Reeder Custom Guns - LGS has older Marlin 1894 .44mag for $750!---

took a lot of orders without conferring with their gunsmiths. They then found out it couldn't be done on the existing frames. The 1895 frame is set to lever up a 2.1" case and bobbles the short linebaugh case, sometimes throwing a live round out the ejection port. The 1894 is too slim and won't allow the larger rim to go thru the front part of the action and the mag tune is way too small. Lots of problems there. So they ended up giving a lot of deposits back.

They more recently said the 500 S&W couldn't be chambered in the 1895 due to the same problems but we found a way to get around that and it works fine in our Master Hunter.
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bought out Marlin the equipment was totally worn out and the gunsmiths at Marlin had to afro engineer the equipment to get the guns right. The new people moved all the equipment to the new buildings and with new gunsmiths running the equipment the guns didn't come out right. There were a lot of small problems, nothing drastic but enough to say they aren't right. So the head people did the right thing and shut down the plant for about 6 months, got all new equipment in there and started putting excellent guns out the door. In the meantime a bunch of know it alls started the JM thing saying only the JM guns were good ones. The JM is a proof mark and has been on Marlins forever.

The actual truth was the Marlins at the end of the original owners were not great guns. They were loose and the metal to wood fit wasn't up to specs. But the so called experts painted them as being perfect in every way.

The new guns after they opened back up a few years back are much better than the older guns. Built tighter, better steels, better internals and so on. Yet the "experts" still tout the old guns saying that the new guns without the JM proof mark are junk. We have built probably 25 custom guns on the new 1895s and they are as close to being perfect as any I have seen. But yet the morons push any JM gun as the best and they garner a higher price, which is not warranted.

My humble opinion is pay no attention to the "experts" and their claim that the JM guns are the best. If you see a Marlin rifle, with or without the JM proof mark and it feels good to you, buy it. Maybe eventually the "experts" will go back to being used car salesmen.

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Looking at both the 444, and the 44 mag? Your 429gnr is also a very tempting option. Not far behind the 444 in power.

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they were pretty much the same.

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because it has the JM proof mark, take them off your Christmas card list as they are crooks. plain and simple.

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Most of them are Model '94's. I only have two rifles that are not "JM". I am no way an expert or a gunsmith but I do local work in my area of Arkansas on smoothing the actions on model 94's. 98% of the work I get is on new rifles and I notice that the fit and finish of these rifles (until recently) were inferior to the average JM.

I do have an 1894 SS in .357 magnum and 44 magnum made around 2008 and they are decent the wood on the 44 is fantastic. They were hit and miss.

I know an engineer that worked in the New Haven plant and for a short time at the new plant. He told me that there were issues at the end of the "JM" era. Machines were old and some folks had bad attitudes with the sale of the company. When they moved they did get some new manufacturing equipment and they were not dialed in and the new employees were not experienced. The new company had bean counters incharge and cut corners especially when it came to Quality Control. They would rather send an inferior product out than make it right. That is the reason this engineer resigned. I am mostly speaking of the Model 1894.

I do have a JM .308ME that had barrel droop. Bad droop. It was my brothers and he decided to send it off to a gunsmith than back to the manufacturer. I now own that rifle and it is a tack driver. He traded me that rifle a .444P an 1895CB 45/70 and a nice .50 cal muzzle loader for a Reeder .45 colt Vaquero.

I would honestly say if you were to buy a brand new 2018-19 Model 94 you would have a fine rifle. Try to stay away from anything on the internet from 2007-2017. Only buy what you can visibly check out and work the action on.

I am a Marlin and Ruger nut but not a gunsmith and I don't pretend to be. I do have 40 years in Aviation and 20 of that as Quality Control. I know good work when I see and feel it.

To answer your question no 1894 .44 magnum is worth 700 bucks unless it is a rare special run or stainless steel. You should be able to find them for 500-650 bucks, even new ones. You are going to pay a premium for a JM because collectors and dealers made the inflated market. No the older guns are not better but a good used Marlin will have a slicker action and possibly better wood fitment.

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LGS has older Marlin 1894 .44mag for $750!---

The "JM" Marlins are bringing a premium...

Gun Shop...I hate auto correct!

I was wondering what you were doing in

Have not seen the gun yet. LGS says it is mint?

Was glad to hear they brought the 444 Marlin back....

Marlin brought back the 444, but in my neck of the woods---

They'll show up eventually...

My first Reeder firearm in the early/mid 80s was a 444...

it is too early. They just announced them at the SHOT show

Uh-Oh, another 475L '94, J ust M aybe?

Marlin advertised it at the SHOT show a few years back and

the JM is a total crock. When the Freedom Group

Thanks Gary, for clarification of Marlin quality. Been —-

if you ran the 444 and the 429 in equal length barrels

if you see somebody jacking up the price just

J ust M aybe

Just my humble experience with Marlins