Opinions on Marlin 336 30-30?

[JP5EDC]

I've been bit by the lever gun bug and the Marlin 336 30-30 has been the focus of most of my attention. I've been reading that the transition to Remington wasn't kind to quality control so pre-2009 rifles are favored, however most of the hiccups may be solved by now?

Realistically this will probably be a range-only gun but I'd consider getting in to freezing my rear off trying to bag a white tail. Hornady Lever Evolution ammo sounds pretty potent.

I already have dreams of adding the XS Lever Rail and a fiber optic or tritium front sight post and a low power scope or red dot.

Who wants to talk me out of this madness? Who's seen a bargain in the used rack at the LGS? The 336BL with 18.5" barrel and big loop sounds kind of ideal...

[cobb]

I have Marlin levers in .35 Remington and 45-70, both have been solid for me. I also have a Winchester lever in .375 Winchester, but prefer the Marlin lever over the Winchester lever. My reason is noise, my Winchester lever rattles to much and a bit noisier when cycling the lever compared to my Marlins. I guess I like the feel of a Marlin more than a Winchester, the Marlin just feels solid and right to me.

[yuppiejr]

I like the fit/function of the older Marlins over the Winchesters, mainly in the way the loop safety feels/rattles... but I would not touch anything Marlin has produced in the past 5 years. They don't seem quite as sought-after in the secondary market as Winchesters so there seem to be lots available in the used gun racks of the places I frequent.

[rugersol]

I've heard people bitch about Marlin QC for years! ... since the move to Remington, I've not heard one verifiable complaint ... that said, I don't get out much!

Last Marlin I bought was a .338 MX ... jest 'fore the move ... I think ... took a bit to get it smoothed out ... as, IMO, is typical ... maybe some folks ain't used to breakin' it in?!

IIRC, Mossberg and Rossi both make 336 clones ... I'd still go with the Marlin!

Winchesters have higher resale value 'cause the only ones they're makin' anymore are $1,000+ made in Japan! ... I'd rather use a Marlin than a '94 ... but I'd rather use a '92/'86 than a Marlin ... '71's right in there, too! ... YMMV

... I'd also be willin' to try one of these!

[goalie]

I love the feel of my 336LTD (16.5" barrel, Stainless, laminated straight-stock) and it has gone 1-for-1 on deer when I've carried it during the season.

Mine came with fiber-optic sights that work just fine for the ranges I shoot deer at.

[OldmanFCSA]

I have Marlin levers in .35 Remington and 45-70, both have been solid for me. I also have a Winchester lever in .375 Winchester, but prefer the Marlin lever over the Winchester lever. My reason is noise, my Winchester lever rattles to much and a bit noisier when cycling the lever compared to my Marlins. I guess I like the feel of a Marlin more than a Winchester, the Marlin just feels solid and right to me.

Question: do you have a preference for a straight-stocked grip or a pistol-grip styled Marlin, and does this enter into your preference over the Winchester?


I prefer pistol-gripped stock style on my Marlins. It allows for a higher comb on stock for more consistent placement of eye on sights. YMMV.

[gunforhire]

Based on my exp with my 336 in .35 rem, I say get it!

[JP5EDC]

The pistol grip, ease of takedown/cleaning, and ejector on the right as opposed to top makes me interested in the Marlin 336 over the Winchester 94. Price is more attractive as well!

I'm pretty set on 30-30, I understand ballistics out to 100-150 are similar to the 7.62x39 AK round. I don't have a revolver at this point and am pretty well set with a variety of semi auto, but the .357 / .44 still seems mildly interesting for some reason...

[rugersol]

The pistol grip, ease of takedown/cleaning, and ejector on the right as opposed to top makes me interested in the Marlin 336 over the Winchester 94. Price is more attractive as well!

I'm pretty set on 30-30, I understand ballistics out to 100-150 are similar to the 7.62x39 AK round. I don't have a revolver at this point and am pretty well set with a variety of semi auto, but the .357 / .44 still seems mildly interesting for some reason...

With the new LeverEvolution rounds ... moreover, .308 MX, a 336 is all of a 200yd gun! ... .44 1894 (Marlin) can't match that ... but if all ya wanna do is drop a dumb 'ol deer at 100yd 'er a shade more, the 44'll do that! ... with carbide dies, it makes a helluva lot easier to reload! ... and cheaper! ... jest sayin'

[yuppiejr]

I've heard people bitch about Marlin QC for years! ... since the move to Remington, I've not heard one verifiable complaint ... that said, I don't get out much!

I've had 4 Marlin firearms produced during or after the closure of the New Haven plant in 2010. One had major mechanical and possibly safety issues, two exhibited minor but annoying sight alignment (as in you couldn't hit paper at 25 yards out of the box without major mechanical adjustment and modification of the stock sights) and serious finish problems that required dis-assembly and parts finishing/deburring to allow reliable function. One of them was actually produced in their new KY plant which does not give me hope that the problems they had during the transition were resolved completely even though the firearm in question looked great at first blush.

The worst of the lot was a Marlin 336 that completely locked up and had to be disassembled to unload it at the range after a double feed due to a burr in the lifting/loading mechanism. Once I got that sorted and actually shot it it became obvious that the chamber had been miscut (blowing out shoulders in fired cases and leaving primers almost entirely backed out). I ended up taking it back to shop where I purchased it and they actually let me trade it back on something of equal value due to the severity of the issues I'd encountered out of the box (and when I showed them the brass from the box of ammo I'd purchased with the rifle which I planned on letting my wife and eventually kids use).

The only recent production Marlin rifle I've found without issues out of the box was a bolt action XL7 in .270 I picked up used in trade that may have predated the 2010 plant closure in CT.

Marlin has a great legacy and for some reason I keep going back hoping things will get better but my most recent Marlin purchase was most certainly my last, I'll stick with their used "legacy" stuff and leave anything they've cranked out in the past 5 years on the shelf.

[grousemaster]

I've got a 30AW Marlin lever gun....it's good to go and holds 2.5" groups at 100yds

[rugersol]

I've heard people bitch about Marlin QC for years! ... since the move to Remington, I've not heard one verifiable complaint ... that said, I don't get out much!

I've had 4 Marlin firearms produced during or after the closure of the New Haven plant in 2010. One had major mechanical and possibly safety issues, two exhibited minor but annoying sight alignment (as in you couldn't hit paper at 25 yards out of the box without major mechanical adjustment and modification of the stock sights) and serious finish problems that required dis-assembly and parts finishing/deburring to allow reliable function. One of them was actually produced in their new KY plant which does not give me hope that the problems they had during the transition were resolved completely even though the firearm in question looked great at first blush.

The worst of the lot was a Marlin 336 that completely locked up and had to be disassembled to unload it at the range after a double feed due to a burr in the lifting/loading mechanism. Once I got that sorted and actually shot it it became obvious that the chamber had been miscut (blowing out shoulders in fired cases and leaving primers almost entirely backed out). I ended up taking it back to shop where I purchased it and they actually let me trade it back on something of equal value due to the severity of the issues I'd encountered out of the box (and when I showed them the brass from the box of ammo I'd purchased with the rifle which I planned on letting my wife and eventually kids use).

The only recent production Marlin rifle I've found without issues out of the box was a bolt action XL7 in .270 I picked up used in trade that may have predated the 2010 plant closure in CT.

Marlin has a great legacy and for some reason I keep going back hoping things will get better but my most recent Marlin purchase was most certainly my last, I'll stick with their used "legacy" stuff and leave anything they've cranked out in the past 5 years on the shelf.

Wow! ... ya think ya'd've learned ... after the first two 'er three?!

Seriously, that sucks! ... what a shame! ... I've only had a few ... but I've always loved my Marlins! ... to think, that that's the end of it!

[Rip Van Winkle]

... I'd also be willin' to try one of these!

That's a sweet looking rifle, and in 500 S&W it would make a good "thumper".

But If I was going to spend $2200+ on a lever gun it would be an Alaskan Co-Pilot.

[Erik_Pakieser]

I bought a new 336. When I opened the box and started looking at it the barrel was clearly bent. I don't know if this was a QC issue or damage during shipping, but Remlin honored the warranty and fixed it. I'm looking forward to taking it out for deer this year.

[rugersol]

... I'd also be willin' to try one of these!

That's a sweet looking rifle, and in 500 S&W it would make a good "thumper".

But If I was going to spend $2200+ on a lever gun it would be an Alaskan Co-Pilot.

... that's a purdy sweet rifle, too! ... good thing I have no money!

... almost got me one of them take-down '92's outta Japan ... fer no good reason! ... what is it 'bout a take-down lever-gun?!

I wonder if Wild West is gonna start usin' Mossbergs as base guns, now?!