Marlin 1895 question

[moonrunner02]

Shooters,

I'am in the market for an 1895 guide series in 45-70... either an SBL or GBL. I'am reading alot now in my research that getting a pre 2007 "JM" stamped model is the best route to go. Now im not sure if the SBL or GBL were made then but that seems to be a general consensus on 1895's. My main question is. Does any one have pics of the actual stamp or can tell me where to find it on the gun,is it by the serial number etc. Also is 2007 the year that marlin was acquired by remington? I've wanted one of these for years, and now having the means, it would seem that now is not the opportune time to purchase. any info would be great.

Cheers,
MR

 

[Salmoneye]

JM stamp is on the barrel in front of the receiver...Can be on the left or right...

 

[lowerunit411]

dec of 2007/jan 2008 is when the actualy ownership change was made. i love the 1895 and have several of them. all are pre-marlington. i have noticed that it is getting harder to find the pre ownership change guns. i see a few on gunbroker etc but far more "nib" models

 

[moonrunner02]

Perfect thanks for the info

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've got a 2009 .338MarlinExpress that has the JB stamp. It's on the barrel, near the reciever on the left side. I believe that it was assembled post take-over, but by former Marlin employees before move, ect.....
Rather than be concerned about exact age, just look at the particular rifle. The ones I've seen have all been "OK" except for a couple of .308ME's at Academy Sports that even on the rack, from the counter you could tell they had the "barrel droop" issue.
Even this isn't that bad if you're not going to scope the rifle. And, even then you can shim the rear base to correct for that.

I've got a circa 2003 1895GuideGun. It is quite accurate and hasn't seen a jacketed bullet since I bought it in '06. I had a scope on it, but removed it and put a Williams Guide Reciever sight and fire-sight front blade on it. I have taken several deer with it, with total satisfaction.

I would just look at the particular specimen and decide based on it's particular fit and finish. Personnally, I wanted one with the Ballard style rifling and WITHOUT the porting that some have. This made more difference to me than actual age, though I had a circa '80's .45/70 that had microgroove rifling and was very selective about what it would shoot well. My GG is much more tolerant of weights and designs....

 

[Sheepdog1968]

This past summer I bought a new Marlington 1895 SBL. It is off at a gunsmith to get it fixed to the way it should have been when it left the factory. I bought it eyes wide open as I really wanted one and couldn't find one new or used. If you can find one used like you said, that would be the way to go IMO.

I had a friend who went to the SHOT Show that just ended in Vegas. I had him speak to the reps on my behals about my six defects from the factory. They apologized and said they are aware of the issues and plan to have them resolved by the middle of this years. My fingers are crossed.

 

[DPris]

The JM is meaningless in determining where the rifle was made.
Many guns were built at the new Remington plant using JM-marked barrels from the old plant.

You still need to inspect a recent Marlin levergun closely to decide whether or not to buy.
Denis

 

[Googleplex]

Here is what I hear: "Marlin was bought by FGI (the same holding company that owns Remington) in late 2007. However, the North Haven plant wasn't closed untill 2010. So long as you get an 1895 made between 1998 and 2010, you oughta be doing well." That's what I hear.
I'm planning on buying on 1895G sometime soon. Everything I have seen suggests it to be an exceptional rifle. If you want to determine the age, Marlin had a unique system up untill 2010 where if you subtracted the first two digits of the serial number from 100, you had the year of manufacture. Rifles made in 2010 and afterwards have MR at the beginning of their serials. I plan to stay away from any MR stamped rifles, but since the guide gun was first made in 1998, I don't have to worry about whether my rifle has micro-groove or ballard rifling. Since 1998 all rifles had ballard rifling. Supposedly, ballard is easier to use cast bullets in, but I've heard people say it doesn't matter. Personally, I would play it safe and shoot for ballard rifling anywase.

Oh, and there is one exception to the serial number dating system: rifles made in 1972 have a B. 1973 was the first year of the serial dating.

 

[DPris]

Well, no.
Products began to decline markedly during the last year of the old plant production.

Again- inspect any recent Marlin levergun closely before you commit to it.
Denis