Marlin Firearms: Back In The Saddle

by
posted on March 7, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Marlin Firearms Ad

From the ashes of the 2020 Remington Outdoor bankruptcy, Marlin Firearms has emerged again, but it didn’t rise without help. Another storied American firearm brand, Ruger, purchased the rights to the 152-year-old company and is currently producing new guns in its Mayodan, N.C., facility, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the guns themselves. When asked whether or not the Ruger name would appear on production guns, Ruger’s CEO Chris Killoy responded, “No, it won’t. We’re going to maintain the Marlin brand. We’re very proud of the Marlin brand and its history.”

Returning with the new Marlin lever-action rifles is the famed cowboy on a horse, a legendary icon that’s escorted the Marlin brand since the turn of the last century. The alert cowboy aiming his gun downrange first appeared in “His Last Stand,” an 1890 Frederic Sackrider Remington painting of two horsemen with dogs closing in on a grizzly bear. Company founder John Marlin liked the central figure so much that he asked Remington to produce a copy focusing on the cowboy, and that painting, “Danger Ahead”—shown above—appeared on Marlin’s 1900 catalog cover.

By 1960, the original painting commissioned by Marlin had been lost, supposedly in a fire, but original catalogs remained. For 1961, Marlin commissioned artist John Scott to recreate the iconic painting, and it again graced the cover of the Marlin catalog that year. New Marlin firearms may be emerging from a Ruger factory, but, like the horseman that’s been a part of the brand for so long, the guns are all Marlin. For an in-depth look at the latest models under the classic Marlin name, be sure to read Editor Emeritus John Zent’s feature in our March 2022 issue and Senior Executive Editor Kelly Young’s Field Test right here at americanrifleman.org.

Latest

Cz600 Review Right
Cz600 Review Right

Review: CZ 600 Alpha

As an aside from traditional wood and steel rifles like the Model 527, CZ Firearms has a suite of offerings in its 600 series of which are noteworthy and capable performers with modern aesthetics and unique functionality.

San Tan Tactical Launches Defender Program

San Tan Tactical has launched a Defender Program to provide increased support for the professional community of law enforcement officers, servicemen and women and veterans.

I Have This Old Gun: The Ortgies Pistol

One of the lesser-known, German-made handguns from the early 20th century, the Ortgies pistol has a fascinating history stretching from the end of World War I all the way to the conclusion of World War II.

New For 2025: Taurus GX4 Strike Bravo

In a collaboration with Strike Industries, Taurus USA has launched its GX4 Strike Bravo, which combines elements of its popular micro-compact handgun with a chassis-frame design capable of accepting a stabilizing brace.

PenFed Touts Successful Three Quarters In 2025

In a quarterly update to members, PenFed Credit Union CEO James Schenck highlighted the company's strong financial position while also sharing some of his financial insights.

2026 NRA Youth Education Summit Applications Open

Applications are now open for the 2026 NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.), an all-expenses-paid, six-day leadership and scholarship program for rising high school juniors and seniors.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.