Good news... Thanks for posting.

 

Great news, thanks very much for the report.

 

I'd like to know the rate the finished rifles are produced right now. IE: are there several assembly lines of different models going at the same time or do they run one model at a time, and just how fast do they come off each line.

 

Sounds good Jack, thanks for the update. He didn't happen to mention what models in the "444" they might have in mind did he.. ha?
As far as the stocks go, decent grain lumber with a good clean fit is a must, but I've always preferred my older Marlins with "smooth" stocks over any checkering. Especially over that pressed stuff, much rather have none than that. Not sure why, but in most cases checkering seems to go better with bolt action rifles to me, not my levers... :biggrin:

 

As far as the stocks go, decent grain lumber with a good clean fit is a must, but I've always preferred my older Marlins with "smooth" stocks over any checkering. Especially over that pressed stuff, much rather have none than that. :biggrin:

I concur. I wish they'd got back to non-checkered stocks. That crap they now call checkering only serves to piss me off...

 

I have it on very good authority that Remlin has been actually reaching out to some of the former employees from the CT plant. Not only has quality been discussed but also quantity of production. It seems that the "old plant" and the "old machinery" out produced what Remlin is putting out now. I think that these "factoids" dovetail into the production delays of some of our beloved Marlin models. Hopefully these issues either have been or will be solved soon--I would love seeing new quality Marlin Express and 444 Marlin rifles back on the gun racks.

 

I have it on very good authority that Remlin has been actually reaching out to some of the former employees from the CT plant. Not only has quality been discussed but also quantity of production. It seems that the "old plant" and the "old machinery" out produced what Remlin is putting out now. I think that these "factoids" dovetail into the production delays of some of our beloved Marlin models. Hopefully these issues either have been or will be solved soon--I would love seeing new quality Marlin Express and 444 Marlin rifles back on the gun racks.

Jay, I've heard the exact same but to what degree I don't know, yet, I find a good dose of irony in it. First, Remington arrogantly states to the New Haven craftsman that anyone can build these rifles, yet when they attempt to prove their imbecilic stupidity, they blame everything on old shabby antiquated machinery. Now they need the craftsman's experience and knowledge and want some of the old antiquated machinery back. It seems the irony has no limits.

But on a positive note, at least they finally realize they need to improve their focus on producing a quality firearm. And to that I give them credit for seeing the errors of a few arrogant stupid men who should never had been in the position of giving directives.

Jack

 

Thanks for the update Jack!! :beer:
If I could just get my hands on a good quality Marlin 338MX for a decent price, I'd be in Hog Heaven!!
I'm waiting on Remlin to produce one,,:flute:

 

AZ, he indicated no XLR's for now, they're focusing on getting the blued version 22 inch barrel perfected first. So that would be the MX models and standard 444. They will reintroduce the XLR's a little later. I do hope they produce a 444 guide gun version. And a 444SBL would be cool!

I did mention, as I always do, a preference for smooth stocks on Marlins and he agrees. And if checkering is to be done then laser checkering would produce a much sharper and cleaner checkering than pressed. Each time I call I make mention of it as he submits comments to upper management requesting smooth stocks and/or laser checkering. I wish more people would make the call requesting it as that is what it will take to get it done.

As far as the number of production lines or models they run simultaneously or how fast they run these through, I don't know and didn't ask. He indicated their focus being to produce high quality in each Marlin produced more than the amount of units produced. So I hope they are running just fast enough to ensure a higher quality Marlin product.

It all sounded good, including the mentioning that morale is on the uptick at Marlin with their focus being on quality and inspection of each Marlin before it leaves the plant. Well, that should have been job #1 from the very beginning. But better late than never.

Jack

 

Thank you Jack. I know I certainly appreciate your efforts. The MX line is a fine line of rifles. Ditto 444.
The words from the CEO addressing improved QA is very encouraging.
I just might have to place an order for a 338MX.

 

I worked a few years in a machine shop and I was told that while the CNC machines had shorter lead times, the Brown & Sharp screw machines (I worked with) were a lot faster and held a tighter tolerance during operation. At least is was some 20yrs ago.

 

I hear ya Jack! I was laughing my guts out when I heard that the Old Stuff was out-producing the New Stuff and the CT quality was still superior. I still hope for Marlin to turn things around--as bad things have been for Marlin--Remington has fared far worse in my mind. Massive recall of Mod 700 rifles, massive recall of R51 pistols, and some ammo recalls thrown in for good measure. Remington/Marlin needs a QA/QC victory very badly. One of the salesman at the LGS called Remington the "Toyota" of the firearms industry due to their assorted problems. A turn around at Marlin would solve some of this--besides--I need to get a reasonably priced Model 444 since I traded mine away to get a 444XLR.

 

Ahhhh, just what kind of fresh idiot was the old CEO and who was the buffoon that gave him the job and why didn't he check on him sooner? A CEO can turn a company around pretty darn quick if he wants to but only if the owner stays out of his way. I guess that may be news for some hope but I'm pretty much out of hope, money and years with what I've already given Marlin and Remington. Wierd how the new CEO hasn't come public and put his name, face and reputation on each and every product Marlin sells like John Fink of Remington Arms. John Fink promised me the new Remington 783 was both accurate and reliable and the one I bought was neither accurate and didn't go bang. Thanks for nothing John. You've completely lived up to your companies reputation. Oh well, we'll see if Marlin can get 10 consecutive rifles out the door that actually function before we declare that "Marlin's back". Tested one unit per batch... I almost wish I hadn't heard that. Here's an idea. How's about recalling every Marlin on the shelf in every store in the world and actually testing them so you don't screw any more customers out of their time and money. With all due respect, Marlin has been claiming they're now on the right track for some years. I believe I'll sit their latest round of offerings out. I don't need the aggravation but I'm wishing those who take the plunge all the best. I have one word for big promises that "we've fixed things"... R51

 

Jack, thank you for that report, I know I have sent you several message asking for an update on the subject. and thank you again for the patience you have shown with me on this subject.

 

Mike338, why don't you tell us how you really feel. :flute:

I can understand the cautionary statements this late in the game, I really can and to a reasonable degree share in them. That said, I'm willing to give them some time to see if they can accomplish their claimed "focused intentions." Time will tell but they just put the new CEO at the helm and at the very least, I give him credit for halting plans on beginning anything new and instructing that every Marlin Firearm will be inspected now. This isn't empty marketing BS, it is taking a direct positive action at producing a quality outcome for Marlin Firearms.

To me, that is a step forward and we might give it a bit of time to see the results before continuing our rants.

Jack

 

Actually, I haven't come close to expressing how I really feel. I know quite well the impact a new CEO can have however when a CEO is hamstrung by an owner who is using proceeds from one venture to hold up another, the best CEO cannot buck that headwind. I'm fairly sure that a CEO of any grade comprehends the notion of quality assurance however Marlin has for years, dumped defective products on the public and it isn't like they didn't know about it. Negligence such as that comes from pressure from very high up. My guess is that Marlin had cost objectives set for them and the only way to achieve the objectives was to cut corners. I generally am very willing to give people the benefit of the doubt but these guys are simply unscrupulous and will need to put perfect products into customers hands for years before I go near them. The new CEO inherited a company that's shown nothing but disrespect to it's customers and parented by a company that's shown nothing but disrespect for their customers so that's the hill he has to climb. I have one of their new 338 MXLR's that has been back to the factory twice and to two different gunsmiths and it's still unreliable. I have other new Marlins that just didn't function but could be fixed. Soooooo, so far what I'm hearing is that the new CEO has halted the production of known junk rifles and the new ones will get a look. Well, I guess that sounds O.K. but considering where the message is coming from, I believe I'll adopt a cautionary posture.

 

The new incoming CEO's focus is on product QUALITY and changes in production must reflect it. He mandated before any new models begin production that the changes in production be implemented on current models being produced. Once accomplished then additional models will be reintroduced into production.

The new focus is that each and every Marlin produced will be inspected! Jack

I hope that's not CEO BS and the guy really means it and is dedicated to turning Marlin around. If they fix it, it wouldn't a bad idea for the CEO to do some ads saying he wouldn't sell a Marlin that he wouldn't be proud to own himself. The CEO out front concept seems to work for Henry.

I have it on very good authority that Remlin has been actually reaching out to some of the former employees from the CT plant. Not only has quality been discussed but also quantity of production.

Smart move if their sincere. Time for Remlin to eat some humble pie and admit they messed up. Small price to pay to save their behinds.

At the end of the day I hope Remlin rights the ship. Be nice to pay factory prices for a quality product and put some of the rapists selling JM's on Gun Broker, Guns America, etc. out of business.

 

JACKW, I forgot to thank you for the update. Regardless of my assessment of promises made, production of the 308mx, 338mx and the 444 is very good news for a couple of reasons.

1) Somebody somewhere should get a good rifle.
2) Without production of these rifles, support in the way of ammo and brass would eventually cease.

Those of us who who shoot these calibers need this next production run to be... not a complete disaster. Well run companies like Hornady can only be expected to make brass, bullets and ammo for rifles that don't exist, for so long before they give up on them.

 

Mike, I appreciate your above post. The one before it... well. Out and about right now but I will be responding to it when I get home.

Jack

 

Thanks for the report Jack.

I will stay tuned in.

 

Remington is nothing more than the black news of Cerburus in white falsity of Freedom Group. Only way Marlin will return to a premium brand is total new ownership, not a single one of them having grown up in Cerburus or freedom or remington outdoors--when I win the lottery--oh, that's just a dream.

 

Mike338, I just reread your post and decided, whew, I'll respond as below to keep it all straight. Actually, I look at your reply as an opportunity to voice a lot of what I've been wanting to state for some time. So it's nothing personal.

I know quite well the impact a new CEO can have however when a CEO is hamstrung by an owner who is using proceeds from one venture to hold up another, the best CEO cannot buck that headwind.

A good CEO can definitely have a positive impact. However, unless you have direct knowledge of the remainder of your statement then how would one know how proceeds are being used to hold up another?
I find this speculative at best and more than likely unfounded. The owner is a board of directors (BoD) who have stock holders and are held accountable. I'm fairly dammed certain that any CFO wouldn't touch what you are suggesting without wishing to face criminal charges for cheating stock holders out of their due gains.

I'm fairly sure that a CEO of any grade comprehends the notion of quality assurance however Marlin has for years, dumped defective products on the public and it isn't like they didn't know about it.

Yep, I bet the BoD did know about it and is in large part the reason behind firing their first CEO.

Negligence such as that comes from pressure from very high up.

Not necessarily. CEO's have huge opportunities of bonuses for meeting certain numbers and probably padded performance to garner bonuses. The BoD wouldn't necessarily realize what was happening until later or suffice to say, after the fact when sufficient data became available. I highly suspect that is precisely what happened and the CEO consequently was axed.

My guess is that Marlin had cost objectives set for them and the only way to achieve the objectives was to cut corners.

Every company has COGS objectives. There are no exceptions as businesses exist to make profits. That said, I defer you to the aforementioned answer. In the early running the CEO quite possibly turned in what appeared to be great COGS and garnered himself some fat bonuses. However, as always, numbers always catch up to you soon or later.

Further, many might say the BoD could have pressured the CEO for the result they wanted leading to cutting corners as you mentioned. Any board member worth their salt knows what goes around comes around. This is their money at stake as well as their reputation and I know not one board member I have worked with over the past ten years who would gamble their money on a losing bet. And cutting corners always produces a losing bet.

I generally am very willing to give people the benefit of the doubt but these guys are simply unscrupulous and will need to put perfect products into customers hands for years before I go near them.

Well, they fired their first CEO and then hired a CEO with a reputation of fixing companies. What does that tell you? It tells me they care to right their ship. And when a ship is running in good shape profits happen, investments saved, dividends paid, their investors are happy. Opportunities then exist for other ventures. Fail to do so produces disaster and bankruptcy.

The new CEO inherited a company that's shown nothing but disrespect to it's customers and parented by a company that's shown nothing but disrespect for their customers so that's the hill he has to climb.

I'd have to argue that the first CEO showed nothing but disrespect to Marlin customers by arrogantly giving a misguided directive that anyone can build a (simple) lever rifle. Gamed the action to line his pockets and then it all blew up in his face. The BoD responded as stated above.

I have one of their new 338 MXLR's that has been back to the factory twice and to two different gunsmiths and it's still unreliable.

I can't argue a damn thing here. Even my gunsmith has a large sign hanging in his shop that states something to the order of: We refuse to work on any Freedom Group Firearm.

Again, I refer to the aforementioned as to why. Honestly, the BoD should have closer reins on their first CEO but still could have been gamed long enough to not see it until their epiphany moment. By then the damage had been done and their companies and reputation in a deep hole, as your narratives indicate, consequently, a long haul to restore customer confidence.

Soooooo, so far what I'm hearing is that the new CEO has halted the production of known junk rifles and the new ones will get a look. Well, I guess that sounds O.K. but considering where the message is coming from, I believe I'll adopt a cautionary posture.

I too remain cautionary on what was conveyed to me. I'm the messenger here, nothing more. Yet, my contacts voice inflection held possibly more information than just his message. He was elated over what the new CEO is doing and trust me, my contact deeply cares as his is a Marlin fanatic like we are. He is excited and stated the obvious, it's about time we get someone who holds every Marlin produced accountable to higher standards of quality. And it was his excitement that made me think we may just have a CEO that will turn things around.

Time will tell.

Jack

 

:hmmmm: I don't know what to say about the the future of the 338ME. No do I have a in with Remington/Marlin.
What I do have is a marlin 338MXLR with quite a few factory rounds (a little over half a case) and 400 pieces of brand of brand new brass. Oh and 200 more on the way.
All this talk about the demise of the 338ME has got me a bit paranoid:vollkommenauf: So not only have I been stocking up on brass but I've also been playing with combinations that some don't even think about trying or think is impossible like my 230gr load at 2400fps (safely!!!) that some thought was impossible.
So I wish Marlin gets back on the Marlin Express train but until then I'm going to keep stocking up on my 338 brass and keep looking for different bullet combinations. Since I'm not totally convinced by that Hornady FTX (but I still keep a few hundred around).

 

I hear ya XMAN! I was lucky that my unfired 338MX came with 5 boxes of factory ammo and I have purchased 4 more--so I should be good to go for brass for awhile. I will also stock up on bullets/powder and continue on with my 338 ME reload tests of Hornady Interlock bullets. I am really hoping that Marlins gets its act together on MX/MXLR rifle production. If Marlin gets back on track with that--hopefully our bullet and powder choices will improve once MX/MXLR rifle demand increases.

 

What is their fiscal calendar dates? a 4th quarter 2015 could put it next year into summer before being released.

 

MBW, forth quarter 2015.

XMAN, no worries of Hornady orphaning you/us on the 338ME or 308ME. Hornady has never done that and they have assured me several times they never will. Regardless of the fate of the ME rifles.

That said, I believe Marlin's intention to reintroduce the Marlin Express rifles, they just wish to increase their product quality and the new CEO is demonstrating this with his focus directive. Let's hope he is successful in getting it done.

Jack

 

Hi Jack, like many others I want to thanks you for the feedback but also want to thanks you for been a representative/ambassador at Marlin for us on this forum. It's great to know you have a contact that can clear all the rumers!!

where there is hope there is life.... One day I will hold a 338mx in my hands

 

Dunerider, thanks for the sentiments. I sincerely hope you'll get your hands on a 338MX. They are a powerhouse lever rifle and man do they hit hard.

I'll never sell mine.

Jack

 

Glad to hear the the new CEO cares about the Marlin name and doing something with quality control. Old CEO was a numbers guy for sure just wanted to produce as many products as he could looks great from a production stand point but in the end I'm sure it was his death sentence.