New VS old Marlins???

[cherzog]

Have been thinking about getting a 45/70 and can't decide which route to go. I have a couple marlins in other calibers that were made in the 80's and 90's. Most of the 1895's that I see used are $100 or more than a new one could be had for. I know I read that there were quality issues when Remington first bought them. Does anyone have any experience with the Marlin lever guns of recent production?

 

[RCArms.com]

Every one of the new Production ones that I've seen has been of decent quality fit and finish and the hand function was smooth.

I tend to think its much to do about nothing, but I understand the desire to own an original Marlin over the later ones.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

My marlin 336 bought in Nov of 2013 is "good to go".

 

[Jlr2267]

Just check the gun out before you buy. The new ones are hit-and-miss, at least a couple years ago they were. I bought a new production (Remington) 1894C a while back, and I was not real happy with it. It functioned ok but had some annoying quality issues. I sold it at a loss. On a positive note, however, I have heard that their 1895's are back at a respectable quality level. Personally, I would pay the same money for a good condition pre 2007 model, but no more.

 

[Hawkman]

My recently purchased 1895G has been problem free.

 

[hentown]

You wouldn't happen to be Hawkman, the Baptist, would you?

FWIW, I've read a few accounts that the modern 39As are inferior to the older ones.

 

[Jim NE]

Are the new Marlins still made in the US ? I've thought about getting one of the new low end 30-30's because they're priced right.

My older 1895 45-70 is a gun I rarely shoot, but I can't bring myself to sell it, as it's so smooth and accurate. It has no checkering on the stock, which I've been told, put's it in a certain era, I think about 30 years ago. Haven't compared it to new Marlins though. I'd shoot a 30-30 more than a 45-70 (old shoulders ).

 

[rule303]

I have seen quite a few recent production Marlins lately. They have all been acceptable. A few years ago you couldn't have given me one. The only gripe I have is that the wood finish isn't as nice as the pre-Remington guns. There were a lot of issues when they first switched, but they seem to have figured it out.

 

[cherzog]

Thanks for all the info. This is the new one I was looking at http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/41011/Marlin+4570+22+WAL. Maybe I'll keep trying to find something local to look at before buying.
Hey Jim.... I'll buy you the 30/30 and trade ya for your 1895 if your shoulder is tired of the recoil once and for all

 

[Old Dog]

I recently compared my 336W (older JM production) that I picked up some years back at a Wal-Mart to a brand-new 336C at Sportsman's Warehouse. Whereas my 336 has a nice blued receiver, nice even finish on the barrel and decent wood (for a birch stock), the new 336 I looked at (retailing for about 150 bucks more than mine cost new) had horrible, shallow checkering, a dull almost matte finish on the receiver and barrel, and the stock was just ... heinous. Some bizarrely striped laminate faux wood looking crap ... And the new fatter fore-ends ... why? They ruin the feel of the rifle.

The 1895 in .45/70 I just looked at down at my LGS -- new Ilion NY Rem-lin -- was simply horrid. The "checkering" on the stock was so shallow it was almost invisible. The fit and finish, frankly, stunk -- there was a gap between the bottom of the receiver where it met the stock. Marked at about 650 bucks, uh-uh, no way.

I'm sorry, but I haven't seen a new production Marlin that comes close to even most of the older budget models. There's a very, very good reason the used JMs are going for more than the new Rem-lins.

 

[DPris]

QC issues on Marlin leverguns over the past two years were very real.
Inspect one carefully in person for fit & function before laying down cash on a new one.
Denis