To go back to the original post by Korth.
About a month ago, I was looking for any 1895 models, with a preference for a Big Loop as where I live, it’s winter 8 months out of the year, and wearing gloves is really handy.
So I was browsing other Canadian forums, that I won’t name, and posted an ad. Besides the countless scams and the really overpriced offers (something down the line of $2000 for used Remlins or $3000 for the new unfired ones). I was getting a little desperate but hey, I gotta save up more. I remembered the glorious prices of Cabelas in the summer of 2019 and wished I bought one or two.
Then I received a message saying “hey bud, call this store, I think they got a Marlin in stock yesterday”. Thinking it was an other scam, I am still intrigued, but skeptical. I look up the store. It looks legit. Look up their website. Looking more legit. I call up.
No way, they got a Marlin Ruger made Guide Gun.
The gentleman answers all my questions, and I quote him as best as I remember “the colour of the stock is darker than what’s on Marlin’s website, but that’s definitely a Marlin, and there is the 45-70 stamp on the barrel”.
I ask for a picture, once I receive it, make sure it’s not a typical quick google search pict from an other scammer, I call this gentleman back and here comes the final question: “how much is it?”.
-“$1,599”
-“you said $2,599!?!?”
-“nonono 1 5 9 9”
I couldn’t believe it. Same retail price if not better than pre-covid. The deal was sealed.
According to that store, the retailer has been shipped like 3 in Canada at the time, and that store was a lucky one.
4 business days later I received this beautiful rifle.
It was cold lately, so when it was warming till about -25°C, I took her out and shot a few rounds.
Little recoil, that feels like a push, fairly good grouping at about 20-25meters away. What a delight.
There are some hicks where a bullet would be stuck halfway while reloading, I could blame that on the freezing cold. It came well lubricated, maybe that kind of oil didn’t like that northern kiss. I took it inside removed the handle, the barrel and the stuck bullet and it was completely fine.
I find the hammer really rubbing on the “guide part at the back of the barrel” when you reload. Not sure if it’s the cold or that the rifle needs to get broken in.
I’ll take it out when it will be warmer.
To the kind stranger that told me about that store, thank you.
To the store that sold me this beauty, thank you.
I offered them an extra fee to buy themselves a beer, they told me to pound sand.
This small family owned place unlike the giants out there treated me really well and I will keep using them, even if it’s way too far for me to go there in person.
If Korth was the retailer, please message me privately if you want more info.
I hope more will become available, and I really really hope that they are going to stay at around the $1,599 range.
Thank you for reading my really lucky experience with a bunch of passionate strangers.
selling rifles they originally paid $800 for now getting $2500 and up. As long as there are suckers with too much money to spend, prices will stay too high on these. As far as the Ruger/Marlin SBL, YOU WILL NEVER GET A FINER LEVER ACTION believe me. US prices are from $1399 & at $1699 CA from decent retailers here in Canada (Prophet River), they are a bargain compared to the over priced garbage out there now. 45-70 has been around longer than any other old style cartridge and will not be going away soon & neither will re-loading.
