By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2023
MARLIN FIREARMS
Marlin Firearms was founded in the 1870s by John Marlin. Marlin produced many firearms, such as lever-action rifles, pump-action shotguns, and single-shot rifles, and was considered the main competitor to Winchester.
During World War I, Marlin became one of the largest machine gun producers in the world for the US and its Allies, building the M1895 Colt–Browning machine gun and a later variant called the “Marlin gun” optimized for aircraft use.
In 1917 Marlin purchased the Hopkins & Allen Arms Company to expand their line of sporting arms.
In November 2000, Marlin purchased the assets of H&R 1871, Inc., a Gardner, Massachusetts-based manufacturer of shotguns and rifles, marketing its products under Harrington & Richardson and New England Firearms.
In December 2007, Remington Arms purchased Marlin and announced in April 2008 that it would close the Gardner manufacturing plant by the end of 2008. In March 2010, Marlin announced that it would close its North Haven plant and move the work to Remington plants in Ilion, New York, and Mayfield, Kentucky.
In 2020 Remington Outdoor went bankrupt. After the smoke cleared and $30 million later, Sturm, Ruger & Company ended up with one of its prized divisions – Marlin Firearms.
After the sale, Ruger didn’t just go on building Marlin rifles as if nothing changed. Ruger went through all the machinery, all the tooling, and all the manufacturing processes looking for areas to improve on.
Ruger & Marlin had something in common. Both companies built all their guns and parts in America. If the part wasn’t built in-house, it was built by a sub-contractor in America, period!
THE RECEIVER & FURNITURE
The receiver, lever, and trigger guard plate are CNC machined from alloy steel forgings and finished in blued satin.
Safety features include a positive, push-button, cross-bolt manual safety, and traditional half-cock hammer.
The tubular magazine features a loading gate on the receiver and will accept 10 rounds of .44 Rem Mag or 11 rounds of .44 Special ammunition.
With their clean, crisp checkering, the attractive American black walnut stock and forend provide excellent grip in most weather conditions, and the soft rubber buttpad effectively absorbs recoil.
Also included are sling swivel studs and an offset hammer spur.
THE BARREL
The barrel is manufactured with a six-groove 1-20” RH twist, is made of alloy steel and is cold hammer-forged for ultra-precise rifling that provides exceptional accuracy and longevity.
The adjustable semi-buckhorn sights are great for quick target acquisition.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Lever-Action Rifle
Caliber: 44 Rem Mag / 44 Special
Magazine Capacity: 10/11 Rounds
Sights: Semi-Buckhorn Rear Sight, Brass Bead with Hood Front Sight
Barrel Length: 20.25 Inches
Overall Length: 37.75 Inches
Weight: 6.4 Pounds
MSRP: $1,239
URL: www.marlinfirearms.com
THE VERDICT
One of Marlin’s most desired lever guns has always been the Model 1894, and the reintroduction of this classic American rifle chambered in .44 Remington Magnum is welcomed.
Since purchasing Marlin, Ruger has improved manufacturing processes to create tight tolerances, resulting in a reliable, attractive rifle.
Multi-layered quality control procedures, including daily function, accuracy audits, and multiple inspections, result in a high-quality product, and it shows.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected].