot BOTH well? The one I had, Bought it about 9 or 10 years ago wouldn't cycle 38 specials worth a hoot---357's were ok.

Had to spend $$$ to have a gunsmith slick it up--ran like a top with 357's--but it still wouldn't shoot the 38"s.
 
I've had a bunch of Marlin lever guns,3sbl ,one of them was a JM bought when they first came out.lots of guide guns ued/ walnut jm guns and remlins.the jm guns were always good,only one issue with with a remlin and wasn't much ,just crooked sights.

Got a new 2019 Sbl and its smooth and just put together perfectly,and the most accurrate of any of the 45/70 levers I've owned.
Very impressed with the new Marlins coming out now.
 
snooker said:
A question for the guys with cal. 38/357 in your new(er) 1894's; will they shoot BOTH well? The one I had, Bought it about 9 or 10 years ago wouldn't cycle 38 specials worth a hoot---357's were ok.

Had to spend $$$ to have a gunsmith slick it up--ran like a top with 357's--but it still wouldn't shoot the 38"s.
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Do you re-load?

If you do, seat your .38 SP slugs to a OAL of 1.515, I have not found one 94 that wont feed those like candy. You have to crimp 1/2 way between the crimp groove & the first lube groove but that wont hurt a thing.
 
I took a look at two 1895 dark editions in the shop a couple months ago, and the first one seemed to have a misaligned/canted front sight. It was subtle, but the clerk helping me agreed with me. The sights on the second rifle appeared to be perfect.
Very small sample size, but I personally still wouldn't buy a new Marlin without physically looking at it first.
 
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Unholysavage said:
I took a look at two 1895 black editions in the shop a couple months ago, and the first one seemed to have a misaligned/canted front sight. It was subtle, but the clerk helping me agreed with me.
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I have a 444 from the 70s, the sights aren't top dead center, slightly canted counter clockwise..
 
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