How far back to get quality Marlin 1894/1895?

RickE · May 12, 2013, 02:45 PM

I really would like a Marlin 4570, but have trouble getting by the (IMHO) poor quality. I have a 1948 336 that is of much, much better quality. Fit and finish is not even close. Action, stock, all better. How far back does one have to go to find Marlin quality rifles? I will by used if I can find one. Shame on Remington!

Jerry45 · May 12, 2013, 04:24 PM

I bough a new model 1895 45-70 SBL last year. Other than the the fact the stock trigger sucks the quality is just fine. I put a Wild West trigger in it and couldn't be happier.

PetahW · May 12, 2013, 07:15 PM

Most say that a pre-CBS (crossbolt safety) is the dividing line, but I had a .44mag Model 1894 made in 2001 with a CBS that was perfectly fine.

.

rc · May 13, 2013, 02:45 AM

Anything with JM on the barrel should be fine. REP on the barrel is a Remington made gun and a big warning to look it over careful. Looked at a couple of lever guns last week and sights were canted relative to the action.

Rifleman1776 · May 13, 2013, 07:37 AM

Look ahead not back. I had a .44 mag. Marlin lever gun that wouldn't print at 25 yards. Avoid the micro-groove rifling like it is a disease.

DPris · May 13, 2013, 10:44 AM

Again- JM does NOT guarantee the gun was made at the old Marlin factory, nor is it a guarantee of better quality even if it was.
Quality was declining the last year or so at the old plant even before the move, and Remington continued to use JM-marked barrels made at the old factory in new guns built at the Ilion plant after the move till they ran out.
Denis

steveNChunter · May 14, 2013, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Avoid the micro-groove rifling like it is a disease.

I have an early 70's 336 in .35 rem with a MICRO GROOVE BARREL that shoots MOA with factory ammo. I had no idea until just now they were so awful...

jbrown · May 14, 2013, 11:34 PM

I have more than one micro groove barrel thats shoots just fine with jacketed bullets.

Sheikyourbootie · May 14, 2013, 11:47 PM

I have an 1894 1990's vintage that has the crossbolt safety. I'm very happy with it and have had no malfunctions.

Fit and finish are superb:

Just make sure it has the barrel stamped with this:

I would not plunk my cash down on on a remlin

DPris · May 15, 2013, 01:58 AM

See Post #6.
That JM stamp is meaningless regarding quality. Rifles produced by Remington at Ilion immediately after the move from the old Marlin plant had it.
Denis

Rifleman1776 · May 15, 2013, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Avoid the micro-groove rifling like it is a disease.

I have an early 70's 336 in .35 rem with a MICRO GROOVE BARREL that shoots MOA with factory ammo. I had no idea until just now they were so awful

Mine often wouldn't hit paper at 25 yards with reloads from the bench. Those that did were tumbling.
I like guns that are dependable and versitile. That is why I reload.
I haven't purchased a box of factory center fire ammo in almost 30 years.
Mine was in .44 mag. For the record, same ammo in my Ruger Redhawk would hit 8" plate at 100 yards from rest or the ram silhouette at 200 yards. Not the ammo to blame, only the Marlin.

DPris · May 15, 2013, 11:58 AM

My .44 Mag Marlin from pre-Rem days does just fine with the Micro-Groove rifling. So did the .30-30 Marlin I had.
You may have just gotten a lemon.
Denis

Jerry45 · May 15, 2013, 03:34 PM

My brother's .22 has micro-groves and is a tack driver. I don't know if my 45-70 has it but it will shoot a 1" hole at 100 yards with my hand loads. As for as the Cross-Bolt safety goes, I hate it/them because lever guns should not have a cross-bolt safety. However! If the safety between my ears works and I remember to disengage it before pulling the trigger it preforms flawlessly. Sure does make a elegant gun ugly though.

steveNChunter · May 15, 2013, 06:57 PM

Quote:

You may have just gotten a lemon.

agreed

Salmoneye · May 15, 2013, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Mine was in .44 mag. For the record, same ammo in my Ruger Redhawk would hit 8" plate at 100 yards from rest or the ram silhouette at 200 yards. Not the ammo to blame, only the Marlin.

SAAMI specs for .44 Remington Magnum in a pistol/revolver are for a .429" groove diameter, and for .44 Remington Magnum in rifles the groove diameter is .431"...

Marlin 1894's follow this very closely, and (very generally speaking in my limited experience) don't shoot Jacketed below .430" or lead below .432" for spit...

.

g.willikers · May 16, 2013, 10:28 AM

Salmoneye,
Thanks.
Trying to shoot a round in one gun that's designed for another is no test, at all.
Kind of like using Ford pistons in a Chevy engine.
The micro rifling barrels are not a problem, with ammo that's compatible.

btmj · May 16, 2013, 10:35 AM

What is the disadvantage of the cross bolt safety?

Salmoneye · May 16, 2013, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g.willakers

Trying to shoot a round in one gun that's designed for another is no test, at all.

Exactly...

I have only found one bullet/load that both my Ruger SBH and Micro-Groove 1894 like, and that is 22gr of H110 under a Hornady 265gr FP (.430")...

I can load for either all day with cast, but not the same diameter bullet...

Quote:

Originally Posted by btmj

What is the disadvantage of the cross bolt safety?

I only have access to one Marlin with the CBS, and the ONLY thing I have been able to come up with that makes it 'advantageous', is when unloading...

Other than that, I'd just as soon replace the CBS with an aftermarket saddle-ring...

Sadly, 'technically' the gun belongs to SWMBO...

Gmony.308 · May 16, 2013, 05:54 PM

I'm not sure the manufacturer of my 1894, but it's a micro grove produced in 1990 and I have no issues at all. It's a straight shooter, dropped three deer last fall and is just plain fun to plink with at the range. I've worked up a load with 240gr Hornady's using H110 that produces a 1"cloverleaf at 100yds. (bench rest).

Edit: .44 Magnum

hodaka · May 16, 2013, 07:45 PM

For $10 you can get rid of the pesky safety. I did this to mine and it works great.

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/ta...olt_safety.htm

MarkDozier · May 17, 2013, 01:13 AM

gmomy you have a marlin.

Gmony.308 · May 17, 2013, 02:02 PM

Quote:

gmomy you have a marlin.

I Do!....Thanks

Revolver1 · May 17, 2013, 02:58 PM

Pre Cross Bolt safety!

Gmony.308 · May 17, 2013, 06:51 PM

Dang, I keep getting happier and happier! The purchase was pure dumb luck, but It's in beautiful condition, 95%+. I was looking at .308 carbines (The Remington Scout in particular) when it caught my eye. Having owned a Winchester 94 (30-30) years ago, and being fond of the Marlin side ejector, I thought boy this could be a hoot to hunt with in a wood lot. I picked it up shouldered it, worked the action and it was romance. So, I bailed on the .308 Scout and dropped $450 on what has quickly become one of my favorite shooters. And, from the sounds of it God gave me a good one!

btmj · May 17, 2013, 08:26 PM

So, I guess I need to ask my question another way...

Does the manual safety on a Marlin lever rifle degrade the trigger pull? Does it make the rifle less reliable? What does it do that is so offensive?

May 12, 2013, 02:45 PM	#1
RickE Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2009 Location: Kirkland Wa. Posts: 516	How far back to get quality Marlin 1894/1895? I really would like a Marlin 4570, but have trouble getting by the (IMHO) poor quality. I have a 1948 336 that is of much, much better quality. Fit and finish is not even close. Action, stock, all better. How far back does one have to go to find Marlin quality rifles? I will by used if I can find one. Shame on Remington!

May 12, 2013, 04:24 PM	#2
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	I bough a new model 1895 45-70 SBL last year. Other than the the fact the stock trigger sucks the quality is just fine. I put a Wild West trigger in it and couldn't be happier. __________________ Guns are not dangerous! People are! RKBA! Last edited by Jerry45; May 13, 2013 at 12:53 PM.

May 14, 2013, 11:34 PM	#8
jbrown Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2006 Location: minnesota Posts: 215	micro groove I have more than one micro groove barrel thats shoots just fine with jacketed bullets.

May 15, 2013, 03:34 PM	#13
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	My brother's .22 has micro-groves and is a tack driver. I don't know if my 45-70 has it but it will shoot a 1" hole at 100 yards with my hand loads. As for as the Cross-Bolt safety goes, I hate it/them because lever guns should not have a cross-bolt safety. However! If the safety between my ears works and I remember to disengage it before pulling the trigger it preforms flawlessly. Sure does make a elegant gun ugly though. __________________ Guns are not dangerous! People are! RKBA!

May 16, 2013, 10:28 AM	#16
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Salmoneye, Thanks. Trying to shoot a round in one gun that's designed for another is no test, at all. Kind of like using Ford pistons in a Chevy engine. The micro rifling barrels are not a problem, with ammo that's compatible. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

May 12, 2013, 07:15 PM	#3
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	Most say that a pre-CBS (crossbolt safety) is the dividing line, but I had a .44mag Model 1894 made in 2001 with a CBS that was perfectly fine. .

May 13, 2013, 02:45 AM	#4
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,763	Anything with JM on the barrel should be fine. REP on the barrel is a Remington made gun and a big warning to look it over careful. Looked at a couple of lever guns last week and sights were canted relative to the action.

May 13, 2013, 07:37 AM	#5
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Look ahead not back. I had a .44 mag. Marlin lever gun that wouldn't print at 25 yards. Avoid the micro-groove rifling like it is a disease.

May 13, 2013, 10:44 AM	#6
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	Again- JM does NOT guarantee the gun was made at the old Marlin factory, nor is it a guarantee of better quality even if it was. Quality was declining the last year or so at the old plant even before the move, and Remington continued to use JM-marked barrels made at the old factory in new guns built at the Ilion plant after the move till they ran out. Denis

May 14, 2013, 11:47 PM	#9
Sheikyourbootie Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2010 Posts: 379	I have an 1894 1990's vintage that has the crossbolt safety. I'm very happy with it and have had no malfunctions. Fit and finish are superb: Just make sure it has the barrel stamped with this: I would not plunk my cash down on on a remlin

May 15, 2013, 01:58 AM	#10
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	See Post #6. That JM stamp is meaningless regarding quality. Rifles produced by Remington at Ilion immediately after the move from the old Marlin plant had it. Denis

May 15, 2013, 11:58 AM	#12
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	My .44 Mag Marlin from pre-Rem days does just fine with the Micro-Groove rifling. So did the .30-30 Marlin I had. You may have just gotten a lemon. Denis

May 16, 2013, 10:35 AM	#17
btmj Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2011 Location: Near St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 864	What is the disadvantage of the cross bolt safety?

May 16, 2013, 05:54 PM	#19
Gmony.308 Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Posts: 47	I'm not sure the manufacturer of my 1894, but it's a micro grove produced in 1990 and I have no issues at all. It's a straight shooter, dropped three deer last fall and is just plain fun to plink with at the range. I've worked up a load with 240gr Hornady's using H110 that produces a 1"cloverleaf at 100yds. (bench rest). Edit: .44 Magnum

May 16, 2013, 07:45 PM	#20
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	Remove cross bolt safety For $10 you can get rid of the pesky safety. I did this to mine and it works great. http://www.leverguns.com/articles/ta...olt_safety.htm

May 17, 2013, 01:13 AM	#21
MarkDozier Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2010 Posts: 363	gmomy you have a marlin.

May 17, 2013, 02:58 PM	#23
Revolver1 Junior member Join Date: January 21, 2013 Location: NY Posts: 150	Pre Cross Bolt safety!

May 17, 2013, 06:51 PM	#24
Gmony.308 Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Posts: 47	Dang, I keep getting happier and happier! The purchase was pure dumb luck, but It's in beautiful condition, 95%+. I was looking at .308 carbines (The Remington Scout in particular) when it caught my eye. Having owned a Winchester 94 (30-30) years ago, and being fond of the Marlin side ejector, I thought boy this could be a hoot to hunt with in a wood lot. I picked it up shouldered it, worked the action and it was romance. So, I bailed on the .308 Scout and dropped $450 on what has quickly become one of my favorite shooters. And, from the sounds of it God gave me a good one!

May 17, 2013, 08:26 PM	#25
btmj Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2011 Location: Near St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 864	So, I guess I need to ask my question another way... Does the manual safety on a Marlin lever rifle degrade the trigger pull? Does it make the rifle less reliable? What does it do that is so offensive?