[BBBB4Grizzly]

Does anyone here know anything about Wild West Guns...or have dealt with them? Are they good guys, do good gunsmith work?
They say they "like" Marlin actions...and use the guns as a starting point for their custom conversions...
....YET, they also say the NEW Remlins (Marlins) kinda suck and production on then has even halted completely ...they say that a new Marlin "needs work", a lot of "work", before they are any good...like their "tune up" package for $300., replacing the ejector with their "Bear Proof Ejector-Happy Trigger -aluminum Magazine follower...also "tuning" the action and smooth out all the rough spots...but $300., really...is my NEW Marlin 1895SBL as crappy as they make it out to be...just got it, can't wait to put some rounds thru it to see?

 

[SHOOTER13]

Welcome to the Marlin Firearms Forum BBBB4Grizzly !!

I would say go to the range with your new Marlin and try her out before you

believe any of that nonsense...!!

Give us a range report when you get back now, hear !?

 

[Hyphenated]

The older Marlins pre 2007 needed a lot less break-in time. Just sitting in front of your TV and cycling the lever would smooth it up enough to be satisfactory. I don't know if that is the case any more with the new ones from Remington. I guess your satisfaction with your new rifle depends on the quality you are accustomed too. I suppose if you don't know how good the old ones were...you won't notice how bad the new ones are.

 

[BBBB4Grizzly]

The older Marlins pre 2007 needed a lot less break-in time. Just sitting in front of your TV and cycling the lever would smooth it up enough to be satisfactory. I don't know if that is the case any more with the new ones from Remington. I guess your satisfaction with your new rifle depends on the quality you are accustomed too. I suppose if you don't know how good the old ones were...you won't notice how bad the new ones are.

So you are saying, in your opinion...the new ones ARE bad?

 

[duster066]

Got my new 94C today. Out of the box I'm disappointed. Here's a pre-shoot review.

http://www.marlinforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=328

 

[JohnnyLoco]

For the most part, the new ones need work. WWG ain't the only one that does leveraction jobs.

 

[Hyphenated]

BBBB4Grizzly...
What I'm saying is...getting one with the attention to detail and quality you'd expect is just luck of the draw. Stories abound on the gun forums of guys getting rifles anywhere from so-so quality to down right junk. The rifles I have handled certainly have not been works of art, but serviceable firearms. More recently the reports seem to indicate that the quality is improving. I don't know if that is really the case, or if gun shops inspect the Marlins closer now and don't put the bad ones on their shelves.

If I was in the market to buy a Marlin big bore, I'd be looking at the rifles made in 2007 or earlier. JMHO. The newest Marlin in my safe just happens to be a 308MX made in 2007. I don't have any plans to buy more 'new' Marlins, but I always have an eye out for the old Marlins.

 

[duster066]

My 94CS turned out to be a fine shooting gun. When I can swing it I'll buy the jig and stones to fix the trigger then it'll be perfect.

 

[1894]

Does anyone here know anything about Wild West Guns...or have dealt with them? Are they good guys, do good gunsmith work?
They say they "like" Marlin actions...and use the guns as a starting point for their custom conversions...
....YET, they also say the NEW Remlins (Marlins) kinda suck and production on then has even halted completely ...they say that a new Marlin "needs work", a lot of "work", before they are any good...like their "tune up" package for $300., replacing the ejector with their "Bear Proof Ejector-Happy Trigger -aluminum Magazine follower...also "tuning" the action and smooth out all the rough spots...but $300., really...is my NEW Marlin 1895SBL as crappy as they make it out to be...just got it, can't wait to put some rounds thru it to see?

As long as the fit and finish look good to YOU , then cycle the action while watching tv till you can get out and put a few hundred rounds of various ammo thru it. After that YOU can decide how good or bad it is. What you like and don't like about it , as well as what that individual rifle likes and doesn't like.
In short , put it thru its paces and you be the judge.

Remember , folks are more apt to complain if they are unhappy and satisfied folks tend not to be as vocal.

 

[JohnnyLoco]

The problem is the subject of "smoothness" is subjective. I've seen folks who had a rifle that cycled smooth as glass
except for the lever plunger and hammer spring making it "stick" or feel rough.

I would not cycle a 94 until doing the "snail" cam job to prevent a gouge and marlin jam. Then cycle the hell out of it and do some
plunger work and add a reduced power hammer spring.

Y'all can do a trigger job if you want but the WWG trigger is nice.

 

[duster066]

The problem is the subject of "smoothness" is subjective. I've seen folks who had a rifle that cycled smooth as glass
except for the lever plunger and hammer spring making it "stick" or feel rough.

I would not cycle a 94 until doing the "snail" cam job to prevent a gouge and marlin jam. Then cycle the hell out of it and do some
plunger work and add a reduced power hammer spring.

Y'all can do a trigger job if you want but the WWG trigger is nice.

Do you know the guns well Johnny? I did the "snail" cam job, as you put it, but I didn't put the .025" to .030" radius on the cam as the instructions said...I was afraid to go that far. I put maybe .005" to .010" radius and polished smooth. What do you thing, will that head off the Marlin jam?

 

[seasidehunter]

I have been in the WWG store in Vegas. The son runs that store. Nice store.

They are famous for conversions to "take downs", the co-pilot gun, converting to bigger cartridge, 487 or something and 500 I think

I didn't have any real smith work done on mine - but I bought their trigger and the ejector - they put them in for free.

I was in Vegas for a trade show for a couple of days

I really want their scout scope mount - but I am gonna use the XS scout scope rail instead -- mostly due to cost. XS rail = $50 WWG scope base is $120 installed (they are basically charging $80 to drill and tap 4 screws

you can improve your action yourself - cycle a bunch of snap caps through your gun watching tv. oil it up.

I think there are lots of little problems with the new guns. I think they will work out the kinks.

I am not sure WWG "workover" is worth $250 though. I am not sure how important is is to put in the aluminum follower.

I mean I hope to use my gun enough to need it - but not right now.

I am gonna add skinner sights and a scout scope to mine and take it moose & bear hunting.

 

[Guntrainer]

A while back, I had WWG tune a 1979 unfired 1894 Winnie XTR. A little chamber work, a little action work, a little trigger work. $150, including shipping. The gun is SCARY smooth! It feels like half the parts are missing. Damned gun shoots like a house on fire.

Don't cheap out on your new toy. You only have to get it done once. EVERY TIME you rack the gun, you will be glad WWG massaged it for you.

I couldn't be happier with their service.

I also have a Marlin 35. I was very surprised at the huge increase in power with proper loads. It is a lot more man than the 30/30. It will push a 200 gr bullet faster than the 30/30 can push a 150!

 

[duster066]

I don't believe a $300 action job is required. Most of the work probably is, but a guy shouldn't have to spend that much. I googled "tuning the Marlin 1894C" and several great sites came up. I tuned mine myself using one written by a Cowboy Action shooter. It worked great, I didn't spend a dime, and now after maybe 600 rounds even the crappy trigger is coming around. I had it out again today and it's so smooth it makes my Win 94 feel clunky. I was very disappointed when I took it out of the box, but it's turned out to be a terrific little rifle.

 

[aka]

I used this site, and saved a bunch of money on a action job

http://marauder.homestead.com/files/TUNING_M_1894.htm

 

[duster066]

Thanks aka, that's the one I used.

 

[niclas]

Trigger job on the 1895.. where can I find a nice description on how to do it your self??

 

[pdude]

Great info all. I've been thinking if I want to either do the job myself on the 1894C, use a WildWest package, or just buy some of WildWest parts online at Midway. Good to hear more feedback. If I was to do it myself, I'm just worried about over sanding the parts, but maybe I'll just do it and if I mess it up, I'll order a replacement from Marlin.

 

[aka]

@pdude the parts you get from Midway and or Brownells or others will all need some work. Just replacing the factory parts with the new ones is not a 100% of the correction. Use these replacement parts and save the factory parts. In case later you want to sell the gun or need a quick repair. The best thing you can do for any lever gun is go shoot a couple hundred (200 to 300) rounds out of it first.

 

[j_gundel]

I have an 1894C made in 1999. It is the best shooting gun I have ever had. I am a Marlin Owners Forum member and there has been a lot of negative reports on the "remlins". The early ones had a lot of quality Assurance problems. Lately they seem to have been a lot better quality and have been getting better reports. The grizzly tune up is a good procedure though ( IMHO) is a bit pricey. The happy trigger is about $90 and does do away with the trigger flop and reduces the trigger pull. Although there are many 'backyard mechanic' fixes that do the same thing. Shoot and enjoy.