Marlins, guide gun in particular

chola

chola

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I been searching for a used one but may end up just buying new....what were the timeframe of manufacturing to avoid and what are any other issues I should be on the look out for?
Have they improved them at all quality wise as of late?

I have to mailorder one as nobody locally carries them....:mad::bangHead:
 
All the guide gun ported were of great quality... If you find the ported GG in 45-70- or M , 450 Marlin, i keep preciously those 2 M ported i bought from Wholesale in a hollyday sale 3 years ago for 399.00 each... Very proud i did... JP.
 
I've seen some better looking Marlins lately. Did see a 336 a couple weeks ago with terrible woodwork though. If you need to mailorder one, make sure the place will take it back. I wound up buying a Henry instead.
 
I bought one from EPPS last year, and they made sure to inspect it thoroughly before even listing it for sale. It was a brand new (2012) manufacture, and it was very nice. I'd say they've more or less solved all of their issues now, but still make sure you buy from a reputable dealer who will take it back in case it doesn't live up to expectations.
 
I too purchased one from Epps (this year).....the fourth one I looked at. I was ready to leave the store empty handed, but the salesperson waived the "3 boxes opened and you're out of luck" rule for me. The fourth was perfect and a keeper. My point here is that trying to buy this gun at this time via mail order may well be an exercise in frustration. I suggest you wait until you have to make a road trip to a place where there is a dealer with stock, or make darned sure the mail order dealer will take the rifle back if you are not happy with it. Just my $0.02.
 
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When searching for a used one, another thing to consider is whether or not you want the ported barrel. My first GG was ported, and I loved everything about the gun except the porting. I found the increased muzzle blast much more disconcerting than the actual recoil when I had the chance to compare it to a non-ported model, and quickly traded into a non-ported GG. Some guys like the effect of little holes drilled into their barrels...personally, I hate 'em.
 
Most of the Remlins have a serial number that begins with MR. Having shot a few recently that were manufactured this year, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new one. In fact I'm going to.
 
The Buyout was in 06/07'. Remington Went to a "Cell" style of manufacturing in 08' (assembly line rather than one guy start to finish). Remington dismantled the Marlin factory in spring of 09'. REP stamped Marlins started showing up in late 09' (Serial #91).
The Remington guns that have been subject to issues started in 2009' (91 serial with REP stamp Not JM) and continued through 2011 (MR serial). That being said I have yet to see a Rem made gun that is anywhere near the quality of the Pre-Rem models.
Not to say they don't shoot well, mostly fit and finish.

Do yourself a favor and find a Marlin Guide with a serial starting with (01 to 92) (1999 - 2008)
 
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I have pre Remington 1895sdt in 45-70, and a 2012 336 in 357, and to be honest, the fit and finish is comparable on both. I have seen some horrible 2010-2011 guns though.
 
I have a 00 (2000) guide gun (ported) and the fit and finish are excellent. I too considered buying a new one vs. a older one.
In the end I am glad I waited for the right deal to come along, and the ported barrel is nice to keep the muzzle down and is not anything like a brake.
 
jjohnwm said:
When searching for a used one, another thing to consider is whether or not you want the ported barrel. My first GG was ported, and I loved everything about the gun except the porting. I found the increased muzzle blast much more disconcerting than the actual recoil when I had the chance to compare it to a non-ported model, and quickly traded into a non-ported GG. Some guys like the effect of little holes drilled into their barrels...personally, I hate 'em.
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X2. It's going to my son shortly but presently I have one, not ported, no complaints.





Prior to purchasing mine I had the opportunity to try one that was ported and decided, porting was something I could live without.
 
I have the first guide gun that ever came to Canada and a couple other JM guns, I also bought another guide gun made in late 2012 and it is as good as any thing I have ever handled that came out of the JM plant.
 
I had an older (not sure HOW old, but it had a pistol grip stock rather than the straight grip) Marlin Guide Gun with the ported barrel.

I was loading some very stout 350gr loads for it, and found it quite accurate, and not uncomfortable to shoot from field positions.

One day I touched off a round without my muffs on... and sold it the next day, with my ears literally still ringing.

If you're going to use this in the field and don't wear earpro while hunting, I strongly recommend against a ported model.

ETA: these come up on the EE all the time, but seem to go quite quickly. Keep an eye open and you'll get one.
 
Check the barrel. A JM stamp near the receiver and it's one of the good ones. I would not touch one of the remlins. Had one. Sent it back. Their gunsmith would not touch it.
 
Check the barrel. A JM stamp near the receiver and it's one of the good ones. I would not touch one of the remlins. Had one. Sent it back. Their gunsmith would not touch it.
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The JM stamp appears on the last rifles manufactured in the old plant, and by then, the quality control was already suffering. I would rather have a 2012/2013 rifle, than a 2009 with the JM stamp.
 
GMC403 said:
The Buyout was in 06/07'. Remington Went to a "Cell" style of manufacturing in 08' (assembly line rather than one guy start to finish). Remington dismantled the Marlin factory in spring of 09'. REP stamped Marlins started showing up in late 09' (Serial #91).
The Remington guns that have been subject to issues started in 2009' (91 serial with REP stamp Not JM) and continued through 2011 (MR serial). That being said I have yet to see a Rem made gun that is anywhere near the quality of the Pre-Rem models.
Not to say they don't shoot well, mostly fit and finish.

Do yourself a favor and find a Marlin Guide with a serial starting with (01 to 92) (1999 - 2008)
Click to expand...

just the info I was looking for next, thanks
 
stubblejumper said:
The JM stamp appears on the last rifles manufactured in the old plant, and by then, the quality control was already suffering. I would rather have a 2012/2013 rifle, than a 2009 with the JM stamp.
Click to expand...

What stubblejumper said....
The JM stamped 1895 I received was a complete mess....long story short....sent to Gravel and they sent me a REM marked rifle in exchange, there was too much wrong with the original rifle.....which was promptly sent back for other problems.
There's a thread on here somewhere, but anyway......
after about 8 months dealing with Gravel, I have an 1895 that I'm semi-happy with....it shoots very well but the fit-finish is crap......'nough said
 
Ilion NY stamped rifle are ok.....at least the 3 rifles that I have seen....smooth cycling and overall very good quality, never fired them but I herd that the new ones are more accurate?????
 
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