Marlin Quality Control

[graycrait]

I had no idea that Marlin was on the ropes quality control wise.  There are lots of threads on this but this one, especially in later pages, is interesing.  There is even a way to tell where and when a Marlin was made so as to avoid issues seen with the "Remlins." 

 

 

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/marlin-rant-forum/77332-state-marlin-firearms-article-rifle-magazine.html

[Oh Shoot]

I expect them to actually be somewhat better now than from around 2004-2011, or at least certainly no worse. The worst they put out were when they were still at the North Haven plant, had really slipped in fit and finish for several years even before Remington bought them.

 

'Course, they'll never be what they were before maybe 2003 or so again, unless they put out special editions for more money. But then again, what manufacturer does while keeping the price in the same general range over 10-20 years?

 

I picked up a Marlin 60 about 6 months ago, it's a "hybrid". Has barrel marked North Haven, but REP as barrel proof. Some say they started doing that in late 2009 while still coming out of the North Haven plant, others say it's only since they moved everything to Ilion and Mayfield in 2011 and still had leftover barrels. Apparently the lever guns come out of Ilion and the various .22s out of Mayfield.

 

At any rate, around 2009, the serial numbering scheme seems to have quit following their normal pattern, and I don't know any way to positively date them past that time.

 

- OS

Edited June 30, 2013 by Oh Shoot

[TnShooter83]

A lot of old time Marlin owners call the new Remington made one "Remlin"

At one time they had real issues when they switched plants. 

And those rifles were called "Remlins with a Gremlin" as some or most had an issue of some type.

 

I have personally seen a 45-70 made buy Remlin with a canted front sight right from the factory.

The few I'ves een in the last few moths seemed fine. But the action was a bit rough, I guessing this would smooth out with shooting.

I'll have to agree with OS, the best were made PRE-2005. I personally like the 1980-1990's myself.