Marlin Stainless Gude Gun

Mik123

Mik123

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I'm contemplating buying a stainless Marlin 1985 GS in 45/70. I've read that there were some QC issues with some earlier models produced post Remington's purchase of Marlin. If I buy this rifle it will be in person. Does anyone have tips as to what I should look for outside of the obvious fit and finish etc.

Thanks,

Mik
 
I had one of these guns awhile back and traded it. Still miss it to be honest... but anyway..

I did a video, showing in my very amateur way how I disassembled and cleaned up the metal pieces so they moved with more fluidity. I guess what you could look for is if the action seems rough when you're working it. Like the pieces are grinding together... I guess this is a product of the pieces being stamped from a machine rather than hand machined....

This can be remedied with very little expertise. I am no gunsmith but following some simple directions I found online left me with a gun that was much smoother to shoot with.

http://youtu.be/DzzzdGmPIWU?list=UUmK6rfEr2yBorZRw1g7Vi2Q

Maybe this would help?
 
Use a bore light, some gun got into the wild without being fully rifled. Check that the sights are indexed reasonably well. It will matter if you ever want to mount a receiver sight. If you have a dummy round, cycle it from the mag into the chamber to ensure the rifle feeds. Use your fingernail to check if the receiver screws are loose or not. If the gun will have issues, it will happen with tight screws. Loose screws make the gun run sloppier and mimic reliability, but will result in your gun self-disassembling in the field at some point. Not good.
 
Mik123 said:
I've read that there were some QC issues with some earlier models produced post Remington's purchase of Marlin. If I buy this rifle it will be in person. Does anyone have tips as to what I should look for outside of the obvious fit and finish etc.

Mik
Click to expand...

I wouldn't fret too much about quality since Rem take over.. I have a pre Rem 444 now that the sights a slightly off top dead center. Also had one in 30-30 with an off center bore...
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I tracked down some snap caps and will be taking them with me to try out in the gun. If everything goes right I should have a guide gun in my hands by the weekend.
 
I recently purchased a 336C and it seems QC issues have been taken care of. The Finnish of the newer Marlins is great. Anyone I have ever known has LOVED their 45/70 marlin. Just go for it and have confidence in the fact that the gun will be great!
 
If you get a nice/good one, they are a dream to shoot!

I managed to find a really nice aftermarket butt stock years ago, for dirt cheap! Got lucky I guess!

Hope you like the picture! The rifle is in 45-70, and shot this bull at around 20 feet as he cleared some willows as we were calling. It was an incredibly exciting hunt!
 
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Both eyes open, kneeling,and only on 3 power. No problem at all. It was a thick area with willows, and he was comming into a wallow I was set up on. Real tight little pocket. Man was it LOUD! Just before he pushed his head through the willows, he bugled! Lol!
It happened so fast!
 
Well I managed to buy a stainless guide gun this weekend at Reliable's anniversary sale. The wood on it is ok. I might sand it to a flush finish and apply a few coats of oil in the future to make it prettier. The rifle itself looks good so far (I haven't shoot it yet). It't able to feed leverevolution rounds with no problems. I will take it apart this week for a through cleaning and sand any rought parts.
 
I just sent my 1895gbl back that i had for 1 day. Lots of issues. I wish i could have purchased in person and hope the one se t back to me is better.

Issues i had.

Scraches in chamber.
Rough stock on one side.
Laminate stock color mismatch
Front sight post fell off.
Cracked spacer on buttstock.
May not be big issues but enough for me to ask for replacement.

The company paid for return Shipping.

Mik123 said:
I'm contemplating buying a stainless Marlin 1985 GS in 45/70. I've read that there were some QC issues with some earlier models produced post Remington's purchase of Marlin. If I buy this rifle it will be in person. Does anyone have tips as to what I should look for outside of the obvious fit and finish etc.

Thanks,

Mik
Click to expand...
 
Sorry to hear that. I'm hoping there's not surprises in store for me. So far for the price I paid I'm satisfied with what I got. I'm going t try and track down a replacement stock. I think Boyd might have one that would work. I might even go with laminate if the weight difference isn't too great.
 
Check with Corlanes. I think I remember seeing someone at the range who had a custom stock from the.
Guaranteed it's not $200 but probably less than $600.
 
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