So I picked up my Marlin 1894 in 44 mag today that I plan to send to Lew Bonitz at Grizzly Customs eventually for a rather extensive project.

But I have to say, has Marlin outsourced it's manufacturing to the caves of Afghanistan?? It's a complete hackjob. The sliding portion of the ejection port doesn't even meet up with the edge of the receiver, and the rear of the receiver looks like some monkey slipped with his file.

Just sad really.

Marcus

I sure hate to hear that.

Every Marlin Lever rifle I have EVER handled, whether a 22, 30-30, 35 Rem, 444, or a 45/70, has been well put together.

This includes even the Glenfield [Monkey Wards Specials] that I have seen.

All the Marlin Levers I have shot or seen shot have been very accurate as well.

Ya, I feel as if My Guide Gun was better put together. But I didn't spend a lot of time with it before I sent it to Yobo for the Big Lewie treatment so it may just be my memory.

Yeah well, the marlin I had once had very much thicker wood near the barrel one side compared to the other. I don't know how they could do that, let alone let it pass inspection.
Perhaps there wasn't any.

Man thats too bad...Is Remington running the QC already ?
I have two Marlins..a 444-P about nine yrs old and an 1894 44 SS about three yrs old...and they are very well assembled and just plain nice rifles..accurate too...

Marcus...Send it back to Marlin!!...They won't know about their screw up unless you do send it back...Pain in the ass I know but what other choice do you have?...you're never going to like the rifle as is....

Yeah, send it back!

Marlin and Remington both need to know. There's a used Mod. 1895 Guide Gun in the shop, 45-70. It's not more than 6 mo. old.

I'd jump on it but the buttstock sling stud and "bullseye" are both about 1/4" off center-line.

I'd buy the gun and send it to Marlin for warranty work, but their warranty only covers the original purchaser. I think about checking up on it with Marlin, but I'm just waiting for one to show up --

There's a gun show this week-end.

The two Marlins I own .357 and 45-70 are two of the sweetest shooting lever actions I have ever shot or owned. They are well built and have very attractive lines. I bought these over 25 years ago and they still look brand new. I don't know if Marlin has slipped abit in QC but I wouldn't trade mine in for nothing. Sorry about your experience. JMHO.