Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions I've always liked Marlins...

BUT when they introduced that flaming cross bolt safety I thought it was stupid. I'm sorry for saying it that way but I just couldn't word it differently. I have always had a fondness for the Marlin lever gun. I currently own two. A .444 and a 45-70. Both pre safety. I just can't bring myself to own a new one. Do any of you feel the same or do I need to conform ?????? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" />

LBK,

No, I was wounded beyond words when Marlin caved in to the risk management dept and put safeties on the levers, so I completely agree with you. It feels like Marlin is telling me I'm too stinkin' stupid to keep from plugging myself. I started collecting Marlins in the 70's, so I've got most of what I need.

I have bought a couple, though. I REALLY like the 444, so I did buy a used 444P, and it's a keeper. Same for the guide gun. Same for my 1894D in 44-40. Well, maybe I'm getting used to it after all.

But with the safety and diminishing quality and raising prices, I find myself collecting M95 Steyrs these days. Just found a rare one in a second hand store for 65 bucks. It's in the original 8 X 50R chambering & everything. Tomorrow or Mon, the brown truck will be delivering my Bulgarian M95M I bought on another forum for 60 bucks - shipped. It's been a heck of a long time since I've found a sweet deal like that on a Marlin. The prices of lever actions has really gone through the roof. Ya gotta love 'em, though! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> SW

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> WOW and all the while I've been thinking it was me. Glad to find someone out there that agrees with me. There must be someone out there totin that has brought this on. Marlin MUST know that that cross bolt safety turned many of us off to them. I have always felt Marlin FAR superior to Winchester. I do have a fair collection of Savage 99's though. Thanks for the reply. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Here's a link to a solution. Sounds like it voids your warranty, but it is reversible. I've been thinking about going this route.



Oops - forgot the link. Here you go:



http://leverguns.com/articles/taylor/crossbolt_safety.htm

Olywa,

Interesting you post this. I was told at the Marlin Collector's show & annual meeting this topic was one of the things that caused the factory to pull the plug on the old Marlin Talk forum. Risk management apparently swings a big stick around the factory. I like the concept, but I'm too cheap to buy them.

I suppose Win. has a patent on the tang safety - not that it's any easier to swallow, but it's easier to cover up. Maybe something in the trigger guard like the early Savs would be better, but I suppose that would jack the prices up. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Sadly, drilling one hole is a lot cheaper for Marlin than defending even one lawsuit from some idiot and his ambulance chaser.

Nothing is idiot-proof; idiots are too ingenious. SW

Letter to the editor of Rifle mag, reader dealt with the safety issue by picking up a black O-ring at the auto parts store and putting it on the safety while in the "fire" position. Nearly invisible, and you can remove it with a thumbnail if you ever change your mind.

hey nebrhogger, my gunsmith has a old remington pump[1939]in 35 cal for 350.00 in mint condition just got it from estate sale

smacarac,

Thanks for the tip!! However, I just bought a Jap Type I & have depleted the toy fund until after the 1st of the year. - I really like the older Rems, but I have been bitten by the milsurp bug. Last Rem I bought was an early walnut 788 in 30-30. So many rifles, so little money! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> SW

Yup, totally detest the cross bolt safety. That's why I've purchased a couple of very nice used pre-safety Marlins from the online auctions. Same goes with the M-94, whether it is cross bolt or tang, either is unnecessary junk. There are plenty of fine used lever action Marlins and Winchesters out there for sale that a person does not have to buy these lawyer-proof rifles. Maybe if more people did this, sales would go down enough that the bean counters would figure it's cheaper to settle suits rather than lose sales.

Marlin 336 in 30-30 has been added to the family of meat gettin rifles this month, six point buck. One shot one deer.

..keep your powder dry..

.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> My .444 Marlin (pre-safety) just took a fine buck on Anticosti Island. Another buck was taken with a Savage 99F. I have a beauty of a 45-70 in the straight stock pre-safety Marlin. I have a buddy at work that got bit by the .444 bug and bought himself a beauty of a rifle up in Maine while on a hunting trip there. He also doesn't like the crossbolt safety. There are 3 Marlin new gun sales the company has lost. It's a shame that they had to add the crossbolt to a leveraction.I do NOT fault the company for protecting themselves. They have not ruined their rifle in the least, it's just that I don't like the way the gun appears with the safety on the side of the reciever. If I find another nice Marlin without the safety, I'd buy Marlin in a heartbeat. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hey, longbeardking .........

I was looking at two 336's in 30-30 the other day. One was precross bolt and the other cross bolt. both looked good and they both had scopes on 'em, the price was right too. $250.

I was thinking of the precross bolt for myself. I would remove the scope, don't like them things on short range lever actions.

Hey, keep the faith with finding them precross bolt Marlin's.

Deer gun season is about done here for the year. We have the week between Xmas and New Years. Anterless only though. Deer meat is deer meat.

..keep your powder dry..
.

There is a dead cheap and simple "fix" to this cross bolt safety fetish.

You simply buy a small rubber O-Ring. I believe it is size #009 or #010. You put the safety in the fire position. You slip the o-ring over it. This prevents it from going back to "safe" mode. Once the black o-ring is on you can barely notice that the safety is there. Only the very small protrusion of the safety which is only about 1/8 inch or less. Completly unobtrusive.

You also have the benefit to slip the o-ring off and place the gun in safe mode to unload it. I believe this is what caused Marlin to install the safety in the first place. Some very small percentage of idiot's accidently shot the gun while cycling the action during the unloading process. With lawsuits the way they are it is probably the only way they can stay in business.

With the simple o-ring fix, you now have a brand new gun that operates and looks just like the Marlins of old. You also have the resale possibilities to those who really want the safety and you've done ZERO gunsmithing or modifications to the gun.

Some have also taken the safety apart and milled it down somehow and re installed it.

However I'd avdise you to be aware that if anyone does make a factory safety inoperative either by the o-ring or other method and accidentally shoots someone you'd be open to a lawsuit.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> There has always been a safety on exposed hammer lever guns. We aren't forgetting the half cock lock are we? Now with the cross bolt, you set it on safe there. I have actually seen people carrying their Marlins at FULL cock with the safety on. They say it takes too much time to put the safe in fire position AND cock the hammer. Now I ask you, in the interest of safety, is killing an animal that important. Marlin tried to idiot proof their firearm and a higher grade idiot has evolved. I will stick to my Savage 99's and my pre-safety Marlins and pay more attention to the safety of the hunters I encounter. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The safetys really reek, but a couple of the guns with them are just too cool to ignore. Like the 1894CP. That is one handy gun!! I found a load with 125gr hp's that clocks over 2000fps. If Davidson's ever did a special run of new 38-40s, I'd have to get one of those, too. SW

Longbeardking said Would carrying the gun in this condition actually be any different than carrying a bolt gun in the loaded position with safety on?

olywa

I put this kit on my .35 and .45-70. It's inexpensive and easy to do and looks great. I hate that cross bolt safety. Thanks...

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I didn't mean to be insulant in any way. And to a degree you are correct in that carrying the gun in the cocked position isn't much different than carrying a bolt gun cocked with the safety on. I am not degrading Marlin for the change because we all know why the change was implemented. BUT to someone as old as me and have been carrying Marlins and Winchesters for years without the crossbolt having the feature is quite unnatural. I applaude you for bringing up a valid point. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Don't worry LBK, It was not taken as an insult. By the way I've seen plenty of model 99 toters carrying their guns at full cock with the safety on for years, Their hammer was just hidden from view. I know change is tough but I would rather see them change than discontinue makeing these fine guns due to stupid liable suits. I hope they sell millions of the new guns and continue to thrive in this anti gun environment. The safety is a small thing to put up with in the long run and these guns are truley safer. Have a great Christmas.

A <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />G <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />R <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />E <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />E <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />D <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> 100% <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Nice dig on the 99's.

Merry Christmas to you and yours also.