Remington Marlins - how bad is it?

[Vincent Price]

Hi Guys,
I am thinking about getting a 336. I want to put a long Picatinny rail on it so I can mount a normal scope and a scout scope (like one from XS sights). I want to use it basically as an all purpose rifle, not as a collectors item.

My concern is the quality of the newer Marlin production. You can read a lot about quality issues. I wouldn't mind that so much I'm really not the "everything used to be better in past decades" type, but I have had a terrible first hand experience myself with a Remington 870.

I bought a new (freedom arms group era) 870 Express in 2013. I was absolutely not impressed by its quality, the action went scratchy and bot the metal and wood parts were cheap looking and feeling. But I really wanted a pump action shotgun and bought it anyway.
Later in 2013 I bought a cheap beat up old 870 from the 70s for spare parts. I couldn't believe this was the same gun. The action was (in comparison) extremely smooth, There was nothing on this gun that wasn't better by far than on the new 870 Express. Needless to say I sold the new one and kept the old.

What quality can I expect if I get a "Remlin" now? Is it similar? I have played with the Remlin of a friend. It was ok. But I have no idea how steady their quality is and if I can expect the same as my friend or have to prepare for a bad surprise.

The logical step would be to get a used old "pure bred" Marlin. They are available and not too expensive.
But that might make the fitting of the XS rail difficult as I can't tell for sure which one from which decade it will readily fit and which one it won't.

Unfortunately the gunsmiths in my area are not too proficient with this gun because it's quite exotic over here. Besides I really would like to avoid the gunsmith as much as I can because they are obscenely expensive.

What is your experience with Remlins?

What would you recommend? Take the risk of a scratchy toy gun feeling remlin or take the risk of a non fitting XS sights rail?

 

[Mman]

Avoid remlins if possible. Suggest you look for a marlin with serial number corresponding to manufacture in mid 2000s. Then rail will fit and you will not have to deal with remlin quality or lack thereof.

 

[DPris]

The CURRENT situation with Marlin levers is on the upswing.
They've totally revamped machinery & processes, new people in key positions, and those in charge of the Marlin operation (which IS separately run from the Remington production floor) seem to be taking the guns seriously.

I have a .357 1894 here made in May/June, much improved over the last one I rejected three years ago.
Denis

 

[Panzerschwein]

I bought a Marlin Model 60 semi-automatic tube fed .22 rifle last September and it worked really nice. It's a VERY accurate and handy rifle for the whole $160 I paid for it at Wal-Mart.

I've heard the same Remlin horror stories, but I'm very in the market for an 1894C in .357 magnum when I can find one! I'm going to give them another shot because I was truly pleased with my Model 60.

 

[DPris]

The semi-autos are made in a different plant in another state & quality has not been an issue with those.

The QC problems came from the leverguns move to Ilion.
Denis

 

[greyling22]

quality is improving on the 1894's.

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/marlin-rant-forum/

 

[Valkman]

I bought a new 1894 made in May and there is nothing wrong with it. It looks great and shoots great.

 

[fletcher]

I recently purchased a 336 (May of this year), and quality is great. No scratches from careless handling, roughness in action, etc. Best to check it out in person if possible, but I wouldn't be concerned ordering unseen at this point.

 

[dragon813gt]

Handle in person but most of the problems have been worked out. Unfortunately a lot of the bad examples are still on the shelf. I have an 1894C that was made a few years back right before they shut production down. There is nothing wrong w/ it so not all of the old rifles are bad.

 

[T.R.]

The new Marlins are a vast improvement over the models made two years ago. Remington figured out how to solve the problems. But don't take my word for it - handle a new one for yourself.

TR

 

[Zeke/PA]

Look for an older Marlin if you want a good, accurate, lever action rifle.
Tour your local Gun Shops and you'll probably find one or two on the rack.
Price of course is subject to negotiation but you wind up with an accurate, dependable hunting rifle.
The older Marlins are SUPER accurate especially with home tailored reloads.
My Grandson's first deer rifle a 336 in .30-30 and another in .35 Remington shoot MOA groups without fail.

 

[DPris]

Three holes under an inch at 100 yards accurate enough?
New can do.
Denis

 

[golfer_ray]

Bought one a year ago & no complaints.

 

[Vincent Price]

Tour your local Gun Shops and you'll probably find one or two on the rack.

unfortunately I can't do that. There are used ones available over here but not that many. So I really can only buy one on something like armslist and hope for the best...
I have only found one Remlin 336W in my reach, a 2013 model. It was pretty much a lever action version of my former wobbly, scratchy Remington 870 express.
Exact same wood and the exact same "grainy" finish (it's hard for me to explain in English, it's dull, collects rust easily and doesn't feel smooth to the touch as a normal blued gun does. It's kind of like fine sand paper. I hope it comes across what I mean).
If I cycle an action I want it to be fun, to feel like it "wants" to be cycled. I really didn't have that feeling with the Remlin.

Unfortunately a lot of the bad examples are still on the shelf.

That is EXACTLY my concern. It's great to hear that the quality is improving again. However that doesn't really say much about what I can expect, especially by mail order.
First the bad ones stay on the shelfs longer than the good ones and second I would have to add at least 6-12months after production until the arrive on a shelf around here. As I said they are not that popular and don't get imported all that fast.

Of course I can send it back but only if I order it without the custom installed XS sights and sending a gun via mail is also very expensive. I would be out about 100$ sending both ways.

But Thanks for the Input, everyone. I suppose there is no alternative to hold it in my own hands before deciding. I will have to choose, either take a day off and drive really far or take the risk of the money for shipment wasted.

 

[Mman]

Wow reading on Marlin forum the new remlins seem to be good. A relief. I had just about given up on being able to buy a new one.

 

[fatcpa]

I bought a new 1895GBL a few months ago. The fit on the stock is a little sloppier than I would like, but overall the fit and finish is not bad for the money. I'd buy another Marlin with hesitation.

 

[larbear]

I bought a 1895 45-70 in June. fit and finish is good. I like this gun. There might have been problems with the transition period. The same was said about Smith and Wesson when they went MIM. There are always gripers and complainers regardless of the issue. In this case firearms. I carry this rifle in the bush where the bears are big, real big. I literally trust my like to his gun. Just my opinion.

 

[greyling22]

the real problem is that there are so many turd marlins circulating from the original remington production run that even if they fix all future production, it is going to be really hard to buy anything without laying hands on it first to check it out. Because the turds are what people will be reselling.

 

[Mman]

Wonder if the serial number range of the original bad remlin run can be determined.