View Full Version : Why I hope you will never reward Marlin with your business!
This is my true account of my experience with a despicable American firearm manufacturer.
On September 1st 2011 I purchased a NIB Marlin 1895GBL levergun, chambered in 45/70, a caliber that I've always esteemed. I traded one very nice Beretta 92FS to complete the transaction, which for reasons to yet be explained, was a bad choice on my part.
After completing the transaction I took the firearm home, it was going to be used this year for Wisconsin's bear season, then for both the Minnesota, and Wisconsin deer season's. A week after taking it home it was made known to me that Marlin had actually been forced to close down all of it's levergun operations due to extensive QC issues, apparently due to both poor training, and disgruntled employees.
I discovered this as my LGS had examined my specimen and found that the stock was poorly fitted, he advised me thusly, and then offered the further info regarding the closure. We fired the carbine to ensure that mechanically if it was sound, indeed it chambered and fired flawlessly. So I contacted Marlin firearms and explained to them in detail the nature of the defect, and that I was hoping to use the carbine for the upcoming bear season, they offerd to send me a call tag and I accepted. Fifteen(15)days later the call tag arrived in the mail! Despite this tardy response, I elected to send them back their firearm for repair.
Several weeks later I got the firearm back, it was just before the begining of the Minnesota deer season, sure enough the stock was replaced, it looked quite nice and was by all appearences properly fitted, though now it was missing finish from the portion of the barrel that had been in the vice. Nontheless I was prepared to accept, and use it, so I went out back with the intention of shooting it extensively, to ensure it's function and become familiar with it's level of accuracy.
Unfortunately it now refused to chamber a round, I tried it with several different flavors, it simply refused to go into battery with any of them, I gentled it off and on until I was satisfied that the bolt and extractor were now out of spec somehow. I re-contacted Marlin, again explaining the nature of the new defect, and I added in the loss of finish, as it was obvious and stood out. Once again they offered me the call tag, which I refused! I explained to them the need for speed, further I was now requesting an entirely new firearm as this one had proven itself as completely unfaithful in the very short time it had been in my possession. Instead I offered to overnight it to them at my expense, so that they could expidite the process, I was led to believe by the CSR that if I followed her instructions this would be possible, I followed them to a T!
Nine days later, as the Minnesota deer season was winding down I hadn't heard a thing, so I called Marlin once again, I spent much of that time on hold before even being transferred to a live CSR, about twenty minutes in total before catching a live CSR. When I did get through it was very unsettling to discover that they had only just checked the firearm into their system, that very day, fully nine days after following their CSR's instructions to a T, and overnighting them their defective carbine on my dime!
I was not happy, and I communicated this fact robustly, though as an adult, and without benefit of language. I was hung up on by the CSR! I immediately called them back and was once again placed on hold for just under twenty minutes, finally a CSR picked up and again the explanations were made, and expectations firmly communicated. This CSR assured me that he would replace the firearm immediately, he placed me on hold while he went in search of what was in their inventory(17-minutes), when he returned he now stated that they would like to replace my firearm except that they were no longer available at all because Marlin was no longer making them!:mad:
I demanded to speak to a supervisor, instead they took my number and promised that one would call me back later that day! No call came back! next day first thing, I re-contacted Marlin yet again, same process, including a twenty-four minute hold before getting a live body. This time I simply demanded my money back, the CSR was not what I'd call rude, he was simply unconcerned & disinterested in my experience with his company, though he stated he would get me my money back, did I have a reciept? Yes, I did, though at this point it dawned on me that the reciept only reflected the cash difference in the original transaction, a sum of only $242.00.
I explained this to the CSR, and unsurprisingly was told that that would be the total of my refund, unless I could muster an amended reciept from the retailer. So we parted company and I contacted the retailer, who said that he would have to search his records in order to establish a full value($689.00)of the transaction, a process that would take at least three weeks!:(
Again I called Marlin, another extended period waiting on hold, same conundrum, same everything. I again demanded a supervisor, explaining that I had never been contacted by one when requested the first time, again they promised, and again there was no call. I called back the next day, same procedure, finally a CSR promised me that within the hour a Supe would call me back. and one did!
I was very angry, and I let him know it, I explained the delay in obtaining an amended reciept and the rapidly approaching deer opener, I explained the original defect, and the follow up defect after they had returned my firearm the first time. I explained the CSR's instructions for expiditing the process and the overnight shipping on my dime followed by the nine day delay in even checking the defective POS into their system, let alone that nobody had even attempted to contact me!
The supe now promised me that he had found a replacement rifle, the exact same configuration, the catch being that it would have to come to them from down south, creating a delay of at least three weeks!:blink: I refused, asking him why it would rsult in such a delay, he responded that they had to work it through their system. I offerd again to eat the shipping costs if they would overnight it, he said that he would cover them, but that it would still be three weeks.
At this point he offered that if I were to have it shipped to a dealer they could by-pass the shipping to Marlin altogether, greatly diminishing the delay, the catch being that I'd have to resubmit to the Brady check, he said I would likely have the rifle next week(Thanksgiving week), again I offered to pay expedited shipping costs, he refused, instead promising to overnight it on their dime.
The carbine was not delivered to my ffl on either Monday or Tuesday, prompting a new round of phone calls, I got through eventually to the supe's office, a CSR checked into the progress and couldn't for the life of her unearth any reference to the promised replacement carbine in their system, informing me that the supe was on vacation! As I type this out, the Wisconsin deer season has closed down for 2011!
I have greatly edited this down for brevity, it was believe me, far worse and more involved. I have had other truly creepy customer service treatment before, though this is the A#1, king of the hill, worst of them. I would hope that administration leaves it up for some time in an attempt to reach out and prevent some other poor chump from being so ill-treated by the "Freedom Group."
I would add that a few years ago I had a G21SF blow up in my hands, it was quite an impressive experience all to itself. It was clearly established that the Kaboom was not the fault of Glock, but overcharged factory 230 gr ball ammo from PMC. Yet seventy-two hours after we figured out what had happened, Glock had delivered a new pistol to my door step....It's my sincere hope & desire that Marlin ceases to exist, as it should....
Man Im really sorry to hear that.
I hear these horror stories with alot of stuff. I am extremely grateful I havent personally had to endure them.
Its a shame that such a good company had to shut down and customers like you have to pay for it.
My very first rifle was a Marlin Model 60, it was given to me by my uncle when I was 8. Im now 32. It still shoots amazing.
Anyway thats besides the point.
Thanks for the heads up so no one else has to go through this.
Sorry you had to be the Martyr
Thank you good sir, though I'm not really looking for sympathy, rather I would hope folks feel free to re-post this account in any forum they may wish. And it is to bad, Marlin used to be a fine manufacturer, unfortunately my account has apparently become commonplace...
Wow. Sorry to hear about that. I guess I'll be on the lookout for a used one.
Raven Armament
11-27-11, 23:36
Par for the course lately, unfortunately. Marlin was such a good company. I hope they can get it together soon.
Belmont31R
11-27-11, 23:48
Ive been into guns for basically two decades and its become apparent to me, at least outside of the AR world, that you have to buy a semi custom to custom rifle to get one that doesn't come out of the box with numerous issues (no matter how small).
Between my buddies and I we have a lot of guns, and its amazing the shit being put out.
One thing, and not a slight on you but its generally not a good idea to purchase a gun you intend to use on a hunt within a relatively short period before said hunt. Ive read numerous stories like this over the years, and while the gun being ****ed up out of the box isnt cool if the hunt is so important you should have had a squared away gun months before and been practicing with it not trying to trade promises and overnight shipments back and forth.
Ive been into guns for basically two decades and its become apparent to me, at least outside of the AR world, that you have to buy a semi custom to custom rifle to get one that doesn't come out of the box with numerous issues (no matter how small).
Between my buddies and I we have a lot of guns, and its amazing the shit being put out.
I agree, there's a lot of shit out there. It seems most of the US made products are about on par with cheap overseas products as of late...but at higher prices. Might as well just buy the imported stuff.
OP, Do a search here for the lever guns by Superior, posted by Mr. Smith. I haven't seen their stuff in person but that pictures they post are one step above porn, leaving me drooling for a lever gun just to send them to be reworked.
Belmont31R
11-28-11, 00:07
I agree, there's a lot of shit out there. It seems most of the US made products are about on par with cheap overseas products as of late...but at higher prices. Might as well just buy the imported stuff.
Im looking at buying a bolt action hunting gun and I doubt it will be a US made gun. Looking at Sako guns now.
US companies have continually cheapened their guns with things like plastic trigger guards and magazine housings. Add in poor qc to things like chamber checks and it gets worse from there.
Supposedly the newly made Winchester Model 70's made by FN in SC are pretty good, and a lot more consistent than pre-FN owned Win stuff.
Thank you good sir, though I'm not really looking for sympathy, rather I would hope folks feel free to re-post this account in any forum they may wish. And it is to bad, Marlin used to be a fine manufacturer, unfortunately my account has apparently become commonplace...
Thank you for your post. I will re-post in other gun forums.
Raven Armament
11-28-11, 01:06
Im looking at buying a bolt action hunting gun and I doubt it will be a US made gun. Looking at Sako guns now.
Sako/Tikka are great guns. Sako 75 in .375 H&H and a Tikka M595 in 7mm-08 were both very great guns. Seller's remorse.
I'm not sure how long ago, but I know it was recently, Remington started producing and supporting many of Marlin's lever guns. Marlin used make some of the best lever guns around until Remington got involved. By all accounts Marlin's lever actions have now gone to shit. Hopefully I'm wrong but this "Freedom Group" family of companies seems to be sticking its dick in the prospect of quality made American firearms.
crusader377
11-28-11, 08:31
Its a shame that Marlin seems to have gone so far downhill in terms of quality. I only own one, a Marlin 39 built in 1953. Even though I shoot it almost everytime that I go out to the range and it must have tens of thousands of rounds through it, I still is very reliable and shoots much better than all of my friend's much more modern semi-auto .22s. One thing looking at the rifle is that it is amazing how much quality manufacturers put in relatively basic rifles in the old days. The blueing and woodwork on my old marlin is better than many expensive rifles that are sold today.
montanadave
11-28-11, 10:59
Anybody else suspect a connection between the apparent decline in Marlin's QC and CS and the company being acquired by Freedom Group, a subsidiary of Cerberus Capital Management, a major private equity firm?
There's another thread (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=93479) discussing a recent NYT article (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/27/business/how-freedom-group-became-the-gun-industrys-giant.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=us) about Freedom Group, which in the past 4-5 years has scooped up Bushmaster, DPMS, Marlin, Remington, and a handful of other firearm accessories and ammunition suppliers.
Gordon Gecko might be the go-to guy for turning a fast buck on Wall Street, but I don't know if I want him building my rifle.
And this kind of bums me out because a Marlin Model 1894 chambered in .357 mag. was on my short list.
Par for the course lately, unfortunately. Marlin was such a good company. I hope they can get it together soon.
It was a good company but everything that was Marlin, except the name, was lost when they shut down North Haven CT operations!
...Sadly, this no longer means much. The firearms industry should have studied history (U.S. automakers) instead of resting on its laurels and relying on their name brands' reputations. Many of the American firearm manufacturers are mere shells of what they once were.
Its all part of the WalMartization of America. U.S. consumers measuring value by price vs. quality.
I purchased a new Marlin 1894 in 44 Mag around twenty years ago. Shot it and later that night when i was cleaning rifle i put a bore light down barrel. To my surprise light was coming out of barrel where it wasn't supposed to. When rifle was made the feed tube barrrel band screw hole was drilled all the way into the barrel. Marlin replaced the barrel and rifle was returned in a timely manner.
Find a nice used Interarms Mark X/Whitworth or Remington 798 in .458WM. Wisconsin Cartridge Corp loads a 405gr RNSP @ 2200fps. Hunting Shack Munitions loads a 350gr FPSP @ 2500fps. Both sell for about ~40/box and would work for any NA game. I love the look and feel of the Marlin big loop's but there is nothing like a CRF mauser for things that bite back.
Full disclosure: I am totally biased. http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=88949 :D
I just took my old Marlins out of the safe and hugged them.
Anybody else suspect a connection between the apparent decline in Marlin's QC and CS and the company being acquired by Freedom Group, a subsidiary of Cerberus Capital Management, a major private equity firm?
There's another thread (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=93479) discussing a recent NYT article (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/27/business/how-freedom-group-became-the-gun-industrys-giant.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=us) about Freedom Group, which in the past 4-5 years has scooped up Bushmaster, DPMS, Marlin, Remington, and a handful of other firearm accessories and ammunition suppliers.
Gordon Gecko might be the go-to guy for turning a fast buck on Wall Street, but I don't know if I want him building my rifle.
And this kind of bums me out because a Marlin Model 1894 chambered in .357 mag. was on my short list.
Careful, you are sounding awfully tinfoil finding conspiracies and such;). As to the OP I am sorry to hear this. I used to be a pretty big fan of theirs, but then most of my experiences with them were a few years back or are with their guns that are a few years old.
My `1894C was a basket case. I sent it to Superior Firearms to have it fixed. I didnt want to give Marlin a 2nd chance to screw up the gun. I will not buy a new production Marlin again
I would use the Remington/Marlin/Freedom groups supervisor's name, however I don't wish to transgress any rule's, so I will refrain from doing so, even though he has more than earned the exposure....
Today(11/30)I contacted the Remington/Marlin supervisor's office yet again, of course I got the recorded message, not the live body, nonetheless I left an explicit message for him, outlining exactly what I intended to do in retaliation for my gross mistreatment at their/his hands. I explained in detail that I had posted this account on several popular firearms & 2nd Amendment sites on the www, and that I intended to continue to update them until either the company no longer existed ;), or things were made right, to my complete satisfaction. I mean it, I will not fade quietly away into the night!
Later in the day I discovered I had a message, sure enough it was from the vacationing shot-caller. He made no effort at apology, indeed he simply stated matter of factly that there was some type of mis-communication, that he never intended to ship me a new firearm in the time frame previously mentioned, that he had only ordered me a new one with no clear delivery date in mind, apparently now taking the position that it could be a very very long time before they intended to compensate me one way or another!
This breaks entirely new ground in my dealings with this dispicable company, ground in which he/they are clearly lying! I should add that Remington/Marlin/Freedom Group is one of the largest arms makers in the world, he clearly understood my dilemma weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday, yet at no time did he/they attempt to make anything right, when it was first disclosed to me by them/him that the firearm in question was no longer in circulation there wasn't even a mention of perhaps upgrading me into a different model of firearm, in order to do the right thing. In fact through all my dealing's with them, it was accentuated by the clear, unmistakable, impression that you "pay's your money, and you takes your chances!":bad:
I will continue to update this until resolution....;)
I very much wanted an 1895GS. I made sure it was an older CT manufactured weapon. I value it more than ever after reading this fiasco.
Ive been into guns for basically two decades and its become apparent to me, at least outside of the AR world, that you have to buy a semi custom to custom rifle to get one that doesn't come out of the box with numerous issues (no matter how small).
Between my buddies and I we have a lot of guns, and its amazing the shit being put out.
One thing, and not a slight on you but its generally not a good idea to purchase a gun you intend to use on a hunt within a relatively short period before said hunt. Ive read numerous stories like this over the years, and while the gun being ****ed up out of the box isnt cool if the hunt is so important you should have had a squared away gun months before and been practicing with it not trying to trade promises and overnight shipments back and forth.
I agree, there's a lot of shit out there. It seems most of the US made products are about on par with cheap overseas products as of late...but at higher prices. Might as well just buy the imported stuff.
Im looking at buying a bolt action hunting gun and I doubt it will be a US made gun. Looking at Sako guns now.
US companies have continually cheapened their guns with things like plastic trigger guards and magazine housings. Add in poor qc to things like chamber checks and it gets worse from there.
Supposedly the newly made Winchester Model 70's made by FN in SC are pretty good, and a lot more consistent than pre-FN owned Win stuff.
All this kind of stuff is why I don't give a shit about modern Remchesters and such. They just make me think of cheap and plasticky. I got to play with a factory R700 once (a gun I'm actually not that familiar with in actual use), and the damn bolt made a squeaky sound when closing it! The **** is that!?!?
At this point in time, I'd rather get good with an old milsurp and hunt with that if I needed to. Old school guns are usually solid, and I love that.
And it sucks to hear that this happened to Marlin. I had always been a fan of them and the first firearm I ever shot was a Marlin.
Oh, and I did shoot one of those 1895 Lever guns once, an original. It was sweet and heart covets one.
Army Chief
12-04-11, 06:52
... retaliation for my gross mistreatment
... I mean it, I will not fade quietly away into the night
... my dealings with this dispicable company
... I will continue to update this until resolution....;)
Actually, you won't be updating this much past next week if you don't alter your tone a bit. I get that you're indignant, and certainly concede that you've been treated poorly, but there is nothing to be gained by this kind of toxicity and anger. I'm not saying that your frustration isn't justified, but it serves no purpose to air it here in this fashion while the matter remains unresolved. The company has clearly attempted to make things right, and while we can all see that they have fallen well short, regular rage-fueled updates on your part are not really going to help the situation, either.
Let Marlin resolve the matter to your satisfaction, and then report back on your experience, preferably without the ire. If that simply isn't going to be possible, then we really need to just close the thread.
AC
It's unfortunate that some folks are having quality issues with Marlin. I must be an exception. I bought a brand new Marlin 1894C a couple weeks ago and am very pleased with it. It shoots one hole groups at 35 yds (that's the farthest distance on the pistol range), nothing fell off the gun in over 100 rounds, it ate .38 and .357 with no problem. This is only the second Marlin product I've own, the other one was a 1978 Marlin-Glenfield model 60 .22LR.
I have had two Marlin 45-70s. Both fed cartridges, but not well. I did not own them long before trading them in.
Cerberus ruins another gun company. They suck!
Wow. I bought a new Marlin 336 sometime between August and October and it's pretty much flawless other then the lever occasionally hangs up (which, to my understanding, is typical). It's always a bummer to get something that's screwed up. For once I must have had some good luck.
My dad bought a new 1895GSL(stainless with the XS rail) about 3 months ago and it has been flawless, although we have only put about 100 rounds through it.
As for the Sako, good guns, but good luck getting parts. A guy on another forum I am on built up a TRG42 and needed some parts/wanted some spare parts and was told between now and never would be the delivery date for the parts. He is selling/sold the TRG42, although he said it was a fantastic gun.
I own an 1895 in 45/70 and love it. It shoots quite well with Buffalo Bore's three hundred and fifty grain bullets. It is sad to here that Remington has something to do with Marlins now. I used to compete in Smallbore Silhouette. My weapon of choice was a Remington 541T topped with a Leupold 6.5x20 VaryX III. At fifty meters with Eley Sport, it grouped beautiful groups less than a quarter of an inch. Yet, at one hundred meters, the group would open up to four inches. I tried multitudes of various ammo ranging from "Oh My GOD" expensive to "Holy Crap Cheap". At fifty meter, most produced acceptable to impressive groups, but none would group for snot at one hundred meters. So I sent it back to Remington for an inspection. After three weeks I called and was told that the issue was with the bolt being "out of spec" (No detail offered or provided) and it would be replaced. After another three weeks, I called and was then told the barrel was "out of spec" (No detail offered or provided). I waited two weeks and called back and was told the receiver was found to "out of spec" (No detail offered or provided) as well and that they could not locate a barrel, bolt, or receiver that was within spec. The customer service manager explained how the production of the 541T was stopped and was being looked at as new manufactured parts were out of spec. They asked me to fax a copy of the purchase receipt and ended up paying me that amount. I will no longer use a factory Remington rifle due to this experience. I took that money and purchased an Anschutz 1416L and have not looked back.
In contrast I have been using a couple of recent make Savage bolt guns for deer hunting and such. I am totally happy with Savage's QC and the value of the rifles I bought.
OTOH, the Leupold scope I bought for one of these guns came apart inside of 8 rounds through the gun while trying to get a zero. After calling in I pretty much got the impression that Leupold didn't give a shit, so I got my money back and bought a higher end Bushnell with the funds.
Updated 12/8/11
Marlin 1895GBL replacement rifle turned up at my ffl today, after carefully inspecting it, going as far as comparing it to an older specimen, it was decided by myself, the ffl, and his gunsmith to reject it out of hand. The rear tang of the reciever and the stock had a gap that you could insert a nickle into, worse then on the original carbine.
I contacted the Marlin/Remington supe and explained the situation, he took an aggressive posture, one in which he clearly felt me to be a crank. I asked for his boss, he refused to offer a contact number for a superior. I will pursue it further, through other channels...
Twistedsteel
12-09-11, 20:43
Man that is really sad I'm sorry your going through this, well maybe not entirely. You see, I was in the market for a 1895gbl and after reading you thread I searched and searched and found a lightly used "JM" rifle. Haven't took possession yet(Ca. 10 day wait) but I'm pretty confident that I'm gonna be happy. Good luck and I hope all works out for you. Albie
Belmont31R
12-09-11, 21:04
I went a looked at some Sako rifles today. Didn't have any calibers I wanted but the same model. They had a 7MM RM and 375. The guns are really well put together and although pricey you can see they put a lot more attention into detail like stock fit and finish. Yes I used those words. These are finish made hunting rifles asking a premium over something that a Rem 700 would likely do as well when it comes to putting bullets into game but I hate junky guns with poor finish and details.
OP I would suggest you find a way to cut your losses, and try to find a pawn shop rifle to your liking then send it someone to have it worked on as you want. I hate crappy guns and don't like short cuts being made. An AR is not the same, and they didn't used to make guns with such poor quality. If they can't get a stock to fit right I have no expectation the action is going to be any better.
I thought my experience with Sig was bad! I almost had to go to the BBB to get it worked out...
Thank you for sharing your experience. You might want to contact the BBB and file a report, it might get you somewhere.
Dane
decodeddiesel
12-11-11, 13:00
It was a good company but everything that was Marlin, except the name, was lost when they shut down North Haven CT operations!
Agreed 100%. I remember hearing about the North Haven plant closure and thought "Well, I will never buy a new Marlin again".
I went a looked at some Sako rifles today. Didn't have any calibers I wanted but the same model. They had a 7MM RM and 375. The guns are really well put together and although pricey you can see they put a lot more attention into detail like stock fit and finish. Yes I used those words. These are finish made hunting rifles asking a premium over something that a Rem 700 would likely do as well when it comes to putting bullets into game but I hate junky guns with poor finish and details.
I own three Sako rifles, one a factory stock Varminter, and two custom rifles built using Sako actions. Excellent rifles of superior quality. For example, the .338 Winmag elk rifle was built for me by Clarence Hammond, a legend in the precision shooting world, using a white Sako magnum action and a Hart barrel. I asked him to "blueprint" and "true" the action while he was at it, but when the rifle was completed and he didn't bill me for work to the action, his response was that he miked and checked it but that it was better than benchrest tolerances for center and squareness so he couldn't find anything to improve. He was impressed. The same is never said of box stock Remington 700 actions, or even most custom benchrest actions. Sako is well worth the extra cost, IMO, even if you just consider the higher-quality barrels they use.
I think this is related. Can someone embed it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi79kO51R4U
Aside from a a select few companies, about 99% of the firearms being made today are pure garbage. There is no quality control, and the manufacturing processes being used now don't really result in quality to begin with.
I look at this little Remington 510 Targetmaster I've got.... made in 1947. Got it for free, Blue Book is about $65. I don't know what I'm going to do when it breaks someday. Comparing it to the rifles currently on the market- the new production stuff is trash.
It's not just in .22LR... Take a look at these $3000k 1911 clones that are all the rage now. They're metal injection molded or die cast and pot metal.
Comparing any of the old, used guns I have to those being made now is disgusting. Prices have gone up, and quality doesn't exist.
Contacted Remington/Marlin regarding an amended reciept on Tuesday afternoon which reflects the full monetary cost incurred by myself, it was faxed care of the supervisor with whom I've been dealing with the past two months.
After not hearing back from him by 3:30 PM CST this afternoon(Friday) I rang them back yet again, seeking confirmation that indeed they had recieved the documents. The Supervisor was of course now out for the holidays, leaving me to wait them out before a reply will likely be forthcoming.
In an interesting aside, I got to talk with a decently friendly CSR, who confided to me that the Marlin brand was singularly responsible for an overwhelming percentage of defective returns, and complaints from the public, he concluded by telling me, you can't imagine what a PIA it has been, sardonically I replied that as a matter of fact, yes I could!
As a boy growing up in 1960's America, I can tell you that back then "made in Japan" was virtually "english" for POS. Back then whether it was a motorbike, a camera, toy, or a knife, if it came from Japan it was worthy of nothing but your scorn & derision...
It seems to me that a significant percentage of American manufacturing industry has sunken to such depths, certainly my dealings with Marlin/Remington/Freedom group have led me to conclude that made in America is virtually english for "big big mistake!"
Belmont31R
12-16-11, 20:18
I own three Sako rifles, one a factory stock Varminter, and two custom rifles built using Sako actions. Excellent rifles of superior quality. For example, the .338 Winmag elk rifle was built for me by Clarence Hammond, a legend in the precision shooting world, using a white Sako magnum action and a Hart barrel. I asked him to "blueprint" and "true" the action while he was at it, but when the rifle was completed and he didn't bill me for work to the action, his response was that he miked and checked it but that it was better than benchrest tolerances for center and squareness so he couldn't find anything to improve. He was impressed. The same is never said of box stock Remington 700 actions, or even most custom benchrest actions. Sako is well worth the extra cost, IMO, even if you just consider the higher-quality barrels they use.
Good to hear. If its something I am going to be using for decades Id rather buck up the extra cash and get something quality that can be passed down. I don't really have confidence in some other brands as they have adopted the motto of its cheaper to get 10% of the product back than put the expense into putting out 99.9% of guns that work out of the box. Im not interested in a 5k to 10k custom gun because thats way out of my budget but Ive heard nothing of great things about Sako. I will make sure to buy from someone who has a reputation at stake and has a good inventory as they are more likely to put their money where their mouth is.
Im leaning towards a Sako 85 classic in 308 so it shares my ammo with my KAC rifle, and ballistics are very close.
I can't remember if it was listed in this thread or not, but Marlin no longer lists the 1894C on their website. It seems that they have discontinued production of it, at least temporarily. This is a shame, since I had wanted one for a while but always found more pressing needs for my gun money (and then of course I read this thread).
Ed
Ed:
I picked up a brand new 1894C last month. I bet my seller still have one or two. Let me know if you need the contact info.
BTW, I love mine.
I can't remember if it was listed in this thread or not, but Marlin no longer lists the 1894C on their website. It seems that they have discontinued production of it, at least temporarily. This is a shame, since I had wanted one for a while but always found more pressing needs for my gun money (and then of course I read this thread).
Ed
Still listed.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/1894centerfire/1894C.asp
The 1894 that I was waiting for, was the 1894CSBL shown at SHOT last year:
http://www.impactguns.com/data/default/images/catalog/535/marlin_1894CSBL.jpg
16" Stainless Guide Gun version with big loop.
If internet scuttlebutt is correct, that one has been shelved for an indeterminate time.
pop pop mike
12-17-11, 14:17
Another great American company changes ownership and goes into the crapper. This is sad.
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1859sharps
12-19-11, 16:53
The root issue with Marlins these days does appear to be rooted in a management decision to consolidate manufacturing within existing Remington facilities.
If you want the gory details, check out this forum
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/marlin-rant-forum/
There are some former Marlin employee's setting the record strait over there.
There are also tips for identifying a pre buy out and post Remington take over production.
In theory, Remington is addressing the issues and will be back to production next year with the bugs worked...or so the PR goes. time will tell.
So it continues, contacted Marlin after the Holiday(1/3/12)and was on hold for 22-minutes before I just said screw it, and hung up. Called back again this afternoon, on hold for 12-minutes before catching a live body, almost a speedy response.
Talked with another CSR, who became very combative, so I responded in kind, however as I was threatened with the obligatory involuntary telephone disconnect, I dropped a trump card on her which got me as far as the supervisors bosses voice mail. You see I had aqquired his name from the above link from a very angry former Marlin employee at the Marlin website listed in the link. These Marlin supes and their CSR's had been refusing to give me his name! :mad:
At anyrate I left a message with this new supervisor, I was to the point, if he doesn't respond in detail by close of business on 1/5/12 I'm going to take them to small claims court and secure a judgement! I also informed him that I have opened a complaint with the BBB. I'm getting the impression that these people have no intention of returning my money, I'm getting the impression that they are toying with me.
I've never experienced anything like this from another American arms maker, not anything even close, they are completely indifferent, indeed I believe the supervisor to have been deliberate in his actions. It's virtually systemic, they really could care less.
I'd like to thank "1859sharps" for posting that link, and I would urge anyone else who's getting screwed by this crappy company to drop on in on that Marlin Rant forum and get a whiff of all the anger and resentment Marlin has touched off....
Recieved reimbursement for the carbine in mail(1/9/12), Marlin did not, as promised, reimburse my shipping costs.
Thus ends my dealings with Remington/Marlin USA...:bad:
Thus ends my dealings with Remington/Marlin USA...
And better yet, the end of this thread. At least I hope....
Army Chief
01-13-12, 21:03
Indeed.
AC
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