New from Marlin. 336 & 1894 Deluxe models

[Chuck 100 yd]

I just got my Sept. 2009 E-news letter from Marlin. They are offering Deluxe models of the 336 and 1894.
Special order, they are sharp in the pictures. Hi grade wood and high polished and deep bluing is listed.

[CowboyTutt]

Wow, that does sound pretty good! I'm still working on what will be my first shotgun purchase so will pass, but I'm glad you posted that information! Someone ought to jump on those.

-Tutt

[Chuck 100 yd]

Sorry, in my post (not the title)I said 1895 , I changed that to 1894 to correct the BO BO.

[gundownunder]

Does that mean their going to make these select few to the high standard that they used to make all their guns to?

[KirkD]

That is a good move, in my opinion. I am looking forward to seeing photos when they come available.

[Pete44ru]

To qoute marlin's website:

"Deluxe Models 336 and 1894 - Available for Special Order at Participating Retailers Until September 20, 2009.

Deluxe Model Firearms come packaged in a decorative case.

Special Opportunity to Own Deluxe Models of two of America's Favorite Lever Action Rifles

These rifles will feature full fancy American Black Walnut stocks and fore-ends, high polish metal parts with deep blue finish and actions hand turned for smoothness by one of Marlin's senior craftsmen.
Each model will have a unique serial number format, 336DL001 and 94DL0001.
Rifles will come packaged in a hard case with a decorative color sleeve.

These rifles will only be available through firearms' dealers that are registered as direct or Custom Shop dealers."

Marlin now has a "CUSTOM SHOP" ? ?


The M336DL:


The M1894DL:


.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I am excited that they now know we want something better than the average assembly line gun and many are willing to pay the premium to get it.
I hope this is the start of a new trend in firearm manufacture. Back to quality.

[Griff]

"...Available for Special Order at Participating Retailers Until September 20, 2009..

Sure doesn't sound like they're giving a great deal of thought to the longevity of the offer. And is that their standard pressed checkering? Nothing "deluxe" about that in my book. Sorry, but if you're going to pay a premium and get figured wood, but only with pressed checkering, it spells "too cheap to do it right." IMO.

[KirkD]

I would also have to admit to a real lack of enthusiasm for their standard press checkering. The wood looks nice, but I'd rather have it finished in a darker stain to bring out the figuring in the wood. Then you wouldn't need that press checkering. Putting press checkering on deluxe wood is like putting a tattoo on a beautiful woman.

[AJMD429]

Putting press checkering deluxe wood is like putting a tattoo on a beautiful woman.

...you owe me a keyboard for that one...

[Streetstar]

Putting press checkering deluxe wood is like putting a tattoo on a beautiful woman.

I'm just dirty enough to like a few tats on a beautiful woman myself ----- but i would prefer no checkering to pressed checkering as well

[Chuck 100 yd]

All of Marlins checkering has been machine cut for years. With the possible exception of some of the cheep non Walnut marlins sold by the box stores all I have seen and own are cut checkered. Mind you its not hand cut but cut none the less. This is the same with all American made major brand (non custom) guns AFAIK !

[Buck Elliott]

"lipstick on a pig..."

[KirkD]

All of Marlins checkering has been machine cut for years. With the possible exception of some of the cheep non Walnut marlins sold by the box stores all I have seen and own are cut checkered. Mind you its not hand cut but cut none the less. This is the same with all American made major brand (non custom) guns AFAIK !

Glad to hear it. The last two spanking new Marlins I had (1895 and 1894) did not have checkering. Unless the checkering is very well done, and very fine, I'd rather not have it. I really like the Marlins, but a fellow can't buy everything he likes. Once again, I am pleased to see they are offering a deluxe version. If they sell well (and I think they will), then they may produce more (lowering the cost maybe) in future years.

[Pete44ru]

Just my $0.02, but since there doesn't appear to be much of a "window of opportunity", per Marlin's website, to glom onto one of the new Deluxe rifles - there'll be scant few around.
Sooooo, they're sure to be a collector's item ( + $$$ ) very soon.

.

[garyhan]

The Deluxe models look pretty good to me, pressed checkering and all: but then I do like tattoos on beautiful women.

gary

[jlchucker]

I see they are still stuck on keeping those fat forearms, along with that checkering--cut or not. I guess I've got all the Marlins I need for now, unless I come across a good buy on an older one with the classic slender lines of yesteryear.

[Buck Elliott]

I see they are still stuck on keeping those fat forearms, along with that checkering--cut or not. I guess I've got all the Marlins I need for now, unless I come across a good buy on an older one with the classic slender lines of yesteryear.

Pretty much my thoughts on the matter. I don't know who Marlin makes leverguns for, but they don't make 'em for me... Not anymore, they don't.

[Leverdude]

They never used press checkering on walnut stocked guns. Just the economy birch ones. These have been on their website awhile.
Far as the fat forends, that started in 1936 or so. 70 years counts as yesteryear I think. But, if you dont like them dont buy them. Different strokes for different folks, thats why I dont own any rifles made by shirt makers.

[Buck Elliott]

Marlins seem to be more of an "Eastern" thing, I reckon. Don't know why, and don't really care, but that leaves more WINCHESTERS for the rest of us...

[leveractionjunkie]

I'd like to see them make them a standard option. Why such a limited window?

[Leverdude]

Marlins seem to be more of an "Eastern" thing, I reckon. Don't know why, and don't really care, but that leaves more WINCHESTERS for the rest of us...

Hmm, Winchesters are as eastern as Marlins both came from right here in CT, matter of fact so does Colt & most other historical firearms are from the northeast. Biggest difference was marketing, Oliver Winchester was a businessman, John Marlin a gun maker. But whatever, Eastern, Western silly things to worry about IMO.

I'd like to see them make them a standard option. Why such a limited window?

Maybe testing the waters.

[Swampman]

I'd sure like to have one of those stock set for my Glenfield 30.

[El Chivo]

I like it, I'm partial to the ones with the end cap as opposed to double carbine bands.

[Buck Elliott]

"Hmm, Winchesters are as eastern as Marlins both came from right here in CT, matter of fact so does Colt & most other historical firearms are from the northeast. Biggest difference was marketing, Oliver Winchester was a businessman, John Marlin a gun maker. But whatever, Eastern, Western silly things to worry about IMO."

Not worried in the least. Pard...

Oliver Winchester was what we'd now call an industrialist... No need to throw in veiled insults about his being a shirtmaker. Winchester had the foresight to see a market for the firearms inventions of gun-savvy men, and ran with it. Benjamin Tyler Henry was a real firearms genious, making workable firearms in patterns never really tried before. John Browning's inventive mind (another genious...) was a godsend to Winchester's company, when his input was needed most.

As for the East/West thing, my opinion comes from years -- decades -- of closer-than-casual observation, and is expressed as a generality.

No sense gettin' a twist in your long-johns over it...

[marlinman93]

What the heck are those carbine bands doing on the front of a Marlin rifle? And how can that 1894 be a deluxe without a PG stock? What's deluxe about a straight grip with better wood?

[J Miller]

Maybe this is Remington's idea of deluxe lever guns???? A previous poster asked; "since when did Marlin have a custom shop", I suspect they are using Remingtons' custom shop.

What do those bolt gun dudes know about lever guns anyway?

Joe

[Blaine]

Putting press checkering on deluxe wood is like putting a tattoo on a beautiful woman.

Where is the tattoo?

[Mike D.]

Marlins seem to be more of an "Eastern" thing, I reckon. Don't know why, and don't really care, but that leaves more WINCHESTERS for the rest of us...

My sentiments, exactly, Buck. Those phugly phat Marlin forearms gotta go!! I haven't used my 1948 336A .35 for that very reason. Soon's a decent old '93 or 1936 forearm shows up I'm slappin' that baby on the 336. At least it will be shootable that way.

[J Miller]

The way I see it, if their gonna have a front barrel band, they need to use a rear one too.
If they're gonna have a forearm cap, then use the magazine tube hanger.
The forearm cap with the barrel band just looks wrong.

And don't get me started on that obese forearm wood. YUCK!!!!


Joe