I have a Marlin 1895GSL stainless that I added the XS Scout Rail with ghost rings, Ranger Precision Load Gate and Hammer Extension and a Vortex Crossfire. I am looking to add a Ranger Precision Mid Size Loop and upgrade to a T1 or H1 when I can find one at the right price. I would highly recommend the Ranger Precision load gate as it allows for easier loading without the issue of pinching your fingers or gloves and allows you to unload the rifle through the loadgate. In the pictures below you can see the comparison of the factory and Ranger loadgate. Ranger is top and left in the pictures.
As far as Marlin QC, when installing the load gate I removed the rear stock. When I removed the stock it fell apart into three pieces. I contacted Marlin through email and social media with zero results. I called Marlin 3-4 weeks later and was able to talk to a human, when I advised him that my stock fell apart he was not buying it. When I gave him my serial number his tone changed and he immediately said they would send a new stock out. He did not state it, but I wonder if they had issues with a certain serial number range. I am still waiting on the stock to arrive, it has been 2 weeks. Initially when sighting in the rifle I found the hammer was gritty and hard to cock, I discovered that was caused by a piece of the broken stock falling between the hammer spring. So far the rifle is accurate and reliable, even with chunks of the stocks floating around.
If you buy a Marlin, take a good look at it prior to buying it and think of it as a receiver and barrel that you will be adding accessories to. Boyd makes aftermarket stocks for the Marlin lever guns if you are looking at wood stocks and synthetic options are available from other companies. Be aware that the Boyd stocks do not come with a recoil pad, only a solid butt plate.
