Marlin / Ruger 45-70

The OPs rifle is beautiful. I have handled these Trappers and they had several on sale at Cabelas and Bass Pro. Maybe still are, $1199. No JM Marlin ever made is their equal. Every time a fellow posts his new Marlin rifle along come the same bunch with their litany of grievances against Remington. Remington is dead and the Freedom bunch did not hold the Kenna family at gun point to make them sell. The best thing that has happened to the Marlin name in 50 years is Ruger. The JM myth of perfection is just that, a myth. The OPs rifle is a nice piece and congrats to him and many days of pleasure from his purchase is my wish for him.
 
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wmgeorge said:
Plus it gets tiresome when yours is the only complaint I have ever read. There are many happy owners that are not blind or dumb as you suggest. So perhaps your the one with the problem?
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Really? I'm the only one that has ever questioned the quality of Remlins and the early Ruglins?

You can't possibly be serious.
 
FWIW, I believe Trail Boss is produced by ADI powders in Australia , and sold to Hodgdon... just like Varget and numerous others..
https://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2021/02/hodgdon-powder-update-why-are-there-shortages/

And since I just wondered about Australia, a wonderful ally...
The name Australia derives from Latin australis meaning southern, and dates back to 2nd century legends of an "unknown southern land" (that is terra australis incognita). The explorer Matthew Flinders named the land Terra Australis, which was later abbreviated to the current form.
 
wmgeorge said:
Plus it gets tiresome when yours is the only complaint I have ever read. There are many happy owners that are not blind or dumb as you suggest. So perhaps your the one with the problem?
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Trey Veston said:
Really? I'm the only one that has ever questioned the quality of Remlins and the early Ruglins?

You can't possibly be serious.
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Your changing the subject, your comment was about Ruger made Marlins, period. Check out this link to the Marlin rant forum and report back with the new Ruger built Marlin issues and how Ruger does not fix their guns. https://www.marlinowners.com/forums/marlin-rant-forum.109/ there are folks like you on every internet forum.
 
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wmgeorge said:
Helped this old guy who has been only shooting for 70 years keep them in the close groups you see. Next time out, 50 yards... good enough for a deer or bear.
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It sure was nice of you to help that old guy…;) 😆

That’s a very nice looking Marlin. Good shooting too.

Regarding “Trail Boss” I read on the Australian site that they are planning to make it in 2024. One gent mentioned a reformulation of it, I didn’t read that, but it doesn’t mean it’s not true. Some of my CAS friends are chomping at the bit to get some when it’s rereleased. A couple of Australian cowboy action shooters keep tabs on what’s going on with Trail Boss and they have heard the news that it will be made again in 2024. We’ll see.

Regarding Remington made Marlins.
1702647343168.gif
They’re gone. Move on.
 
The Trapper was just on sale for $1149 at Bass Pro and Cabela's and they had them in stock, several at our local store (4 or 5). Hopefully there will be sales again on other models in the future. They sold fast.
 
3Crows said:
The Trapper was just on sale for $1149 at Bass Pro and Cabela's and they had them in stock, several at our local store (4 or 5). Hopefully there will be sales again on other models in the future. They sold fast.
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I missed all the sales, I paid list price as I was just lucky enough to find one. I know 40 years ago they could be had for $400.....
 
wmgeorge said:
I missed all the sales, I paid list price as I was just lucky enough to find one. I know 40 years ago they could be had for $400.....
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There was never a TSBL 40 years ago. I do not remember any stainless steel, all weather laminate stocked, Skinner peep sighted TSBL 16.5 inch hammer forged and threaded barrel Marlin in 1984. Did I miss something? I would pay the difference any day for the Skinners and laminate and in particular the stainless steel. The stainless steel alone is worth the difference to me. Walnut is okay but blued rifles, I have had enough with blued rifles. Any rifle I buy to use, please make it stainless steel. Regardless of some sour puss, the Ruger is the best Marlin yet. Ruger does heat treat pre-process! Old Marlin never could do that. None of these rifles, SBL, TSBL or GBL, STP came on the market until after Remington bought the company in late 2007.
 
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WMG congrats on the new gun, its very nice. You will enjoy it.
My youngest son just bought a New Ruger/Marlin Trapper. I installed a scope on it, and sighted it in for our hunting load. It is a very nice gun, shot excellent, and is backed by a good company.
I have been a Marlin fan for a long time. I have JMs, and 2 Remlins. My Remlins are very nice rifles, with no complaints.
Dave
 
I have a Henry 45/70 for many years now before that I had a Marlin 45/70. I recently installed some skinner peep sites on the henry. Put the target at 100 yards and the total bullseye is 6 inches across. After 3 groups got it zeroed in.
target2.jpg
 
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wmgeorge said:
Surprised he could get one in 357 as they are so new?
I read his Thread over there, looks like they Hate Ruger and about everything else! Thats why I am on THR.
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Birds of a feather flock together.

Hope the info about a new Trail Boss is real. Looking forward to a stainless steel Marlin in .45 Colt. I can only wish. Love that Trapper but I guess I cannot buy them all.
 
Three first hand experiences of feeding and other quality issues with new 1894s. Frankly, I appreciate people's truthfulness. It's interesting how often people say they try to like a Ruger but the Ruger lets them down.
 
dranrab said:
Three first hand experiences of feeding and other quality issues with new 1894s. Frankly, I appreciate people's truthfulness. It's interesting how often people say they try to like a Ruger but the Ruger lets them down.
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But only posted on That forum.... kind of funny don't you think? Did you not just buy one, no that was Trey sorry...
 
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Pat Riot said:
It sure was nice of you to help that old guy…;) 😆



Regarding “Trail Boss” I read on the Australian site that they are planning to make it in 2024. One gent mentioned a reformulation of it, I didn’t read that, but it doesn’t mean it’s not true. Some of my CAS friends are chomping at the bit to get some when it’s rereleased. A couple of Australian cowboy action shooters keep tabs on what’s going on with Trail Boss and they have heard the news that it will be made again in 2024. We’ll see.

Regarding Remington made Marlins.
View attachment 1184572
They’re gone. Move on.
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I have enough Trail Boss for perhaps another 100 or perhaps a few more loads. I am hoping the New batch comes in before I need to switch to something else.
 
I went to the link provided to see what was being said about the Marlins. At post TWO the language was already deep into the vernacular of the peasantry. Language that if used on THR would probably get you banned. I didn't read any further.

Everyone should expect a brand-new product to function as intended right out of the box. A purchaser has the right to be upset when that expectation is not met. When that first benchmark isn't met what counts is how the manufacturer responds to their customers.

Ruger's response over a prolonged period of years and years is consistently GOLDEN. Not a couple of weeks go by without someone on this site lauding their customer service in response to an issue they've had with one of their products.

Rather than deal in abstract comments (I knew someone who knew) or absolutes (What you expect? ALL Ruger's are...) I'll mention some specifics related to NEW Ruger guns I bought.

Over the past decade I can think of 4 revolvers I've bought new that needed something addressed shortly after purchase. Had 2 .45 Colt Birdshead New Model Vaqueros whose base pins kept jumping. Called Ruger and new pins were sent ASAP and no problems since. Bought 3 Single Sevens in .327FM the same day (all three available barrel lengths). Two had loading gates whose clearances were too tight to feed ammo into them without significant effort. Sent back on Ruger's dime and came back fixed. All four guns run like they should and no more issues.

Should I have had to deal with that with a brand-new product? No. Did Ruger stand behind their product and make it right? Yes.

Here's an example of how they treated me with a Ruger I messed up and was not their fault.

Have a Birdshead SSS in .32H&R Mag. Reloads obstructed barrel and caused a bulge. Cause is too long of an issue to discuss here. Sent it to Ruger and they replaced the barrel for FREE even though I explained my reloads were at fault and offered to pay for it.

Speaking of feeding issues (the topic of the discussion that was linked): Bought a Winchester 94AE in .357 Mag off a man that at one time worked for Browning years back who bought the gun new. Came with one box of shells with a few missing. As he explained it to me it used to jam the action with an additional round feeding under the bolt between the lever. This is a known issue with 94's. Said he took it into work and had someone in the engineering dept look at it, said he knew what was wrong and supposedly fixed it. I bought gun, took it to range and it began to misfeed. For all intents this was a brand-new Win 94 as the only rounds put through it were the ones missing from the box. I knew what the issue was and took it to my local smith and he built up the cartridge stop and also had him slick the action up a bit. No need to send to Winchester as I wanted my guy to do the action job. Problem was resolved and gun functions without hiccups since.

Anyway...some folks will take that sampling of one if it happens to them and then generalize an absolute from it i.e. What did you expect...all Winchesters jam!

I'm exceedingly happy with the Ruger's I bought brand new that functioned right out of the box as well as the ones that needed to be sent in and have since run like my antique German key wind regulators.

I'd have no reservations buying a brand-new Ruger backed Marlin. What some foul-mouthed internet yahoo has to say about them has zero bearing on that stance.



 
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I have a 1895 and an 1894 that I bought around 9 years ago so 2013-2014. Whenever Ohio went straight wall legal. They've both been fine rifles. I use a 310 grain hardcast in the 1894 that is a little catchy if you baby cycling the lever but I believe the penetration it gives over a 240 grain XTP is worth it. Even though the XTP cycles flawlessly. I dislike the crossbolt safety very much it's almost saved a few deer lives.
 
I have an 1895G. I use AA5744 for almost every load. I think there is a load for it for all calibers and all bullets. Glad you’re enjoying your new rifle. Mine has a ported factory barrel.
 
I’m a Ruger fan. But Ruger, IMO, has issues like every other manufacturer. It happens.

I love my 10/22’s, and my GP100. I really like my SFAR and my Mk3 22-45. I carry my LCP Max often but only because it’s easy in the pocket.

I’m looking forward to adding a couple bolt action and lever guns in the next couple years…

I’d add a lever action .22 tomorrow if they made the Marlin!
 
nick22 said:
. I dislike the crossbolt safety very much it's almost saved a few deer lives.
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Remove the CBS can be easily done by using the removal kits from RPP, BTM, WWG and a few others. The easiest way is to not remove it but to lock it open. This is done by removing the rear stock, look up into the rear of the receiver and on the right side there is a tiny screw. Behind that screw is a small spring and a ball. You can just run the screw in coil binding the little spring or remove the spring and run the screw in. This will lock the CBS in either position so you will want to lock the CBS in the off position. Some remove the screw, spring and ball and put them away and then use a grub screw of appropriate length to lock the CBS by engaging the detent. Put some 242 on the grub screw.
 
The Ruger-built 1985s seem to be rare. Mine is the only one I've seen and I've been in several large chain gun departments. I wanted mine the moment I picked it up and have no regrets. It's smooth, tight and very well finished. From my main stand this last season the longest shot I could expect was about 75 yards, so my scope is on at 50 yards. I know that's close for any accuracy claims but this rifle will put Remington 405 gr loads on top of each other one after another.
 
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