How bad can Marlin be?

[Berserker]

Is what I thought. Heard how the quality is bad. But I wanted a 1894 in 44mag, and came across one at a dealer.

One screw was buggered and another on the way, dealer said he would get me new ones.

Everything else seemed fine in the store. Get it home, stock is loose. I have never had loose stock. Not even Romanian or surplus.

Take the screws out for the rifle holes, to put on a peep sight. Striped.

I don't know if it is normal for levers or not, but if you open the lever, and do not return as fast as you can, it will jam every time.

I taped the front sight out pretty easy, and can put it back in by hand.


I am going to contact Marlin especially about the stock. I am not sure if they are going to try to blame me for the screws. I was using hollow ground screw drivers too.

Notice the warranty says you must register it in 10 days. What BS.

I want a 45-70 but figured for something like that I wanted a JM. I thought about a Rossi, but wanted an American gun. Thinking about .357 for gf, it will be used or Rossi.

 

[Hack]

New gun?

Return it to Remington/Marlin.

Used gun? Get in touch with CS at Remington.

I picked up a used, but barely fired, 336C 'Remlin' in .30-30 Winchester a couple of weeks ago off GunBroker. Upon inspection, and subsequent tear down (I tear down all guns, new or used), I was not impressed with the quality. My 1980's vintage 336C in .35 Remington, is by far a superior rifle.

Here's the first thing I noticed:



It looks like the tool didn't lift properly upon completion of the machining, causing a saw like kerf. Now this fore end made it past the finishing people, past the assembly people, and past any final QC people, before shipping.

To Remington's credit, and less than 30 minutes after they received the picture via email, they sent a replacement fore end out. No charge, and no need to return the old one. I really had inquired to just purchase one, but free is good! The new one did require a bit of 'fitting' to get it to slip into the receiver. A utility knife and a couple of small slices gave a snug fit. It also was very rough on the inside. I mean end grain fuzzy rough. A bit of 180 grit paper smoothed it out. The barrel band is very tight, but I didn't want to sand that area, so it took a few light taps to line it up. The butt stock, although a nice grain walnut, fits snug. However, the machined area for the top receiver tang, isn't perfect. There is about a 1/16" gap between the rear of the tang and the wood. I think 1/32" (or less) would be acceptable I'm going to leave that alone, as it would be a proverbial 'can of worms' to fit. I may send a pic to Remington, and see what they say.

Upon dis-assembly, the bolt has some really poor machining. The area where the lever inserts is especially poor. The feed ramp needed some filing, as there was a small burr. I gave it a light polish with some 400 grit wet/dry paper to smooth it out a bit, but it could use more. Also I needed to de-burr a number of the parts. Lots of edges that needed attention. It's as of none of the parts were de-burred. The lever has many sharp edges that should be smoothed, but I don't want to mess up the bluing. If I was going to change the finish, I would have smooth everything. The finish isn't top-notch either. A number of areas have way too much bluing and some are thin. Re-assembly was a challenge, as a number of the through holes aren't perfectly drilled. There was a bit of finessing to get it all back together.

Remington has taken a lot of heat from Marlin customers about the poor quality control, and from what I've read on a few forums, are addressing those issues. Unfortunately, there are a large number of rifles 'out there' that got thrown together. And now need attention. I was happy with the customer service I got when calling Remington. Take pictures and be prepared to email them.

When I get a chance, it'll get some range time. I don't intend to install any optics, rather leave it open sights. Everyone should have at least one open sight lever gun. Right?

 

[Jinglebob]

I don't know if it is normal for levers or not, but if you open the lever, and do not return as fast as you can, it will jam every time.

A lever gun should not jam if operated either fast or slow. There is something wrong.

 

[shouldazagged]

Breaks my heart to read stories like this about the Remlins. The Marlins I, my brother and my son have owned have all been silky-smooth, accurate, and beautifully fitted and finished. I keep hearing that those days seem to be coming to an end. If true it's a tragedy.

 

[rwsmith]

The "Marlin man"

The "Marlin man" didn't have any trouble with them. When was the last time anybody saw him??

 

[Berserker]

A lever gun should not jam if operated either fast or slow. There is something wrong.

I had thoughts of this being a defense gun for gf. 10 shots and scary noise when racked, but the way it jams, it won't for now. I hope I can slick it up. But even unloaded it stops when going to slow and then you have to jerk it. Did 200 operations just today same thing at the end.



Brand new.

 

[Mike7.62]

I personally refuse to buy any of the post Remington Marlins. They really are sub standard when compared to the older Marlins. IMO the worst thing to happen in the firearms industry is the consolidation that took place when "Freedom" Group bought Marlin, Bushmaster, etc., etc. The quality in each of these companies went down the tube. Maybe "Freedom" Group will divest themselves of their individual companies and someone with a real interest in turning out quality firearms will purchase them.

Thankfully there are plenty of older Marlins still kicking around in decent shape, and I have most of the calibers that I want anyway, though an 1894FG in .41 Mag would be very nice to find, and an older 39A, and maybe a .375 Winchester...

 

[Berserker]

I can't find a way to email them Customer service just gives phone and address. For warranty they list 7 dealers that handle the country.

Email is nice because you don't have to wait on the phone, and you have a record. Other companies have it.

 

[Smokin' Iron]

This is not the first time I have heard this about Remlins. What a shame.

My first .22 rifle was a Marlin 39A given to me by my late father. It has been perfect over the years and has put many squirrels in the pot with it's near bolt action accuracy. My other Marlin is a 1894CB in .45 Colt with outstanding wood and has never missed a beat. I truly treasure both these lever guns.

How sad it is now that people talk about quality in lever guns being Rossi. It is my sincere hope Marlin can be turned around to the once fine firearms company they were in the past.

 

[AimHigher]

When I was a kid back in the 70's, I had a Marlin .22 semi-auto carbine that used a 10 shot magazine. Long story short, ever 3rd shot would jam. I could never get it sorted out. Just chronically jammed. Was not happy at all and will never buy another Marlin.

 

[finesse_r]

This is really sad to hear. I have quite a few of the older Marlin lever actions and I would never have considered any other brand for a lever action rifle, but then I buy used and not new. I would not touch one of the new ones after the recent horror stories I have heard.

I guess I have to hold on to all my current Marlins, because they are all nicely finished and accurate to shoot.

Too bad. Yet another US gun manufacturer goes down hill after getting new ownership.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I bought my first Marli Model 39 in 1954. Never had a bit of trouble. Several marlins since then, the latest is a Guide Gun 45-70. Older Marlins are fine, the newer ones need some help.

 

[Smokin' Iron]

What is it with the Freedom Group? Do they really think American gun buyers are going to put up with such garbage?

The only thing they have accomplished is driving up the prices on older used Marlins and Bushmasters.

 

[Berserker]

I really like to buy American. But when I can't find something good, I will buy foreign. Usually can find, guns, knives, some tools, trucks, ects that are American. I want a 45-70 it won't be a new Marlin. If I get a .357 for gf, it will probably be a Rossi. Them come with peeps sights too.

 

[perrazi]

freedom group is all about making money. they are not about making quality anything. when the well runs dry, they will divest themselves of the company and move on. they couldn't care less. the quality issue has happened to every gun company they have bought.

 

[hangnoose]

YES IT'S A #'S GAME

Never a problem with my 1952 336sc waffle top, or 1970 336 both in 35 rem. I've heard tons of horror stories of the newer Remlins. Someone always chimes in with how metals are better, newer more precise cnc machining cuts to much closer tolerances etc., etc. YES todays newer consumers are largely ignorant and want to buy impulsively 24/7 at big box or chain stores and get a new gun of lesser quality. QC is almost non existant and big green knows many guns will never be shot, consumers will likely never detect a problem, or be too lazy to send it back if they do. They are playing the odds that the majority of buyers are gonna take it in the kiester and do nothing about it. I've been telling any people that ask, not to buy retail/new for years and getting nothing but grief for it. DO YOUR HOMEWORK, BE PATIENT, and in a ftf sale you will get a better gun used at a much lower cost, plus no tax, shipping, ffl, background/registration fees. I'm very surprised the cost of vintage Marlins hasn't gone through the roof YET, like Winchesters. True Marlin 336's are the best buy going right NOW IMO.

 

[2152hq]

Sounds like the new Marlin leveraction production has done away with the old factory's way of fitting the butt stock to the frame.

They used to machine inlet the buttstock of course. The butt stock would almost slide up on a completely machined but not yet polished frame.
The butt stock and frame were matched assembly numbered at that point.
They went through a process where the stock was force fit the last fraction of an inch onto the frame as the tangs and rear section of the frame were heated to red.
A machine did all the work of handling the pieces in motion, forcing them together at the right moment and the induction heating of the frame. It all took but a few seconds. A perfect fit.

The tang screw was installed at that point along w/a butt plate and the stock w/ frame attached was sent to the wood finishing room for final sanding.

Sanded as a unit a perfectly level finish from metal onto wood onto butt plate was done.
Then they were separated,,the wood went on for it's finish coat and the metal for polishing, heat treat and bluing.
The assembly numbers matched the stock back up with it's frame in final assembly.

CNC still can't quite match that type of fit from all that I've seen.

I agree, older Marlin leveractions can be a great value. Like anything else,,you have to look them over for problems too. But the prices can be a steal in some cases for a beautiful rifle.
Anything w/a New Haven address is pre-68 or 69 when they moved to the North Haven plant. Some old stock barrels were used up at North Haven in the opening months.

The Mod 60/99 22 semi auto,,,I have my 'issues' with that thing...some improvements were made to correct earlier problems. But they ignored some glaring obvious faults for a very, very long time.
Get one of the ones with the problem feed throats for example and it's nothing but that,,a continuous problem.

 

[Frank46]

I have 4 marlins, an old beatup 444s in 444 marlin, a couple 30-30's, a 357mag and a 44mag. Ok that's five. All function well and no problems. One of these days would like to get a decent set of sights on the 444 and go piggy hunting. Then I also have about the same number of winchester lever guns best of the bunch is the win big bore in 375 win. Frank

 

[chud333]

This is really sad to hear. I have quite a few of the older Marlin lever actions and I would never have considered any other brand for a lever action rifle, but then I buy used and not new. I would not touch one of the new ones after the recent horror stories I have heard.

I guess I have to hold on to all my current Marlins, because they are all nicely finished and accurate to shoot.

Too bad. Yet another US gun manufacturer goes down hill after getting new ownership.

This ^^^^ pretty well sums it all up.
I have had several, and still have one model 39A model and they are all well fitted and tack drivers.
If your buying a Marlin lever gun just make sure the barrel has the JM stamp. The new stuff is mostly garbage.

Chuck

 

[Sebago Son]

I was at a large retail gun store not long ago and they had a new stainless 336 laminate in the rack. I asked to see it. I was stunned that it took so much effort to operate the lever. "Rough" I said to the grinning, pimple faced retail clerk. "Oh, that's just because it's new" he spouted. "Everyone knows that it takes 200 rounds for these guns to break in". I handed the rifle back to him. "Really? I asked, "so who pays for that? Do I get 10 boxes of free ammo with this rifle?". The smile quickly fell from his face....