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Ruger's New Marlin Lever Rifle Production Facility

2,275 Views | 10 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by ArmaLite
UTExan
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https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/marlin-reborn-ruger-resurrects-a-legend/

Fascinating account of how Ruger bought up Marlin Firearms at a bankruptcy auction in Sept. 2020 as part of the assets of Remington Outdoors Corp. and how they moved all of the production tooling and facilities from Connecticut to the Ruger plant in North Carolina. They then had to integrate Marlin production into their plant facility as well as improve Marlin design and reliability:

" 1) Heat-treating stainless-steel receiver and finger-lever slugs before machining to eliminate subsequent warpage that can complicate assembly, notably fitting the trigger guard plate to the receiver.
2) Improved stock inletting so that recoil forces interact with the right parts of the stock, eliminating any possibility of damage during proof testing.
3) Corrected cycling issues that could cause the lever to hang up when rifles were tipped off-axis.
4) Machined barrel and receiver threads to a very high degree of precision and consistency allowing for the elimination of the barrel shim. It also helps to hold sight-orientation tolerances at 0.75 degrees or less.
5) Introduced wire-EDM technology to cut hammer notches, ensuring smooth, consistent trigger pulls."

The executives at Ruger decided the first Ruger-Marlin lever action rifle to come off the production line would be the venerable Model 1895 in .45-70:

" With its gleaming barreled action and gray laminate stock, Serial No. RM0001001the first actual production Marlinwas built on Sept. 30, 2021. While that rifle is destined for wall-hanger duty, other examples were hard at work on the Mayodan test range, where I found technicians filling a bin with brass. The rifle they were shooting had topped 5,000 rounds and had experienced "about 10 failures," mostly misfires likely not caused by the rifle. We've since learned firsthand that T&E models typically average 1" or tighter 100-yard groups, an impressive showing for any lever gun, let alone a large-caliber carbine."

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If you love lever actions, this is a very interesting account of how the northeastern-based (and union-heavy) Marlin plant and employees integrated into Ruger's southeastern manufacturing base.


“If you’re going to have crime it should at least be organized crime”
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Charismatic Megafauna
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Ready to buy one as soon as they hit the shelves
bam02
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Same. One of my favorite guns is my dad's old marlin
30-30. Not sure if I'd get a different caliber or not.
Naveronski
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From a manufacturing perspective, it's interesting that several points weren't already being done.

That said, tighter tolerances cost money. EDM's are slower than milling. I get that cost cutting is a thing.

Too bad.

Looking forward to the new Marlin/Ruger rifles.
CactusThomas
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Remington ownership was a mess. I'm glad to see Marlin in good hands again. I've sold all my JM stamps and probably won't buy the ruger made one but I used to be really into them. Single action revolvers are my current interest.
Mas89
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Hoping to see marlin 1894m in 22mag produced again.
Caliber
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Looking forward to them Making Lever Guns Great Again!
Red Pear Realty
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I do not own a gun in 45-70 and have been waiting to make the new Ruger made Marlin my first. Really excited for these to hit the shelves.
Jason C.
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Great read. Industrial manufacturing, brand marketing, and guns....ticked a lot of my boxes!
schmellba99
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I am always glad to see American companies resurrecting quality and improving their end product, especially in the firearms world. Interested to see the reviews on the rifles once they hit the shelves.
ArmaLite
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Absolutely love my 1895 Dark in 45-70.
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