[Jeff Higgins]

I would place any Marlin made leading up to and after the sale to The Leisure Group in the "suspect" category. Remington went on a notable downhill slide as well, for all of the same reasons.

Maybe both will recover to their former glory someday. Time will tell. Both were very well respected companies, producing very high quality firearms, prior to their respective buyouts. In Marlin's case, I would not buy any product made in a plant that was closing and moving, leaving that workforce with the option to either move out of state to stay with the company (at reduced pay) or get laid off. I just don't think their hearts would b in it anymore. Neither would I buy any product made in a brand new plant on brand new tooling by a largely inexperienced workforce.

I'm sorry you picked up a bad Marlin. With today's situation, "older is better". Even if it's just three or four years old. I, too, have been somewhat surprised at a few of the newer Marlins I've seen. It's really a shame. I've got a pretty good pile of older ones (newest is maybe ten years old, with the older ones going back into the fifties), and they are all excellent rifles. I'm sure they will last several lifetimes, at least.

Take a look inside that Henry. I know they function well and look good, but they certainly do not strike me as "several lifetimes" rifles. Cast zinc or zamac (not sure which) receivers set inside of sheet metal exteriors, stamped and cast parts, etc. No thanks. Tales of woe are pretty commonplace with these, where problems with Marlins are rare enough to be notable when they do occur. That, and the sudden downturn in Marlin quality is (I believe) directly attributable to their sale. Older ones are great, and hopefully someday soon, the new ones being produced will once again measure up. Hopefully...