I kinda dig the retro look forearms on the 50's models but have no idea when marlin changed that to a slimmer model. I have a lead on a 1956 model that I will check on tomorow.

What do you guys examine when looking at older 336's besides the bore.

I like the 50's era the best. Make sure firing pin is not broken. I bought a used one years ago with broken pin. Firing pins can be broken by dry firing Marlins.

I prefer anything pre-safety. Nothing in particular to look at on a 336 that you wouldn’t check on any used gun.

Would have to be 1955, it's the only 336 I have, a real sweetheart of a rifle too.

Mine is a 1960 vintage. I'm not a fan of the shadbelly forestocks, but that comes from starting with a Winchester 94 when I was a kid. I like the slim forearms better. It's not bad, I can live with it, as is. It works.

70's and 80's Marlins with the gold triggers are my favorites.

The stainless models made between 2000-2009. Some of these are very rare and quite collectable.

My only Marlin at the moment is an early 50s Model 36 in 35 Rem. I think it is the second year the 35 cartridge was offered. I've owned several 336s over the years with and without the crossbolt safety. I found nothing serious to complain about with any of them, even those with the crossbolt.

What's been mentioned already regarding what to look for is what I would recommend. The only addition would be to look at the crown for wear from cleaning ( more likely non- wear for lack of cleaning) and buggered lever screw for the same reasons. At least if the lever screw is knocked up, it may show a previous owner at least attempted to clean the gun.

My favorite is the waffle top S/C.

Another one is the glenfield S/C. I stripped the faux walnut stain, and let the blonde birch come out!

any year without the WARNING on the barrel and no cross bolt safety

I have a beautiful 1952 SC waffle top with the half tube in .35 Rem w/ the Ballard cut rifling. Shoots 200 gr. interlocks really well.

+1 !

I really like the flat bolts 1936/36's but the waffle tops are really nice guns too.Hell I like them all lol

I have a 1969 336C. I prefer the gold trigger Marlins from 1969-1980's; they would be perfect with Ballard rifling but pretty darn good with Micro-Groove. I also like the 1950's vintage RC's with waffle tops and Ballard rifling but the dovetailed into the barrel front sight and bands covering the roll mark including caliber (RC's) kill them for me.

my favorites are the special runs from Davidsons that came out between 2000 and 09 and the guide gun series. i have the 336D, 336 SS LTD and 336SDT and the 1896G. they are all safety models. as for the pre-safety, i like the 336SC waffletop or the Marauders from the early 60's.

My son and my 336s are both 1971 serial numbers so I guess that year would be my favorite. Both of those are tackdrivers. @

This is my 1979 Glenfield that has downed many deer for me.

Sherwood

although my 336's & '95's are all gone......my '94's & 39's range from 1956-2009

like most..pre safety/pre warning & gold triggers top my list......

this pic....'79 357.........

tikka that gun drives me crazy because I know what it is. dad gum those are pricey on the used market. The marlin 1894 is truely a unique shooting experience. the darn thing handles like a 22 rimfire, but shoots a brick that has = or better ballistics than a 22, and recoil that is not bothersome. nothing quite like walking in the sage jumping jacks and levering those 357 rounds at them on the run. Mine is my favorite gun right now, I think the 336 is maybe the reason they don't sell more of them. YES the 336 is a great gun but its a world of different shooting experience than the 1894. The 336 requires a deliberate effort to make it do its thing, you have to go all the way forward and all the way back with the lever in a deliberate way. The 1894 is short compact and the lever is just really easy to operate you don't even think about it. the 1894 is the boss hoss of jackrabbit shooting. I think your average person who doesn't know these guns would think the shooting dynamic is the the same as the 336.

those old 1894's are pretty much impossible to find used, I would really be interested in comparing one to my 2018 new production.

tikka the background looks like its near price utah.

Dad gave me a 1979 1894 .357 as my first centerfire. It's a gem! I was ringing the 100 yd steel just a few days ago with it.

my 3080 glenfield trail rider edition is my particular favorite. bought it with a bent lever for 60 bucks fixed it and have hunted with it for 20 years, it was badly treated in the past and the stock/bluing shows it but shoots wonderfully.

I prefer the waffle era with the wavy grooves on top of the receiver and the fat forearm. My firing pin was broken too and it took a good while to find the Redfield sight that I wanted...not mandatory.

As a rule the 1970's and early pre-safety 1980's guns. Over the years Marlin has gone back and forth on the stock design. All of them made since the 1990's are way too fat, as are some older versions. The 1970's guns used a forend that was much trimmer like the Winchester 94. On older guns some are trim, others fat. I haven't figured out any pattern. I have a 1958 336 that has the trim forend

1980 right now is my favorite year.
.375 Marlin

Working on refinishing the stock past couple of days
Previous owner or owners took steel wool or sandpaper to it to dull down the finish.
Dents and dings in the wood been steamed out or blend sanded.
Knocking out the rear sight tommorow and putting in a dovetail blank.
Getting 100 rds of win power point 200gr next week in the mail.
I hope I dont have to change front sight height.

Finished


Ammo

That's a beautiful refinish!

Contrary to the popular vote... my favorite Marlins are late 1990's-early 2000's. Fit, finish, trigger and stock design...and probably some sentimental.

...just my favorite...I have a couple earlier Marlins that function great as well.

I have a 1951 flat top that is not a waffle top. Someone put a straight stock on it before I got it and did a very good job. It's scary accurate and shoots POA at 100 yards.

Marlin has made subtle changes to the stock shape over the years. I don't really care for the current "fat" forearms. Which are also on a lot of older rifles too. Most of the ones made during the 1970's and 80's are trim and the ones I prefer. I also have a 1958 Texan with the trimmer wood.

I agree.

here's my 336 in 35 Rem........1971

rather recent purchase.......

Don't we all wish we would have bought a full pallet of Marlins in the '70s

1954 336RC in 30-30. It was my dad's, so it's not going anywhere. Considering it's care over 50 years consisted of sitting in a coat closet, it's in amazingly good shape. Love the look from this era. Would love to find a 1954 in 35 Rem sometime.

Recently came across a Cenntenial 336. Medallion in buttstock, 100 years of Marlin 1870-1970.
Was a safe queen, fired 6 shots. Several more, since I got it.

It shoots accurate enough, but impact is 4" left of bullseye.
Considering either a vernier or aperture sight. Love the looks of a vernier, but aperture seems sturdier.

What you got and how do you like it?

Sold today with 110rds of ammo
925 bucks..

Looking for a 90% or better condition presafety 444s in the future.