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Like a lot of folks out there, after the rough transition from Remington buying Marlin, I was a little paranoid about buying a modern Marlin. However, with the terrible safety mechanisms on the Rossi, in my opinion the horrible loading method on the otherwise great Henry, and the price of the Winchester, Marlin still seemed the model for me, so I took a chance. Buds policy really helped alleviate my concern there as if I received a bum rifle I wouldn't be hosed. So on to the rifle itself. I'm happy to report that I think the rough transition for Marlin post-Remington purchase is over. We're well past the 2007 to 2012 window of hit and mostly miss, and I think we've got good Marlins back. That being said, here's the honest review. Compared to my father's Marlin of the same make and model from the 80's, it's definitely not the same quality. However, is that really a surprise? Modern manufacturing just isn't the same. Not to say it's worse, I don't think that's true at all. I justify that by saying that I think the fit and finish of the steel, function and smoothness of action operation is excellent, and right on par with the old man's 80's vintage. So essentially, the steel of the gun is excellent. The wood however, is where we start to get into the comparable discrepancy. The grade of the wood is just a whole league below the 80's edition. The stock fit is adequate, I didn't have any drastic measurements being off or anything, it's comfortable and generically fits as well as the older one. The grade and luster of the wood just isn't there. The checkering in particular is terrible. I'm not sure it can be called checkering. If you didn't have the old one to compare it too then it likely wouldn't bother anyone, but for those who know, it just can't be looked upon favorably. Wood marks and maladies by the barrel band give the grain a driftwood appearance. With some TLC, none of those outside of the checkering are a big deal however. Firing is where my edition seemed to take an edge. Not sure if it's the micro-grooved barrel or what, but this thing was dead on and CONSISTENT out of the box. My old man's never saw much resembling even light use, so I hold them at an even keel for barrel wear and whatnot. All in all, mine's far and away a better shooter. (To be clear, I'm the one that shot both rifles). All in all, I'm happy with my decision and my rifle, and I would do it again. In fact, I might be doing it again soon as my wife already has her mitts all over my new Marlin 336SS!

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