Would you spend (waste?) your money?
I had some time to kill this morning and wandered into a local shop. They had a new Marlin 1895 with a rail and sightmark holographic for $895. I almost think the $895 is like a play on the model. I'm most likely going to purchase a 45-70 in the not to distant future, but....that seemed high.....especially for all I have been reading about with the new Marlins......
So, seem fair? or seem high?
I wouldn't touch one of the new "Remlins" with a 10 foot pole, and that's way too much money. There are plenty of genuine Marlins out there.
But it's your money.
As above, I would not consider a new Marlin. My local shop has two 1895's one is a GBL and the other is a regular model. The tangs have rough grind marks and the stock looks like they were fit by a child.
I would look for a used Marlin lever made before 2005 or so and if you want the rail and sight add them to the used one.
I wouldn't touch a new one either but Buds has the 1895SBL for $791 shipped so the price is high. Most models made before 2009 should be GTG and there are SBLs out there made prior to the move in production and subsequent decline in quality.
Not all of the new 1895 Remlins are bad. I've seen quite a few and some of them were pretty decent. Just wouldn't trust buying one sight-unseen,though.
Strangely enough,most of the Marlin 336's I've seen are very nice. My local dealer has a new 336Y that's very nice. In fact,I'm probably going to buy it tomorrow,if it's still there.
Clint
