I bought a brand new .45-70 Marlin and couldn't be happier. At least until the $100 rebate gets here anyway. I looked it over carefully in the shop and couldn't find a flaw on it. It's for my son who is in the North Carolina NG and graduates basic training in two weeks. He wrote me a letter saying he really wants a .45-70 so now he's got one. I had better shoot it to make sure it works.
How's the checkering ? Clean and sharp ? I've looked at several here over the past few months and the checkering has been terrible. Personally, I wish they'd just quit doing it alltogether.
Hold it upside and see if you can work action. The one I just bought seizes up and is going back to Marlin right out of the box. I'm sure they'll get it fixed and after the rebate I'm only into it for $380. The checkering on mine is serviceable but not what I would call a quality job, from the crushed wood fibers I would say it is pressed into the wood instead of being cut, Remington always did have a fetish for that hideous pressed checkering.
I bought an 1894 in 2012, that was awful. The one they replaced it with was great. Supposedly they re-did the line. There were reports of some awful rifles being made after they were bought. Hopefully they got it straightened out.
What some old timers forget, the marlin jam, was invented being Remington bought them, and it was not always roses.
Ordered one myself. The GBL. Pistol grip stock with big loop. I probably prefer a slightly smaller loop but I want it fitted at the factory. I bought one that was supposed to be drop in, and everyone said there's was drop in. Mine required quite a bit of filing. Learn alot about the gun though.
Hold it upside and see if you can work action. The one I just bought seizes up and is going back to Marlin right out of the box. I'm sure they'll get it fixed and after the rebate I'm only into it for $380. The checkering on mine is serviceable but not what I would call a quality job, from the crushed wood fibers I would say it is pressed into the wood instead of being cut, Remington always did have a fetish for that hideous pressed checkering.
Ordered one myself. The GBL. Pistol grip stock with big loop. I probably prefer a slightly smaller loop but I want it fitted at the factory. I bought one that was supposed to be drop in, and everyone said there's was drop in. Mine required quite a bit of filing. Learn alot about the gun though.
I probably wouldn't buy a used one. But when you read up, Marlin Jam is not new. I told myself, I would just stick with bolts and pumps. But then read about rebate, and Buds has $100 less than they used too, I believe.
I could give a crap about checkering. Cosmetics are for chicks. I am concerned about reliability. But you got to Marlin Owners group, and they will tell you every JM was great, and all the Remlins are junk. I am gambling they retooled and it worked out.
I don't know what operating it upside down has to do with a darn thing. There are some great youtube videos showing lever action operation.
Only rifle without problem is my old 700, I wonder why bother with much else. My 760 can be funny. Savages are accurate when they work. My 1894 is pretty good. But I put another lever in it. I don't recall factory having issues. Fitted blade seems kinda of sorta to be work.
I'll work this gun alot and check it out under warranty, I hope. My first 1894, had lots of problems. Got to the point, they offered me a refund. Hopefuly it doesn't come to that. If it does, this time, I will take the money.
I am hoping after the retooled, they improved, The last one I got, was good. Remington is a big company, I realize profit driven, and quality can suffer, but they also want to sell guns and make money.
At $380 for a 45-70 Marlin I can risk having to send back a couple times until it's right. It's not like laying out $1100 for a bolt gun that won't shoot.....
Music washes away the dust of everyday life Some people wait a lifetime to meet their favorite hunting and shooting buddy. Mine calls me dad
They are fast. If you have someone at home to sign, it is easy. Also only UPS hubs ship guns, not UPS stores. Maybe some do, like hardware stores. So shipping can be a pain.
Order dies, starline, Hornady 350 jhp, leupold qrw rings, and Warne steel bases. Just need the gun and some powder.
I don't know what operating it upside down has to do with a darn thing. There are some great youtube videos showing lever action operation.
It has everything to do with it because it seizes up intermittently when held upright, about the half the time if held sideways, and 100% of the time when held upside down. Something is going on the action that isn't right.