Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions Which grip do you prefer?

I have very little experience with levers...and it seems to me the best way to gain some experience is to pick up a 336. I'm having a strong urge for a .35 Rem.... I see some Marlin's come with a straight grip and some a pistol grip. Which do you prefer and why? Thanks,

JCM

I much prefer the pistol grip. I use scopes and they just seem to line up better. Plus I like the way they look over the straight grip.

I prefer the looks of the straight grip, but the pistol grip seems to help with recoil some. The Marlin I presently have (guide gun) is equipped with a straight grip.

I prefer the pistol grip. Is more natural and gives better control over the rifle during recoil, especially on heavier kickers.

My first Marlin M1895 45/70 was a LTD-IV, nice rifle with a straight grip. As long as I shot CAS type loads (light) it was fine with it's thin, light, straight grip stock. When I switched to the stout reloads listed for modern Marlin M1895 rifles using 400 grain jacketed bullets I found the design (along with the narrow plastic butt plate) was very uncomfortable. I sold the rifle to a collector buddy and ordered the standard catalog version of the M1895; pistol grip, checkering, fat fore-end, 22" barrel. The new rifle doesn't look as "western", but sure is much easier to control and shoot accurately with stout loads.

Thanks guys. The thought of how the grip helps with recoil had not even occured to me.

JCM

For me, "BOTH"! I got a lot of Marlins, and whether it's a Model 1895, 336, or 1894 - straight stock OR pistol grip - each rifle is just perfect ...

Just the way it is.

Which 336 grip do yo think is faster to operate?
Thanks

Whitchever is - I call "preoccupation with inconcequential increments".

I have always liked the look of straight stocks better especially on shorter guns. I have both and like both very well now. The 336 frame seems well suited either way but I absoltely do NOT like the pistolgrip on the pistol caliber 1894s. I don't really know if the pistolgrip helps me with recoil control but it does make sense and I believe it to be a valid point. Mostly I think it boils down to personal thing about which only you can decide.
Goat

I prefer pistol grips for rifle cartridges and straight grips for pistol cartridge guns. As others have said, the pistol grips seem to be better for controlling recoil and quick follow-up shots, but the straight grips do handle and point better. Rapid fire seems to favor the pistol grip for me.

I have both styles and like the straight grip better. I don't dislike the PG. Both have their own pleasing look and feel but I prefer the straight stock. I long believed the reduced recoil idea from PG stocks, makes perfect sense. Maybe it's how I hold a rifle or something about my shoulder but I find the straight stock to have less felt recoil. I have two rifles in 45-70, one of each style. Similar weight and type of recoil pad. I find the straight grip one more enjoyable with heavy loads. Also I have a 35 rem, 44 mag and 30-30. The 30-30 is in a PG rifle, straight stocks on the other two. The PG rifle is the heaviest of the three, though slightly and on paper the 30-30 cartridge should have slightly less recoil than the other two. While none are hard kickers I can feel the PG rifles recoil more than the other two.
What I'm saying is the PG should reduce felt recoil, for most people, but if possible try both to know for sure with yourself. In new rifles from Marlin not all cartridges can be had in both styles though. You may need to hunt the used market or do some customizing to get what you want. Good luck.

My sentiments exactly

Straight grip, short barrel. Light quick and accurate.


but I do have a good many PGs as well. enjoy them both.

I prefer the pistol grip and 2/3 magazines on the 336. The straight grip on the 1894.

Doc

I was a little less discerning than others here when I first posted.

I now realise that ALL my 1894 Marlins are straight grip, short barreled, and handgun calibers.

My 336 Marlins are ALL (30-30, 35 Rem.) rifle calibers with pistol grips, including my Marlin 336Y Spikehorn which I like- but I always thought a straight grip may work nice and look good on this 'short' rifle.

However, my Model 1895 SS Guide Gun 45-70 is straight grip stocked, and I really like that.

Pistol Grip.

I prefer the straight grip

Cubic, If you're going to be looking for a 336 in 35 Rem, the facts of life may help in that process. There were far fewer 336's in 35 with straight stocks than pistol grip models. And, they tend to command a higher price.

Help me out guys - Factory straight grip 35's: The Marauder, the Texan and maybe a handful of special run rifles that were ordered by outfits like Grice's, Davidson's etc. I don't recall any of the WalMart or KMart runs offering a 35. If I'm wrong please chime in guys.

I'd love to get a straight grip 35, but I'm happy with the PG's that I have. Either one, you'll be happy! Don

I vastly prefer straight grip Marlins. If mine don't come that way when I buy them, I make an effort to have them converted.

I had a beautiful straight grip 335 Texan in .35 Marlin, but I never really liked the cartridge. I traded it to a fellow member here for one of his straight grip Model 39 Mounties.