Marlin on sale at Big 5

[Spyvie]

Happy Easter!

Today's Big 5 newspaper insert lists a Marlin .30-.30 lever action rifle for $399. The rest of the ad says 20” barrel, wood stock, and most important to me... “Or choose a straight stock .357 magnum or .44 magnum". I don't know much about these, but I've always wanted a lever gun in .357 to share ammo with my 2 Ruger revolvers.

When I first saw this ad I thought that's a great deal and started to figure out how I could be there tomorrow when the doors opened. Then I read the thread about poor quality wood and I'm not so sure. Apparently the basic Marlin lever gun's I've seen for over $500 have walnut stocks, and these Big 5 cheapos have birch stocks. And I don't know what a “straight stock” is and how that might differ from the standard 1894 I've seen elsewhere.

So, help me decide, is $399 a good deal assuming the rifle I choose doesn't look terrible, or should I keep looking for a better deal on a full quality gun?

 

[mp510]

And I don't know what a “straight stock” is and how that might differ from the standard 1894 I've seen elsewhere.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/1894Centerfire/1894.aspx

That is a link to the standard Marlin 1894, which has the Walnut stock, including the straight grip.

When they say straight stock, they mean that the stock does not have a curved pistol grip, like the Marlin 336 (in .30-30) does.

 

[scrofcheck]

There are no deals at Big 5. You can do better else where.

 

[Jackal]

Big 5 is a terrible place to buy firearms. I was looking at one of the Marlin .44 mags and it didnt even have the rear sight! I handled one of each of the .357's and 30-30's too. Niether one would would cycle and both had tons of burs. Big 5 gets seconds. Plain and simple.

 

[dscottw88]

I'll admit that Big 5's prices are way outta the park. And when they have a firearm on sale, you still can probably get the gun elsewhere for even cheaper. But then again, it was Big 5 where I got my Yugo 24/47 Mauser.

 

[Kjay]

Funny, I've bought a dozen firearms (including two Marlins) from Big 5 and all are very functional and without disfiguring blemishes. The Marlins they sell have birch stocks other wise they're the same mechanically. Seconds? Does Marlin produce that many second rate guns? Perhaps the truth is Marlin is making production runs just for Big 5 - a major customer. Depending on where you live Big 5 may or may not have the best prices. Shop around.

 

[Seafarer12]

399 isn't that good a deal. They use to throw them on sale for 319 and 339 all the time. The 339 was only a month ot two ago. People complaining about the wood and function. I have never seen anything bad at Big5 but you look at the gun before you buy it if you don't like it don't buy it. For less than 400 bucks you can get you a Rossi copy of the Winchester 92 a better gun in my opinion. It would be used but no biggie. I never liked the Marlin 94's much. The 1895 and 336 are great though.

I wish Big 5 would get off their duff and build a store closer to me. Closest one is 2 hours away.

 

[9mmdude]

Don't buy all the anti big 5 hogwash. I own 2 Marlin 30-30's that are not big 5 models. I also own 2 marlin big 5 guns. One .44 mag and one .357.

The big 5 models have the plain wood stock. Other than that they are fine. Both shoot great, haven't given me any trouble and price wise they were far cheaper than the 2 30-30's I bought.

Have the manager bring a couple out and pick the best one. Marlin will back any problems you have (I doubt you will have any).

 

[9mmepiphany]

i've also had good luck at Big 5.

mostly mil-sups: enfield #4 mk2 & 1, yugos 98, romo 69 and SKS

what you gain over on-line sales is the ability to handle them...mgrs i've know are happy to bring out a selection from the back

 

[Mauserguy]

I purchased a Big V Marlin six months ago. The wood is unnexceptional, but the wood to metal fit is just fine. I bought it as a shooter, and I think it will prove to be one of my favorite rifles.

I would check out Turners, if you can. The recently had a Marlin 336 with a walnut stock on sale for the same price. I considered buying it for my collector gun, and to use the Big V special as my shooter. At any rate, I am pleased with my Big V Marlin.
Mauserguy

 

[22/22mag]

My Puma .44 mag rifle from Big 5 was not only priced right ,it also shoots just fine very smooth to lever.At the time I couldn't find a .44 mag lever rifle for sale anywere , and the Big 5 store is 60 miles away .

 

[Furncliff]

Spyvie;

You may want to ck. out:

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?t=5071

Some of the folks there are seeing the Marlin 336 at Walmart for under $320.00


Just checked Walmart in Montrose, Co. - Marlin 336 is $318.47 with a sling.

 

[ArmedBear]

I'm very happy with my Big 5 Marlin .357. $399 is a decent deal for that, given that the 1894C in walnut is at least a hundred bucks more, if you can even find one at a shop.

The 336 is not a good deal, though. You can get the nice walnut one any day of the week for close to that price of Gallery of Guns. The 336C's walnut is real nice, the metal is a bit nicer, it comes with a front sight hood and a rubber buttpad.