Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Best Marlin Years and models

I’ve read somewhere on here that there are some later model years marlin Lever guns that are lacking in quality. I want to buy a solid 3030 and a solid 4570. Are there years that I need to consider, or adversely years I need to stay away from?

I am new to lever guns so forgive my ignorance.

Moses,

You will hear to never buy a Remington manufactured Marlin because the only real Marlins were made in North Haven. Admittedly, Remington had some quality issues early in the process, but the later model guns have excellent fit and finish. I have both JM and Remington manufactured guns and like them all. The older Marlins have better wood and the polish and bluing of some of the older JM guns is admittedly better. However, all of my guns look good and are accurate with none of the horror stories that I have seen. Jm guns generally bring a premium, but with patience you can locate a decent deal. I have 2 45-70s manufactured by Remington (a guide gun and an 1895CB) that I love for different reasons. I also have a 2006 JM 30-30 that is a wonderful gun to shoot. Work the action, look at fit and finish, and if possible shoot it before buying. That will provide you the information you need to make a decision. Good luck with your purchase and listen to your gut. I agonized for years about buying a Remington manufactured gun and now have 4 that I am extremely happy with, I regret waiting as long as I did.

Regards,

Kris

The guns produced in the last 5 years or so have all be nice looking, so far as I have seen.
My Marlins were used. Simply because the are no longer made... 1894SS and 1895XLR. I actually traded the 1894SS for the 1895XLR.

1983 (ish) started with the stupid X/bolt safety

although still fine rifles post 1983...some prefer the pre safety

here's a serial number date choice to refer too

When Remington took over...the rifles in question were mfg'd between 2010-2015(ish)

Their serial numbers begin with 'MR' stamped on left side lower receiver

I do not know the date coding on these or care to know

My newest Marlin a 2009...44 Cowboy....IIRC..great rifle

https://marlinspares.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Marlin-Date-codes-ver8-396mb2-1024x791.jpg

Good info.

Thanks for sharing.

DF

I would only buy a North Haven, CT, made Marlin 336 because they were made by people who knew and cared. The people in Mayfield, KY, might have cared, but the they didn't know the 336 like the old guys in CT did.

Also, I prefer the 336As with the 24" barrels and the 336 SC/SD styles as I believe that the 2/3 magazines exert less pressure on the barrels and that makes for better accuracy potential.

I have 336SC/SDs in 219 Zipper, 30-30, 307 WIN, 35 REM, and 356 WIN, plus a couple 336Cs in 30-30 and a 336A in 30-30.

The late Douglas Murray published a paperback book on the Marlin 336 that is, IMO, a must have for anyone with more than a casual interest in the Model 336.

260Remguy,
Is your 336ER chambered in 307WIN a factory made rifle or was it re-chambered for the 307?

Thanks for all of the input/feedback!

This is insightful. I will track down a copy of that book.

OP

simply post a 'WTB' ad in the classifieds

UR being a 24 HR newbee...someone may take you under their arm & make you a deal !

336SC rechambered from 30-30, same/same for the 356 WIN, a 336SD rechambered from 35 REM.

I have read that no 336ERs were chambered in 307 WIN, just the 2,500 or so that were chambered in 356 WIN.

All the newest Marlins are machined very well, because Remington bought new CNC equipment for approximately 80% of all the machining-operations, and also test the tolerances on all critical parts, like receivers.

Now that the new CNC machines are in-operation, and the machine operators have a few years of experience running the new equipment, life is good.

I would not buy a Marlin which was made immediately-after the equipment was first moved to Remington, and machined on old equipment by inexperienced personnel, but wouldn't hesitate now.

Just my opinion.

^ ^ ^ THIS ^ ^ ^

It's a shame they all but killed the Marlin brand,
and ran H&R all the way into the ground.
Shoddy shoddy

I have not handled or seen one of the late models made by Remington. I read that there were a lot of problems with the first few years of production and improved over the last two-three years, but don't take my word for it. I have Marlins dating back to 1952, both a 39a and a 336 from that year, next is a 1964 39a Mountie, then I jump to the later JM Marlins, made by Marlin but with the crossbolt safety. Personally I see no need for the safety, the only time that is a good idea is when emptying the magazine, cycling rounds through the action, it could prevent an accidental discharge. The only one I am not a fan of is the 1897 Cowboy, a 22lr which is basically a 39a, but it has a rebounding hammer which makes an awful whang sound when you shoot. I have learned of a procedure to eliminate the rebounding feature and will probably get around to it soon.

Remlin was a bad deal 4 marlin.

However I look foreword to Ruger marlins!

Don't look past the 1893 93 36 actions.

Marlins are muey Beuno!

I hear everyone talking about how bad the newer remlins are and I beg to ask, have you ever shot or owned one to verify just how good or bad they may be? Speaking from owning a remlin 1895 gbl in 45-70 I can say the fit finish and wood are excellent on mine along with the accuracy. My 45-70 will outshoot some of my varmint rifles. I shot half inch groups with handloads at 100yards with a 5x scope. I like mine to say the least.

I have JM Marlins and I have Remington Marlins. They are equal in value in my experience. I think people just like to bitch or want to keep the price on their JM's high.

Regarding models, I had an old straight-grip 336T 30-30 years ago. Great handling carbine and very accurate to boot.

Colonel brophys book on Marlins is great.

I to had a remlin GBL with laminated wood. It was nicely built and very accurate. When I put it up for sale it sold very quickly.

Colonel brophys book on Marlins is great.

I to had a remlin GBL with laminated wood. It was nicely built and very accurate. When I put it up for sale it sold very quickly.

I love the big bore groups .....with nearly a half inch hole per shot.....makes the groups appear much tighter!