Dumb question

[bob91yj]

I ordered a Marlin 1894 Cowboy (.357 caliber) from a local gun shop last August. They told me when I ordered it that it would be 6-8 weeks before I'd get the gun. It's now been 7 months, and still no gun. I've been assured that the gun is on order, just not available.

I'm in no hurry for the gun, only have a $200 deposit on it. My question is, is this a normal wait time for something like this, or should I start over with a different gun shop?

 

[NuggetHoarder]

I would never wait that long.

I did a little snooping for you. Marlin lists the rifle as out of stock so you're dealer is probably not being dishonest. On the other hand, I did find two for sale on gunsamerica.com one for $775 and one for $950.

gunbroker.com doesn't have any current listings but they show that one sold in December for $775 and one sold two weeks ago for $750. There were several other auctions that ended without bids, and those are likely to pop back up as new auctions in the future.

I'd get my money back and just buy off of gunsamerica.com or gunbroker.com

 

[Chazz Layne]

I'd cancel it and look for an older used one anyhow. Marlin's quality has gone to poop since Remmington took over, I wouldn't want any of their new stuff.

 

[bob91yj]

I'm not a gun guy by any stretch. How has the quality been affected on the newer guns?

I'm going to try giving Marlin a call next week, see what's up.

Anyone runs across a lever action in .357, give me a yell. I'm not really looking for any alternative to that style/caliber. I want the caliber so that it matches my Ruger .357, and the lever action because I think they are cool!

 

[NuggetHoarder]

Anyone runs across a lever action in .357, give me a yell.

Bob91y, don't discount gunbroker or gunsamerica. 99% of the guns listed on those sites are from FFL licensed gun shops and many of them are listed as NIB (new in box).

The way it works is that you buy the gun off gunbroker or gunsamerica, and the seller ships the gun to a local FFL of your choice in your area. Your local FFL will then complete the transaction face to face with you. Let's say you get your rifle off of gunbroker for $750. The seller will probably tack on $25 for shipping and then your local FFL will charge you $25 to receive it and transfer it to you. Your local FFL will be familiar with this process because it is extremely common.

In many cases, gunbroker or gunsamerica are the only way to get some of the more obscure rifles out there and it's probably you only chance to get the rifle you seek any time soon since it is backordered. Your only hope may be to find a dealer with one on his shelf, and the gun auction sites are your only way to tap into that inventory.

Good luck, it sounds like a fun rifle.

 

[Rexsname]

I used to work at a gun shop back in the 90s. Marlin was out of stock/backorderd for at least a year on that same gun then. You can either wait it out or pay the extra price. Sad to say...those are the only two choices.



REX

 

[02TahoeMD]

If you were waiting on an "evil black rifle" I could see the 6 month wait. I had to wait about that much to get my DSA SA58 in last year. For a cowboy lever gun, that doesnt make sense to me. Ask for your deposit back, IMHO.

I also endorse shopping GunBroker - I have purchased a gun via the service and also met a nice FFL holder who helped me with some firearms transfers for a reasonable fee. If you know how to shop eBay, and can get ahold of a FFL holder in your area, I would not hesitate to use it. The system is very similar to eBay, just the seller ships to your FFL holder, not you.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

I also have a Marlin 1894 Cowboy in .357 caliber and I love it! Great camp gun and light enough to take hiking as well. I prefer a peep sight on mine.

 

[cnynrat]

It does seem like a long time to wait. The delay could be related to the fact that they are moving their factory. It was announced last year that they would close the New Haven CT plant and relocate production elsewhere by sometime in 2011. I don't know where they are in that process, but that could be a factor.

Another on line source you might check is Bud's Gun Shop. I've bought a couple guns from them, and had a good experience both times.

If you do track one down and are interested in installing peep sights as John suggested, look into Skinner Sights. He specializes in making peep sights for Marlins.

On a related note, I know Marlin 39A's have become very scarce as well. Fortunately, I already have one. :sombrero:

 

[Chazz Layne]

I'm not a gun guy by any stretch. How has the quality been affected on the newer guns?

Lots of plastic parts (that were formerly metal), poor molding, poor machining, poor assembly and fitment, poor quality control after the fact to catch all of the above, etc. It used to be you could buy one anyhow and send it back for "repair" and the (original Marlin) guys in the shop would fix it up nice, but Remington has since cleaned house...

 

[cnynrat]

No plastic in my Marlin 39A purchased after the acquisition by Remington, and it's a good shooter. Not suggesting all is perfect, but I'm not sure it's as bad as some make it seem.

 

[ssc45]

I checked with some of the distributors I use and they are all of stock as are the Rossi lever in .357/38. The 30-30 and 45's are in stock. I am not a SASS member, but perhaps there has been a reason they are sold out. Are you a SASS competitor? Those boys may know what is going on. I shoot with some of them, so I will ask. I do know when I shot IPSC with China Camp (RIP), he was shooting colts in .38 and the trend was towards the .38.

Sorry I couldn't help.

Cheers, Steve

 

[bob91yj]

Nope not a competitor. I tried calling Marlin this morning, I was on ignore for 5 minutes or so before I had to give up and get back to work. I'll try again tomorrow.

I'm in no real hurry for the gun, don't have a need for it, just a want.