Were the 2000's Marlin rimfire rifles comparable to the older Marlins?

[Metal Wonder Nine Guy]

Saw a 2009 Marlin 795 rifle in a pawn shop for $200 recently. Came with 3 magazines and the regular black polymer stock. I ask this question since it seemed that Marlin's quality dipped after they got purchased by Remington.  One of my buddies stated that in his opinion, the best Marlins were made in the 80s and 90s. I also remember my brother taking a friend's 2000's era model 60 apart to compare it to my older model 60. He was griping about how the metal quality and buffer quality had dipped on the newer model 60 compared to my 1991 model 60.

For those of those folks who have 2000's Marlin 22LR's, what do you think or have to say? Just curious what the responses will be.

[Tinker Black]

I'm not an expert on Marlins, although I own several 22LR rifles, including a 795 and 70 Papoose. Given the choice, I'd take a Marlin made in New Haven or North Haven, CT over more recent production in Mayfield, KY.

$200 for a 795 seems high IMO, but that pricing is to be expected at a pawn shop. The 795 doesn't have a following like the Model 60 or Ruger 10/22 do. 795 mags have shot up in price, since they were discontinued, so the pawn shop may be factoring that in. IMO, ~$150 would be a good price for that 795, unless you need one soon. For instance, the 795 used to be the #1 recommended rifle for people participating in Project Appleseed shooting events.

[Slikshot22]

thought they were well made

[bczrx]

I think it all depends on what model of Marlin, and what you mean by 'older'.

The Model 60 was mentioned.

"older" ones, to me, were made between 1960 and 1984/5. The feedramp/ejector system were one cast unit that could lead to the ejector 'nub' breaking off over time, or the feedthroat/ramp assembly splitting. For a while, Marlin had an upgrade kit to use the current ejector wire system, with a better-designed feedthroat/ramp. At the same time, they changed the front sight to be attached to the barrel, instead of part of a single integrated sight/magazine tube clamp design. AND, they introduced the last shot hold open feature to the Model 60.

The only drawback is that the magazine tube capacity shrank from 17 rounds to 14 rounds [thanks Maryland!] around the same time.

So- I would rate the 1984-2000 produced Model 60 as higher than the 1960-84 era ones.


In the Model 39A, Marlin introduced a rebounding hammer in the 1980s, to go with the cross-bolt safety button they installed in the 1970s.

As a result, the hammer spring isn't as adjustable as it used to be, and the rifle doesn't carry/isn't safe in 1/2 cock position.
Furthermore, the wood used after the 1960s seemed to go downhill, in general.

I would rate the pre-1970 Model 39A as better than the newer ones made in the last 50 years.

In the 1894/1895 carbine design, the same rebound hammer/cross-bolt safety concerns emerge in the 1980s changes. The older ones may be better.

No 795s were made before around 1997, and the action is based on the Model 60- just modified for a detachable magazine.


However, in general the consensus is that Marlin quality, overall, declined once Remington took them over [2007], but some say they began to decline after 2000, when H&R took them over [before selling to Remington].

This doesn't mean Marlins made during that era were junk. It just seems that there were a statistically noticeable increase in reported issues with the Marlins made during those eras.

I love Marlins- but would prefer to buy a lever action made in/before the 1970s, and a Model 60 from the 80s.

My Model 60 is a transitional model: replaceable front sight, LSHO and upgraded feedthroat/ejector, but with original 17-round mag tube. Mine was the Model 600 from the mid-80s.

[M1A4ME]

In the mid to late 2000's the Marlin 795's had a good reputation with the Appleseed folks.  Some instructors rated them higher than 10/22's. 

I've never shot one.  I just remember people bragging about them.