How do the 3 more common Marlin 1895, Smith and Wesson 1854 and Henry 45-70 compare?

[Muskox]

I handled a new Ruger Marlin 1895 that had been slicked up by a local German gunsmith and now I kind of want one.

What are the other two like?

I like the looks of the Smith the most, but the all look good.

 

[typilotguy]

I prefer the Marlin myself. I'll be fully transparent and say that I have an affinity for older Marlins. My personal favorite and regular companion is my 1936 Marlin, which was manufactured that same year.

This being said, the new ones are great. I have read multiple sources stating that the Ruger manufactured ones are THE BEST that have ever been produced. Is that true? I don't know, as I haven't personally shot every single one to have ever come off the line. What I can say is that every single one I have handled, fired, and hunted with have been spectacular. Vintage or current production.

The Smith and Wesson lever guns are also great. This is purely subjective, but I just prefer the looks of the Marlin myself.

Finally we have the Henry. I LOVE their .22s, but am not a huge fan of their larger bore rifles. This (as the above) is subjective, but in my hands, they just feel...for lack of better, "clunky". One feature that I do think could be useful, however, is the magazine tube. Specifically, the fact that you can load and unload the rifle with it, instead of having to rack each round through the chamber (cocking the hammer), like you must with both Marlins and the S&Ws.

Best of luck with your decision, and let us know what you wind up with!

 

[Altitude sickness]

I can’t speak on the S&W. but on average the Marlin is more accurate than the Henry

I had a JM stamped guide gun that was pretty accurate so had the action and trigger smoothed out. It was head and shoulders more accurate than any of the Henry rifles I have owned.

 

[MauserDuff]

I have a 22" barreled Marlin 1895 I purchased in 1997 (so Marlin, not the later Remington (or Ruger) made Marlin). It'll shoot sub-moa with both cast and jacketed full bore loads. 100 yd target with 440 gr. LBT cast bullet, ~.3" c to c

 

[Brickman301]

I prefer the Marlin myself. I'll be fully transparent and say that I have an affinity for older Marlins. My personal favorite and regular companion is my 1936 Marlin, which was manufactured that same year.

This being said, the new ones are great. I have read multiple sources stating that the Ruger manufactured ones are THE BEST that have ever been produced. Is that true? I don't know, as I haven't personally shot every single one to have ever come off the line. What I can say is that every single one I have handled, fired, and hunted with have been spectacular. Vintage or current production.

The Smith and Wesson lever guns are also great. This is purely subjective, but I just prefer the looks of the Marlin myself.

Finally we have the Henry. I LOVE their .22s, but am not a huge fan of their larger bore rifles. This (as the above) is subjective, but in my hands, they just feel...for lack of better, "clunky". One feature that I do think could be useful, however, is the magazine tube. Specifically, the fact that you can load and unload the rifle with it, instead of having to rack each round through the chamber (cocking the hammer), like you must with both Marlins and the S&Ws.

Best of luck with your decision, and let us know what you wind up with!

My opinion is exactly the same as this post.

 

[leslie hetrick]

marlin all the way there and back.

 

[Flbt]

I have not handed a s&w
But I like the older marlin’s better than the Henry or Remington made marlin or the 94 and I have handled a ruger marlin in a shop it seems stiffer than the older guns

 

[Tundra Tiger]

What Leslie said...

 

[Goat416]

Prefer the Marlin's as well. First choice would be a JM stamped followed by the new Ruger made.

You can find good deals on the Remington made Marlins but will need to send it in for a fair amount of work to shoot and feel anything like my first and second choices.

 

[Luvthunt]

Have a Marlin guide gun. It’s a great little rifle.

 

[Don458]

Have an older Marlin 444s and 336 35 rem . They are Super smooth. I would only buy the JM marked Marlin . Handled the newer lever guns they are like anything else new ,( built by the legal dept) good but not like the original.

 

[Bonk]

My opinion is exactly the same as this post.

Agree

 

[Bonk]

I’ve owned JM Marlins, Remington Marlins and now a Ruger Marlin. I prefer the Ruger over the other two. The JMs weren’t anything special and the Remingtons weren’t as bad as their reputation. The new Ruger Marlins are really nice rifles IMO. The fit and finish are excellent for a production gun and my 1894 44Mag is a terrific little carbine. The only knock on it is the crossbolt safety. It works fine but it’s completely unnecessary.

 

[mdwest]

Marlin had some QA/QC issues back when Remington owned them.. but they’re way past that now… and I agree with @Bonk … while they had problems, they weren’t as severe as people made them out to be IMO…

for me, it would be a modern marlin or a pre-Remington marlin (pre 2007).. they’re great rifles…

 

[sgt_zim]

I bought a new Remlin 1895 GBL 7 or 8 years ago, it did have a couple quirks - the front sight was loose and the fore end retaining screws seem to have been made of pot metal. But I had bought an XS Ghost ring and was replacing the front sight anyway, and the retaining screws were easily/cheaply replaced.

IMO, Remington did sort out their QA issues by the late teens, so if you find one of those used with MFG dates of 2018-ish, you're probably in good shape

50 yards with XS Ghost ring, either 425 or 525 gr lead alloy pills

100 yards with 325 gr Hornady gummy tips

Never shot a Henry or S&W, but it's hard to argue that the Marlins aren't shooters.