[Marlin Brando]

First off, this is a wonderful forum and I've lurked for a while. Secondly, this is not meant to be a rant about the manufacturer.

I have the option to buy a new inbox 1894css, but there are some big caveats:
1. The barrel, including the front sight hole, is rotated by about 5°
2. There is a cross threaded screw on the left side of the receiver. It's the big screw on that side.
3. The screw at the end of the magazine tube is bent, and contacts the barrel at the wrong point. Likely related to issue one.
4. The fit and finish is poor, with screw heads that have damage on them from when they were installed at the factory, palette quality wood, and scratches on the receiver near where screws are put in.

I don't want it to turn this into a rant because the only thing I care about is if the warranty repair at Marlin will resolve all four of these issues. While nicer wood would be nice, I care more about the other issues more and don't expect an improvement on the stock. So without this turning into any sort of a rant situation, do you folks believe that I should buy this rifle. It is at $700 plus tax and fees and there are no others in the area.

I am able to get a hold of a 44 magnum easily, but it's much harder for me to find 0.431 diameter cast bullets, and from what I have heard, the new 357s will take a standard 0.358 diameter cast bullet.

Thank you for your guidance!

 

[IN1894SS]

I would not even consider it. Keep an eye on the online auctions, used older ones do come around. I understand your concern about the 44Mag's; the first one I had was a big problem due to the bore size. I just had my second attempt at one out yesterday, it handled 240JHP's just fine.

 

[AINT NO FISH]

go to an auction site like Gun Broker and watch, you will find something. The process complete may cost a couple of bucks more, but you probably won't be buying trash, like the one you're looking at. Why have the company that made a piece of junk repair it if you're not stuck with it.

 

[yukondog]

Form what I'v heard about the new rem. I dont think I would. Try googeling 1894 357 for sale and see where it takes you.

 

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

I've already had to return a defective SBL that I bought sight unseen and I can't recommend the process to anyone. Remlin may ask why you bought it in the first place when so many obvious defects were present. Why hasn't the dealer sent it back in? Like everyone else, I'd say pass on it. That's a headache you don't want. If you read the rant section pay close attention to those that were returned and came back with much worse issues than they had to begin with. Many have gone back multiple times.

 

[greyling22]

HA! those are pretty much in line with the symptoms my 1894css came with. I sent mine right back and they're telling me they're replacing the gun, predicting a 3 week turnround time. Thus far they haven't given me any grief about why I bought it. Of course I starting the conversation questioning how something so poor made it out of the factory. They also are telling me they thoroughly check out replacement guns before they go. When it comes in and I'll post my report.

To those saying find an older one online, I don't think you'll find a css used. It showed up about the time Remington killed bought marlin.

 

[swany]

First welcome aboard as a new member. I'm sure if you send it back they will make good on it, likely send you a new gun, or repair your old one, short of replacing the bbl the sight problem could be fixed by a good smith and the cross threaded screw also. I'm sure Marlin will make it good. Have faith brother and welcome again. I do like my .357CB and consider the cal a very versatile and fun gun.

 

[Marlin Brando]

Thank you all for your help -I'll sleep on it for while, meanwhile I'm considering a Rossi 92 or a Henry big boy. They don't quite leave the same impression on me that the 1894 design does, but I'll have to check them out for due diligence. Thanks all!

 

[six_gunz]

I'm with swany........that is what warranty is for. They are going through a transitional period so give it time guys and have faith. So far I've not heard of them refusing to fix any of the problems.

And I'll 2nd the other poster........ there are no older CSS's......

I can't believe the suggestions to go on the auction sites and overpay for a rifle that is sight unseen for any issues......... at least you know what the issues are with this one and Marlin will make it right!

 

[IN1894SS]

I'd rather have an older seen in a picture only blued 1894C from an auction site than a new garbage CSS. Besides, why should Marlin be rewarded with a sale; I don't care if it can be sent back. You would also be assuming they would get it right with 1 trip back - it didn't work out that way with my 1894SS. Let them pile up on the dealers shelves until they aren't buying either, maybe that will get Marlin's attention. They should never be leaving the factory like this!

 

[Leverdude]

I dont think I'd pay $700 for something I knew was screwed up from the start. I'm sure that they'll make it right, I just wouldn't spend my money intentionally on a new product knowing it needed repair. I ask him to order another.

 

[IPyrek]

Shouldn't the dealer send it back before someone buys it ? Since it is the dealers before it is sold.

 

[greyling22]

Thank you all for your help -I'll sleep on it for while, meanwhile I'm considering a Rossi 92 or a Henry big boy. They don't quite leave the same impression on me that the 1894 design does, but I'll have to check them out for due diligence. Thanks all!

Rossi 92 is a pretty nice gun. Their 16" little 357 is a very nice trim and lightweight package, and when properly slicked up, is smoother than the marlin. Now, it's a booger to take apart, trickier to slick up, the stock sights are notso-hotso, the wood is.....well I'm not a huge fan, and the stainless version is very high polish (which I don't care for) My old interarms rossi 92 chokes on 38's. Henry, well, I'm, out on the brass receiver, but I hear it's ok. Their 22 is pretty nice. I prefer a good marlin, but if you can't find one, there are some decent alternatives.

 

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

Well, here's one worth checking out. Kinda funny the seller has the 1894CSS .357 stainless laying on an Uberti box though.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=224662375

 

[eaglesnest]

Yes I suppose the dealer should take some responsibility, but I don't think the blame should be theirs alone either. Of course if they keep buying the garbage to put on their shelves then I suppose the blame can start to shift towards them, or how about this, the blame ending up square on the consumers shoulders for buying the crap in the first place! Someone needs to be sending Remington a message. Should that be the dealers stuck in the middle, or we the consumer? I say vote with your wallet.

 

[Bullseye]

Don't buy it, I didn't.

Went to Cabelas to get one of the 45 colt 1894's made just for them. The one on the shelf was a JM proofmark and it had problems. They brought 2 more out from the back room with REM proofmarks and they had problems too. They had 6 more they were going to bring out but I told them to forget it. I was not going to spend my hard earned money on a gun that you had to go through a stack of them to find a decent one. That is why I would suggest you pass, I did. Until I see a decent product I can hold onto my money.

 

[lesismore]

My question is why would a dealer or a supplier put it on the rack for sale? And why didn't the dealer or supplier send it back once it was noted as defective?

If I were a dealer and in this day and age of sew happy lawyers,I would not sell a gun that was defective. It could come back on a dealer if they were aware of a defect and sold the gun, then later the person who bought the gun has an accident and claims the defect caused it. Then he could claim I should never have sold it in that condition and cleans out my bank account. I would put it right back on the manufacture to get it right and not put a customer, my business or myself in a situation like that. The MFG is solely responsible for correcting defects not the buyer who may not know about defects or guns anyway.

This is the kind of business that will kill a manufacture no matter what they make to sell to the public.

 

[lesismore]

I am sorry Marlin Brando, I forgot my manners and I meant to say welcome to MO.

I also hope you can find a good one that doesn't need to be fixed right out of the box. Like others have said, some of the older models are still around and you may have to wait awhile but, it would be worth it.

 

[Marlin Brando]

Hi all, thanks for the warm welcome!
As far as I know, that 1894 has been on their shelf for about three weeks since it was there the two times I visited. I talked to the salesman about the gun, and he was well briefed on its particular defects, but said that Marlin was no longer making the gun so the store could not send it back for a replacement. I am 99.99 percent sure that I'm being fed a line, because I thought that the production had already been moved. On the other hand, I have heard that these guns are only made at certain times. This might not matter at all, since I would assume that they would have enough parts to fulfill their warranty claims and that this gun would fall under that, so the store could send it back just like I would if I were to buy it. I don't like blaming gun stores, especially the ones here in California which are slowly being stomped out, but I think that the store would rather someone not familiar with marlins to buy their problem rifle. Any way, I appreciate your guidance, and will pass on this rifle. The Rossi and the Henry look interesting as well. I could always be patient also an try to get a hold of an earlier Marlin. Best regards!

 

[planeflyer21]

What I would do:

Go back to the store and request to speak to the manager/owner. Tell them you know for a fact that production is currently underway at Remington and explain the differences in proofs. Then explain to the manager/owner that lines of BS like that only serve to have you spend your hard earned money elsewhere.

There are stores I won't step foot in due to dipwads just like that.

Jon