I have both the 1894 and 1895. Bought the .44 Mag 1894 in 1973 took my first whitetail with it. Shot real good and I beat it up over the years. I had Doug Turnbull "clean it up" in his early years. A wise investment. I took my first black bear in 1993 in Canada with a Ruger M77 30-06. Bought the 1895 Guide gun 45-70 a week after I got back. The 1895 guide gun has been my "go to piece" ever since. Fit and finish is fine on the 1895 as was the 1894 when I got it. It's now a piece of art after the Turnbull treatment. I have worked on a couple of newer Marlins. All I will say is "sad". My advice is to get an older one, JM barrel, gold trigger. If it works and shoots ok when you get it, you will be giving it to your kids.

old 1911 fan