marlin-run away!

[jmorris]

If he read all the whining in this thread, he'd put a revolver to his head and pull the trigger

You guys are beyond nuts.

That wouldn't solve a thing but now I have to wonder if the revolver would have matching grips on each side.

 

[redneck2]

Or, you could go to Turnbull. Get an select English or Turkish walnut blank. Have it hand fit and hand checkered. Get the metal refinished to a deep, rich blue. Have custom gold inlay scroll work done while you're at it. That way, you'd have your nice wood and perfect, hand cut checkering. You know, what you expect.

Of course, you're a fool if you think you're gonna get that for $400. Mebbe $4,000. Or $6,000. Or more.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I bought a brand new budget lever gun... a Rossi M92.... My dealer special ordered it. It was basically a pig in a poke. It came in. The wood had very little stain on it and zero top coat. I didn't get a chance to inspect it before ordering, but wasn't saying no to it based on the wood being drab, because that wouldn't have been fair to the dealer. I paid my money, took it home, rubbed some leftover stain on it and added on a few coats of Tru Oil and then went to shooting.

 

[horsey300]

And there's also the possibility that Bigfoot rode in on a unicorn and did it in the middle of the night. Had space aliens help them.

I worked at the LGS. Nobody that I knew had that kind of ambition to screw somebody over

Dude....for the love of god. It's a cheap friggin' rifle. The fit and finish is a cheap friggin' rifle. Get over it.

Yup, this. Let's not delude ourselves here. For $400-500 I expect a functional serviceable rifle. Why? Because that's what the market offers. This is not new. If you want finer checkering or a better color/grade of wood.....you're gonna haveta pay for it. There are unfinished rifle stocks that cost more than what you paid for the whole gun. I agree $400 is a lot of money, but you did not just spend $400 on a hipoint. If you really want better quality you know what you need to do, I still have a few of grandpa's old marlins, they are what they are, functional. The only Marlin I'd ever consider would be bought simply because I couldn't get the cartridge chambered in any other gun. I am not knocking Marlin or remlin, I am saying that the $400 would be saved towards another goal or dumped into components for ammo to practice with what I already have. I love my old Winchester of grandpa's, I like playing with his Marlin, but essentially, for me, they are the axis of the leverfun world. Fully functional. Lethal. More capable than the average hunter. But right out of the box expectancy of craftsmanship should be kept in check. If there's a problem with any functions of the action, barrel, etc, THAT is an issue. If people didn't keep buying the poorly checkered stocks that don't always match, Marlin would take a look at it, maybe fix it, and raise the price more. The amount of disgruntlement is disproportionate to the issue. Price a rifle that is as beautiful as you were expecting and then ask if you got what you paid for. Marlin didn't make you buy, they aren't making you keep it, and it doesn't sound like the lgs attempted to disguise the flaws. Next time, you'll be more careful with such a large investment I'm sure, but it really seems like you bought a 783 whilst expecting an xbolt medallion.

 

[bikemutt]

OP may want to check Western Gun Parts if it doesn't work out with Marlin directly. They typically sell on gunbroker.com but will sell direct as well. They seem to have a lot of Marlin lever gun stocks available for very fair prices. I've re-stocked several rifles and have always been pleased with their advertisement matching my expectations.

 

[Axis II]

Everyone keeps harping on $400 does anyone know that that's after the sale price and Marlin rebate? Originally $575 rifle so had it been $575 I paid would there be a different tune? I also wasn't aware that Marlin was comparable to a savage axis because Marlin and Henry and the only ones I know of making this 45-70 lever gun. I'm more irritated at the i don't give a **** attitude to send a 2 tone gun with no checkering on the buttstock. I've come to terms with it also and will call Marlin and ask for the correct stock and if they say no who knows I might keep it or walk away.

Yes horsey I have another rifle but it weighs a ton so sucks to carry when I take my southern trips to Appalachia and it was well a $250 rifle. I was just looking for something to make the hunt and practicing a little more enjoyable but looks like that ain't gonna happen. I haven't shot the gun yet cause in waiting to see how Marlin reacts and then I'll make my decision but I'll keep it to myself as to not get everyone all hyped up again and make an ass out of nyself anymore.

 

[MidRoad]

Yup, this. Let's not delude ourselves here. For $400-500 I expect a functional serviceable rifle. Why? Because that's what the market offers. This is not new. If you want finer checkering or a better color/grade of wood.....you're gonna haveta pay for it. There are unfinished rifle stocks that cost more than what you paid for the whole gun. I agree $400 is a lot of money, but you did not just spend $400 on a hipoint. If you really want better quality you know what you need to do, I still have a few of grandpa's old marlins, they are what they are, functional. The only Marlin I'd ever consider would be bought simply because I couldn't get the cartridge chambered in any other gun. I am not knocking Marlin or remlin, I am saying that the $400 would be saved towards another goal or dumped into components for ammo to practice with what I already have. I love my old Winchester of grandpa's, I like playing with his Marlin, but essentially, for me, they are the axis of the leverfun world. Fully functional. Lethal. More capable than the average hunter. But right out of the box expectancy of craftsmanship should be kept in check. If there's a problem with any functions of the action, barrel, etc, THAT is an issue. If people didn't keep buying the poorly checkered stocks that don't always match, Marlin would take a look at it, maybe fix it, and raise the price more. The amount of disgruntlement is disproportionate to the issue. Price a rifle that is as beautiful as you were expecting and then ask if you got what you paid for. Marlin didn't make you buy, they aren't making you keep it, and it doesn't sound like the lgs attempted to disguise the flaws. Next time, you'll be more careful with such a large investment I'm sure, but it really seems like you bought a 783 whilst expecting an xbolt medallion.

Hit the nail on the head! I hope all works out for the OP, it can be very disappointing when something you save for and look forward too isn't as good as you expected. But that's life. Make the best of what you got,because it's probably still better than what you had.

 

[Moparnut]

I have seen this before on shotguns. The pump is a slightly different shade than the stock. I believe those pieces may come from different lots of wood. As far as the checkering call Marlin explain the problems and see if they will resolve it. If you intend to take it to the woods and beat it up I would leave it be.

 

[horsey300]

Everyone keeps harping on $400 does anyone know that that's after the sale price and Marlin rebate? Originally $575 rifle so had it been $575 I paid would there be a different tune? I also wasn't aware that Marlin was comparable to a savage axis because Marlin and Henry and the only ones I know of making this 45-70 lever gun. I'm more irritated at the i don't give a **** attitude to send a 2 tone gun with no checkering on the buttstock. I've come to terms with it also and will call Marlin and ask for the correct stock and if they say no who knows I might keep it or walk away.

Yes horsey I have another rifle but it weighs a ton so sucks to carry when I take my southern trips to Appalachia and it was well a $250 rifle. I was just looking for something to make the hunt and practicing a little more enjoyable but looks like that ain't gonna happen. I haven't shot the gun yet cause in waiting to see how Marlin reacts and then I'll make my decision but I'll keep it to myself as to not get everyone all hyped up again and make an ass out of nyself anymore.

Compare apples to apples, not just a $600 bolt gun to your levergun. Compare guns available in 45-70, there's a Rossi for $400ish, marlin with slightly nicer options available but also for a LITTLE bit more money, then we hit Henry territory, then Taylor's and uberti and Winchester high wall, so NO, $575 DOES NOT automatically guarantee the quality that has been taken for granted.
Sell the Marlin, sell the Cva, buy a Henry. Or sell the Cva to put glass on your Marlin.
I don't know exactly what that Cva weighs, but the Marlin is close to 8lbs empty no scope, haven't seen too many modern style single shots weighing more than that, and honestly if I were running full house .45-70 loads I would personally get a NICE sling and eat the extra weight lol.
I'm not saying you should have never bought the Marlin, I'm saying that they are in the price range that might require you to adjust your expectations. I hope your gun is functional, but I also hope you realize that today, in this market, for the type of gun we're discussing, functional is a win.
ETA around here that gun goes for $620 before taxes, and it is still bought for what it is, as it is, and used as intended, and kills the pee outta stuff!

 

[cdb1]

Still haven't heard what Marlin told the OP when he called them. Calling and giving them the chance to fix an issue that's marginal at best before complaining about them online would be the logical and courteous thing to do IMO.

 

[redbullitt]

If it is going to be a wall hanger then by all means I would address the aesthetics! BUT if it is going to be fielded and hunted, use it and enjoy it provided it shoots and functions properly.

If they will charge you 40 bucks to restock, I bet you can find a stock set for it under 100 bucks, probably less than that and may even be more to your liking! Otherwise, why not do a bit of stock finishing?

My sbl 4570 is laminate wood... not my favorite but it shoots and cycles very well. Cast 405s easily go sub 2 MOA at 100 meters with me shooting it off bags, XS peep sights. Jacketed 325s do even better. Soo, I have decided to overlook the fit and finish issues on mine and use it hard. The action and barrel seem to be very good, so no regrets here.

 

[Davek1977]

If somoene is going to be this particular after the sale, and claims to have done their research before buying.....how again does this happen? You went to the store....you picked out the rifle yourself....and now, you are all kinds of unsatisfied with it, before even shooting it. How does one go from "I should drop 500 bucks on this" to "I bought a POS" in such a short time, when the OP claims to be knowledgable about what it was he is purchasing? Its not as if you were shipped a gun sight unseen, given three seconds to decide whether to keep it or not, or lose it forever. You had all the time in the world....before putting your money down....to view, handle, and understand your purchase. While you may feel Marlin should have done better, no one forced that particular rifle into your hands. Then, without giving them a chance to make things right....the most common of courtesies before bashiong a product online....you make multiple posts about what a piece of crap you willingly and knowingly purchased....... There is NO similarities to how I'd handle this "issue" if I even saw it as BEING an issue on a workhorse, not a "BBQ gun" so to speak

 

[cdb1]

It bothers me big time when someone complains about a product and says don't buy(as in this thread title) without giving the manufacturer a chance to make it right. It also chaps my binutch when someone says, "How could QC have let the product out the door"? Because no company is perfect and any company of significant size has there share of bad employees. Do any of you work for a company that never makes mistakes or if self-employed never ever make mistakes? Of course not. Yet some people hold other companies to a higher standard than they can possibly hold themselves too, because no one is perfect.

My 336 which pictures of are no longer on this site, i.e. Photobucket, looked okay when first purchased. During the intervening eight years or so the forend has become lighter and lighter so that the difference is noticeable. I called Marlin two years ago and they said if I'd send both stock pieces in they would send matching butt stock and forend back at no charge. I eventually decided not to because I'd spent a fair amount of time sealing the wood and also because the rifle shot so well. Didn't want to tempt fate. If Marlin had said pack sand then I'd have posted about it. If the rifle had been a Miroku/Browning BLR I would've sent it in long ago with the expectation of receiving it back with matching wood and accuracy to be the same as before. That's because a BLR cost a lot more than a Marlin.

 

[Axis II]

okay guys this will be my final say in this.

Im more a synthetic stock guy so really didn't pay much attention to it and i admitted that. For those that don't know freedom group had a lot of issues in the beginning and after a lot of research on what to look for i found a good one out of 3 looked at so i got it. yes, i was in a hurry getting everything from the store and didn't check the wood over really well because i was more worried about the action sounding like it was going to fall apart like the last ones i looked at. I could really care less at this point about the color but i am more worried about the stock not having checkering. yes its for aesthetics but more for functionality when its wet outside, i can fix the color of the stock.

what upset me the most was this showed me the company doesn't care what they make or what they put their name on. one stock being darker and no checkering and the other lighter with checkering shows me it was 2 different lots or what not and yes i should have caught it but im not the one making the thing so they are half at fault also for quality control. ive had a rough year with stuff ive paid what i thought decent money for and have it be junk. my truck 2.5yo has paint peeling down to bare metal and no one wants to stand behind it, the bipod, the scope, the marlin. yeah i should have called marlin first and seen what they had to say but again IMO how does a company that does this day in and day out not catch something like that and yes i should have also. it showed me that someone didn't care and sent it out. the 2 i looked cabelas had i denied had very dark walnut stocks with deep checkering. that i remember because someone i was with commented on how nice it was. i just wish companies and employees would give a crap a little more. Im a boss at work and go around with my guys because they just don't want to go the extra mile. when im at work its all im focused on for 8hrs and i make sure what i do is done right or better.

thanks to those who offered advise. i guess i did set my expectations a little too high for a $600 gun so next time i will be more careful.

 

[Robert]

I guess that's that.