If you believe this, then I recommend against buying used Marlins from the mid 70’s through the mid 80’s. ‘Cuz they’re making better fit and finish stuff today than they did for about that entire decade.
OK. We obviously have a difference of opinion, so I will lay out why I made that statement. First, in full disclosure, every Marlin I own, except one, and one I used to own are 1971 or earlier vintage. So, I have no ownership experience with the newer guns made by "Remlin". So, what am I basing the statement on?
First, a local gun store that used to be very enthusiastic about Marlins has quit carrying the guns because he felt compelled to send every one that came in back based on his inspections of the guns. I actually participated in a couple of those inspections and certainly concurred. I should disclose the rejections were based on fit and finish and working the actions only, and that the guns examined were all lever actions.
Second, I did examine a 39A from the relocated Marlin at the Shot Show several years ago at the Marlin booth, as did a number of others I know and trust. It was horrible in fit and finish. The quality of the wood was substantially lower as well.
Third, I belong to the
Marlin Firearms Collectors Association, which is a pretty serious pro Marlin group. While the association is not going to go on record with anything negative about current products, the quality of both current and recent production are regularly discussed, and not very favorably, by many of the members.
I have had one experience with new
Remingtons which now owns Marlin. I bought a brand new 1100 Classic Trap. It took two trips to factory service to even get it to even get through a box of shells. I sold it for a loss with less than 200 shells through it with some of the bluing chipping off. (I didn't even know blue would chip.)
Finally, I am well aware that the quality control at Marlin during their last few years, was sometimes not acceptable. Most knowledgeable Marlin owners won't buy any lever actions new enough to have cross bolt safeties (1983).
Now, I have to admit I have no qualifications or experience to comment on any Marlin if it isn't a lever action. So, nothing I write has anything to do with any of their other guns.