With Shot Show and all the new things coming out, I just visited Marlin's website and just saw that they are listing the 1894 in 357magnum/38special in a 20" (blued with a straight grip) and a TRAPPER model! (actually two trapper models! - both stainless steel with the pistol grip)

They also have a 44mag/44spl trapper listed (stainless steel with the pistol grip).

And a 1895 Trapper in 45/70 - but I think the pistol grip stock is painted hardwood. They don't specify, but it looks the same as the one of the 1894 357 Trappers which says "painted hardwood".

The trapper models all have the pistol grip stock - I'd prefer the straight grip stock - but hey, I'm NOT complaining.

Thank you Marlin!!!

Now I need to come up with some CA$H.

What is the verdict amongst you all regarding current production Marlin’s? I love their offerings, but I keep hearing the “Remlin’s” are to be avoided and if a Marlin is what one wants one should get a JM model.

I haven't fired of the "new" ones but have handled several. When the transition first took place the guns I saw were pretty bad. Stock fit was awful. No way I would've owned one. The more recent models I have inspected look to be very good. I would not hesitate to buy one, and may do just that with a GBL 45-70. A friend of mine just purchased an SBL and I am waiting for a shooting report from him.

Dan

Great info thanks, and thanks to OP for getting this talk started.

A few months ago I bought a new Marlin 60, plopped a scope on it and took it to the range. I sighted it in and this is the first target from a sand bag at 25 yards, 10 rounds of CCI Standard. I think the RemLins are just fine.

Stu

I bought a Marlin 'Papoose' last fall. The quality is very good.

I'm leaning towards the 1894C - 357 with a straight grip walnut stock and 20" barrel.
I just want to make sure the stock is well fitted.

I’ve handled a few Marlin lever guns that have rolled through or LGS. The wood is all very poorly fitted. Actions are rough. Over on the Marlin Owners and Cast Boolits forum there are a number of horror stories.

The big issue to me is all the complaints with the repair/warranty work. I understand guns are made by humans and the current gun business model is to let the customer do the final QC check. The sad part is the returned guns often get sent right back to the customer in the same or worse condition.

For new production lever guns I like the Uberti and Pedersoli line.

If you can get past the tube loading method the Henry brand is very good with great customer service.

If you can get past the lawyer safeties the current production of Japanese made Winchesters are probably some of the highest quality lever guns ever produced.


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I've been craving a Marlin .357 for some time now, I just haven't been willing to pay the asking price for one. With these being reintroduced I may fulfill my desire. I've bought two Marlin XT 22 bolt action .22s in the past 3-4 years and I've been quite pleased with their function and accuracy so I'm willing to give this rifle a chance. It's bumped the new Ruger PC carbine off the list. (At least for now)

The current issue of American Rifleman has a Marlin or lever action article in which the author frankly talks about the growing pains and machine issues which occurred when Remington acquired Marlin.

I'm confident that these issues have been resolved but the Marlin purchaser must be wary for those older "Remlins" still in inventory or on the used gun market.

Good thing the 357 is newly reintroduced!
No older "Remlins" of this caliber should be in their inventory. Same goes for all the 'Trapper' models.

Where are you seeing these so-called "Trapper" models? The only thing I'm seeing in stainless with a pistol grip are the CST and SBL models. Or are they what you're calling Trappers?

I have several "old" JM Marlins.

For current lever guns, I'm leaning towards Henry.

I'd like to get a Henry in 327 Federal and one in 41 Magnum.

My most recent lever gun purchase was a Marlin 39A made in 1956.

Bought from a friend. He also has a 357 Magnum JM Marlin and I keep reminding him that he ever wants to let it go, let me know.

Marlin 39A

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16 & 1/2" barrel makes it a trapper.
Marlin made them in the '90s - I have a 'Model 1894P' in 44 magnum I bought new back then.
Winchester made them, and I think Henry and others are still making them.

Check out the Marlin website:
"1894 CSBL"
"1894 CST"
"1894 SBL"
"1895 TRAPPER"
also "1895 MODERN HUNTER" listed under the 'CUSTOM SHOP'

Marlin has had the "336Y" (youth model) in 30/30 with a 16 & 1/4" barrel for a long time, but that has 12 & 3/4" length of pull 'pistol grip' stock and has never really interested me.

BTW, in the recent movie "Wind River" the main character, a fish and game warden, carries a 1895 stainless, scoped, guide gun.

Helps out an FBI woman in an investigation.

See his setup in this site.

400 Bad Request

Chris Pratt had one in "Jurassic World".
The Marlin website still has a T-Rex pictured among the suitable game at the top of their webpage for the 1895SBL.

Edit: I see that is on your link as well.

It appears to me the two movie producers used the same exact gun, not just same model, but same gun.

Might have to get one of those 357 rifles. Put on an octagon barrel. Brown themetal, then fire blue the screws, and rust blue the lever. Finish it off by carving a new stock from a super fancy blank.

Have a look at these stock blanks Rifle Blanks & Mannlicher stock blanks - Turkish Walnut - High Grade Classy Walnut Carbine Blanks for Custom Gunmakers

I have a few Marlins from approx 1900 to 1970 and have owned many
in this age bracket give or take a couple yrs. I have had no problems with
any of them except a firing pin, ejector,ect on the old ones. I've also had
a lot of 1970- end of JM guns taken on trade. In the late 80s you could
start to see quality slip on fit and finish, not so much functional. I can't
say that on the Remlins. The last 3 yrs due to Ohio deer rifle season I
have had several new 1895s brought in for me to look at mostly feed
problems, I just tell them to take them back and have Rem fix them. I
had one 336 30/30 brought in with barrel off top dead center brand new
in box. I wouldn't buy a Remlin for myself. The percentage of glitches
they are putting out along with Customer Service horror stories is enough
to keep me away. Some guys hit the lotto and get a good one, what can
I say? A JM from 70s feels like it's on roller bearings compared to new ones.

I wish they would make model 39 in various configurations again. Although Henry has given them a real beating while they were lolly gagging around.

Hey Stu,

So when are you gonna sight it in? LOL!!

NICE!

I won't make you jealous by telling you I just bought a 1970 1894 SRC on Gunbroker (.44 mag, of course, they weren't making .357s then). It's sweet. I put a Williams receiver sight I'd been saving on it, but haven't gotten to the range with it yet.

Love those peep sights on the lever actions. I have a model 94 that is old enough to have factory installed screw holes for a Williams Peep sight which I have mounted. Sweet little thing indeed. While I would love a Marlin on .45-70 my little 30-30 does just fine-and it's a lot cheaper to feed!!!

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Forum consigliere

I have purchased several so-called "Remlins", which have proven to be excellent in appearance and function. Some have had some roughness when chambering a cartridge, which proved to be hanging on a rough edge in the stamped extractor. I removed the extractor and stoned the bottom edge to remove the burr, which solved the feeding problem. The cartridge now slips smoothly into the face of the bolt and feeds into the chamber without scraping.

Some recommend bending the extractor for a looser fit around the cartridge. i find that unnecessary after addressing the root problem, and easily overdone.

It's best to use round-nosed, flat-point bullets for smooth feeding. However with the cleanup suggested above, I can use semi-wadcutters with little difficulty. Even .38 Spl and .44 Spl feed okay, but not as reliably as magnum cases.

The original trigger has two pieces, part of safety requirement imposed by lawyers. This leaves the trigger free to flop about until the slack is taken up. This is annoying, but has no effect on accuracy. However the typical 6.5 lb trigger pull is objectionable.

I replaced the triggers with Wild West versions. There is still makeup slack, but there is a spring to eliminate the flop. The trigger pull comes down to a nice but safe 2.5 to 3.5 lbs.

.357 Magnum is very pleasant to shoot, accurate and hard hitting (1600 to 1800 fps). .44 Magnum definitely thumps your shoulder, but no more than .30-30. It does make you wonder why you can tolerate them in an handgun . IMO, .44 Magnum is the most versatile pistol cartridge for a lever gun.

Nothing is quite as smooth as a Winchester 1873, and Uberti makes an excellent clone. They are heavy, with a receiver over 8" long, and the toggle-link action is too weak for anything more powerful than factory .357 Magnum. Their reliable feed makes them the favorite for cowboy action.

I heard a rumor that Marlin will also start making the 444 again. 20 inch barrel. half magazine and an end cap on the fore stock. So possibly another option for a lever.

I have one I bought new in the early '70's. Mine is the 24 inch barrel with a montecarlo stock , half magazine. Love the cartridge.

I saw a number of the first Remlins that were terrible. My dad ordered one that had to be returned to Remington for terrible bluing. When it came back, the note inside the box said "reblued and repaired headspace issue". We had no idea the headspace was off as well! I've had my hands on several of the latest ones and they seemed much better as far as fit and finish.

I had the same thought when I shot .44's out of a Win. '94 I recently bought. I thought the carbine would provide more dampening. It was not over powering by any stretch, just surprising.

I cannot figure out why the lesser appointed CAB models are going for almost $1100 while a regular checkered model is retailing for $300 less. The octagonal barrel is no excuse for such a hike. I'm turned away by the higher prices.

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This≠DodgeCity&You≠BillHickok

...I bought an 1894 44 mag last spring...I'm very happy with it so far...nice piece of wood on it...

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A Country Boy Can Survive

Winchester Trapper 94 AE in 357, 44 or 444 Timber are all extremely accurate. MOA is doable with all three.


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Bought a new 1894 in 44mag 3, maybe 4 years ago. Had been wanting one but heard all the horror stories so stayed away. Spotted one at a LGS and asked to look at it. Nice wood with not to bad fit. The bluing was very nice, deep black and even all over. A couple hundred rounds smoothed out the action nicely. A (can't remember the company) trigger and spring with a Skinner peep rear sight turned into a great shooter. Fun rifle!

I am far from a Marlin expert, first one was a GBL made in 2012 that was pretty bad. I got it cheap because it had already been refurb'ed once by Marlin. Lots of tool marks inside the receiver and plenty more if you removed the buttstock.

My 2014-made SBL is much better.

With this said, if you don't mind the brass tube, the Henry is simply a better made gun for about the same price. Wood is MUCH better which isn't saying much when we're comparing it to laminate or plastic coated.

The Japanese Winchesters are excellent but, given the cost and the quality of the finish, just don't strike me as the sort of rifles you take out into the field. I scratch a $700 Marlin or Henry and shrug. A $1500 Winchester...a bit more heartburn.

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Psalm 27:2

Well it's September and I'm STILL waiting for that 1894CSBL Trapper! I don't think any have left the factory except for the ones Marlin took to Shot Show. I'm on a list at a LGS. I haven't given up on it yet, but I'm not holding my breath either!

That LGS has a new 1894C, and an 1895GBL.
They had an 1895 Trapper, but I bought it last week!
I took it to the range today and I'm now a fan of 45-70!

I think the fit and finish are good. The action is smooth (better than the 1895GBL they had), and I'm very happy with it.
It is going to get a slip-on recoil pad.

My LGS has an 1895 Trapper in 45-70 and it is calling me..every time I'm there. I have NO use for the gun..but something about it draws me. The trigger is so-so..but the peep sight is nice. Action feels OK. Someone gave me a box of the new Hornady 45-70 rounds and one of them has been on my desk for weeks..staring at me..

I have an 1895GS I bought last year when Remington had the $100 rebates going. I didn't really want one but the price was too good to pass up. The 45-70 is a handful sometimes but it's fun to load and cast bullets for. It's just as accurate as any other lever gun I have and I'm happy I bought it.

Right now a LGS has a new Marlin 1894C .357 18.5" barrel. I'm tempted but I'm not sure yet. I have two 357 Rossi 92s already

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-Matt

That 1894C .357 straight stock 16.5" looks very interesting. I wish the stainless guns had normal walnut stocks.

Here is another Marlin level. 1895 Cowboy in 47-70.

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I recently sold my last Marlin .45/70, an SBL I had bead blasted. While I really liked it, last year's purchase of a Ruger .450 Bushmaster bolt gun spelled the demise of the 1895 in my safe. The Ruger fills that "thumper" role, is much lighter, and no more catching my glove on the loading gate! Yes, I am well aware that an 1895 will handle loads beyond any factory .450BM, but to me it's like comparing .30-06 to .308.

If I get another .45/70 it'll be a GS that I'll thread for a can. Probably go full crazy with black nitriding and a blaze orange Boyd's laminate stock.

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Psalm 27:2

Was at the por...er...pawn shop on Thursday and they had a Remlin 336 Carbine for sale. Had drop dead gorgeous wood and great fit and finish. Smooth operating too. The price was 325 out the door. I called a friend and told him of it. He got me to put a hold on it and within an hour he was there buying the gun. I was at 11 lever guns at that time...12 as of yesterday. The new Remlins are pretty much as nice as most of the older Marlins before Rem. Worn out machinery and not a whole bunch of good smiths to make 'em right was the big problem. New computer operated machines CNC make for more precision

It came!
I've been on the LGS's list since April and they called me last night. It turns out they received two of these from Marlin.
One followed me home! (I paid $950 + background check and tax)

All in all, I'm very happy with it. I don't see anything wrong, or sub-standard. Fit and finish seems to be excellent (or at least very good). The checkering is machined and not as sharp as 'cut' checkering, but it's way better than no checkering or those painted black stocks like on the 1895 Trapper that I bought recently (and I really like that rifle too!).
The action is pretty smooth for a new rifle, and that should only get better. The XS sights line right up.

I broke out my Lyman trigger gauge:
Pulling straight back (parallel to the bore) I got consistent readings around 6 lbs. 12oz.
If I pull parallel to the lower edge of the buttstock, I get between 4 lbs. 15 oz. and 5 lbs. 6 oz., which I think is pretty good.

I don't expect to get to my range until Monday at the earliest, but if this rifle is accurate, I'm going to love it!

Thank you Marlin!

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I was really wanting a 357 lever a year or so ago. I couldn't find a Marlin or Winchester that was at all reasonable. I looked at the Henry and really liked the looks but IMHO that sucker was just too heavy for a 357. It felt more like my 45-70. I wanted something handy and lightweight. I finally got a Rossi. It is handy and lightweight but otherwise I'm not thrilled with it. I might be interested in the new Marlin if it's closer to the Rossi weight than the Henry. I have a Pre-Rem .44 trapper. If the new 357 is along those lines I might have to consider one.

I hope they start building them in 218 Bee, 219 Zipper, 32-20, 25-35 or some other interesting caliber . And please, drop that ridiculous cross bolt safety.

Trappers are so short and handy that it doesn't feel too bad to me.

I have an 1894P (ported 44 Trapper) and a Winchester 94AE Trapper in .357 and this new Marlin feels a bit heavier to me - no doubt from the laminated stock. I'll have to get the other two out of the safe and compare them.
If it does weigh more than those two, I'll just consider it as recoil reduction! (for HOT .357 loads)

The LGS I got this from also had the 18" barreled 1894C in .357 (with the straight-grip walnut stock) and that felt great!
I want that one too, but this is the one I was waiting for. Maybe I'll pick up the 1894C later this year (if it's still there).

I wouldn't count on it, but you should go to their website and email them thru the 'contact us' option. I did that early last year asking for a re-release of .357 and of trappers. I think I wasn't the only one to ask since they actually did it (unless they were planning on it all along).

It doesn't hurt to ask.