Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General What are the new Marlins like?

Considering picking up a new 45-70 lever action and the Marlins sure are priced good. The basic 1895 goes for as low as $529 on Gunbrokers.

How do these new Marlins perform since Remington took them over? I am guessing they are still made on the same old equipment that Marlin used to use.
Do they seem like a good buy for the money?

From what I'm reading, few people like the new "Remlins" as they're called. Lots of quality control problems, including something called a droopy barrel. It seems that the receiver was not threaded properly on many guns and the barrels point downward with the result that there isn't enough correction in the sights to hit point of aim. Remington has since addressed the issue but I'm sure that many such defective guns remain in user hands.

There's much more information over at the Marlin forum.

Thanks, I did learn the quality was improving but everyone said make sure you inspect them before buying. So no online purchases.
Plenty of happy owners on the Marlin forums. Still looking for one but might end up with a Henry simply because I never owned a Henry before.

Checked out a SS Guide gun a few weeks back and the rear sight was machined 5 degrees or so off to the right. Couldn't get a correct sight picture and no chance of adding a XS scout rail.

Find one made before the company sold. Within a month of Rem taking over, our local dealer refused to handle a Marlin product. The return rate was killing him.

Been doing my research and seems quality has improved based on the number of new happy owners on the Marlin forum. But the best advice is to inspect before buying.
I did pick up a Henry 45-70 but it has not arrived yet. Anxious to give it a work out. With luck I'll find a suitable Marlin next week.

I'm an old guy with a damned long memory. Screw me once, your fault; screw me twice, my fault. I try not to give second chances. Companies adopt business models and practices for a reason, with eyes open. Like the junk that US car manufacturers put out a few decades again, then start bleating stuff like "Quality is Job One". We've seen the light and turned over a new leaf. Yeah, right. They only changed because imports ate their lunch.

Remington/Marlin screwed the pooch, IMO. I'm an old guy not likely to buy (many) new guns. It's enough of a challenge feeding the ones I have and keeping them running.

All that said, I'm glad some are finding the newer Marlins decent.

Paul

put another hundred or so into it and get a late 90's, early 2000's 1895G. the new ones look cheap. crappy matte finish, cheesy laminate stocks and ugly checkering. and thats IF they work good.

i would not buy a new one as long as i could get a decent older one. and i own a lot of marlins from 50's to the late 2000's.

Friends don't let friends "buy" Remlins....Remington made Marlins. There is enough JM made Marlins out there you don't have to consider a Remlim.

Doc

Not buying one is the best option, but if you do then only buy one that you can inspect in person.

Canted front sights, rear sight milled off of vertical, rough bolt manipulation and crappy fitted stocks are just a few of the potential issues that you'll find on the Remlin's.

I picked up 6 different new 1895's during my travels last week. None of them had canted sights and all had reasonably smooth actions. But the fit of wood to metal was absolutely terrible. We are talking about 1/16th of an inch gap (or larger) where the stock meets the side of the receiver.
I really wanted to buy one of these but will pass until Remington takes their head out of their ass and comes up with better QC.

The May 2014 issue of Rifle magazine has an excellent article by Brian Pearce on the problems with Marlin's purchase by Remington. He does not pull any punches. He goes into a fair amount of details on what the problems were/are.

I don't think I've ever read an article about a gun manufacturer that was so critical of a company.

Steve

so if my local shop has a 44 magnum for 500 how do I tell if there are problems with it. I know next to nothing about lever guns.

1/16" gap- they are getting better!

I handled 14 different Remlin guide guns in September, when I was looking for a stainless guide gun. Horrible wood to metal finish, canted sights, actions that felt like they were full of sand. But.....#15 was nice, everything as it should be, and shoots great.They're getting better, but I wouldnt buy one without being able to inspect it. There's still a good bit of old stock out there (2010-2013) Here it is with my chopped JM 1895S...

I handled a Remlin 336 matte finish laminate stock 30-30 priced new at $399 yesterday. Don't care much for the matte but could make due. Generally like laminates, at least better than plastic or light colored wood, but the action was too rough. Not a bit of slickness to it... Read somewhere they're shutting down the Marlin plant? It's truly a shameful time for the Big green R.