Marlin Lever Quality

Hello,
Been wanting to get a Marlin, Henry lever gun in 45-70, and the Henry looks great, but the Henry loads from the tube and costs upwards of $300.00 more.
However, I have heard the Marlin lever guns quality went down the tubes, but is now back where it should be.
So my 1st question, Is Marlin lever guns back to being a quality rifle again.
2nd question, if they had quality issues, does anyone know the serial number range to avoid, or plant of manufacture ect ?
I see some at gun shows and would like to know if there are any paticular ones to avoid.
Thanks

from what i hear the marlins are still hit and miss.if no feedback maybe the marlin forums?

I'm far from an expert, but I have had two and still have one 336 in .35 cal, the one I still have is a 1957 year 336 and it's identical to the 1978 year 336 that I no longer have , they are halfcock saftey :cool: with solid woodstocks :cool: ,gold triggers :cool:and the Marlin "Bullseye":cool: in stock their both excellent firearms :cool: that said at some point in time after 1978 they changed for the worse, the half cock saftey went to a tru ttthe reciever push button Yuk, the stocks were less desireable with a loss of grain and the Marlin "Bullseye, and that nice gold trigger was also lost , that said my old guns were and are top shelf but the newer marlins right from the first view you will see the differance its dissappointing but they may very well perform just fine . they just don't look as good as they once did.

What don't you like about tube feed? I've got a few Henrys (45-70, 44 Big Boy, & Golden boy), along with a couple other gate feed levers, including a Marlin 45LC carbine, and I actually prefer the tube. The Henry 45-70 with the ghost ring sights is among one of my favorites of my collection... I can hit bowling pins off-hand at a 100yds fairly reliably with that bad boy. Excellently built rifle, and IMO, very well worth the $$.

I dig the Henrys too ,just don't care for tube feed just preferance I sure wish they made a gate feed there darn good guns those Henry's.

2009-2013 were some rough years for marlin and here's how ya date them. First 2 numbers or the first letter in the serial#
http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/...psa0q9vyzp.jpg

Keeki, that is exactly what I wanted to know.
Thank you.
As far as tube feed, half turn, pull out the rod, insert ammo, push in tube, half turn, while trying not to bang the tube against anything and bending it, now that your rifle just grew another 12" to 16" inches.
Side gate, push in ammo, DONE.
I have a 39A, great .22, just never felt great about the way it loads, and the actual loading.
I will check out the Henry's and actually put one in my hands and compare it to the Marlin.
Thanks to all
Anyone have any information on the why's of Marlins so so issues, or any actual problems to look for, like a sloppy lever, or loose fitting forearm ect ?

I doubt you'll find any issue with the older Marlins, there tight and well made the later ones are called Remlins , as in Remington made Marlins mostly negative comments on those but there are some good too, I suspect its a purist thing in that change is not taken so well.

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Originally Posted by Monkeymaster

Keeki, that is exactly what I wanted to know.
Anyone have any information on the why's of Marlins so so issues, or any actual problems to look for, like a sloppy lever, or loose fitting forearm ect ?

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When Marlin was bought by Freedom Group (Remington) in 2007 they closed the Kentucky plant and moved all manufacturing to NY. A lot of the machinery, especially that used for the 1894 line of rifles/carbines, was wore out and new equipment was bought and used in NY. Many of the old hands that built lever guns in KY stayed there. These are the same people that could tweek the old machines and knew how to make the lever guns function. It's my understanding that due to the machinery being used, a lot of hand-fitting was required in KY.

Remington attempted to jump in with both feet and continue the Marlin lines but Remington had no history of lever guns, and no experienced staff on hand. You can;t throw a lever rifle together like you can a bolt gun. Too many moving parts that are required for function.

The latest production rifles are mostly pretty good. There are still a few that have issues but not nearly like before. If purchasing new (or used for that matter) ensure that whomever/wherever you buy it from will take it back or replace it if you have issues and test it as soon as you get it home.

Avoid new Marlins like the plague. Checked out the new 336 30-30 in stainless and it's JUNK. Horrendous machining, rear sight is STILL off, and it'd take a couple hundred dollars and an experienced gunsmith to make one function like a Henry. Break down, buy the Henry, be happy the whole time you own it. However, if you come across an 1894CSS, they're not worth shit and PM me immediately....

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This thread just made me realize something. I have a JM stamped Marlin 336 CS in 30-30 sitting in the safe. I bought it almost two years ago because it was so clean and had nice walnut furniture, but I've never taken it out and shot it. This is the second or third one I've had over the years. I buy one, it sits and collects dust a few years, then I sell it only to turn around and buy another one a couple years later. Must be a disease of some sort...

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Originally Posted by MrFurious

This thread just made me realize something. I have a JM stamped Marlin 336 CS in 30-30 sitting in the safe. I bought it almost two years ago because it was so clean and had nice walnut furniture, but I've never taken it out and shot it. This is the second or third one I've had over the years. I buy one, it sits and collects dust a few years, then I sell it only to turn around and buy another one a couple years later. Must be a disease of some sort...

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I, too, have a JM marked 336, but lines in 35 Remington. Back then, they were made to last.

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The Henry tube feed is just sticking to tradition like the old Henry originally was made!! My suggestion is buy an old Marlin not new!! There's a lot of seldom fired 45-70s out there!!

The new Remington lever guns are a 50/50 deal, you may win or you may lose !!!

Agree with posts, think the marlins started going hill when the half cock hammer guns, were changed. Remlins have a bad reputations over on the marlin forum, and with me also. Remington can xxxup anything that they touch. Clean older marlins are bringing big bucks, especially in 444. They are bringing unbelievable prices!!!!

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Originally Posted by ttexastom

Agree with posts, think the marlins started going hill when the half cock hammer guns, were changed. Remlins have a bad reputations over on the marlin forum, and with me also. Remington can xxxup anything that they touch. Clean older marlins are bringing big bucks, especially in 444. They are bringing unbelievable prices!!!!

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Check the price on an 1894CSS in 357 Mag. IF they come up for sale, you're looking no less than 2k. And youre right about Remington. They bought DPMS and I bought a DPMS G2 Bull and it's a piece of junk. It's out in the showcase for sale so I can order a Mega billet upper and lower set.

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