Did I just F up?

[kriller134]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm really excited to get it. I've already started buying components for 44 mag.

[Steponmytoes]

The new marlins are fine... they worked out the past issues with the .44 caliber and those are on shelves. They are still working on .357 with no timetable for its return.

[cannon]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm really excited to get it. I've already started buying components for 44 mag.

You will love it! They are a hoot to shoot. Enjoy.

[ElvenSoul]

Maybe it will be like Winchester

All I ever heard was pre 64' you must get a pre 64' and in truth the 80's Winchester are the best they ever made.

[uxo2]

Shoot it..

Enjoy it....

[Maltese Falcon]

I have a Marlin 44 mag, don't remember when I got it. Is there a way to tell if pre or post Rem by the S/N?

EDIT: Found it.

Starting in 1973, the year of manufacture maybe determined by subtracting the first two digits of the serial number from 100:
Example: SN 2512345 would have been made in 1975 [100 - 25 = 75] and SN 94365295 would have been made in 2006 [ 100 - 94 = 06 (2006) ]

Yay! 93xxxxxxx

.

[tmh1]

...They are still working on .357 with no timetable for its return.

Well, maybe. From another thread from earlier this month:

I called Marlin yesterday and spoke with a man there about this (and posted it) and was told that the 1894c in not in their product line. Asked if Marlin would ever make these rifles again, he said that there may be a special run, but no date for it. Keyword is "may".

[rromeo]

Maybe it will be like Winchester

All I ever heard was pre 64' you must get a pre 64' and in truth the 80's Winchester are the best they ever made.

The difference is that Marlins actually are good guns.

[Tall Tree]

9.8 out of 10 times when you ask this question, the answer is "yes, I f'd up".

[saki302]

I have a very early Remlin, possibly built on some of the original JM parts and/or tooling. No issues at all (.45-70). The complaints I read about, poor fitting wood, fit, reliability, etc. are all non-existent.

That said, I couldn't tell you how the later Remlins came out. If there's signs of issues, it should be pretty obvious, poor fitting wood, broken parts, etc.

Only issue I've come across is the factory screws SUCK. They used some kind of brittle alloy that gets screwed up even using the correct hollow ground screwdriver bits.

I'm still waiting on someone like Wild West Guns to make a nice tool steel replacement screw set for it. Til then, I handle the OEM screws as if they were made of glass or ceramic.

-Dave

[CoopsDad]

If you're reloading, use Hornady's .44 magnum load for rifles/carbines instead of the usual handgun load, When I had a .44 mag levergun, the handgun cartridges would beat me up pretty good. After I started reloading and used the rifle recipe, the gun became a pleasure to shoot. Before- Mike Tyson bareknuckle sucker punch to the shoulder. After- Cicely Tyson with a Nerf boxing glove.

[rromeo]

I never owned a Marlin before nor do I know anything of it. I do, however, own a Henry Big Boy 44 mag and I love it! I love lever action guns in general. I was looking up the Marlin 1894 and one thing that really stands out for me about that lever action gun is the convenience of the loading port compared to feeding tube of my Henry. I'm sure your Marlin will shoot wonderfully. Enjoy it!

For the record, try to get your hands on the .44 MAGNUM REMINGTON 180 GR. ammo if you want to get a big bang out of your rifle. I've seen a rise in prices for that ammo lately. Ammoman.com has the best price for them at the moment for what I know. Have fun!

Yes, that ammo was 1700 FPS from my 7.5" Super Blackhawk.

[kriller134]

If you're reloading, use Hornady's .44 magnum load for rifles/carbines instead of the usual handgun load, When I had a .44 mag levergun, the handgun cartridges would beat me up pretty good. After I started reloading and used the rifle recipe, the gun became a pleasure to shoot. Before- Mike Tyson bareknuckle sucker punch to the shoulder. After- Cicely Tyson with a Nerf boxing glove.

Thanks what grain bullet and type of powder did you use?

[Sohum63]

I have one in .357. I'm not very happy with the fit and finish of it, workable but has some serious flaws. I did hear the newer stuff is better but no first hand knowledge. I feel my newer .22 Marlin bolt action is better made than one I got about the same time as the '94.

[darkwater]

Remington is doing a better job recently, but, there are still lemons out there and even some of the more recently produced guns have gotten past QC when they shouldn't have. They recently admitted they only checked 1 out of 20 guns that went out the factory door, but had plans to change their QC procedures. You are definitely going to still have a less polished product, so plan to do some deburring to smooth things up, and check for other things like dents, dings, and buggered screws. Check to make sure the sights aren't canted, as that is one area they still miss on occasion. Also check the bore, as we've seen some where the rifling had chatter marks throughout. Mostly likely you won't have a problem, but best to check it over thoroughly. Good luck!