Marlin or Henry???Centerfire.

I would just be patient and hold out for an older Marlin. I've bought four over the past two years, and they're all very smooth. Even the 1895 (made in '78) was very nice.
 
Current production Marlin is suspect

They've been getting poor marks for quality lately. Older stuff is quite good.
 
Again- if you want to know where Marlin is right now, I've mentioned the source above.

More current & factual than repeating the "Marlins Are Junk" mantras :)
Denis
 
I have an old marlin I am told it was originally not 357 magnum but was rechambered and cut to a 16.5 inch barrel as my first hunting rifle. It is an awesome gun that my eldest son will be inheriting once I have a gun to replace it.
 
I have a Marlin 30-30 purchased in 2010 when the quality was supposed to be at its worst. The first one I bought was tapped to where the scope canted to the left so far there was not enough windage to sight it in. Remlin kept it for two months and sent it back with a letter that they had replaced the ejector (which worked just fine) but they didn't address the problem. Thankfully Academy had a cool store manager who took it back and let me pick out a new one from all the ones they had in stock. After installing a Happy Trigger and a lot of polishing I have a pretty nice rifle.

I have had heard so many reports that the quality of Marlin lever guns has improved greatly that I believe it has to be true. I would buy another one now but still would put in a Happy Trigger.

As for Henry I've handled some and have no qualms about the quality. Don't care for the tube feed but it is not a deal breaker. Don't know anything about their triggers but suspect they are too heavy like all the new lever guns made. I have no use for a lever action in a big bore like you have to use for deer hunting in Ohio. I am a big fan of .22WMR's and will be purchasing a Henry fairly soon.

In summary I would purchase a very recently manufactured Marlin or one made at least a year before production was moved to Remington's plant. I would not hesitate to buy a Henry either. It would depend on which one felt best to me. If were a tie I would go with Henry because of the extra weight(I have a bad shoulder).
 
I just bought a marlin 336. It's fit and finish seem to be good and the action cycles fine. I'll be shooting it later today to find out if it's drilled and tapped straight and how accurate it is.
As for the trigger. All I can compare it to is my daughters daisy BB gun from walmart. It's horrendous. I don't have a trigger scale but am willing to bet it pretty close to 12#. (**Edit: I hooked a gallon of water to a hanger and hung it from my trigger and the broke just as it barely had s corner dragging on the ground, so it's actually about 8#. This is a new production gun.**) I'm not looking forward to drop that $90 to have it lightened up. That being said I'd buy another one because the gun does seem to be quality made at a reasonable price.
My Henry has a wonderful trigger. It's crisp and light. It feels like a lighter version of my 1911.
 
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Ohio will allow at least 20 rifle calibers for whitetail deer season this fall. Rifles must be chambered for straight walled cases, i.e. .357 magnum, .45-70, & in between.
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Don't forget that the magazine must be plugged to a 2+1 capacity.
 
[I just bought a marlin 336. It's fit and finish seem to be good and the action cycles fine. I'll be shooting it later today to find out if it's drilled and tapped straight and how accurate it is.
As for the trigger. All I can compare it to is my daughters daisy BB gun from walmart. It's horrendous. I don't have a trigger scale but am willing to bet it pretty close to 12#. I'm not looking forward to drop that $90 to have it lightened up. That being said I'd buy another one because the gun does seem to be quality made at a reasonable price.
My Henry has a wonderful trigger. It's crisp and light. It feels like a lighter version of my 1911./QUOTE]

Have you thought about putting a Happy Trigger in your Marlin. After installing mine I have a very crisp 3.25 trigger pull?
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Cdbeagle, that was the $90 I was referring to. I have plans to add it just not high up on the priority list right now.
 
I've actually been looking into buying a lever the last few days, I'm looking at the Winchester 94 Wrangler. I don't think it came in straight walled cartridges though. Don't forget Savage made levers, I think mostly in knecked cartridges however.
 
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