Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions Purchase of an older 336 and what I should be looking for

Looking at an older 336 in .35 rem serial number starts with a 69 so based on the ser# site I went to looks to be 1969 for year built. It is at a gun shop and I have not seen the gun in person yet. They are asking $395 for it. What should I be looking for as far as condition ect. I know it does not have the cross bolt safety whick I thinks back up the year built?
Also if 69 is the year will this rifle stand up to newer loads like the Buf Bore 220gr. THis would be my first lever gun in addition to trying to fig out if this gun used is in good shape.
THanks in advance-MIke

$395 is "ok', but not particularly a steal - I'd like to see you lay $300-$325 on the counter and ask if you have a deal.

Certain models ( other than the 20" bbl, full-length mag, pistol-gripped M336RC carbine ) can be worth more than the asking - and a 16" 336 Maurauder worth twice that, with a straight-grip Texan up there too.

They're built hell-for-strong, and will take any .35 Rem factory fodder you can find.

A 1969 vintage Marlin 336 isn't exactly old. It's a thoroughly modern rifle that can handle any factory load. Of course, a truly reckless handloader can turn it into a bomb.

$395.00 isn't exactly a bargain but that's what many of them go for these days. However, the .35 Rem. is a wonderful woods cartridge with perhaps a 200-250 yard effective range. It puts whitetails right on their backsides and I regret selling both of my 336s.

A 1-4X or 1.5-5X would make a perfect scope for the Marlin 336. You won't need the Hubble telescope, range finders or bullet drop compensators on a rifle most often called the ".35 Marlin."

I have a lot of Marlins, well 8 at the present time, and unless this is an almost NIB piece, it's over priced. I'd be looking at somewhere in the $300 - $325 range. I have 1966, 1973 and 1974 336s in 35 Remington and they are all in exceptional shape, but the only one I would sell for over $350 is the 1973 336A in 35 Remington because there were less than 1500 of those made.

The 69 will definitely hold up to Buffalo Bore 220 gr. I have a handload using AA2520 and the Speer 220 gr. that gives me a chronographed 2160 fps. This out of a 20" barrel, so it is very close to the Buffalo Bore load.

I was able to get it for $350. Not a great price but out here in Colorado at least along the front range finding a .35 rem was very tough. They were the only shop I was able to find after checking pueblo, colorado springs, and denver.

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Sometimes you have to take what you can get and pay the price. $350 is reasonable if it's in good condition. I am pleased to hear that you have joined the "35" club (a 35 owner), Most of us love the 35 Rem just as it is, without rechambering to something else. If you handload it makes the 35 even more fun and Halwg can give you some good load data.

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was at the range with it this morning-just a fun gun to shoot. Pretty cool to think of 200gr core lokt- deadly at 100-150 yards with such a small amount of recoil. Looking forward to some home cooking on that 220gr load some of the guys have run up.

I presume that you have the carbine. You will be pleased. That's a great start, but now keep your eyes open for an old Marlin 336A in .35Rem. A 24" barrel with a short mag tube. Made from 1948 to 1962, it was the rifle model. A carbine looks so lonely sitting in the cabinet all by itself.

Winchesters 94's in .32Spec (16" & 20") and Marlin 336's in .35Rem (20" & 24") are a passion of mine.

croldfort-sounds like you are sending me down the road to marlinitis. I do have the 20 in barrel. Not sure what direction I would go in next with the lever guns. I do wish I had younger eyes. I have a leopold scout scope inbound that I am going to try out.

The Rem 200 Coreloct is MADE for the .35, and it works GOOD!

If you hand load for it, stay with book loads and don't beat the rifle up trying to make a .358 out of it. No matter if you could get another 200 fps out of it there is no way you can significantly extend it's range. It does what it needs to do - kill deer - at standard speeds. IMHO.

This is most excellent advise.

check THIS LINK . The post was written by a pretty high up official with Marlin.

Just a quick update-got the scope mounted and dialed in at the range. might be heading down to N/E Texas right after Turkey day for some hogs and deer-keep ya posted.
MIke

I bought a 1977 model 336/.35 Rem a few weeks ago, for $340. This is the first year I've ever tried deer and elk hunting, and the weather was awful for the late deer season, so I did not bring home any venison, but I do already love this rifle. It is so easy and comfortable to carry and based on the few rounds I ran through it when I got it home, it is very accurate, too. I am using the Hornady leverevolution ammo in it.

Hi all-bit late with the update but the Texas trip went well. Dropped a doe and spike buck on back to back days. Could not get to the hogs on the back 1/3 of the property after 2 days of rain. Creek over ran its banks. So my 1969 35 Rem with XS rail and leopold scout scope is now my go to woods gun-love it!

The best deal I ever got on a gun was a 336C Marlin 30-30. Mine was made in 1974 came with the original box and all paperwork hasnt been used enough to have any blueing rubbed off the lever where it slides into the receiver or on the sides of the hammer. The bolt also doesnt have a single wear mark.But the gun did take a slide down the guys basement steps and put a few slight scratches in the blueing on the barrel and dent the stock. I stripped the stock raised the dents and lovingly rubbed in many coats of linseed oil and bought a set of XS sights for it. I have $175 dollrs in it I have yet to kill anything with it but that will change someday.

I've got a .35 Rem made in 1951. I'm the 3rd owner and it is in 90-95% condition, I reckon. That rifle fits my hand as though I was born with it. I had a sling on it it but took it off. It just ain't the same with a sling. A Marlin is meant to be carried by the receiver or in the crook of your arm.

It's a GREAT rifle & the 200 gr Corelokt is a GREAT cartridge.