Good time to be buying lever guns!

[Lawyerman]

I got curious the other day while sitting around after holiday ham and potatoes and decided to see what the Gunbroker market was for Marlin lever guns. WOW, what a change. I have accumulated over a dozen Marlins over the years, often at very good prices. I quit buying them about 4-5 years ago because the prices had gotten quite stupid. I was seeing standard Marlin .30-30's, used, with cross bolt safeties for over $400 at local shops-and they were flying off the shelves.... etc....Sporting Carbines and A's were out of sight, good clean guns of any kind were scarce.....

So, I go out on Gunbroker and type in Marlin in lever guns. It comes back with 13 PAGES! There were probably a half a dozen sporting carbines, a bunch of RC's, PILES of .35 Remingtons (my favorite), there were even a half a dozen of the "scarce" Y models for sale- under $400 brand new! There were even 4-5 decent 36's out there at reasonable prices.

Model 39's are still bringing stupid money but the centerfires are pretty reasonable, the pistol cal. guns are still a little high though.....But, it seems as though the economy has caused folks to do some digging in closets and under beds to find "stuff" to generate cash. I bought two rifles that I just couldn't pass up in fact- a .35 Rem. SC (my third) and a custom 16" 336 .30-30-- always wanted one...... So, if you are in the market for a lever gun or two....now might be a good time to go looking.

[6pt-sika]

Right before Christmas I paid about $475 for a circa 1967 Marlin 336-44 that was in maybe 80% . And while I didn't get it on GB I did get it from AuctionArms !

In case anyones unaware the 336-44 was a model they made in 44 MAG using the 336 action . They were only made from 1963-1967 .

[bowfin]

That reminds me to call my FFL guy and see if my Canadian Centennial Model 94 has showed up yet.

I bought it in like new condition for $350.

[Olevern]

Not a good time for me, not when mod. 1895 Cowboys are going for between $800 and $1,500 dollars, used.

I did find a bargain mod. 1894 in 44 mag. for $299 the other day, didn't need one but I bought it anyway.

[Lawyerman]

Have thought about this some more.....Not only do I think that people are trying to turn guns into cash....I think there are fewer buyers. It's really a two way street, guys are simply spending less on "stuff" and more on things like gas, food and the mortgage. As a result, if you are really in the market for guns, there are some bargains or at least reasonable deals to be had right now. I'm going to keep looking!

[Jbar4Ranch]

I picked up a very nice 1895CB .45-70 in October for $450, and a nice vintage 1894 .38-40 a month ago for $449. :happy dance: A little further back, but I picked up an 1894C .357 in a pawn shop for $249 two years ago. :D

[Olevern]

I picked up a very nice 1895CB .45-70 in October for $450, and a nice vintage 1894 .38-40 a month ago for $449. :happy dance: A little further back, but I picked up an 1894C .357 in a pawn shop for $249 two years ago. :D

For sure, when you are out there looking (I am in a gun shop of some sort several times a week) you will uncover some bargains. But for the most part, at least in my experience, Marlin lever actions (except 30-30's) have been overpriced, sometimes obscenely overpriced, since the closing of the old Marlin plant.

Not going to go any further there for fear someone will come in with a personal attack that I don't want to deal with.

[wvmedic]

I just bought a 336 in 30-30 for the Wife, it's a 1978 vintage. Got it at a pawn shop for $275.00, most have been going for $400.00 here no matter what flavor be it Glenfield,Western Auto, Sears or Marlin.

Yes I know they are all 336's but were less expensive than Marlin new.

Jeff

[Lawyerman]

That's been my experience, $400 minimum for ANY Marlin based lever rifle in the most common calibers. Anything other than a vanilla .30-30 and you can add to it so it was refreshing to see that prices had come down a little at least on line. Locally they are still bringing big money....I give it at least a year before that changes here. We're always a little behind.

[hunter64]

I live in Northern Alberta where there is lots of oil money around and really the last time pickin's was good was the fall/spring of 2008-9 when the big crash happened. The economy really didn't get hard hit in this area but other parts of Canada got hit and there was a lot of nice stuff come out of the safes that hadn't seen the light of day in a long time.

Picked up 4 lever actions between 275-350 each, a 1911 US&S .45 for $300.00 and a couple of shotguns cheap.

With the impending financial meltdown just over the horizon (hope it never gets to that) I am sure some more stuff will be on the market.

[Jbar4Ranch]

For sure, when you are out there looking (I am in a gun shop of some sort several times a week) you will uncover some bargains. But for the most part, at least in my experience, Marlin lever actions (except 30-30's) have been overpriced, sometimes obscenely overpriced, since the closing of the old Marlin plant.

Not going to go any further there for fear someone will come in with a personal attack that I don't want to deal with.
Ironically, I had been looking for an 1895CB for several months and finally broke down and bought one off gunbroker for $625 BIN, plus $25 shipping, plus $20 transfer fee*, which was the least expensive one I had seen in awhile. Six weeks later, a guy comes into the store with another one with a crappy scope on top and wants to trade it for an 1895SBL. We don't do trades, so I asked him what he wanted for the CB... "Oh, $500?" "How 'bout you keep your scope, rings, and base, and I give you $450?" "OK"
So, now I have two of 'em - both JM marked.

*The store won't let us use our own FFL for personal transfers.

[Olevern]

Ironically, I had been looking for an 1895CB for several months and finally broke down and bought one off gunbroker for $625 BIN, plus $25 shipping, plus $20 transfer fee*, which was the least expensive one I had seen in awhile. Six weeks later, a guy comes into the store with another one with a crappy scope on top and wants to trade it for an 1895SBL. We don't do trades, so I asked him what he wanted for the CB... "Oh, $500?" "How 'bout you keep your scope, rings, and base, and I give you $450?" "OK"
So, now I have two of 'em - both JM marked.

*The store won't let us use our own FFL for personal transfers.

2 model 1895CB's, I'm jealous :) I'll find one eventually.

[Lawyerman]

Almost bought an M94 just now. Stopped by local pawn shop and they had one, made in 1974 by serial number, .30-30, finish not all that great but it locked up really well and the bore was excellent, $240 and tax.I thought that was reasonable given what I have seen at a lot of gunshows the last few years.

[rintinglen]

You guys are killing me--here they want 400 and up for anything with the word "Marlin" on it. There is a beat-up Marlin 375 Winchester that is priced at 695 bucks in a shop near me. A 35 Remington with a cracked stock has $450 written on the price tag in another shop. Winchester 94's have fallen back a smidge (400-500, instead of 450 & Up), but used Marlins are gold.

[kelbro]

The next couple of days are usually good for 'pawn shopping'. They seem to deal well at the end of the year.

[pls1911]

Can't get any more... out of room and momma's gettin suspicious.....

[WHITETAIL]

:holysheepI know what you mean, right now the
locker is 3 deep and the pile on the floor
with pistol boxes is getting too high.:cbpour:

[doubledown]

Can't get any more... out of room and momma's gettin suspicious.....

:goodpost::mrgreen: