Home Business Marlin Shoots Down Rumors of Production Stoppage. Ish.

Marlin Shoots Down Rumors of Production Stoppage. Ish.

August 16, 2011

TTAG’s received a new 1894c Marlin lever gun. It’s a so-far-flawless replacement for the rifle that snapped in half before a shot was fired. You may recall that Chris Dumm had some quality issues with the rifle’s twin. Despite repeated requests, Marlin declined to comment on either gun. Yesterday, when I read an internet posting on bayoushooter.com claiming that Marlin had ceased production to address QC issues, I thought the story might have had merit (wishful thinking?). So I contacted the company for confirmation. I received the following communication from Jessica Kallum, Marlin’s PR rep . . .

Thanks to all of our Marlin® fans and customers out there for your questions and comments today. There seems to be some incorrect information floating around, so we wanted to ensure all of you that Marlin® is doing great and continues to produce lever-action, bolt-action and rimfire rifle offerings on a daily basis. We are currently focusing our production efforts on specific product offerings to ensure efficiencies for the immediate future, based on demand for certain models. To learn more about all of the Marlin products, please visit our website at www.marlinfirearms.com.

We are finishing up the final touches on the 2012 Marlin product catalog, so stay tuned and we’ll try to give you a sneak peak in the coming weeks!

16 COMMENTS

GDog August 16, 2011 At 12:39

I would love to see how the Chiappa PR firm would have responded!
ready,fire,aim August 16, 2011 At 13:03

get your finger off that trigger junior….
Magoo August 16, 2011 At 13:04

The press release doesn’t really “shoot down” or deny anything.
Robert Slaughter August 16, 2011 At 13:28

Agreed with Magoo — it’s just boilerplate that doesn’t say anything meaningful.
miforest August 16, 2011 At 14:04

nardelli is in charge. they’re doomed. you can’t fight history.
Ralph August 16, 2011 At 14:11

Someone please call a plumber. We seem to have a dead Marlin swirling down the porcelain convenience.
Chris Dumm August 16, 2011 At 14:45

The ‘net scuttlebutt was that Marlington & Bushington were stopping production of their centerfire lever actions for the rest of 2011 while they sorted out their QC issues. This press report, speaking ambiguously of ‘shifting production priorities’ doesn’t exactly deny this rumour.

Whatever it takes, I sincerely hope they get their issues straightened out and I’m delighted that Farago’s 1894 is flawless. Hopefully it’s a sign of better things to come from an old gunmaker.
Magoo August 16, 2011 At 15:14

Depending how and where you shop, Marlins and Remingtons are still as well-made as they ever were. God bless used firearms.
- BLAMMO August 16, 2011 At 15:56
  
  … Meaning, stay away from the new ones?
- Brad Kozak August 16, 2011 At 17:30
  
  Magoo, either I’m suffering from heatstroke today, or you’re making sense here.
  
  Or both.
  - Ralph August 16, 2011 At 20:06
    
    Ice and water will take care of the first issue. The second requires years of analysis.
  - Magoo August 16, 2011 At 20:40
    
    You two have learned so much in my short time here. I should be charging you for this.
Jester August 17, 2011 At 09:54

The basis of the problem lies in the Freedom Group’s strategy and adoption of Remington’s management style and corporate culture. They closed down the Marlin production facility in New Haven with modern machinery and a very skilled, experienced workforce. Production was relocated to Remington’s Ilion plant full of vintage machinery and a workforce that didn’t know the first thing about lever action rifle building. Pre-Freedom Group; Marlin was well run, produced quality products, and delivered in a timely fashion. Above all, Marlin was profitable…today, not so much.
Arms Dealer August 17, 2011 At 15:38

Interesting. Just received a list of Marlin SKU’s (all lever actions, sans 336 models) that will not be “manufactured for remainder of year”, as well as, guidance that purchase orders for said models will be canceled.
Chris Dumm August 18, 2011 At 01:45

@Arms Dealer: can you email me (or Farago) a scanned copy of that list? Blot out any personal identifying info with a Sharpie first: we like to protect our sources here. Marlin has shown they’re not above lying and prevaricating, so we have to assume they’re capable of retaliating too.
Mike in Boise September 7, 2011 At 20:14

I hope the 2012 catalog that Jessica Kallum references, has a section that features models that don’t jam and misfire as often as the recent model they proudly produced for me. Or… maybe I’m just reading it wrong. There must be a “demand” for inferior and questionably unsafe products and the production of said products will fall into it’s proper place.

There… that should clear up any confusion.

Hunting season is upon me so I’ll take my chances with the misfires (about 1 of every 10 shots). I paid a gunsmith to fix the trigger (disgusting heavy and creepy), jamming, rough barrel and I guess after I miss my “once in a lifetime” elk or buck, I can send it back cross country to Remington to tinker with the the lever that occasionally won’t lock and habitual misfires. What a fiasco.

I hope Hornady courts other manufactures to produce lever actions that shoot their flex tip ammo. They’re on the right track. Any cozy contracts that exist between Hor./Mar., must be in a state of breech if Marlin won’t produce a rifle to shoot the ammo to it’s abilities. I mean hey… according to Marlin, everything’s just fine!

I can just see Marlin / Remington Management. “I don’t know what everybody’s complaining about. Our best people assured us that every rifle we shipped was shiny!”