24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,007
P
Campfire Regular
OP Offline
Campfire Regular
P
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,007
I want a 336. In 30/30. What years are generally considered the best? I assume like Winchester levers older is better.

Let me know - I don't know much about the Marlins as I do Winchesters.

Thanks,

Jeff

BP-B2

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,491
R
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
R
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,491
I've got a 1960 336SC that's awfully nice, but I wouldn't say it's the best one of the bunch. I just don't know enough about them, either, to say so.

I will say that Marlin did a lot of experimenting around with the 336 during the '60s, though, and did lots of nice things, like the Marauders and Texans, to go along with the 336As and other somewhat "different" versions.

You might go over to marlinowners.com and read around over there, and maybe decide for yourself what you're most interested in buying.

There's a lot of knowledge over there, that can be tapped with a few polite questions.

Personally, Marlin has made so many 336s/30As, that I don't fear putting a swivel stud in them, or any other modifications, that seem to make those guys cringe. Crap, they are everywhere, it's not like they're rare or even in short supply, anywhere. I don't have the reverence for them that some of those folks do. Good rifles, mine is nice and kills a deer now and then, and shoots well, but it's not the Holy Grail, it's a flippin' rifle that was made by the millions.


You can roll a turd in peanuts, dip it in chocolate, and it still ain't no damn Baby Ruth.
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 808
3
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
3
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 808
I'm not an expert on them but I've had a number of them since the late 1960's. Every one I've owned shot well and functioned with out problems. All but a couple have been made in the 60's and 70's. I just don't see how you can go wrong in that time frame. Study them a little, decide what you want and hold out for one in good shape. There are plenty at good prices. Wish I could justify another one.

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,629
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,629
I have 2 35 Remingtons from the 50's and a 444 from the mid 70's. I like the metal work better on the 35's. Action and trigger are much slicker on the 444 though.

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,659
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,659
Originally Posted by 348srfun
I'm not an expert on them but I've had a number of them since the late 1960's. Every one I've owned shot well and functioned with out problems...........

+1 .... I have owned three Marlin 336. First two I got in the 1970s. Later on I needed some cash and had to
sell both. Missed the rifle so in the mid 1990s I got another one. Overall I have been happy with all of them.

Paradiddle -- Curious about one thing ... why 30/30 and not 35 ?

Last edited by Hotload; 05/03/16.

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much" Teddy Roosevelt
IC B2

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,884
J
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
J
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,884
I like the stock designs on the 70's and 80's made rifles. I don't think there is a lot of difference in function but many including current production are just too fat. Many from the 50's and 60's were as well.

I like straight stocks too. The one on the left is a 2005 rifle in 35 Rem. Notice how much thicker the forend is.

[Linked Image]

Marlin and Winchester, both made in 1958. The forend on this Marlin is as trim as the Winchester

[Linked Image]


Most people don't really want the truth.

They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,009
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,009
Just my opinion, but the best are from the 50s-60s. The fit (internal and external) just seems more precise and the actions seem a step above the norm. That span might include the late 40s as the few I've seen have looked rather nice.

Given a decent price, I wouldn't turn any Marlin down made before 2009.


"A free people (claim) their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate."
--Thomas Jefferson, Rights of British America, 1774
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,510
T
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
T
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,510

the best.....any pre safety...

more selection/variety....up to 2008.......


T R U M P W O N !

U L T R A M A G A !

Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,348
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,348
I have owned well over a hundred Marlins of all vintages. From my experience, the best fit and finish in on rifles from late 40s to late 50s. I have seen excellent examples from all decades, but that time period stands out. I even came to love the fat fore ends and buttstocks because the actions on these rifles are so smooth and the barrels are always indexed properly and no sharp edges anywhere on the wood or metal.


Always remember that you are unique, just like everyone else.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,348
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,348
I have owned well over a hundred Marlins of all vintages. From my experience, the best fit and finish in on rifles from late 40s to late 50s. I have seen excellent examples from all decades, but that time period stands out. I even came to love the fat fore ends and buttstocks because the actions on these rifles are so smooth and the barrels are always indexed properly and no sharp edges anywhere on the wood or metal.


Always remember that you are unique, just like everyone else.
IC B3

Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,029
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,029
My favorite Marlin 336 configuration is the 336 SD, deluxe sporting carbine from the late 1950's. The late Douglas P. Murray's book on the 336 is worth owning if these rifles interest you.

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408
R
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
R
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408
the late 40's to early 60's are my favorites but i also like the davidsons special runs from the 90's and up. ones like the 336D, SS LTD, SDT, SDG, etc. the 60's glenfields with the cheaper wood kind of grow on you too. actually hard to go wrong on anything before 2008.


My diploma is a DD214
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,852
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,852
Originally Posted by Paradiddle
I want a 336. In 30/30. What years are generally considered the best? I assume like Winchester levers older is better.

Let me know - I don't know much about the Marlins as I do Winchesters.

Thanks,

Jeff


I cant really answer your question... because I've only owned one 336. It's a 30-30, made in '75 with the straight stock.

Word of caution-- shoot the gun several times before you buy, if you are getting a used gun. Some, might be all I'm not sure, 336's have a 2 piece firing pin assembly. If worn, the pins wont line up properly and sometimes the rifle will not shoot. Check it out, before you buy. I had this problem with a 336 that I bought from a pawn shop, but they gave me my money back.

Other than that, I think, they are great guns and I've killed more deer with my 30-30, than any other gun.


Old Turd- Deplorable- Unrepentant Murderer- Domestic Violent Extremist

Just "Campfire Riffraff and Trash"

This will be my last post! Flave 1/3/21
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,158
B
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
B
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,158
I've had 336's from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. I couldn't tell much difference as far as quality really. My current 30-30 was made in 1992 and is the most accurate of all by a slight margin. Some folks don't like the crossbolt safety but it doesn't bother me in the least.

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,162
H
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
H
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,162
My personal favorites are 1948,49 &50 because of the one piece triggers.I think the ones made in the 1960`s and 70s seem to be the peak of quality in 336`s.Appearence wise I like the old flatbolt 36 and 1936s.My absolute favorite is a model 93 with a 26" Oct. barrel in 38/55 made in 1910.


Its all right to be white!!
Stupidity left unattended will run rampant
Don't argue with stupid people, They will drag you down to their level and then win by experience

Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
YB23

Who's Online Now
424 members (10ring1, 1lesfox, 160user, 257 mag, 1lessdog, 12344mag, 43 invisible), 2,132 guests, and 922 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums81
Topics1,187,595
Posts18,398,070
Members73,815
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023


 







Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2024 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.165s Queries: 14 (0.004s) Memory: 0.8601 MB (Peak: 0.9728 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-28 11:40:39 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS