I just picked up my new Marlin 1895 Cowboy with the 26" barrel. Vey nice and well made. It may not have the attention to detail the older Marlins have but the machining and fitting is well done, just not to the degree of the older guns. The wood fits tight but is not a nicely rounded where it meets the metal pieces. There is no gross machining marks or defects. There are some rough places on the lever, hammer and bolt that I will polish. The main issue I notice is that the tapered octagon barrel is well blued and highly polished which is great except that the receiver is blued but has a flat almost brushed appearance. It would be nice to have the metal pieces better matched.
I plan on going to the range to give it a work out so I can see what polishing helps soon. I'll follow up with a range report in a few days.
I plan on going to the range to give it a work out so I can see what polishing helps soon. I'll follow up with a range report in a few days.