Rifle Brand · Marlin
Marlin rifles: brand guide (Ruger-made lever actions)
Researched by James · Updated September 26, 2026 · Editorial policy
On this page
The bankruptcy, acquisition price and production restart come from American Rifleman's reporting and Wikipedia's Sturm, Ruger & Co. entry. Current pricing and specs come from Marlin's own site. Full methodology & editorial policy →
I hunt with airguns, not centerfire rifles, but the Marlin comeback is one of the more interesting brand stories in the industry right now, so I wanted the facts straight before pointing anyone toward one.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1870, by John Marlin, in New Haven, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Operated as a Sturm, Ruger & Co. brand; Ruger's headquarters is in Mayodan, North Carolina |
| Where made | Mayodan, North Carolina, at Ruger's own manufacturing facility (since September 2021) |
| Parent company / owner | Sturm, Ruger & Co. (NYSE: RGR), which bought Marlin's brand, IP and hard assets for $28.3 million at the September 2020 Remington Outdoor Company bankruptcy auction |
| Known for | The Model 336 (.30-30) and Model 1895 (.45-70) lever-action rifles |
| Typical price range | About $1,359 (336 Classic) to $1,619 (1895 SBL) MSRP |
| Warranty | Serviced under Ruger's own service policy for the original owner; no separate published Marlin warranty |
Current lineup for hunters
| Model | Type | Calibers | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 336 Classic | Lever-action, tube magazine | .30-30 Winchester | About $1,359 MSRP | Traditional whitetail hunting in brush and timber |
| 1895 SBL | Lever-action, tube magazine, big-bore | .45-70 Government | About $1,619 MSRP | Big-bore hunting at close range, bear defense |
Both are classic tube-magazine lever guns, which means round-nose or flat-point bullets only — the trade-offs of that format against a bolt-action or semi-auto are covered in bolt vs lever vs semi-auto for hunting.
Best Marlin picks for hunting
- 336 Classic in .30-30 — the standard brush-country deer rifle; see how .30-30 stacks up against other deer rounds in best deer hunting calibers.
- 1895 SBL in .45-70 — for hunters who want serious close-range stopping power, whether for hogs, bear, or big-bore enthusiasm on its own terms.
Pros and cons
Good fit
- Hunters who want a real lever gun with modern manufacturing tolerances behind it
- Buyers who like the idea of an American-made big-bore or classic deer lever gun
Look elsewhere
- Buyers who specifically want a pre-2020 "old Marlin" for its own sake — new production is a different company's tooling and process, even sharing the name
- Anyone comparing dollar-for-dollar against a $500-900 bolt-action; Marlins cost noticeably more for the lever-action format
How Marlin compares
Against Winchester's Model 94, the two are the classic rival lever guns in American hunting, and both have gone through ownership changes since their original manufacturers stopped building them — Marlin to Ruger, Model 94 to Miroku in Japan under Browning's license. Against Henry, Marlin's tube-magazine lever guns are closer in spirit to Henry's American-made .30-30 and .45-70 lever actions than to Browning's detachable-magazine BLR, which is the outlier of the lever-gun field.
Verdict
Marlin's comeback under Ruger is a genuine second life for a brand that nearly disappeared, and early reports on fit and function have been encouraging. Buy new for the manufacturing quality and warranty backing of a healthy company; buy used and inspect carefully if you specifically want a pre-bankruptcy example.
If a lever gun would be a step up from your first gun ever, pellet gun vs PCP: which should you buy first covers the airgun side of that choice, and how to teach someone to shoot safely covers safety fundamentals that apply to any rifle, Marlin included.
FAQ
Is Marlin a good rifle brand?
Yes, under its current owner. Marlin's lever-action designs, especially the .30-30 Model 336 and .45-70 Model 1895, have a century-plus reputation for reliability in the field, and Ruger has restarted production to modern manufacturing tolerances at its own U.S. plant after buying the brand out of bankruptcy in 2020.
Who owns Marlin now?
Sturm, Ruger & Co. Ruger bought Marlin's brand rights, intellectual property and hard assets for $28.3 million at the September 2020 Remington Outdoor Company bankruptcy auction, after Marlin had been part of Remington's corporate umbrella since 2007.
Where are Marlin rifles made?
At Ruger's own manufacturing facility in Mayodan, North Carolina. The first Ruger-made Marlin, a Model 1895 SBL in .45-70 Government, came off the line on September 30, 2021, and production has continued there since.
Are new Marlins as good as old Marlins?
Early reports on the Ruger-made 1895 SBL and 336 Classic have generally been positive on fit, function and consistency, an improvement many attribute to modern CNC manufacturing at Ruger's plant. As with any relaunched product line, it's worth checking current-year owner and reviewer feedback for the specific model and caliber you want.
What is the best Marlin rifle for hunting?
The 336 Classic in .30-30 Winchester for typical whitetail deer hunting in brush and timber, or the 1895 SBL in .45-70 Government if you want a big-bore lever gun for larger game or backup protection against bears at close range.
What calibers does Marlin make?
Ruger's relaunched lineup currently centers on .30-30 Winchester (Model 336) and .45-70 Government (Model 1895), the two calibers Marlin's lever guns are most historically associated with.
How much does a new Marlin cost?
About $1,359 MSRP for the 336 Classic in .30-30 and about $1,619 MSRP for the 1895 SBL in .45-70, per Marlin's own current pricing. That's noticeably more than a pre-bankruptcy used Marlin typically sells for, reflecting new manufacturing rather than secondhand value.
What is Marlin's warranty?
As a Ruger-owned brand, Marlin firearms are serviced under Ruger's own service policy for the original owner rather than a separately published Marlin warranty; contact Ruger customer service for current terms on a specific model.
Sources
- American Rifleman — Marlin Reborn: Ruger Resurrects a Legend (acquisition price, Mayodan production, first-rifle date)
- Marlin Firearms — SBL Series Model 1895 (current MSRP and specs)
- Marlin Firearms — Classic Series Model 336 (current MSRP and specs)
- Wikipedia — Sturm, Ruger & Co. (2020 Marlin acquisition)