Marlin 1894

[hdon6]

A gentleman on another site made an offer of a JM Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag in trade for an AK. We met up, my main concern was that the gun was solid and functional with no need of major repairs. I wasn't worried about scratches or dings, but wanted to make sure there were no cracks or defects that would keep the gun from operating safely. I wasn't looking for a heirloom, just a good quality working rifle to shoot.

As expected the gun was not what was advertised. It was supposed to be "As New in Box" condition. The gun had obviously been fired. (Still wasn't a big deal, as I intended to shoot it). Seeing nothing looking obviously broken, I made the deal.

Once back home I looked it over more closely and found on one side of the barrel, Made In North Haven, on the other side a REP proof mark. I contacted the guy and he has offered to trade back, saying he took the dealer he bought it from at his word. I would like to keep it as long as it is safe and functional. I want to have it looked at by a gunsmith to make sure everything is ok.

It appears to me it is definitely a Remlin. The guy selling it asked if I was sure. I'll let you guys be the judge. I'm attaching links below to some pictures I took.

It has nice wood that is poorly fitted. (I'm not sure what to do about this, is there anything that can be done to keep crud and moisture from getting into these gaps?) A couple of screws that appear to have been installed with the wrong type of screw driver. (Looks like some replacement screws might solve this issue). The top of the bolt is really rough. (Seems to function as is, but could maybe be polished.) Something is off on the front sight, I believe it is the way the post is fit into the dovetail. (Maybe this is an easy fix?)

I made the deal expecting it to have some flaws. And I can live with it being a Remlin as long as its safe to shoot and will hit where its aimed. I suppose if the sights are an issue I could put something else on it. Just wondering what you guys think, if you are seeing anything to be concerned with, or suggestions. Thanks.

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[frankmako]

Go over to the Marlin firearms forum and run/check the serial number. That way you will know the year it was made and by whom.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You are going to find Remington made Marlins with parts which are marked North Haven, Ct, because part of the deal was Remington got all the parts that were in stock. They will be using parts made in Ct. along with parts made in the Remington plant to build complete rifles until they run out.

Your barrel was made in North Haven even though your rifle was assembled in NY.

As a side note, the fit-n-finish on that rifle would be unacceptable to me and I would be contacting Remington to complain. There is no reason that could explain away those buggered up screws.

 

[nettlle]

The cosmetic problems shouldn't affect the gun's reliability. My brother bought this same rifle a couple of weeks ago and I mounted a scope for him. The fit and finish on his rifle was excellent.

 

[DPris]

Unfortunately, if that bad on the outside there's a good chance the insides will be "off" too.
Transition guns are very risky, current guns are a much safer bet.

That gun would be unacceptable to me.

You can fill the wood gaps, as the factory did on many, with a filler material that'll still look like crap.

The front sight appears to be canted, they shipped many that way & with very bad machining & dovetail fit.

It may have feeding problems, many did.

I wouldn't risk it.
Denis

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The cosmetic problems shouldn't affect the gun's reliability. My brother bought this same rifle a couple of weeks ago and I mounted a scope for him. The fit and finish on his rifle was excellent.

It seems that the first few months of assembling the Marlin leverguns didn't go very well. All reports say that has all been taken care of now but the fact remains, there are a lot of rifles out there now that are not very good. I still say he should contact Remington and complain. They just might make things right since they know this happened and subsequently fixed the QC problems. That front sight is completely unacceptable!

 

[MEHavey]

Pretty is as pretty does...
Does it load/function/shoot well ?

(Oh... and what's the trigger pull?)

 

[greyling22]

that seems to be about par for the original production remington marlins. And if it's got the REP proofmark, it's a remington, regardless of whatever parts they used. For me, I deemed them unacceptable as a whole, but some of them were ok.

For the stock, not much you can do to make it look right cosmetically. You can try and bed the stock, but it is a little tricky to get it right, and as with all bedding, you can lock your action into the stock if you are not careful. here is a link to a "how to" http://www.treebonecarving.com/how-to-glass-bed-a-stock.html just remember that if you go this route, you will have clear or gray or brown or whatever color you use filler visible in the gap between wood and metal.

That said, if you swapped a basic AK for a marlin 1894 of any manufacture, you probably came out ahead on the deal. I'd be tempted to take the trade and sell the marlin on armslist or some place and make a profit, then track down a better marlin.

 

[hdon6]

This has been resolved. The trader was very understanding and made everything right. Thank you for your advice.