but there aren't any reproductions of the Marlin lever-rifles? Rossi has their Rio Grande (which I'm assuming is based off of an 1895), but no one makes an 1894. Is there any particular reason for this?
Without getting into the whole Remlin, fading quality thing. One reason is Marlin is still in business are are still making them. Why would I want a knock-off when I can buy the original? It doesn't seem like a profitable venture to me.
Sure, but people still buy the Italian and Brazilian 1892s and 1886s, even though Winchester still makes them. People also buy reproduction Colt SAAs, even though Colt still makes them. The same could be said about their blackpowder revolvers.
Originally Posted By the_great_mantis:
Sure, but people still buy the Italian and Brazilian 1892s and 1886s, even though Winchester still makes them. People also buy reproduction Colt SAAs, even though Colt still makes them. The same could be said about their blackpowder revolvers.
The difference is that the Winchester 1886s ans 1892s are expensive, limited production items; same goes for the Colts. Marlin guns are still affordable, regular production items. Assuming Marlin resolves their quality issues, why would the average Joe buy a Chiappa 1894 for the same price as a Marlin model?
Any clone manufacturer would have to invest a lot of money in tooling to start up production on a new model; there's no motivation to do that if it means getting into a price war with Marlin, especially given Marlin's wider penetration into the US retail market and name recognition. When there was no longer any 1894s being produced by Winchester, Mossberg started making their 464 (not a true clone, but still...), because they identified a void in the market they could fill. I seriously doubt Mossberg would have started making the 464 if Winchester hadn't shut done the New Haven plant.
