A local shop has an 1895 Guide Gun in 45-70. It's in excellent condition. I wrote down the date code (RJ) on the barrel and checked it when I got home. I came up with Nov/16 for a date.

At what production date are the Remlins generally considered to have been built acceptably well?

After 2014 they got better. They were never top notch. But they were passable

My 1895 is a 2016.

After the usual tuning of the internals on any Marlin lever, and replacement of that Gawd Awful big loop, it's as smooth and reliable, and accurate, as any of my JMs.

My Remins are as good as my JM’s but the Remlins look better.

Maybe we should start to call them Marlingtons, I have 2 and despite all the negativity they are quite nice rifles. Just saying.....

This one is the same as the original Marlin Guide gun, walnut straight grip stock without the ported muzzle.

I've had two remlin 1895s. The first, circa 2010-11, had really poor fit and finish, but the later one (2014) is pretty nice. I got rid of the first one.

I think the Remlins' reputation never recovered from the bad rap they got for their early models.

I had one from about that period. Really nice rifle. I wish I still had it.

What loop did you replace with for your remlin?

Did you buy it...?

WWG Stainless Big Loop x 2 .

Sheriff,

Went to the shop this morning, rifle sold. No biggie, I have one anyway, but I was going to try to work a deal.

Sorry I missed your question.

Just a standard factory lever off ebay.

I like the look/ functionality of that loop better than the big loop. I may have to get one like that for mine

Did that lever come from a Marlin 336?

I believe it did if I recall correctly.

Same experience here. I have a 336 made in 2013 and it's a fine little rifle. Have killed a pile of whitetails with it, always worked great and fit and finish are perfectly acceptable.

some of the early ones were just horrible, sights are canted, wood to metal finish is appalling....but they got better in the end.
they are comparable to a Winchester m94 and a Mossberg m464, its good, but not as good as the original 94.

Early remlins had kind of a sharper edge on the metal , just felt different on the lever, fit finish and some had real problems. I would stay away from the early ones, took Remington time to learn how to build lever guns, ( they didn’t bring the experience with the product) had to do a re-boot on the whole program, some good reads if you search on line.

I agree that the later ones are better. I’ve seen some early remains with crooked sights. My later models fit and function is pretty decent.

I have a 1894 in .357 made in 2019 and its every bit as good as my sons 336 from 1973. Fine rifle! Shoots and functions well.

'10-'14 were the questionable years

Or after if they were built on Mondays & Fridays

hard to beat a real Marlin

2007 45 Colt

I have a 2016ish Remlin 1894 .44 magnum. Fit and finish are great. Accurate and fun to shoot.

Ron

I also have a 1990’s 1895 with a 22” barrel and micro groove rifling. It’s a sweet rifle.

Ron