Rossi or Ruger-Marlins

RooftopKorean

RooftopKorean

6.5 Creedmoor
First Responder
Messages
2,119
Reaction score
4,993
Location
Downstate / Lake Ariel, PA
I own a pre Ruger Era Marlin which shoots great and works fine that I purchased about 10 years ago (maybe longer).

A buddy of mine recently purchased a Ruger Era 1894 Marlin, put less than 200 rounds through it and several screws walked themselves out while shooting it.

I've been in the market for another lever in a 357 or 44 caliber.

With the bad reviews on the Rossi's and what happened to my buddy with the Ruger Era Marlin's which is the better alternative?
 
kev74

kev74

20×102mm Vulcan
Messages
49,998
Reaction score
158,181
Location
Orange Co.
I have a Rossi that's a few years old. The outside is beautiful. The inside looked like it was chewed out by beavers. There were burrs inside that could have been used as steak knives. After a bit of fluff-n-buff, it's awesome. Rossi might have stepped up their game in the last 10-15 years though.

I would expect better fit and finish on the Ruger, with a corresponding price tag.
 
Vapor

Vapor

.308 Win
Messages
4,725
Reaction score
8,762
Location
Susky county PA
The only Rossi I have experience with has had less problems than any marlin lever gun I've owned. I would just replace the follower with a steel one and maybe throw a new mag spring in there.
 
2WheelGnnr

2WheelGnnr

6.5 Creedmoor
Messages
1,904
Reaction score
2,089
Location
Honeoye NY
Ruger but just watch and mantain accordingly with checking screws and parts. I have not seen the rossi's hold up well. but thats just me. only Rossi I have is a 22 and it works fine for what it is?!
 
J

JohnD13

.357 mag
Messages
606
Reaction score
923
Location
Rensselaer Couny
You may have a Remington/Marlin. Some were fine, quite a few had a lot of problems. I owned one Rossi, it never gave me any problems, a Model 92 in .45 Colt.
Marlins do loosen screws up a bit, a good fitting screw driver is handy. Or put a drop of blue loctite on the screw. I just check them regularly. The biggest offender is the loading gate screw in my 1894.
 
Last edited:
dsdmmat

dsdmmat

Donut Master
Moderator
Messages
11,240
Reaction score
25,424
Location
Alpha Quadrant, Sector 001
I have Henry and Marlin (real Marlins) lever guns in my collection. I shoot the Henry 357 in Cowboy action competitions, it is not as fast as the 1873 Winchesters, but my days of being a bullet hose gun slinger are long past.

I have seen and handled the new Ruger Marlins and have one on layaway right now. I would never buy a Rossi after 10 years of seeing the issues my gunsmith had to deal with, it got to the point he would not accept them for any work.

but if you only need it to work for a little while there are all sorts of guns out there people love for one reason or another.
 
Beerman

Beerman

6.5 Creedmoor
Messages
2,037
Reaction score
3,150
Location
Deep in the Adirondacks
RooftopKorean said:
I own a pre Ruger Era Marlin which shoots great and works fine that I purchased about 10 years ago (maybe longer).

A buddy of mine recently purchased a Ruger Era 1894 Marlin, put less than 200 rounds through it and several screws walked themselves out while shooting it.

I've been in the market for another lever in a 357 or 44 caliber.

With the bad reviews on the Rossi's and what happened to my buddy with the Ruger Era Marlin's which is the better alternative?
Click to expand...
Henry Big Boy carbine. The end.
 
H

Hochulsucks1234

.44 mag
Messages
750
Reaction score
1,785
Location
Ny
I never owned a Rossi. I have a Remlin 1895 that had its share of issues. Still some years before I buy a Ruger Marlin. They need to prove themselves over time. That is the first time I have heard of an issue with one though....a fluke maybe?

i say find a used JM Marlin or a nice Henry big boy carbine. I have an obsession over those short hexagon barrel Henry carbines.

Not sure your budget, but a new (or old) Wincheser 1892 is going to be the best quality lever gun you can buy. I don't even want to repeat what I paid for my 44 mag case hardened deluxe model....
 
1075tech

1075tech

.338 Win Mag
Messages
7,129
Reaction score
17,380
Location
Escaped NY
Right now, a JM Marlin, especially a pre-safety model, will cost about the same as a new Ruglin.

I've heard that the new Ruglin's are nice. I have no experience with them or Rossi's. Henry's are an option
 
S&W Fan

S&W Fan

.475 A&M Magnum
Messages
14,742
Reaction score
21,987
Location
Somewhere in the sands of time
I own several lever guns. late 70’s early 80’s Marlins, Winchester , Rossi , Henry and Uberti . All good quality guns in there own rights. The only one that I’ve ever really had an issue with was the Rossi puma. Years ago I came across a tune up video by a guy named dave something or other who was an old school gun smith that became pretty well know in the cowboy action circuit for tuning up Rossi lever guns. I followed his instructions on tweeking and cleaning up the internals of the Rossi and it’s functioned flawlessly ever since. It certainly a bit cruder than the other top brand rifles that I have but it gets the job done an it’s actually a fun gun to shoot. There isn’t a firearm out there that doesn’t have an inherent issue from time to time, even New firearms.
 
W

Willyone

6.5 Creedmoor
Messages
2,164
Reaction score
3,998
Location
Elbridge, NY
Vapor said:
I had an 80s 336 that didn't feed right. I had it fixed and moved on. I know that was a rarity though.
Click to expand...

I also have an early 80s 336. When I lived out in the stix it killed a whole bunch of woodchucks over the years. Also killed lots of tin cans and popped many apples off the trees. I'm certainly no lever gun expert, but have to say the action seems very smooth to me. And never a malfunction of any kind.
 
Deplorable Me

Deplorable Me

.700 Nitro Express
Messages
24,551
Reaction score
48,119
Location
Western Front; Occupied NY
I own 2 original Marlin 1894s from the CT era both SS. The action screws always walked their way out. I just got use to tightening them after every range trip when I cleaned. When properly snugged the rifles perform flawlessly. It takes about 45 seconds to go over the action. I wouldn't sell these 2 rifles, period. I was considering Loctite on the threads but considered disassembly, unlike an optics installation. Just a minor nuisance for me.
 
W

Willyone

6.5 Creedmoor
Messages
2,164
Reaction score
3,998
Location
Elbridge, NY
Deplorable Me said:
I own 2 original Marlin 1894s from the CT era both SS. The action screws always walked their way out. I just got use to tightening them after every range trip when I cleaned. When properly snugged the rifles perform flawlessly. It takes about 45 seconds to go over the action. I wouldn't sell these 2 rifles, period. I was considering Loctite on the threads but considered disassembly, unlike an optics installation. Just a minor nuisance for me.
Click to expand...
I think the blue Loctite is somewhat forgiving if disassembly is necessary. Maybe a very small amount of blue would keep the screws from backing out while still allowing for removal?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top