Marlin Firearms was founded in 1870 in New Haven, Connecticut, by John Mahlon Marlin, making it one of America's oldest firearms manufacturers. The company built its reputation on lever-action rifles — particularly the Model 336 and Model 1895 — which became synonymous with American deer hunting. Now owned by Sturm, Ruger & Company (since 2020), Marlin is a SAAMI member.

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Marlin's story has three distinct eras: Original Marlin (1870-2007) produced beloved lever guns with excellent fit and finish. "Remlin" era (2007-2020) under Remington ownership was plagued by QC problems that damaged the brand. Ruger-Marlin (2020-present) has shown significant improvement, with early production earning cautious praise from the lever-action community.
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Key milestones:

• 1870 — Founded by John Mahlon Marlin in New Haven, CT
• 1881 — Enters lever-action rifle market (defining move)
• 1948 — Model 336 introduced; becomes flagship (still in production)
• 1972 — Model 1895 reintroduced in .45-70 Government
• 1983 — Production moves from New Haven to North Haven, CT
• 2007 — Acquired by Remington ("Remlin" era begins; QC declines)
• 2020 — Ruger acquires Marlin assets from Remington bankruptcy
• 2021 — First Ruger-produced Marlins ship; quality improvement evident
• Present — SAAMI member; manufactured at Ruger facilities; rebuilding reputation

Product Lines

Marlin's lineup centers on lever-action rifles across rimfire, pistol-caliber, and centerfire:

Centerfire lever actions (hunting):

Pistol-caliber lever actions:

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The Marlin 1895 SBL is "the" bear gun. Stainless steel, laminated stock, big-loop lever for gloved hands, and .45-70 Government — the combination that guides and backcountry hunters trust. It was the lever-action that made the .45-70 relevant again for dangerous game defense.
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Rimfire:

Innovation & Technology

Marlin's innovations are mostly practical improvements to the lever-action platform:

Under Ruger ownership (2020+):

• CNC machining for improved consistency
• Better wood finishing and metal polishing
• Improved QC processes addressing "Remlin" era problems
• Same classic designs with modern manufacturing precision

Why side ejection matters:
Winchester lever actions eject brass straight up — blocking scope mounting or requiring offset mounts. Marlin's side ejection + solid-top receiver = mount a scope directly over the bore. This is why Marlin lever actions dominate among hunters who use optics.

Community & Reputation

Common praise:

• Side ejection + solid top = best lever action for scopes
• Model 336 in .30-30 is arguably the most iconic American hunting rifle
• 1895 in .45-70 is the definitive bear/dangerous game lever action
• Ruger-era (2021+) production quality is genuinely improved
• Smooth lever action; reliable feeding
• Pistol-caliber models (1894) are excellent for cowboy action shooting

Common criticism:

• "Remlin" (2007-2020) era rifles — poor fit, finish, and reliability; avoid if possible
• Pre-2007 used rifles often cost MORE than new production (quality premium)
• Micro-Groove rifling doesn't work well with cast lead bullets (some models)
• Price increases under Ruger ownership ($700-$1,200 vs. $500-$800 previously)
• Limited rimfire production (Model 39 availability sporadic)
• Tube magazine = no pointed bullets (except Hornady LEVERevolution)

Marlin production era guide:

Buyer's Guide

Which Marlin should you buy?

Buying tips:

• Avoid 2007-2020 production ("Remlin") unless inspected and priced accordingly
• Pre-2007 used rifles are excellent but command premium prices
• Ruger-era (2021+) production is the safest new-purchase bet
• Look for proof marks: "JM" = original Marlin (good); "REP" = Remington era (inspect carefully)
• Budget for a scope: Marlin's side ejection is designed for optics; take advantage of it

Marlin vs. Henry (the lever-action showdown):

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Bottom line: Marlin makes the most practical lever-action rifles in America. The 336 in .30-30 is THE deer rifle. The 1895 in .45-70 is THE bear gun. Side ejection makes them the best lever actions for scopes. Under Ruger ownership, quality is returning. If you want a working lever gun that will handle hard use in the woods, Marlin is the brand — just avoid the 2007-2020 "Remlin" production.
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References

• Marlin Firearms official site: marlinfirearms.com
• Guns & Ammo: "Celebrating 150 Years of Marlin Firearms"
• Field & Stream: Marlin 336 Classic review
• American Rifleman: Marlin history and Ruger-era production analysis
• Marlin Owners forum: production era identification guides

Read the original article in The Handbook | By Boise Gun Club Editorial Team

Join the Discussion

If you've owned a Marlin lever gun, did you run into any of those QC issues people talk about, or did yours run solid out of the box?