Author Topic: Marlin Quality (Read 4249 times)

chucky52 · « **on:** April 12, 2007, 03:24:22 PM »

Got a 1968 39a which is by far my highest quality Marlin. Bought a 336C two years ago and the first round would not come out of the chamber after firing. Bought a .32 H&R mag to shoot lead. Lead bullets come in .312 & .313 so I slugged the bore and it measures .3145. Not sure how I'm supposed to get accuracy with .312 in a .3145 bore. I don't see these problems in my Remington, Springfield, Browning, Smith and Wesson arms. Seems to be just a Marlin issue.

A personal friend bought a .38-55 which wouldn't feed so he traded it and bought another, same exact problem. He cured it on his own with a reamer. Anyone else seeing quality issues from Marlin?

Aardvark · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2007, 04:09:40 PM »

I own 2 336's, 1 883 and one 1895...Never had a problem with any of them.They are all very reliable and accurate.

McLernon · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2007, 10:39:08 AM »

I own one 336 and and an XLR and they are great as far as I am concerned

Mc

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2007, 02:20:23 PM »

My Marlins include a 1980 .375 Win, 1989 .30-30 and a 2000 .45-70. All are excellent rifles, all purchased used. My buddy has a stainless 336 purchased new about 3-4 years ago, also excellent quality.

Am waiting for the .308 Marlins, hope to get one later this year. I expect the quality will also be excellent.

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2007, 10:10:26 PM »

I own a 336 in .3030 and .35 Remington.Also a 95 in 45/70 and have NEVER had any problems with any of them.......Rick

Bullseye · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2007, 01:43:02 PM »

I have had two 1894FG's in the last couple of years. One would jam all the time and one is okay. Neither is the fit and finish of my 70's vintage 39a. Most of the new Marlins I have looked at lately have some pretty bad looking wood on them. I know it is still possible to get good woos since the Remington, Browning, CZ and Kimber I have bought in the last year all have good looking wood on them. If Marlin is just trying to keep the price down, at least offer a higher grade with wood so the owners will be proud of it.

lil_hunter12 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2007, 01:52:19 PM »

i have an uncle who exclusively uses a 95 in 45-70 for his deer hunting. he had loaned it t his son for a couple years to use and he shot it heavily. during that time never cleaned it or checked the screws. gave it back to his dad when it jammed he checked the screws in it. tightened them up and shot it never had another jam.he has cleaned it to keep it from rusting anymore but he wouldn't have had to.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2007, 11:39:50 AM »

I have two 1894's and three 336's, 1964 through 2003, and don't have any problems. Accuracy varies from so-so to amazing, and I spend a lot of time on MarlinOwners, and only hear of minor problems on occasion. Sounds like you just got a bad one. Let Marlin deal with it. Their C-S is generally excellent.

Papajohn

Ranger J · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2007, 10:04:27 AM »

I have a new 1894 in .44 mag that jams right out of the box. I know Marlin will probably fix it but really hate to take the time, trouble and expense to fix something that never should have left the factory. The bore is also oversize but I have been able to find bullets large enough to engage the rifling. I can’t understand what Marlin/NEF has against putting out a, 44-mag barrel with the correct size bore and a reasonable twist rate. Firing the ’94 single shot I was able to get it to group, something I was never able to get my .44 Handi to do. I also own a ’94 in .357 (great wood) and a ’95 in 45/70, which has poor wood but shoots great.

RJ

teddy12b · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2007, 11:08:36 AM »

I have a 336W that I bought new about 4 years ago and I never knew to check the screws. One day at the range it quit feeding and I took it to the gunsmith. He told me about keeping the screws tight. Since then, I've had no problems with mine. Once I tried the leverolution ammo in it, it was like falling in love all over again. Best of luck with yours.

chucky52 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 18, 2007, 05:39:47 AM »

Interesting comments. I have 3 Marlins. The 1968 39a is great and in silhouettes shoots mid 50s out of 60. The 336C went back to the factory with the first round, empty stuck in the chamber. The 32 M has already gone back, Sportsman's Warehouse sent it as part of the deal. It came with a funny looking, unblued crown. The factory admittedly missed blueing the crown and for some reason sent it back with incredible new wood, go figure. I guess they'll make an overbore right; but, I am just not in the business of shipping guns.

From other comments on this thread either everyone is incredibly happy, has loose screws or wonders how things get past the factory. I never used to get a Marlin or any other gun that returned to the factory. Times are changing.

Modoc ED · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2007, 06:18:27 AM »

Some of the better rifles (handguns too) that I have, I bought used. They are older guns, prooven reliable by use, and in very good condition (mechanically and appearance wise). I think all OEM gun manufactures are having more problems now-a-days with quality control than they did in the past. That's not to say I won't buy new anymore but when I do, I really give them the once-over before I leave the store with it. As some have said, it really sucks when you have to send a new gun back after having fired only 1 or a very few rounds through it.

There used to be a gun shop (big one) on U.S. Route 29 South of Warrenton, VA that had a range behind the store. They would let you try out any gun (new or used) before you bought it to see if it met with your satisfaction. I wish there were more gun stores like that available now-a-days.

Keith L · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19, 2007, 07:37:11 AM »

There was a time when all guns were hand made or at least the parts were hand fitted and tested. Most guns are now assembled from machine made parts, supposedly made to the proper tolerance so fit, finish and function are acceptable. And fewer humans are involved in the assembly process to make sure that the product is truly right.

There are processes that are being used primarily in the auto industry such as mistake proofing with sensors etc. that can and most likely are being used in gun manufacturing, but so much requires tight tolerances that even these things are not fool proof.

The best we can hope for at this point is that companies, such as Marlin, stand behind their product and make it right when errors are made. I worked for years for John Deere, and at times dealers complained about the recalls etc. that we put them through when we found problems. It is still better to stand to the problems and make them right for the customer than to deny the problems and have the customers suffer with it.

rn122 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20, 2007, 08:34:01 AM »

"The 1968 39a is great and in silhouettes shoots mid 50s out of 60"

Chucky52 is being much too modest. Silo is mainly a skill game. Equipment is secondary. Great shooting, Chucky!!

bighemidaddy · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20, 2007, 09:42:20 AM »

I have a 336 in 35 rem never had a problem

bighemidaddy

chucky52 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2007, 05:07:35 PM »

I'm back again with another Marlin failure. While shooting My 336C in an NRA silhouette match, yesterday, the hammer stopped cocking and locked the bolt open. I finished the match by manually cocking the hammer before levering. Called Marlin this morning and they want me to send it back and they will have to bend the hammer.

Now, my two recently purchased Marlins have each been back to the factory and are going on another factory vacation. Not sure what to do. I really like these guns; but, I do not like returning guns to the factory, even once. Add shipping charges to the price of the gun for a couple trips and you could pay for more quality. Think I'll get it fiixed and look for a gun show trade for an older Marlin. At least this time, I can ship two at once. What a deal.

teddy12b · « **Reply #16 on:** April 24, 2007, 01:40:51 AM »

Just out of curiosity where did you buy your Marlins? I know walmarts and other places force all their suppliers to cut corners in quality to get the price lower than their competition. Just something to think about.

chucky52 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 24, 2007, 01:07:42 PM »

A local, well known, full time, regular gun shop. Paid more than I would have at Wally World and I am not sending it back to Marlin. I have found a smith who will fix/adjust so that it will not need to go back to Marlin. I also bough a 1973 39a and think I will swear off the newer models. Forget the money, it's not worth the aggravation. From here on out it's 1980 or older for me.

S.S. · « **Reply #18 on:** April 27, 2007, 07:30:35 AM »

Had one problem with an old 1895 in 45-70.
one question posted here and I was able to fix it myself.
Polished and Teflon coated the "Guts" inside the receiver
while I had it disassembled and it is SMOOOOTH now!
My brother has it now and it will accompany him to Alaska
next fall.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #19 on:** April 27, 2007, 10:01:21 AM »

A good friend got one in 32hrm it shot low , really low 21in. low at 50 yds , he sent it back and recived a new one to replace it , the new one shot the first round then jammed . After that it worked ok , it was new , i got a browning a5 years ago and the instructions said it needed 500 rounds to break it in ( with factory shells )how many years of hunting is that ? how long is the warranty last , some guns work right out the gate some need to break in ! I have a winchester 94 trapper that can drop the trigger with out the lever being tite to the stock , it can be all the way forward , something ain't right ! so all brands have problems #@&*%# ! I have to wonder if cowboy shooting is keeping the factory's running at a high output and quality is the price being paid ? and no i don't blame cowboy shooting it is a great sport ! i have to wonder if at least some of the factories know alot of buyes will get their gun fixed and pay for it since it cost so much to send it back !

Keith L · « **Reply #20 on:** April 27, 2007, 11:18:21 AM »

I would ask the gunshop to send a new gun back if it failed to work right. I sent a Remington 700 BDL back a few years ago because of a bad chamber, and I bought it in one store and another sent it back, no charge to me. And this year my son sent a new Browning Buckmark back because of barrel problems, no cost for shipping either. In fact, if a new gun failed and the shop refused to pay shipping I wouldn't buy from them again.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #21 on:** April 30, 2007, 01:48:06 AM »

I AGREE IF THE SHOP WON'T STAND BEHIND WHAT IT SELLS THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH NOT TO BUY FROM THEM !

chucky52 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 05, 2007, 04:37:33 PM »

Marlin will accept the guns for warranty; but, it cost $20 to $30 each time per gun to ship. Both have now been checked by my gunsmith. The 32 H &R mag goes back for a new barrel, then the gunsmith will then do an action job. The 30-30 has a faulty hammer/sear engagement. Rather than run the guns back and forth, the parts have been ordered and the local gunsmith will do the repairs.

Besides, Marlin shuts down for a month in July every year. I own these guns to compete in NRA national silhouettes in August. I can't depend on this kind of quality, pay the shipping over and over with my guns living at Marlin. I am writing a letter.

DDelle338 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 07, 2007, 04:39:28 AM »

Quote from: teddy12b on April 24, 2007, 01:40:51 AM

Just out of curiosity where did you buy your Marlins? I know walmarts and other places force all their suppliers to cut corners in quality to get the price lower than their competition. Just something to think about.

So how does that work? Do the factories have two assembly lines, one for the "Big Box" stores and one for the smaller shops? Realy?

Keith L · « **Reply #24 on:** June 07, 2007, 07:25:16 AM »

It is not uncommon for manufacturers to have different "specifications" for different customers. I don't know if Marlin does or not. The idea is to keep top specs for their own brand, and good specs for important things that may affect function on all brands, but use lesser materials or tolerances in areas that don't make the difference. In my experience the product is run down the same lines, but is batched so product is not mixed up.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #25 on:** June 07, 2007, 07:53:53 AM »

most of the time it is done in "runs" , its like when you see a gun with a different finish and when you ask they say it was a special run for this distributor or that one, S&W did it alot , at one time wal-mart was the only place to get a SS-1022 and if you traded one to a gun shop around here you got very little for it because it was a wal-mart gun !
ducks unlt. , rmef , quail unlimited etc. are all "RUNS"
I bet if a wal-mart like co. called and ask rem. or marlin to give them a "RUN" and cut cost they would come up with something , if the order was large enough , enough savings may be realized in savings on raw materials alone !
I am in construction and lowes buys and sells the same products we get from supply houses . Harry home owner can get the same looking product i get a less cost than i can , it a volume thing , i buy between 2 and 3 thousand water closets a year , they buy that a week if not a day ! sometimes the product is a copy sometimes its a little different !

Keith L · « **Reply #26 on:** June 07, 2007, 01:01:42 PM »

And the trouble with suppliers doing that is when you aren't the low cost option you have to justify your price to the customer. At times you can, at times you can't.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #27 on:** June 08, 2007, 01:54:08 AM »

years ago a gun shop owner and i had the same discussion , i was just married ( poor )and a discount store had the same gun the gun shop did at 10 dollars less . we were talking and the owner instead of getting upset , said this is a standard model , let me show you the next grade , i can let you have it for 25 dollars more than the discount store will sell you the base model !
i bought it , he gave me a box of ammo with the gun free . as i was leaving he said i hope you learned something , they will always beat me on the cheap stuff , but they have very little variety and as you get into hunting and shooting more you will need gun shops and we will only be here if shooters support us !
he has been correct ! As were you KIETH L , hopes this helps you justify your value to customers !

chucky52 · « **Reply #28 on:** July 02, 2007, 10:46:59 AM »

If it says "Marlin" on the barrel, I care less what the deal is. The reputation is at stake. I seem to know them on a first name basis, an indicator that there is a problem.

chucky52 · « **Reply #29 on:** August 06, 2007, 04:16:36 PM »

The gunsmith gave up on both. He says anyone who thinks they can bend a hammer is nuts much less will it fix the problem. On the 32 H&R he can't pin it down; but, it will not feed and the barrel diameter is unacceptably oversized. Can't wait to hear from Marlin. Been dealing with this a while.