Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin Talk "JM" mark?

Looking for an older 444 - several ads mention "JM" stamp on barrel. What does that mean?

It was made before Remington bought Marlin and fully implemented new manufacturing style. I read some of transition guns were still marked JM.

JM stamp on the means it is a true Marlin made in New Haven Ct before the sale to Remington.
Remington bought Marlin and started producing poorly made Marlins in 2008 aka Marlington.
For everything Marlin spend some time here:
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/

JM= John Marlin

As stated above,, "pre Remlin".

JM stamp left side of barrel just ahead of receiver...

Sometimes its not a good stamping though

.

The "JM" was a proof mark that was used to indicate that the gun had passed all inspections. The mark is found on the barrel near the receiver and can be on either side. Remington bought Marlin in 2008 but the JM stamp was continued in use until 2010 when the plant was closed and moved to Remington's New York plant location. Any Marlin made in the North Haven Con. plant will have the JM proof mark, any gun made at the Remington plant will not have the JM proof. All Marlins made before 2010 will have the JM proof mark. The JM is only good for identifying the location where guns made in the year 2010 as all guns made in 2009 and earlier will have the "JM" proof mark. All gun assembled at the Remington plant have no proof or a "REP" proof mark.

Thanks for your help and explanations!

To get a well built 444 look for a pre-safety (as in crossbolt). However the best built ones (as in the oldest) will have a microgroove barrel. The microgroove has a history of poor bullet stabilization beyond 300 to 350 grains. That is heavier bullets than that may not group in the microgroove barrel. The Ballard rifling will do better. I do not know if there are pre-safety 444's with ballard rifling. I shoot a microgroove pre safety, with 300 grain jacketed or less bullets, and am amazed at the quality and accuracy of my 444.

.

" The microgroove has a history of poor bullet stabilization beyond 300 to 350 grains. "

Another gun myth perpetuated by the unknowing. I have several rifles with Micro-groove that I have shot side by side with Ballard rifled guns. With correct ammo no difference has ever been seen in accuracy, the Micro-groove usually has a smoother barrel and is easier to clean. Also the Micro-groove is often the more accurate.

Many reloaders don't know how to make accurate ammo so they blame the gun....specially if it is a Micro-groove gun.

what you said!

Internet lingo for "I can sell it for more". Like folks do with "early" M700's when the lastest outshoot them. $$$, nothing more.

You have obviously not handled many of the Remington era Marlins. JM's command a premium because they are considerably better guns, for the most part. I will not spend money on a "Remlin".

Ditto, Anyone who thinks a Gremlin.....oooops I mean Remlin is of the same standards hasn't had much to do with either vintage. There's a reason a 1970 Hemi Challenger is more than double the price of a new one.

what I have observed with the new Remlins is a poor fit and finish. tapering gap along the tang etc. the new remlin 45-70
set next to my JM 95 looks like something from china or india.
I guess where the rubber meets the road, "function" the remlin
does go bang and after drifting the rear sight a quarter inch right I got on paper. better money spent on vintage JM's in my opinion. oh yeah, bluing sucks on remlins.

Yea I even checked my two older model 60 and they had the JM stampings and my new XT 22 did not. That's a sad day for Marlin.

It means if you see the 'JM' stamp buy it........

It's a repeat of the pre and post 64 Winchester issue. As the years go by, people will be glad to buy a "Remlin".

That being said, I really didn't get the pre-64 winchester issue, until I owned one. I was more than happy with current manufacture, and still have them. But they are not the same as a pre-64. And prices reflect the difference.

We are headed down the same road with JM vs. REP

Do yourself a favor... avoid the crossbolt safety guns
(1983 to now) and you won't have to worry if it's JM stamped.

Nothing wrong with the X bold safty JMs. I've owned a number of them with no issues what so ever and If they bother you that much, you can always disable them.