Reading the comments in the 45-70 thread it makes me wonder. Should Ruger have started making Marlin's by producing good, solid model 336's in 30-30?
Did Ruger Make A Mistake
- Thread starter Jeepnik
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I believe they based their decision on which model was the best seller in the Marlin line. Tim
This offering is of no interest to me but I trust they know best what will sell.
The older I get, the less I am their "target" market.
My wish for their lever action build would be something in 357 or 41 mag. Liking the 41 Mag means I'm well into the minority of potential buyers.
The older I get, the less I am their "target" market.
My wish for their lever action build would be something in 357 or 41 mag. Liking the 41 Mag means I'm well into the minority of potential buyers.
badguybuster
Single-Sixer
Personally I would like to see lever guns made in "different" pistol cals, like 45 acp and 10mm. The first couple runs would likely sell for a darned fortune
louiethelump
Buckeye
Rimless rounds like 45acp or 10mm are problematic for the shell latches required for the under barrel magazine tubes of the traditional lever action. The very short rounds add to this difficulty to obtain reliable functioning. (The 357 levers will usually work with the shorter 38 spl but much shorter than that and they just don't function) A magazine fed version may well fix these issues. A lever action with a magazine (not that evil semi auto) in 9mm would be a delight.
jgt
Buckeye
I think they could have sold more rifles had they picked a handgun cartridge to start with. More people want them to match their carry gun. As old as I am and I have plenty of marlin lever action rifles, I would have purchased a 44 magnum had they finally offered one with a 1 in 20 or faster twist barrel. If it had been a trapper length with a 1 in 16 they could have robbed me and I would have given in. I think a lot of 44 caliber handgun shooters are out there like me. Then there are the 41 people that would jump at the chance to finally get one in their caliber. Most people love the 357's in a rifle and would buy another in that caliber. It would have been a hit. Sure a lot of people love the 45-70, but there are more of them out there in the market and a lot to be had. Even in scarce times I saw 45-70 marlins for sale.
kean57
Single-Sixer
This was not a mistake; it was a strategic, and smart, decision based on the fact that many states require the use of straight-walled cartridges for hunting deer. Even though the 45-70 actually does have a slight taper, it is classified as a straight-wall cartridge for hunting purposes (at least here in Ohio). My avid deer-hunting friend uses an Encore in 45-70 for deer, and has never had one that didn't drop instantly. He will never use another cartridge for deer hunting.
Xrayist
Single-Sixer
I would guess that Ruger invests tens of thousands of dollars, if not more, into market research, and that research probably indicated that the 45-70 would be the best to start with. Now, if they would just offer it in the old "cowboy" version with the 26" barrel.
Rick Courtright
Hawkeye
Hi,
Yes!
I might consider a Ruglin if it looked JUST LIKE the 336 that lives here, blue steel, walnut, .30-30. If the .45-70 gun Ruger just brought out is what the target market wants, I guess I'm not in the market.
Rick C
I'd like to see the 44spl or 45 Colt calibers. I might have to get one as a stablemate for the 30-30 that's in the safe.
After such a HUGE investment, I kinda gotta believe they spent time seeing what the market had been previously, what models were in higher demand. It's simply what a smart business plan has in place; produce what's most in demand. No different than any other firearms manufacturer now. Nobody's scrambling to get a bunch of single shot replicas out the door for the market when that market demand black polymer semi-autos that have a "tactical" look.
buckeyeshooter
Blackhawk
It depends on what the best selling model is and what the profit margins are on each gun. My guess is they made the model that results in the most cash in hand.
Geri
Bearcat
Geri
Bearcat
Years ago, Snaps Gunshop converted a marlin 336 to 45 act.
It can be done for rimless cartridges. Would it sell?
It can be done for rimless cartridges. Would it sell?
Rick Courtright
Hawkeye
Hi,
Just thinking out loud here: What if Ruger had opened the betting with a well-made 39A .22? By well made, I mean true to the original, not something dolled up to appeal to the black plastic crowd. I wonder if the intellectual property package Ruger got included the prints for that rifle.
Rick C
I'm sure the 39A in 22 would sell but wonder if Henry already has that market sealed up. I honestly don't know.
Folks in my area are hoping they'll quickly bring back the Marlin 60. Some say its a competitor to the 10/22 while others say its not since one uses mags and the other is tube fed. For me, I didnt need a Marlin 60 cause I've always had a Nylon 66.
Folks in my area are hoping they'll quickly bring back the Marlin 60. Some say its a competitor to the 10/22 while others say its not since one uses mags and the other is tube fed. For me, I didnt need a Marlin 60 cause I've always had a Nylon 66.
Snake Pleskin
Banned
I have owned both and the Marlin 60 is a pita to take down etc. IMHO. Magazines are good & bad. They are convenient if you shoot different loads, so you can load them differently, but then, you do have to load them. Large mags are useless IMO because they destroy the balance & looks of the firearm, are a PITA to load and serve no good purpose except to burn through more ammo. I own several 10/22's, Ruger Precision LR, Ruger American Target and Standard rimfires and use only the original 10 rd mags. I own a 15rd for the Precision when competing, and (1) 25) just to see what it was like. I used it a few times and never again. The tube feed for most people holds enough rounds for hunting, target shooting and is simple to reload. I own a couple Henry's and they shoot well and load easy, no need for a loader or tired thumbs! I have also owned several 39a's and sold all of them. They are great shooters, real walnut & steel, but are getting pricey for what they are, and I took advantage of that. Let someone who thinks they are the cats meow pay for the privilege. I won't. The Henry works every bit as well. I will not pay exorbitant prices for a firearm regardless of what it is etc. If Ruger makes a 39a you know it will be an investment casting, and the wannabees will whine about that, even though Ruger has proven for decades investment casting is a sound way of making a firearm.
Burrhead 799
Bearcat
- Joined
- May 1, 2017
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Well, they haven't made a 16.5" lever gun in .35 Remington since 1964...kinda hard to tell WHAT the market likes. I know that's a niche round but if you've ever looked up the Marauders in .35 Rem lately it's about half a new Cadillac. I have worn out the "Tell the CEO" switch at Ruger to try to get this model brought out of mothballs.
Ruger knows what they are doing and what the market is. What you see on the Marlin website is what we're going to get.
They will bring out a blue 336 in 30-30 and 35 remington to feed those markets. They will bring out a model 94 in 44 mag and 357 mag because that's where the market is. maybe eventually in 45LC. 45acp nope, 41 mag not so much.
They will bring out the Model 60 because there is still a market for that iconic tube fed rimfire. They will bring out the Mod 795 (possibly with take down bbl i.e. the 70 papoose) because that's what they are showing on their website and they need a budget detachable mag rimfire.
They will bring out the XT rimfire bolt gun because it fits a nitch not covered by their Ameican Rimfire.
They will bring out a blue 336 in 30-30 and 35 remington to feed those markets. They will bring out a model 94 in 44 mag and 357 mag because that's where the market is. maybe eventually in 45LC. 45acp nope, 41 mag not so much.
They will bring out the Model 60 because there is still a market for that iconic tube fed rimfire. They will bring out the Mod 795 (possibly with take down bbl i.e. the 70 papoose) because that's what they are showing on their website and they need a budget detachable mag rimfire.
They will bring out the XT rimfire bolt gun because it fits a nitch not covered by their Ameican Rimfire.
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Spot on! I would have already bought a 45-70, and a 30-30 for that matter, if it were more like the old 45-70 Marlin that I had previously owned.
Never should have traded that one off.
