Well, all be darned. Always wanted to try a new Marlin SBL, but only saw one with my eyes but never had an opportunity to get one. Well guess what, i found one today for sale new at the hardware store, brand new and it was an 1894 SBL 44mag. So i bought it. My first and only Remlin. My marlins are all older.

Suprisingly the machining inside the reciever is superior to my old Marlin 1894 and the action is super smooth. I tried the trigger pull and its the heaviest, stagiest, most awful thing ive felt on a Marlin but it can be remedied.

These had always been unobtanium to me but i get to finally try one. There was an 92 model 45Colt carbine sitting next to it and its tempting but i dont need it.

Good for you! They wound up making good rifles, imho. Maybe Ruger will, too.

Nice

It has an ultra slick action. More so than my old JM Marlin 44mag.

While the machining is extremely well done and accurate, better than my old marlins, the final fitment isnt good or complete. Theres extremely dangerous sharp edges on the bolt and around the ejection port. Before i even shoot this im going to disassemble the action and break all the sharp surfaces and burrs with some small stones and emery cloth. Some of these surfaces are far sharper than most peoples knives.

I suspose it can be said that theres more to these levergun designs than just accurate good machining. The macbining needs to be well done, but the interfacing and fitment is equally important. Thats were its hard because attention to detail and fitting isnt done by a robot or CNC machine and it takes a little time and labor. Something thats lacking today.

musta got UR joe check...........

Nope. No check. Just found one for sale at the local Ace Hardware and ive been looking for several years. Cost me $999 so the price was better than some used rifles ive purchased.

Those are very nice rifles how is it working out for you with the rifle.