Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions Staright stock or pistol grip....

...which do you like on a 336?

...and what is your favorite...pics would help...

Bob

I have no pics but I prefer the pistol grip on my 336s and the 1895.

I would prefer the same on an 1894 in .45 Colt but Marlin screwed me again! I'll just have to pick up one of the new SBL style 1894s in .357 or .44 to play with. Sure as schit, the second I do they'll bring out the .45.

George

I prefer the pistol grip, it positions your hand for a little better trigger control and lets you pull the rifle into your shoulder a little better.

That said, I don't despise the straight grips either. Got one of each in a Marlin right now.

For a scoped rifle I like a pistol grip but for iron sights I like a straight grip.

My 39A, 336A .35 Remington, 336RC .32 Special, 336RC .30-30, and 1895 .45-70 Government all have the pistol grip stocks, my 1894 .44 Magnum has the straight stock, I wouldn't mind changing it over to a pistol grip if I could find the parts.

I like the looks of a straight grip best, but pistol grips seem to handle recoil better.



Not a Marlin, but the grip is the same:

In my experience the straight grip is much better when the shooting is fast and close.....while the pistol grip allows more precision and accuracy (unless one is very careful when using the straight stocked rifles).

The pistol grip seems to lock one's grip in place with consistancy and allows more control in holding as well as recoil control. While I've never considered recoil control to be a significant advantage (most lever rifles don't have much recoil to begin with) thebetter hold (particularly when using a scoped rifle CAN be comforting.

The same traits that make a pistol grip better for deliberate shooting...work against it when the shooting is quick and unexpected. A pistol grip force the hand to be placed more exactly (which is why it's better for deliberate shooting). If the hand isn't just where it should be....acuuracy suffers, or your ability to shoot fast is compromised while you adjust your grip. There's not a BIG difference, but I can tell the difference in my shooting. The straight grip stock is much more forgiving as to grip and hand placement and, whil possibly a bit less precise, is faster to get into action.

On my own lever rifles I tend to have straight stocks on those rifles used in tight brush while slip hunting.....and pistol grips on the rifles I use from a stand or with a scope sight. I've even gone so far as to change the stock and lever on a Marlin 336 (.35 Rem.) from pistol grip-to-straight and change stock and lever on a Savage 99 from straight-to-pistol for that reason.

That may be the reason I've never thought much about recoil control. All of my straight grip rifles (with the exception of a Marlin 1895 in .45-70) are of fairly light recoil such as .44 Mag, .45 Colt, .30-30, .35 Rem., and .375 Win. None of thewse can really be considered "hard kicking" rifles and all have straight grips. The .45-70 (whick also has a straight grip) IS a bit abusive with certain loads, but I've never even thought about the stock style being a factor.

All of my lever guns that DO push back a bit (.308 Win, .358 Win....ect.) are stocked with pistol grips......not because of recoil, but because I tend to use those rifles in situations that allow more deliberate shooting than typical "jump shooting" that often occurs in the thickets.

..nicely put Rick...

Vic...where did you get your laminated stock...it is very attractive...

For me, I am a 100% straight stock person when it comes to lever guns. Even the Winchester 95 that does just kick "a little" I am very happy with the straight stock....

Bob

Thanks, RJM

That is a Brockman's Rifles stock. Very good design for a heavy recoiler(that is a Guide gun in the pic) and has a much better comb for scope mounting.

One of my minor complaints of the Marlin is that way-oversize porpoise belly forend they like to put on their rifles.

The Limbsaver recoil pad and higher comb took the bite out the recoil of that rifle, and the forend is very similiar to my M94 in profile, which is what I started with so it probably has an influence on my taste in lever rifles.

The front sight is, in my opinion, too coarse, so I used that as an excuse to equip that rifle with a Leupold FX-II 2.5X20 Ultralight, and that scope/rifle combo go together like Peanut butt and Jelly.

I'm with you Vic,Inhate thos fat forearms. Here is Marlin 94 that I restocked to look and handle more like a 94 should.

I like a straight grip.

The comments on recoil control and consistent grip make me wonder. I have always pulled back into the lever loop to help hold it in my shoulder/allow a consistent hold. Seems to be enough.

Saddlesore, that looks good.

Pistol grips especially on a Marlin Express when making long range shots.

How many competition rifles have straight stocks? Very few. It's because the pistol grip makes for a more accurate shot for several reasons- many already listed.

However, the straight grip on my 1894C, which was bought as a home defense weapon is better for what I'm using that for.

I prefer straight grips, they just make the rifle feel handier, which is what I like in a lever gun. When I need the stability of a pistol grip for what may be long shots, I reach for one of my boltguns. Give me my Texan anyday.



It's a '57 35rem with a Leupold M8 3x; my brushgun.

I own several Marlins made in the 70's that have the thinner foreend and straight grips. That is the way I like 'em too.

just like my bourbon, straight

Straight..

I have a handful of Marlins and I would go with the straight grip any day of the week. If you are trying to find one check it out carefully cause it might be an actual Texan.

I would happily trade my 336 w pistol grip lever trigger plate and butt stock for straight ones.