Looked at a New Marlin 1894 .357 tonight.......

[lionking]

On the way home from work stopped at a local store to get a 20 round mag for the AR-15 and they had one of the newest Marlin 1894 .357 with 20" octagon barrel. I have been itching for one a bit and thoughts of coming tax refund came to mind, but the wood was meh, the bluing ok, basically a no thrills rifle although the octagon barrel is nice and the feel felt good.

It's just the bad rep they have gotten in recent years, I don't know if these new ones are dependable and if Marlin got their act together. What blew me away was the price though with a tag of close to $1000 dollars. Gunbroker search confirms similar price tags. In my mind it should be priced the same as a Henry basically a $700 rifle new.

I want to like it, but when comparing it to a Henry (that goes for less money) even though I prefer a loading gate, or a Miroku made Winchester both the Henry and Winchester exhibit better overall quality. Then there is Uberti 1866 or 1873 as a choice on top.

Marlin is suppose to be known for tough and dependable , even if not as pretty but not the priciest at the same time.

Any thoughts

 

[GooseGestapo]

The FIVE Remlins I’ve aquired have been “keepers”. Only you can decide.
M1895 (2), M1894 .44mag, .308MXLRLR, .338MXLR.

 

[VoodooMountain]

I see marlin has been turning out better lever guns lately. I would spend ~$600-$700 if I really wanted one.

I still think they are too expensive but that's just the law of economics.

I bought a 94 44 mag about 3 years ago. I have only shot a box of ammo through it so far.

Seems to shoot ok so far just plinking around but the loading gate was razor sharp from the factory.

So function seems ok but finish wasnt good.
I gave about $550 or so for it new I believe.

I believe Henry makes a better product though. A lot of guys just cant get over the tube loading.

 

[adcoch1]

I looked at one last week at my local shop, first one I've seen in the wild for a few years, and I thought it was so so. Finish was ok but not great, and the wood sucked. Poor finish and pretty lame fitting, not what i was expecting on an almost $800 rifle.

It was very handy size wise, and it shouldered well, but when I looked down the barrel I noticed the sights were canted. Not enough to make it unusable, but enough to be annoying, and again, not to be expected on a relatively expensive rifle. I put it back and decided a pair of Henry single shots would be a better way to spend that much cash...

 

[lionking]

I looked at one last week at my local shop, first one I've seen in the wild for a few years, and I thought it was so so. Finish was ok but not great, and the wood sucked. Poor finish and pretty lame fitting, not what i was expecting on an almost $800 rifle.

It was very handy size wise, and it shouldered well, but when I looked down the barrel I noticed the sights were canted. Not enough to make it unusable, but enough to be annoying, and again, not to be expected on a relatively expensive rifle. I put it back and decided a pair of Henry single shots would be a better way to spend that much cash...

you pretty much summed up what I thought when I held it also. I didn't notice a sight problem though.

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

The quality sounds disappointing for the price (I really regret selling my 1894- I basically gave it away based on current prices).

The Henry's seem really good though. I'd prefer a rifle with a loading gate ( please make one Henry people!), but I could live with the tube loading.

Maybe a stainless steel Marlin would be a better choice? That would eliminate the so so bluing and maybe some stock issues

 

[Bama59]

I looked at the same model Marlin .357 yesterday , the receiver had a very rough finish and priced around $800

 

[PapaG]

I had one of the originals and like an idiot I sold it. Figured since I still had my Win 92 that little brother and I had built up in the sixties I'd never miss it. I do. Can't speak for the Remlins as all my Marlins are old, 94 44, 336 30-30 and original 336-444, but I've heard some good things.