End of an Era

[daytime dave]

I saw yesterday that the Remington factory in Ilion NY is going to be closed sometime early next year. It has been there for about 200 years. It's too bad, there were many folks in the area that worked there for generations. The operation will be in it's new location down south.
I had a chance to go on a private tour of the plant with one of my friends from the area, many years ago when tours were still given. It was a real treat. There were craftsmen on display making custom engravings that were fantastic. The rest of the plant was a mixture of modern and old school. There was even a gift shop.

While I don't make it to Ilion anymore, I'll always cherish the Remingtons I have with that location stamped on the barrels. I'm glad that Remington is still going to be around.

[JEBar]

I'll have to look and see where my Remingtons were made .... wonder if they will move any employees to the plant that will still be manufacturing their long guns

[BrokenolMarine]

I saw yesterday that the Remington factory in Ilion NY is going to be closed sometime early next year. It has been there for about 200 years. It's too bad, there were many folks in the area that worked there for generations. The operation will be in it's new location down south.
I had a chance to go on a private tour of the plant with one of my friends from the area, many years ago when tours were still given. It was a real treat. There were craftsmen on display making custom engravings that were fantastic. The rest of the plant was a mixture of modern and old school. There was even a gift shop.

While I don't make it to Ilion anymore, I'll always cherish the Remingtons I have with that location stamped on the barrels. I'm glad that Remington is still going to be around.

A lot of firearms manufacturing has begun moving south. Historic buildings and companies moving to better locations. Won't get into the politics, but many of the companies chose the new locations partly because of the incentives the locations offered their employees in the moves. Better housing, tax breaks on the housing purchases, better schools, and safer neighborhoods. Smith and Wesson just moved to TN I believe.

[North Country Gal]

I still love my Remingtons that I have (and have had) when Remington was owned by Dupont. Those were the days of "Big Green", the nick-name for Remington. Really was the golden era for Remington. The company moved up, big time, to fill the void after the Winchester disaster when Winchester cheapened their guns. Remington was the leader in so many branches of the shooting sports in those days.

Yeah, the list of Remington's I've owned over the years is a long one. Loved them all.

[GFK]

Does a Remington make Marlin count? I looked at a Remington make shotgun, just before the sell off. But, I ended up with a Benelli. Yet, I would will consider a new Remington.

[daytime dave]

I saw yesterday that the Remington factory in Ilion NY is going to be closed sometime early next year. It has been there for about 200 years. It's too bad, there were many folks in the area that worked there for generations. The operation will be in it's new location down south.
I had a chance to go on a private tour of the plant with one of my friends from the area, many years ago when tours were still given. It was a real treat. There were craftsmen on display making custom engravings that were fantastic. The rest of the plant was a mixture of modern and old school. There was even a gift shop.

While I don't make it to Ilion anymore, I'll always cherish the Remingtons I have with that location stamped on the barrels. I'm glad that Remington is still going to be around.

A lot of firearms manufacturing has begun moving south. Historic buildings and companies moving to better locations. Won't get into the politics, but many of the companies chose the new locations partly because of the incentives the locations offered their employees in the moves. Better housing, tax breaks on the housing purchases, better schools, and safer neighborhoods. Smith and Wesson just moved to TN I believe.

Thanks for not diving into the politics. I hope that most of the employees offered a transfer take it. It's a hard decision to be sure, but there aren't many jobs in that area that compare to Remington. I hope the employees are well taken care of.

[Vaquero]

From what I've read the move is the first of March, and that there only around 200 employees at the Ilion plant.
I have a couple of their shotguns, but that's it, I've never been much of a bolt action rifle guy so none reside here.
As to Remington though they nearly ruined the Marlin name before they finally sold it off.
Not even sure if they even make their own ammo, think it's made by Vista and just market it under their name.
I don't buy much factory ammo these days, but when asked what I would buy I always say Federal, or Hornady.

RP

[North Country Gal]

Dupont sold Remington in the early 90s and then in 2007, Remington was acquired by Cerberus/Freedom Group. That's also when Remington acquired Marlin. It was the Cerberus/Freedom Group take over that old time Remington fans mourn. It was a very different company after that.

[Ozarkwoodswalker]

The old remington guns are great. I am annoyed at them for almost destroying the marlin name when they took them over, simply from a lack of quality control.. (I actually have a little marlin that i love that was produced during their rein, and its perfectly fine.)
Oh well... stuff happens...on we trudge.

[cooperhawk]

Marlin is now being produced by Ruger and I expect the quality to return, however the Marlin lever action
is very similar to Henry's and I own some of each. I find the Henrys to be smoother and I think better quality.

I purchased my first Marlin back in 1957 to go deer hunting with my Father and his brothers. I still have it.
A Marlin 336 in 30-30. I haven't shot it in decades but it still invokes memories, so I keep it safe and clean.

[Hatchdog]

Interesting timing on this report. Just this morning I was looking at this for sale posting for a Remington 700 BDL. Both the high gloss finish on the BDL and the box label brought back memories of Remingtons from the 70’s. Sadly time marches on.

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[daytime dave]

Living around Remington country, I have one or two. My favorites are the pump action rifle and semi auto rifle like the pumps. Mine are both on .30/06 and are very accurate.
Of course, being in Remington country, most of mine were purchased used but in fine shape.

[North Country Gal]

Remington definitely had some bumps trying to learn how to make lever guns, no doubt about it. Most of the "Remlin" 336/1895 guns that I saw were eventually useable to pretty decent, but the 336/1885 action is actually a more modern design and easier to produce without hand fitting than the older designs like the 1894 which require more fitting. It's why Ruger has started with the 336/1895 and has now worked its way up to the 1894, too. Notice the prices Ruger is charging, though. Ouch!

The last Remlin 1894s were at least okay, but it took Remington awhile to get there. The one that Remington never could get right was the Marlin 39, because that take down, two-piece receiver required a lot of hand fitting to work. Remington finally gave up on the 39 and sent it to their Custom Shop and charged a fortune to cover all the labor needed.

[Redthies]

Does a Remington make Marlin count? I looked at a Remington make shotgun, just before the sell off. But, I ended up with a Benelli. Yet, I would will consider a new Remington.

100% it does. The only Remington Illion product I have is my primary deer rifle. An early 2020 made 336 BL. It’s a beautiful gun and shots damn straight!

[HenryFan]

In days past, I was a big Remington fan but now, I have only two Remington products.

One is a Remington Model Seven I bought new in the mid-1990's. It is chambered in 7mm-08 Rem., has a stainless-steel finish and a laminated wood stock. It has taken a number of deer in the last almost 30 years.

The other is a Remlin Model 1894 chambered in .44 Rem. Mag and the fit, finish and function is excellent. It was made in 2019, maybe a year or less before Remington failed and I am glad I stumbled on it. Those who dismiss Remington-made Marlin rifles out of hand without considering the individual rifle are possibly passing on a good firearm. The later production Remlins were generally fine rifles. I admit it took Remington a while to get it right.

[Vaquero]

I only have two Remington products, both a 1100's,
a plain 20 ga. and a vented ribbed 12ga.
I believe the last time I shot the 12 was back in '18 when a few of us went to MN for a pheasant hunt.

RP

[cooperhawk]

I only have two Remington products, both a 1100's,
a plain 20 ga. and a vented ribbed 12ga.

Back in my Virginia hunting days many friends had those 1100s and loved them. I have never owned one but I did
purchase a Remington 788 in 6mm for my oldest son when he turned 18. That was a fine but affordable rifle.
I had my late brother's 12 Gauge Wingmaster for a while till I sold it to a good friend.

[North Country Gal]

I owned and hunted with most of the popular bird hunting shotguns of the 60s, 70s and 80s. The Remington 1100 was amazing. Loved it. When the 11-87 came out, I tried it, but not the same gun as the 1100. Didn't care for it at all.

I'm still shooting Remingtons with my XP-100s. We have one other Remington in the house, a late 40s 550-1 that Bill inherited from his father. Very interesting 22 autoloader that shoots 22 Shorts, Longs and Long Rifles. During one of the ammo shortages, all we could find was 22 Shorts and shot them in the 550-1. Lots of fun.

[GFK]

The other is a Remlin Model 1894 chambered in .44 Rem. Mag and the fit, finish and function is excellent. It was made in 2019, maybe a year or less before Remington failed and I am glad I stumbled on it. Those who dismiss Remington-made Marlin rifles out of hand without considering the individual rifle are possibly passing on a good firearm. The later production Remlins were generally fine rifles. I admit it took Remington a while to get it right.

I agree. I have two Remington made Marlins: 2016 336W and 2019 1894CS. Both, I am happy with. Both seem to shoot straight, as long as I do my part. Both had mirror wood blemishes. Yet, Marlin sent replacements for both. So, I was a happy shooter. The action require breaking in. However, most things new do. Any rate, they are keepers. I guess that it does not take much to make me happy. As long as I can hit a target, I am happy. Besides, what else are they good for?

[Redthies]

I agree. I have two Remington made Marlins: 2016 336W and 2019 1894CS. Both, I am happy with. The action require breaking in. However, most things new do. Any rate, they are keepers.

When I got my 336, I didn’t even fire it once before I disassembled it, and got out the 1000 grit and some oil and wet sanded/polished all the moving bits and pieces, so there wasn’t any break in required on mine. It is almost as slick as a Henry now.