OT-Gun supply problem?

[Jason_W]

About a month ago I put a marlin 1894 on order. As of yesterday the shop still had not been able to find a supplier that had one. They said they actually have a long list of guns on order that they are having trouble finding. I suppose the trouble with Marlin could have to do with recently being acquired by Remington (there can be only one!!). Has anyone else noticed supply issues in their area?

It wasn't a total loss. I decided to cancel the order and pick up a Mossberg 835 turkey/slug combo. It wasn't what I originally wanted, but I'll honestly get more use out of the shotgun than the .44. So far, I'm impressed with the mossberg.

[66GTO]

I ordered an 1894 from Bud's a couple of weeks ago. I had it on my wish list and they sent me a notice that the rifle was in stock. They may get first dibs from Marlin since they probably sell a lot of rifles for Marlin. Your dealer may be lower on the totem pole. I am disappointed in mine. I took it to the range this past week and it did not shoot nearly as well as my 1894C. After I slugged it, I found the bore is .4315", not the standard .429".

For what it's worth, I am partial to Remington 870's when it comes to pump shotguns. Probably because that's what we used during my law enforcement career.

[Cliff]

Don't feel too bad. I will ask time to time at a Wal-Mart near where I live if they know of availability of the Marlin 1894 in 357. Last time the manager checked and was told they had been out of stock for two years and it looked to be like four more years before they would get any in. As I understand it Marlin is moving everything they can make as fast as it comes off the line. In reading on the workings of Marlin Manufacturing they normally will stop production on some models, convert to others and then sometime down the road pick them back up. This is usually on a quarter cycle. It must work they are still in business. As mentioned I am sure top distributors and dealers do get the picks of the litter before others. All the Best.

[brucew44guns]

Back in early spring I ordered a 44 in 1894 Marlin, got it a week later. Then I ordered it in 45 Colt about mid summer, had it in a week. The gun dealer is a small banannas guy, actually makes his money running his tire shop. Go figure.

[O.S.O.K.]

Davidson's has 8 Marlin 1894 45 Colt Cowboys in stock... that's a 20" barrel with rifle handguard. Sweet.

[El Chivo]

I noticed that the Marlin 1894 in 44 mag went up in price at the Big 5 - they are $549.00 now, with 336's $449.00. I think the sale prices were $499.00 and $399.00 respectively. Those are the plain birch models...

[O.S.O.K.]

Guys. If you are not ordering your firearms direct and haveing them sent to your dealer and paying a "transfer fee", then you are paying waaaaay too much for your guns. Seriously.

Nothing wrong with buying from the dealer's inventory when he's got something you really want, etc. =- and to support him but if you purchase on a regular basis (ie you're a gun junky) then you really need to order direct from the wholesalers.

Start by getting a C&R license - it allows you to see dealer pricing with the wholesalers as they usually don't differentiate between the C&R and Dealer FFL's for viewing pricing or getting a catalog.