New Lever Guns from Marlin!!!

[6GUNSONLY]

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.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

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!!!

 

[Neumann]

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.

 

[RoyM52]

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.

 

[diyj98]

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 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.

 

[fishwishin]

.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

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.

 

[forrestinmathews]

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.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

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

 

[350mag]

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


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Collo Rosso]

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!

 

[hkcavalier]

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.

 

[Not Getting Any Younger]

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.

 

[Breakaway500]

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..

 

[Dieseltech56]

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

 

[SLT223]

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

 

[Cal44]

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

 

[hkcavalier]

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.

 

[Skeet 028]

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

 

[Not Getting Any Younger]

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!

 

[Not Getting Any Younger]

A few more pics: