Marlin 795 (new) advice?

[capnemo]

I am thinking of picking up a new Marlin 795 at BassPro tomorrow, but have come across mention of "slanted" dovetails and occasionally rail problems. I am aware of some having a canted front site, that I can recognise.

But I don't quite "get" the rear dovetail issues. Is it slanted off from 90 to the barrell? Forward twist? Sideways twist? Just wondering what plane.

And I assume this is "dovetail" is the one where the rear factory sight resides and is not the grooves on top of the receiver where one would mount scope rings?

I have used the search function here without much luck. Just hoping someone here can tell me better what to look for, i may want to use tech sights or a scope and don't want problems.

One site stated that the very latest 795's might be improved but I have not seen that elsewhere. I do not expect perfection for the a $159 rifle, but don't want any serious sight related issues either. Is there a way to tell if the rifle is made in Kentucky vs NY, either by the serial number? Will it say on the box?

Thanks!

[Vacaville]

Never heard about the issues you mention. I sure hope the scope grooves aren't uneven - I'm looking into optics for mine right now.

[capnemo]

Do a google search on
"marlin 795 canted"

[Exodus343]

tech sights

[jthesby]

tech sights

+1 on this

[capnemo]

I know all about Tech Sights, this does not help.

I asked how to evaluate the "canted dovetail" or uneven rails for issues that make mounting tech sights or a scope difficult, or the other issues these rifles are reputed to sometimes have.

[korny351]

The issue with the canted front sight should be readily apparent. When looking down the barrel, the sight will not be at 12 o'clock, but slanted slightly to one side. Close inspection should readily reveal the problem. I read a forum thread where the OP found a bit of debris under the sight after removing the mounting screw. Others have mentioned the barrel not properly indexed to the receiver. Either way, Marlin should be good for the repair. Better yet, inspect closely before purchasing.

As to the issue of the rear dovetail machining, it refers to the 3/8" dovetail on the receiver for scope mounting. The sides of the dovetail were not perfectly parallel. Bring a set of calipers or a micrometer and check for a consistent width. This allowed the scope base to move under recoil. Simple fix is to add a touch of Loctite Blue at the interface of the scope base and dovetail.This problem appears to be on production from the last couple of years out of Conn. and seems to have been corrected once production was moved to KY. Don't think you'll have any issues with a new 795, as anything you find now should be KY. manufacture.

Barrel stamping will either say North Haven, Conn or Mayfield, KY.

[capnemo]

Thank you so much! Off to BassPro

[Jimmy310]

The one i recently bought is from Kentucky. The only problem i have with mine is finding spare magazines

[capnemo]

I bailed...

Went to BassPro where I had a shotgun waiting for me, as well as the Marlin 785 on hold, figuring to save $ on the single DROS.

I don't care for powder coated receivers (or whatever the non blue finish is on these new ones) but that did not matter to me. The blueing on the barrel was nice, the crown good, the 3/8" dovetail on the receiver for scope rings looked fine and was fine per my calipers.

But the front site was askew, and the rear site was way off somehow, the right edge hanging over the edge of the barrel a bit, the left edge almost 3/16" in from it's edge of the barrel, looking down from above. The site elevation ramp or center pillar was not bent that I could see. It almost looked as if the cut that the rear site slides into on the barrel was not square 90 degrees perpendicular to the barrel. Could have been an optical illusion.
Maybe it could have been tweaked.

The rifle would have been fine with a scope, and the rear tech sight would have been fine on the dovetail on the receiver, but I was worried about the front sight. It was the only 795 they had left in stock, and they said if it proved problematic after I picked it up that I had to ship it to Marlin myself. Not worth the hassle.

I would rather a much older Marlin if I have to. I bailed.