Is this a bad time to buy a Marlin?

[xBrokenswordx]

I had planned to buy a 336 but i'm reading about manufacturing issues at the Marlin plant. I would appreciate opinions from anyone who has bought a Marlin recently

 

[Robmcleod82]

I bought one in may from wss in calgary, it looks and functions fine

 

[cableguy]

I think you might be ok with the 336 but I wouldn't bet on it.

I copied this list from my lgs on the models that will not be produced for the remainder of the year.
They pulled all these models and sent them back.
I couldn't find a 1894 in town without problems.

Off center front sight...lots of tooling marks around the receiver.
One lgs I went to had a 1894 that couldn't cycle right out of the box.


Model Number Order Number
338MX 70492
338 MXLR 70493
444 70540
1895G 70462
1895CB 70480
1895XLR 70474
1894CB357 70440
1894CB44 70442
1894CB45 70444
1894CSS 70428
1894SS 70430
1894SBL 70432
1894CSBL 70433

and I really wanted a 1894 this year...darn!

here's also an article from this respected website:

http://thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/08/robert-farago/marlin-stops-shipping-lever-rifles/

 

[Ormachek]

My new 336 is out for warranty work....take that as a warning.

 

[iceman2]

There are lots of pre Remington used 336s out there, that is what I would be looking for.

 

[Bassmaster]

Like iceman2 says, there's lots of MARLIN 336's out there at decent prices that will function a lot better than the crap that I was sold. If your heart is set on a new one, feel it, touch it, work it before you buy.....I made the mistake of buying on-line, sight-unseen and regretted the purchase ever since...never again.

 

[caramel]

Had a chance to handle a couples at the range and some where not the tight finish Marlin is known for, on the other hand i found the Rossi Puma products to be very well made and good shooter... JP.

 

[onedayaway]

Either play with it before you buy it or buy a used pre remlin.
I wanted a 1895GBL and couldn't find ANY in the city worth buying. I talked to ellwood epps a site sponsor that had a huge supply of them and they hand picked one for me they said they also test fired it twice, but its hard to tell if they did. Had it for a couple months now, haven't had a chance to take it out yet. Overall fit and finish are on par. Next to my pre rem 336W the only thing lacking a bit on the rem gbl is the butt stock to receiver fitment, but its still 10 times better than any of the ones I looked at locally.
It did cost me more as wholesale sports was selling them for $549 and ellwood was $620, but it was worth it for something i can be happy with. Customer service was great and I wouldn't hesitate to deal with ellwood epps again.

 

[geologist]

If you can examine a new Marlin and run a few snap caps through it to test its functions you should be OK.

Otherwise I'd just look for a well cared for used rifle.

I don't buy many used things but used firearms are one of my exceptions.

 

[tbrwlf]

I returned my 336Y in 30/30. I could not remove two of the scope mounting screws. It would not feed lever evolution ammo. I returned it and their gunsmith reported he found 7 problems. They refunded my money and I won't be buying a new one any time soon.

 

[Win 38-55]

I would recommend a 336 from the 50's 60's 70's and even into the 80's. Marlin used to make really nice rifles. Get one of the older ones.

 

[saskcop]

I agree with buying an older one. I also think that a safety on a lever is absolutely not necessary.

 

[The Kurgan]

like iceman2 says, there's lots of marlin 336's out there at decent prices that will function a lot better than the crap that i was sold. If your heart is set on a new one, feel it, touch it, work it before you buy.....i made the mistake of buying on-line, sight-unseen and regretted the purchase ever since...never again.

yep !!