I have looked at a couple new marlin 45-70s lately and noticed when the lever was fully closed the bolt was not flush with the back of the reciever. Is this the norm on new marlins? Also wood to metal edges were pretty bad. I had heard quality was improving but the fit finish on these was pretty bad. Are all the models as bad? I was thinking of ordering a 1895 sbl but after seeing a new guide gun not so sure.
Marlin 1895 bolt
- Thread starter nof60
- Start date
Cookie cutter pieces, fit together as per engineered drawings. That's the New Marlin, the "finishing" in most cases has been left for the purchaser to do. I too have seen many bolts sitting proud past the reciever (1/16-1/4")
Best to see any new Marlin in person before purchasing .
Best to see any new Marlin in person before purchasing .
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I have this same rifle. Picked it up off the EE from a fellow CGN'er about a year ago. It's a 2012 Marlington but it's an awesome piece of gear. I asked for lots of pic's and he even sent me video before I made my mind up as he was on the other side of the country. Great purchase exp, very happy.
Like I said, I love this rifle and it's one of my many fav's! However if I were to rate this particular rifle's F/F, it would get an over all B- , this I understand to be one of the "better" ones of the era.
CON's: The stock could be about 1/16" tighter to the receiver and the innards could use a good polishing. Also, as for the bolt, is seems to be slightly protruding but maybe only 1/32" or less. Basically all of it is nothing that an hour or so by a skillful hand wouldn't cure.
PRO's: Otherwise this unit is a very powerful 'stopping' rifle and surprisingly very accurate out to about 200+m with a scope (and some practice
) But the iron sights are great! Take out a pop can at 100m no prob! . Aesthetically these are beautiful guns and always draw attention especially from them 'thar lady folk! I would say best to be buyer beware, if you find one and it's not JM stamped (if it is buy it, start the car and get out of there! Hens teeth I tell ya!) then just check it out every way you can before you buy. FYI: the vids with sound and the seller cycling the action, showing close ups of the whole thing really worked for me.This way I'm sure you will find one of these great Gvn't lead slingers to add to your collection.
Good luck!
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back40sniper
CGN Regular
- Location
- South east Sask.
Just bought one a few weeks ago, made sure to inspect it personally before buying. I looked over11 guns and all looked good, must be latest manufactured as have heard horror stories about remington manufactured Marlins. Maybe they have good a handle on quality control in the last while.
Marlin stopped filing bolts flush to the back of the receiver in the 1990's. The late JM guns are not particularly well fitted, on the balance, either. Individual guns, obviously, are not statistically significant. Some Remlin guns are really bad, while some JM guns are really good - not true for all, or even MOST examples. The myth perpetuates...
I don't get this "Rem screwed up Marlin quality".. As far as I am concerned Marlin quality hasn't been all that for quite some time.. This isn't coming from a Marlin hater or a Rem lover either.. I have two Marlin MR-7s that I really like, but as I posted in another thread Marlin quality control hasn't always been top shelf either...
I have a pre Rem 444 (1970s) now that the sights a slightly off top dead center. Also had one in 30-30 with an off center bore...
I have a pre Rem 444 (1970s) now that the sights a slightly off top dead center. Also had one in 30-30 with an off center bore...
That's why I started this thread. My first rifle was a C3030 Marlin bought at the age of 15 which was way more years ago than I would care to admit. Other than that I really have not even taken a serious look at one until I got it in my head to get a better tent gun about 2 months ago, the F/F on my old one was excellent and the only new ones I have seen are the ones in my LGS. I would do terrible unspeakable acts to own that C3030 or one like it again but alas the C3030 was only sold in the US and it is one of many guns that I should never have sold. I can remember the rifle and the first buck I took with it exactly but be danged if I have a clue what I did with the money!
If the bolt sticks out can this be fixed?
Thanks. Now the tough part. Trying to find one.
An interesting fact about when Remington took over Marlin was that they did actually have any engineering drawings for the lever actions! In my experience the guns made after the third quarter of 2012 are fine, also it is a mirth that the quality was wonderful before they were taken over!
it's no "myth", the quality was more wonderful than it is now.....
What he is referring to is that there was not a magical quality switch in 2010. For at least a decade before that, the JM guns had gotten SIGNIFICANTLY worse over time. By the end, they were no better than a 2010 Remlin. My personal experience mires that observation.
The problem with Marlin Lever actions is that they are very addictive. I recently bought a 2014 March manufactured GBL and have found it is the best made Marlin I have owned in the last twenty five years, I am now unfortunately thinking of buying either a 336Y or guide gun, provided I can get one made in 2013 or 2014.
