Marlin 45/70 rifle quality - Current Production

Namerifrats

Namerifrats

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How is the quality on the current production Marlin 45/70 lever action rifles? I used to own an older one that I regret selling years ago. Read the 2007 though maybe 2015 or so are plagued with issues. Not certain on the end date of that...read it a while back. Would like to own another on.
 
I've shot and sighted in 2 latest production Marlins, a Guide Gun and an SBL. Other than the heavy factory trigger and lawyer safety I found no fault with them. They have come a long ways since the early Remlin guns.

<>< Fish
 
After doing a lot of reading and watching videos on the subject, I came to the conclusion that I would give the new production rifles a try. Still kicking myself over selling the last one I had several years ago. Bought it and sold it on CSF. 45/70 with low seril number, beautiful rifle..... Read so many mixed reviews....over a span of 2016 to now. A lot of negative from back around 2008-2010 as expected. Mostly positive last year from what I could find online. Also read comparisons on current Marlins and Henrys. Most gripe about the Henrys being heavy and the tube loading system. Most seem to prefer the side feed slot as do I. Went to Gander and handled a couple today to checkout over all fit, finish, etc. Didn't see any issues with any of the 3 rifles I held. So being the (almost) instant gratification type person I am....I ordered two Marlins online and should have them this coming week. Got a Marlin 1894 44 Mag and a Marlin 1895 45/70 Guide Gun. It's a done deal now.....so wish me luck! :)
 
Being new production rifles I guess that makes them Remlins, lol. Hoping for decent function and quality. I never expect perfect of anything as I don't believe true perfect exist in anything. Like most, I do want reasonable quality and reliable functionality from a firearm I spend a fair amount of money on.
 
With that said, I will definately update when they arrive. Both on look and feel as well as function after their first range trip.....hopefully that will be around the first of next week when I'm off again.
 
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Rifles made in the last 2 years or so are OK, only issues I've noticed are small cosmetic issues.
From 2007 ish - 2015 ish .......not so good. I think there was a period of time in there where they didn't make any lever guns. IIRC 2013-2014 I could not find a new 1894.
 
Picked them both up today. No issues I can see with fit or function. Both feel good in the hands, appear quality built and very sturdy. No cosmetic defects I could see.....didn't study them 100% though as blemishes don't matter next to functionality. Will take both to the range in the next few days and report back then.
 
I find a defective Marlin at 100% of the stores I visit. I always check them, I always find something that isn't right. I'm not talking "fit and finish" although that can be bad enough. Still find canted sights, bent sights, sharp edges on the levers that will cut you open, same for the trigger itself. Some of the issues are internal, jam issues, for common ammo. So, no, they aren't better, they've just gotten new and different defects. I'm not saying you can't find a good one, but just don't buy one "sight unseen"....then you may only have to deal with some internal issue.
Good luck!
Mazer
 
After reading your post I went over both rifles again in detail, looking specifically for the external defects you mentioned with rough areas, sight defects, etc. None of that on either of the two rifles I just got. So maybe I just got lucky if it'sa common thing. Hoping for no internal function issues. Will be shooting them both for the first time maybe Sunday or Monday depending when I get back from work.
 
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Outstanding, make sure you do a complete strip down, the other thing that the Remlins are notorious for is a ton of metal shavings inside the receiver. As I mentioned, there are certainly good Remlins out there, but I'd say the defect rate is as high as 30% which is why I haven't ordered any to sell. I would be sending 2-3 out of every 10 back to Remington, and that is with the defects that are visible without stripping the rifle down. I'm glad you got some good ones!
 
Took the rifles out today. No issues at all with the 45/70. 44 Magnum was good til I had a round with a case defect. 5th round fired, new factory ammo. Pulled apart clean amost center of the case. Now to figure out how to get that other peice out. Check the other ejected cases for any rough areas to see if the chamber may have been rough or was damaging the cases. Other looked perfectly fine. Anyway, rifles are good so far.
 
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