Marlin lever guns

[duckwithhat]

Thinking about putting in a special order at my local store for a new Marlin lever gun in .357 mag to pair up with my Colt King Cobra. Maybe throw optics on it as well.

Many people online say their manufacturing has been **** since the Remington acquisition. Anyone know if this has been improved since then or are they still considered a crapshoot?

[cannon]

Tagging this one.

[glockman19]

Can't tell you about Remington builds but my JM stamped Stainless 1894c is paired with a S&W 686+ and I'll never part with it or my pair in .44mag.
If you can find a Pre Remington jump on it. I've seen them asking around $1,000.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/943803540/MARLIN_1894CS_357_MAG_OR_38_SPL.htm

Good luck.

[toby]

I would go for one from here long before a new Marlin.

http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/

Same guns here and this is the manufacturer. www.uberti.com

[duckwithhat]

I would go for one from here long before a new Marlin.

http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/

Same guns here and this is the manufacturer. www.uberti.com

Thanks man, ill take a gander. Looks like some solid stuff.

[golfish]

If I were to look for a marlin I would look for an older one with the JM stamp. Have you looked at the Henry's? IMO, its a much better gun, much better customer service.

The Rossi is another option but just like the Marlin, their hit and and mis. My Rossi .357 needed to be shipped back for adjusments. It runs perfict now. I bought a Rossi 44 carbine a few months ago and its been gtg right out of the box. I bought my son a Henry H001 22LR for Christmas last year. That's the slickest lever gun I have ever shot.

[duckwithhat]

If I were to look for a marlin I would look for an older one with the JM stamp. Have you looked at the Henry's? IMO, its a much better gun, much better customer service.

The Rossi is another option but just like the Marlin, their hit and and mis. My Rossi .357 needed to be shipped back for adjusments. It runs perfict now. I bought a Rossi 44 carbine a few months ago and its been gtg right out of the box. I bought my son a Henry H001 22LR for Christmas last year. That's the slickest lever gun I have ever shot.

I was looking at the Henry Big Boy, but I really dislike that it has the top loading gate.

Rossi seems like a good alternative, priced right as well.

[Sosoomi]

We've got 4 Rossi Lever guns..

2 Rio Grande 30-30, one stainless one blue.

1 R92 38 spl/357 magnum, 16" barrel, stainless.

1 R92 44 magnum, 24" octagonal barrel, case colored receiver, blued barrel.

The R92's are paired with S&W 27-2 and a Model 29, both 8 3/8" barrels.

Other than a heavy initial cleaning I have done nothing to the 30-30's and they run just fine.

The two R92's I broke them down, good cleaning, polished up any rough spots I found and changed all the springs... If you decide to do this please do yourself a favor and google for instruction....the first time is a challenge....once you figure it out its a breeze.... The challenge is well worth it... My guns will cycle with one or two fingers and chamber pretty much anything... All these lever guns can be sensitive to OAL of the cartridge and how they are crimped.... If you buy your ammo and have a problem change the brand...when you find the ones that work best stick with them.... If you reload you will be able to develop a round that you are happy with....

The hardest spring to change is the ejector spring but also makes a big difference... Some point to this as the reason for troublesome chambering...

The last thing is you really have to give these guns a chance to break in... While watching TV cycle the action a few hundred times and most of the work is done....don't baby it either..throw the lever all the way forward and then return..

[golfish]

I was looking at the Henry Big Boy, but I really dislike that it has the top loading gate.

I thought the same until I bought one.

[WASR10]

I'm not sure if it is a crap shoot or not, but I had a 336 in .30-30 that was of excellent quality, minus the cheap scope and sling that came with it.

[DBADRAT]

Rossi is a good alternative if price is an issue.

[duckwithhat]

I thought the same until I bought one.

Have you done anything to your Henry's sights or added a scope to it? What do you think of its stock sights?

[ptgarcia]

Look for a pre-2007 model Marlin if you want one made before Remington took over. If you buy new just be sure to check it out well before accepting it. The majority of issues with new Marlins are cosmetic.