Marlin Lever Action 2017 Quality

Uncle Duke · Dec 10, 2017

Lots of action this year with Marlin levers here on MDS.

What say you recent purchasers regarding Marlin 2017 quality? Fit and finish? Function issues with new purchases?

They've made recent progress on their quality? They're still nowhere close to the JM days?

Racer Doug14 · Dec 10, 2017

I think they have gotten better. At least equal to the price. I think the 336 was super cheap during Black Friday sales. Most people will say get a Henry if fit and finish is your big concern. I prefer the loading gate on the Marlin.

iH8DemLibz · Dec 10, 2017

I like them.

They leave the machined edges very sharp.

Comes in handy when you forget your knife and have to field dress a deer.

BossmanPJ · Dec 10, 2017

iH8DemLibz said:
I like them.

They leave the machined edges very sharp.

Comes in handy when you forget your knife and have to field dress a deer.

I have wondered the same. My lever addiction continues to grow and I do not have a Marlin. I have given some thought to a 45-70 but my standard Henry just will not do. To me, the only real choice for a 45-70 is a Marlin guide gun. I just do not want to pay JM prices or risk getting s POS new one if they aren’t better.

byf43 · Dec 10, 2017

I bought an 1895CBA (Cowboy rifle. 18-1/2" octagonal barrel) not too long ago.

I've not shot it, yet, but, the fit and finish are pretty darned good.

Yes, the action is a little tight.

After I shoot it, IF it's still tight, I'll probably disassemble it, clean it and slather some Clover 000 or 0000 valve lapping compound into the action and work the action about a hundred times, or so.

Jimbob2.0 · Dec 10, 2017

I bought two 1894s last year and the fit and fish is ok but not what they used to be. Below is a quick summary. Still haven't gotten to shoot them.

1. Marcoat finish looks cheap, it would be ok on a hunting .30-30 but expect polished bluing on guns that are generally bought for cowboy action etc.
2. Machining is ok on par with most Remington products but definitely has some rougher edges and areas where additional polishing would have been needed.
3. Wood is so-so, decent walnut but the checkering feels very mass produced.
4. .45 cycles great and smoother .44 is a little rough.
5. Overall much heavier than my Rossis (which definitely have some rough edges, run great but are really "toolgrade")
6. They would do well to make some more options including a .357

For the $499 each minus rebate I got them for they are nice guns.

Some of the higher line guns may be better.

rgramjet · Dec 10, 2017

I sold a jm 1894pg several years ago. It was a great little rifle. The word "smooth" could not be used to describe the action on my gun. Crunchy was more like it.

My 1895G cycles beautifully. My favorite rifle.

fidelity · Dec 10, 2017

Jimbob2.0 said:
...
5. Overall much heavier than my Rossis (which definitely have some rough edges, run great but are really "toolgrade")
...

I prefer the current Rossi levers (when you can find them) over current production Marlins. Henry, Uberti/Taylor, and Winchester/Browning/Miroku if one can spend more.

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BossmanPJ · Dec 10, 2017

fidelity said:
I prefer the current Rossi levers (when you can find them) over current production Marlins. Henry, Uberti/Taylor, and Winchester/Browning/Miroku if one can spend more.

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I just got a Winchester (Miroku) 1892 in .45 Colt. Extremely nice fit and finish. Action is smooth and the wood is beautiful.

fidelity · Dec 10, 2017

BossmanPJ said:
I just got a Winchester (Miroku) 1892 in .45 Colt. Extremely nice fit and finish. Action is smooth and the wood is beautiful.

Great caliber choice for the 1892. Those guns balance and point like an extension of one's arms.

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BossmanPJ · Dec 10, 2017

fidelity said:
Great caliber choice for the 1892. Those guns balance and point like an extension of one's arms.

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Yes it does. Hate to say it but I think it’s going to give my Big Boy a run for its money as my favorite rifle. It just feels right. It is also quite a bit lighter by feel. I’ll most likely fire it off this afternoon.

John from MD · Dec 10, 2017

The last Marlin 1894 I owned was a stainless .44mag w/ 20 inch barrel. It was made during the last year Marlin was in business. I knew I would have to do some work to it but the price was right so I took it.

The first shots I fired showed headspace issues. :eek:

I could have sent it back but I really wanted it so I filed and stoned the bolt and welded up the lever to get the proper headspace.

Next, I got a surprise when I shot it at 100 yards for accuracy. I got four inch groups off the bench with handloads. :mad54:

It turns out, my bore was .434! I was able to get around this by opening up my cast bullet lube/size die and squeezing the bullet to .434. I never did get better than 2 inch groups from the bench with that gun. As you might guess, I sold it soon after.

My current Rossi 92, .44mag 16 inch will shoot clover leafs with Lyman 430-215 bullets from the bench (when I put a scope on it). The Rossi had fit and finish issues as well but all three of mine never had accuracy issues. I think it is the best buy for the money.

Mini14tac · Dec 10, 2017

I have a new Marlin 1895 guide gun I picked up from Gary (Hog Smiper) when they were running the sale and rebate. For $479 that ended up being $413 after rebate, I could not pass it up. I would say the fit and finish are on par with my 1990 JM stamped 30AS. I have action is every bit as smooth as the 30AS. I have not had the opportunity to get it to the range yet but am impressed with the build quality so far.

Uncle Duke · Dec 10, 2017

Well, John had a horror story for sure. And IH8, I've killed a few with my old 336, but I can't say I've ever field dressed a deer with a Marlin! That's some funny (if also sad) chit right there!

Lots of good reviews and well thought out opinions here. Pretty much along the lines of what I expected, but you never know what you're going to hear. Looking for a good .44 or .45, and Gary indeed had some great deals along with the rebate, but been leery of the new ones. And yeah, Henry makes a nice rifle, but I'm a gate guy too. Hopefully Marlin keeps making progress and heads in the right direction. Be a darned shame if they don't.

Thanks all, much appreciated! You guys get those new ones out to the range, please keep us posted!

zoostation · Dec 10, 2017

If it helps I saw an older used pre-safety 336 at The Gun Bunker in Shrewsbury last week. It was in .35 Remington though.

Uncle Duke · Dec 10, 2017

zoostation said:
If it helps I saw an older used pre-safety 336 at The Gun Bunker in Shrewsbury last week. It was in .35 Remington though.

Zoo, thank you! He's an IP here, but unfortunately never posts. That's one shop I try to visit when up 83, as he tends to have a good selection of all sorts of used rifles. And .35 wouldn't hurt my feelings either, if I happened upon the right one at the right price.

John from MD · Dec 10, 2017

zoostation said:
If it helps I saw an older used pre-safety 336 at The Gun Bunker in Shrewsbury last week. It was in .35 Remington though.

Zoo, I have never been there but go up that way to York and Harrisburg. Does Gun Bunker have any sizeable amount of old rifles or only a few?

Thanks,

iH8DemLibz · Dec 10, 2017

John from MD said:
Zoo, I have never been there but go up that way to York and Harrisburg. Does Gun Bunker have any sizeable amount of old rifles or only a few?

Thanks,

Last time I was up there, the entire right wall as you walk in had used rifles and shotguns. Two levels. Some on the floor and more above those on a shelf.

Probably talking about 30 to 40 firearms.

fidelity · Dec 10, 2017

Uncle Duke said:
... Looking for a good .44 or .45, ...

If you go Rossi, there are still a few 44 Mag and 45 Colt options at Kentucky Gun for $400-500 ...

https://www.kygunco.com/Product/View?ItemNo=95250

https://www.kygunco.com/Product/View?ItemNo=95191

https://www.kygunco.com/Product/View?ItemNo=94962

https://www.kygunco.com/Product/View?ItemNo=95240

Lot of gun for the money. Not that I've been eyeing these or anything.

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John from MD · Dec 10, 2017

I never heard of Kentucky Gun Company. I wonder how many good deals I missed.

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