Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Winchester 94 vs Marlin 336

I'm considering selling an older model Winchester 94 (no safety, top eject) and getting a Marlin 336 (unfired).

Am I crazy or is this a good idea?

Well, it kinda depends on what you want to do with a lever rifle. If you want to take advantage of the positives the Marlin offers, or it just plain ol' appeals to you more, do it.

If you want absolutely the slickest handling lever carbine, equip it with a receiver sight and stay with the Winchester.

My answer is to keep the Winchester and buy the Marlin. (grin)

I'm admittedly biased, but it sounds like a good idea to me.

Sometimes our preferences change and you just have to roll with it. Get which ever one you prefer and send the other along to someone else that will appreciate it.

Sounds just plain crazy to me, but I prefer 94s.

I like the Marlin and the Win 94 and have both, but if given the choice to have only one i will take the Winchester 94 over the Marlin any day.

I've never had a Marlin handle as good as an M94. There are advantages to the Marlin design, but a Model 94 is one fine handling rifle. It's as close to perfect-feeling in my hands as anything (rifle-wise) I've handled.

I'll be the voice for Marlin here. I've had both. I only have the Marlin now. In my humble opinion, the Marlin is just a more robustly made rifle. My guns are working guns. So if your interested in aesthetics, maybe the Win is for you. Guns to me are tools, and I like the one that works best for my application. In my limited experience, that's the Marlin.

Since they don't make Winchester 94's anymore, they will only increase in value, over and above Marlins. However, it's your gun so do whatever you want.

Both are 200 yard deer getters. Yes, you can scope the Marlin but you're still limited to 200 yards. I have a Winchester 94. If I need to shoot over 200, I use a scoped bolt action 308.

To me it's all about scope or no scope.

I would dump the 94 for a 336 any day!

Keep the 94, buy the 336 and have both! How do you ever expect to get ahead in life selling your assests off?

(That excuse worked with my wife the first few times I used it!)

I have a 336 that was my Dad's that I'd never part with. It's a 1963 production, and it's extremely slick and handles well. scoped, it's a great deer gun. That said, it's a bit clunkier than my Model 64. I have a lyman sight on that, and for an iron sighted deer gun, it's about perfect. If I were forced to choose one, and there was no sentimental value, I'd pick the 64. Just because the balance is better. But for now, I'll keep them both.

RS308MX, now what would lead me to believe that??

Not even close for me. Marlin all the way!!!!!!

Good one! Most people don't even know what a 308MX is.

Bob

Very good rifle/round.

my preference is the 336 but given its not hard to find a used one for fairly cheap i couldnt see selling the Winchester thats likely to gain value to get one......

I decided on getting the 336 and selling the 94. It was a tough decision as the Win 94 is a very sleek rifle.

Yup, me too but I'll take the Marlin anyday, especially a straight stocked one. Ain't it great that we have a choice?

You're gonna regret it. And I'm a Marlin guy. Reason I say you'll regret it is that I've regretted EVERY single sale of a gun. I'd bide my time till I could afford the 336 without selling the 94. Why sell the 94 anyway? Now that you have it, you have it. You can use it till you can afford the 336. Then you'll have both. Scope the Marlin and you have both worlds in your hands. Traditional 94, and scoped 336. Variety is the spice of life!

I own both. Bottom-line my opinion is if you want to put a scope on it then go wth the Marlin. However, if you want a lighter weight levergun to pack in the woods with open sights, then the Winnie is the gun to have. Like I said, I have both, that might be the answer for you as well.

Savage 99 , nuff said


Mike

I'd take a Marlin ,because I need a scope but I have to admit the Winchester feels great.

I have both and like them for different reasons. Most of my 94's are in .32Win and most of my 336's are in .35Rem. Wins are good for open sights and Marlins are good for scopes. I use shotgun scopes on my Marlins. I do think that the Marlins are stronger. The 1895's in .45-70 or .444 are a real hoot to shoot.

I would not think that now a good time to sell old Wins. I have been buying. Try to keep yours and buy a Marlin. Life is good.

I went thru the Winchester phase, got rid of the last one not long ago. I had a 1953 94, a couple of AE 94 30-30's, a 307 and a 356. I now have a 336 30-30 and an 1895 GG.

Winchesters carry great without a scope. Marlins are alot easier to tear down and clean, and I would say that my Marlins are more accurate than the Winchesters. The exception would be the 307 and 356, they were both pretty accurate.

My Guide Gun will run with most bolt guns, at 100 yards, as far as grouping goes.

A very accurate description of my experience.

Marlins feel like heavy unbalanced clubs to me compared to a 94.

I love the M94 and over time will collect more. It just feels so natural to point and shoot a M94.

If you gotta have a scope do a pistol grip BLR.
http://www.browning.com/products/ca...eight-with-takedown-pistol-grip-firearms

I own several of both and can't think of a bad thing to say about either rifle, with the exception of the Winchesters made in the years following 1964. My two favorites are a 100+ year old 26" octagonal barreled '94 with tang sight and my Marlin .444S.
The BLRs are great too, but don't have the iconic appeal (to me) of the Ameican made lever guns - and is there anything more American than a Winchester or Marlin lever gun?

I like your patriotism. I agree about their iconic style and handling. I'll always collect the M94.
I also like collecting US Springfields too...

I have both and it is easy for me.Unscoped/Winchester..Scoped/Marlin..My '94 is every bit as accurate as my Marlins..

Jayco

I had the bug for a Marlin 30-30 a while back. I found a bargain on a like new 30AW. It worked o.k., but it just didn't have the feel of a Winchester. I sold it, but nobody's getting my 94! I do have a 1894 Marlin in 44 mag. Now that is one fun gun. If you really want the best lever ever produced, get a 99 Savage.

I sure like my pre-64 Winchesters:

30/30


32 Win Spl


but then pre-Remington Marlin's are pretty good firearms too:

35 REM


45/70 GOV'T

I've never owned a Win 94 and I doubt if I ever will.

Or want to.

I would not get rid of a top ejecting M94 for an ordinary 336. Now if there was something special about the 336 - and that would have to mean either old pre-CB safety, or a high value new one, but most newer chamberings aren't trigger trippers for me. The smooth top, straight up ejectors make very appealing rifles for 30-30 work use. Moose, caribou, fur; it plain works well when pointed well.

I, on the other hand, just sold a m94 (post 64) to buy an undrilled/tapped '49 336SC. I already had a 336as with a scope and just liked the heft of the 336 over the 94.

336 all the way.

Also had Winchesters years ago ... loved 'em. They're all gone now ... but to good homes like my sons.

Have a half dozen Marlins now and I do prefer them to Winchester.

My latest lever rifle however, IS a 'new' Winchester Model 1895, saddle ring carbine, wooden top-stock, 30-40 Krag.

Also hoping to get a 'new' Winchester Model 1892, take-down, 24" barrel, 44-40.

______________________
~ Marlin 336 Y, Spikehorn

I have a Marlin 336 in .35 Remmington (1967 RC) and a Winchester AE in 30-30. The Marlin is scoped and the Winchester is not. I would say I prefer the Marlin although I also have a Winchester model 1892 in 38-40 (1921) that I think a lot of.

shot my first deer with a Marlin, my first coyote with a Win. I own several of both, I have an emotional connection with my First Winchester and would sooner lose a limb than my Winny, but I got to say I have been very pleased with every Marlin I have/had both are great guns both for diffrent reasons,

and a Win will slide tight in the split bench seat of a Chevy truck

WWJWD

WhatWouldJohnWayneDo

Winchester

Wouldn't give my marlin 336c for a winchester. I have the 336c in 30-30 and a newer winchester 94 trapper in 45LC. The winchester is real finicky, if you don't slam the action shut it jams everytime. I have killed a lot of ground squirrels with the winchester and it is fun, but the marlin is a much better built rifle (a couple of deer and lots of pigs, squirrels).

So far the vote count is...

Winchester 94 - 9
Marlin 336 - 11
Savage 99 - 1

Can I vote again?

+1

Never was impressed with the Win 94's.

I'd take a Marlin lever over Winchester lever anyday. Stronger tighter action, able to scope it and better accuracy.

Marlin is the best.

If my first deer sized centerfire rifle was a winchester , and over the 35 years since added a couple more to the rack and they all still functioned perfectly , I'd probably be a winchester fan. But when I was maybe 9 years old I got a marlin 1894 in 44 mag . So as much as I respect and enjoy the history of the winchesters , they just don't feel right for me. And I tried , took a few up to camp this spring to play around with thinking that I'd try a winchester year. The old 38-55 from early 1900's , the 32 ws from early 40's , the 1895 mirokuchester in 30-06 from 1984 . I love the history , and could feel it in the older winnies as I do in my marlins . But after a box or two thru each , I just couldn't warm up to them. So instead of spending a lot on ammo and range time for me to be comfortable using them for hunting , it'll be the 3 marlins ( 1936 in 32 ws , 336 in 35 rem , and 1894 in 44 mag ) again this year.
There is one winnie that does make it up for hunting season , once the leaves are down and a lil snow on the ground so I can see farther than 20 - 75 yards I do carry the extra weight of the model 88 in 308 . But that rifle is in a different catagory than the origional topic .

As far as 30-30's go I have a pre 64 Winchester 94, a Marlin 336 and an 1893. They're all great rifles, but the Winchester would be the first to go,The 1893 would be the Last.

I would not trade a pre 64 Winchester for a new Marlin.

Creophus: you started this thread months ago, what did you do?

I've owned three Model 94 Winchesters and two Model 336 Marlins. The only one left is my 336-A, made in 1955. I like the 24-inch barrel and 2/3 magazine.

I also have one of those 336A rifles, in .35 Remington. I like it alot, but not as much as my pre-64 94s. The 94s are just so much more comfortable and quick. The difference in accuracy is a wash with my rifles.

Me too, me too! My pre '64 94 will have to go long before my 336A and I'd love to add another in .35.

Best advice right here!

I went with the 336. And I'm glad I did!

once you own a 99, the rest are suspect!! But with that aside; I'd love to own a Sako Finnwolf in .308
gary

If you're blind the 99 is ok. Otherwise you have to look at it.

You don't choose a lever for it's strength or long range accuracy. You choose if for the way it handles, points, and for the imagery it invokes. For me the Win 94 wins on all counts.

Now, that's not a nice thing to say about a classic rifle with sleek, graceful lines. I think they look nice. They're slick, fast and strong. Many are tack drivers. What more could one ask of a century old design?

DF

You could ask it to look like a 94 Winchester. As is they're uglier 'n homemade soap !

With Swampy, ugly seems pretty, and pretty is, well, out of his grasp...

DF

Some guys like blondes and some like brunettes. I hear tell there's even some guys who like fatties ! Personally, I never could convince myself to see the 99 as anything but ugly as hell !

They look like $hit.

I could not agree more; but, I must admit, for some reason, the older I get the more they're growing on me.

LOL!!!

Me too, by the time I'm 1000 I'll like them.

A couple years ago I was in the local gun emporium and they had a nice Model 94 on consignment. It was probably made in the 1990s or so... I was working the action (briskly, but not abusively) and we were joking about how the lever was cranking out the sound to WIN-CHES-TER when all of a sudden the shell carrier broke in half. I almost dropped a load in my pants. Needless to say they don't let me lay hands on any Model 94s... so I stick to Marlins.

Yeah, if you get a notion that you need a 94, get an older one, at least pre 64. That was before this powdered metal stuff. My only 94 is 50's vintage.

DF

Swampy, what's with this avatar change I'm seeing. What went with your long standing Green logo? You now converted to the dark side, sporting the Ruger trademark? I thought I remember you bad mouthing Rugers, somthing fierce. You turning your back on Green, done run off with another mistress? Or are you a "sleeper cell", waiting your opportunity to strike?


DF

X2!!
gary

forgot that part about the 94 feeling like it had a hand full of sand running thru it while you cycled it!
gary

you forgot to add the tomato stake part, and everybody knows that that is part of the Winchester trademark!
gary

All of you Winny fans need to handle a 1950s/1960s Marlin 336 Texan. It is just as sleek and handy as the Winchester.

Part of the problem is the relationship beteen the finger lever and the triger. The Mode 99 is somewhat lower.
The Model 99 has the advantage of the action leaping open at the shot but the cock on closing throws off your rythm until you become accustomed to it.
The Winchester must have the lever thrown briskly forward until the lifter rises, another action requiring practice.

I guess I have to say that if I can only have one, it would be a Marlin. If I can swing both though, I'd set the marlin up with glass, and run the Winchester with irons.


Truth told, if I get my hands on another Marlin model 30TK, I would never need another winchester. Those little Kmart Carbines are a wonder to behold.

You're right. I just got a TK recently and it handles perfect for me. I can see myself fitting a walnut stock to mine though. Nothing says gak to me like a birch stock.

Why did you sell the one you had, temporary insanity

Buy both and figure out what is best for you

I have to say Marlin because that is what I grew up with.

I love the scene in True Grit where the Duke twirls his "Marlin" and faces off with Ned and his gang.

Err, wait a minute that never happened the Duke would never had slummed a Marlin he knew the better carbine.

Winchester...














Yes, before anyone points it out I know the Duke was using a Model 92. He still would have preferred the Winchester 94 over the Marlin...

I like the old ones, like this old girl...

I like Winchesters and I think the ones made in the 70's are the best. I particularly like that the guts drop out so you don't have to take it apart to clean it.

I'll go with the Marlin any day. Remove one screw and the lever and bolt slides out where it can be cleaned properly and bore and chamber examined. Open the lever on a Win '94 and old shaky parts of the lever linkage fly out every where from the bottom of that gun. The first time I jacked the lever open on a '94, it scared the hell out of me!

Well, this morning I have bids that will be opened on two different .38-55 levers. One an old Winchester 94, the other an old Marlin 1893. If I should win both, I'll get to compare them side by side. That would be interesting.

Most of the Winchesters sound and feel like rattle traps when cycling the lever. I'll take a Marlin anytime over a Winny - except for the older ones - those would go into a collection..

Well, we lost both auctions. By miles. I need to study up on values a bit more I guess.

Plan a.3 now in play.

Plan a.3 failed...

Have owned (2) 1943 Winchester 94's and presently a 1971 Marlin 336. Either Winchester or Marlin will thrill you. My 336 came w/ factory 1.5-5X40 scope in tip-off mounts.

Right on the birch stock. They aren't beautiful, but they are far ahead of a synthetic. I have only the insanity plea in reference to selling mine. Jobyjob bought it and a Leupold 1-4x I had mounted. Really do wish I had that one back.

One other marlin I have been eyeing recently is an old Glenfield model 36G. It has a 20 inch barrel, half magazine tube, and a pistol grip stock. Unfortunately, the wood is birch on that one too.

ive got a 1908 94,my greatgrandfather bought it new cause the indians were gettin rowdy.all of us kids have hunted with it and its always done its part if we did ours.im thinkin a model 94 aint bested by anything