Have a JM marked 1894 that I bought last year to suppress, but marlin threw a wrench in the plan when they announced the 1894 SBL would be available sometime this year. Not a huge fan of the stainless but it's probably going to cost $3-400 to have my current rifle threaded wich would bring me awefully close to the MSRP of the SBL. People who have or at least have shot both, JM guns, Freedom group guns, and Ruger made guns, what are your thoughts and opinions? I don't have the space for both so that's sadly not an option at the moment
The Ruger made SBL is just as accurate as the Remington made Marlin SBL. One of the upgrades to the Ruger was a tritium front sight (it’s not on the trapper model). Even if you are not fond of stainless it could be Cerakoted. I’d add the bearproof ejector and I’d go stainless Ruger SBL.
It’s probably not just the threading of the barrel but the front sight will need to be moved back (new dovetail cut) as well as possibly shortening the mag tube and a new cut for the barrel band.
So $3-400 seems pretty accurate if it’s more than just 5e barrel thread alone.