Do the Marlin Lever Actions still have problems?

[jerdog3]

I would like to get a side loading lever action in .357 / .38 that I can mount an optic on, and don't know if I can wait for Henry to make one. So, does anyone know if the Marlin problems are over?
If this discussion goes long enough I might be able to get that Henry. Haha.
Thanks for any advice you can give.

[200Apples]

[vino68]

My 30-30 was purchased maybe 3-5 years ago and it was OK out of the box. I did need some heavy lubing. The lever action itself is not the smoothest. The blueing is not great.
But I still enjoy shooting it. I prefer side loading and ejection, thus the Marlin.

My Winchester is sweet but again, top ejection.

[pennstater]

Gotta agree with 'Apples here. They do seem to be improving tho. Maybe look for an older Marlin? I imagine they are out there, just look about. Too bad Henry's are out for you, as they are fine rifles and shooters. And EASY to mount optics on.

MLC

[jerdog3]

Gotta agree with 'Apples here. They do seem to be improving tho. Maybe look for an older Marlin? I imagine they are out there, just look about. Too bad Henry's are out for you, as they are fine rifles and shooters. And EASY to mount optics on.

MLC

Great info! Thanks guys! I'm really hoping someone who has bought a Marlin recently has something good to say, but I'd rather hear the honest truth. Like I wish someone told me not to buy the Kel Tec Sub 2K! I'm convinced there's not an honest Kel Tec owner, until after they sell their mistake, I mean gun. Haha.
But I'm getting off topic. If I were to buy a used Marlin, what year would I have to look for? Or I guess what are the bad years I should look out for?
Thanks again!
jerdog3

[golfish]

Bought my 94c last year, Its a good shooter

[Unsilenced]

My Marlin 1895CBA came with a front sight that was too high. Sent rounds into the dirt. The front sight is also visibly offset to the right.

I sent it back to Marlin to fix that. They sent it back with the rear sight now also visibly offset to the right (well, technically that works I guess) but no change to the front sight aside from apparently managing to knock out and lose the brass insert.

So the thing's still a dirt seeking missile and there's just a hole where the brass ought to be in the front sight. Guess I fell for a too many of the rosy "mine works fine :3" posts about recent Marlins and forgot that Freedom Group is still Freedom Group.

I just got it back today and am currently torn between slapping on some new sights entirely or sending it back to see if they can fix what they "fixed."

[jerdog3]

My Marlin 1895CBA came with a front sight that was too high. Sent rounds into the dirt. The front sight is also visibly offset to the right.

I sent it back to Marlin to fix that. They sent it back with the rear sight now also visibly offset to the right (well, technically that works I guess) but no change to the front sight aside from apparently managing to knock out and lose the brass insert.

So the thing's still a dirt seeking missile and there's just a hole where the brass ought to be in the front sight. Guess I fell for a too many of the rosy "mine works fine :3" posts about recent Marlins and forgot that Freedom Group is still Freedom Group.

I just got it back today and am currently torn between slapping on some new sights entirely or sending it back to see if they can fix what they "fixed."

Oh man! There is nothing worse than getting a gun and not being happy with it. Well, maybe getting shot with it would be worse. But it still sucks! So, since I'm not that lucky a guy, I think I will just have to wait for Henry to come out with the .357 in their side loading line.
Thanks!

[golfish]

Oh man! There is nothing worse than getting a gun and not being happy with it. Well, maybe getting shot with it would be worse. But it still sucks! So, since I'm not that lucky a guy, I think I will just have to wait for Henry to come out with the .357 in their side loading line.
Thanks!

Don't think for a minute that ever Henry is perfect. They just have better customer service.

Best bet is to get the gun that your buying in hand and inspect it.

[iMigraine]

My Marlin 1895CBA came with a front sight that was too high. Sent rounds into the dirt. The front sight is also visibly offset to the right.

I sent it back to Marlin to fix that. They sent it back with the rear sight now also visibly offset to the right (well, technically that works I guess) but no change to the front sight aside from apparently managing to knock out and lose the brass insert.

So the thing's still a dirt seeking missile and there's just a hole where the brass ought to be in the front sight. Guess I fell for a too many of the rosy "mine works fine :3" posts about recent Marlins and forgot that Freedom Group is still Freedom Group.

I just got it back today and am currently torn between slapping on some new sights entirely or sending it back to see if they can fix what they "fixed."

Sorry to hear they didn't fix your problem sight(s). I have the same rifle, CBA and noticed it shot left of point of aim. So, I checked and noticed the rear buckhorn sights was off too, so I tapped them back. Eventually, I'm still thinking of buying some Skinner Sights.

I haven't got a chance to shoot my Remlin CBA yet to see if I'm hitting point of aim. Man, I really like mine a lot too.

[Unsilenced]

Sorry to hear they didn't fix your problem sight(s). I have the same rifle, CBA and noticed it shot left of point of aim. So, I checked and noticed the rear buckhorn sights was off too, so I tapped them back. Eventually, I'm still thinking of buying some Skinner Sights.

I haven't got a chance to shoot my Remlin CBA yet to see if I'm hitting point of aim. Man, I really like mine a lot too.

I'm thinking of skinners too, or the competing product by Ranger Point Precision. I do like the cloverleaf aperture.

On the one hand, I wish Marlin would just fix their gun, but I could just as easily make it into an opportunity for an upgrade. Besides, the rest of the rifle seems fine. I wanna like it, but I have a really hard time recommending the company.

[JTROKS]

I’m installing some custom parts on a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag. It has some sharp edges on the inside area of loading port and sadly most of the internal parts. Some of the edges are sharp enough to put light cuts on my finger. Found one burr that can seriously cut a finger if not careful. I easily drifted off the rear sight left to right. The forearm was wedged in there and took some love taps from a rubber mallet before coming off. The forearm retainer is loose as a 2-bit hooker. Mostly all the screws are not tightly secured, no thread locking agent found. I can only imagine how many rounds fired before losing a screw.

Everything seems straight enough. Don’t see no bad machining except for the burrs. This one seems good enough out of the box except for the loose screws.

[kayaker]

I bought an 1894c last year, The only issue that I have is that when loading some of the rounds seem to hang up when loading, seems to be cartridge #6 or 7 and after. I can can get them in but not smoothly. I plan to break it down and see if smoothing out the area just foreword of the loading gate will fix it.

[Paul_R]

Marlins are the easiest lever actions to clean and maintain hands down. Nothing even comes close, especially Henry. And I have both. Current Marlins are as good as any mass produced Remington. They come from the same factory. Only thing I don't like about the new Marlins is the billboard serial number on the side of the receiver.

[DueceMcGurk]

I agree with Apples.
My personal experience is with a 2017 1894 in 357/38. At inspection noticed a loose front sight. No problem. Just needs tightening. WRONG. Improperly tapped. Screws stripped. Knew not to send it back to factory. The fix was a challenge but some how worked out.
I always tear a new gun down to the screws before shooting. This one had metal filings in the internals. Lots of metal filings -- from tapping.
Apples is correct. Racked like a coffee grinder out of the box, but slicked up nicely. Why am I doing Remington's work and paying for the privilege?
Net, net it is my second favorite long gun (Marlin in 45 Colt now holds that prestigious perch).