We haven’t heard much from Marlin since The Freedom Group screwed the pooch. More specifically, they moved production without moving the employees that built their firearms. The result: guns whose quality—or a distinct lack thereof—sullied the storied firearms manufacturer’s reputation. Our test gun’s stock broke in half before we fired a shot. Our favorite Marlin customizer shared horrific tales of a plethora of post-Freedom Group guns gone bad. At some point, Marlin stopped producing Marlins. And now they’re back. rifleshootermag.com offers readers a review of the Marlin 336BL (“Big Loop”) that could help rehabilitate the brand’s rep. Stan Trzoniec’s only bitch about the .30-30-only lever gun: “the horrendous trigger pull.” Otherwise, nine out of 10. Then again, has any member of the Guns & Ammo family every panned a product? TTAG will secure a modern Marlin and report back. Meanwhile, what’s the word on Marlin in your neck of the woods?