Marlin Quality Again

[chucky52]

A couple of years ago, I posted my frustration with a Marlin 32 H&R Mag. This was supposed to be my pistol caliber rifle for NRA silhouette competition. Sportsman's Warehouse sent it back for a factory recrown. I have the paperwork confirming "the factory missed that item." It came back and wouldn't shoot so I slugged the barrel @ .314. No way to make that shoot with a .312 bullet so back to the factory and eventually it comes back with a new barrel. Now, finally I have hope... Working up a load it released two rounds from the mag and jammed. Cleared the jam and back to the factory: "...action tuned and reworked... meets factory specs..." Great, I have hope, again followed by the exact same jam again. The factory told me to send it back and I would get a new one; but, they don't make it anymore so I would get a gun built from the "parts bin." I have given up and do not want another Marlin. Still have all the paperwork for 3 returns to Marlin. The forum advice I got initially was to send the gun back for Marlin to make it right.l I don't believe they can and believe they quit making it for a reason.

I have about 500 lbs of stuff for 32 H&R Mag. A couple of years, lots of expense, time and I don't have confidence in Marlin any longer. Apparently nobody makes a Lever Action 32 Mag. If anyone has recommendations, I'm all ears. I just don't want to go thru more wasted time and money for nada.

Thanks,

[Lloyd Smale]

they were notoriously poor feeders. My buddy finally got his running but it took hours of work by him. Marlin tried twice on his and he gave up on them.

[chucky52]

Marlin worked on mine 3x. There is no excuse for the first barrel, second one would have been ok. My smith worked on it, gave up and told me to sell it. I did. Can't they determine this before they take your money and discontinue their bad product. Not to mention the investment in loading stuff and time. Oh well, seems like the American corporate way.

[Senor Chisme]

I have had an 1894HR for about 4 years now and I love it.  Not the first problem.  I use it for Cowboy Action shooting.  I use a Meister 94gr. RNFP over 4.0 grains of Unique ignited by a CCI SMP primer all in Starline brass.  Feeds slick as a whistle. 

[chucky52]

I have two other Marlins that work as advertised. From what I'm hearing and one response above. The 32M is notorious for feeding problems. They discontinued the gun and I bet for that reason. Far as I am concerned, Marlin should have recalled the 32M. What a shame for NRA silhouettes it and the 25-20 are perfect rounds. It works great from my Contender, I was hoping for a great lever rifle in 32M. Marlin dropped the ball on this project.

[slabsides]

My pal has one in .32-20. Feeds and fires all right, but I wasn't impressed by the accuracy. Funny: The .45's and .357's they make are well known for their goodness. Another pal's .41 would only shoot with ONE reload: a max load of ball powder. Forget squibs or short-range loadings.
You've answered your own dilemma, tho: just use that Contender in .32 H&R, or maybe have it rechambered in the new .327, if that's feasible. Silho's will fall!!

[chucky52]

No need to rechamber, 85 gr. @ 100m and all the loads I know of will take rams. Nothing more needed.