Winchester 94 vs Marlin 336

J_MIL_20

J_MIL_20

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Steinbach, MB
So this spring I've been carrying my dads winchester 94, and loving it, the balance, the weight, and the size is perfect. But alas, I must soon give it back, so I'll be looking for a lever to replace it. I'd like stainless steel, so I'm looking at a marlin.

Now what I want to know, is does the marlin carry, and balance like the 94? Is it sufficiently similar that I won't be feeling sorry for myself that the 94 is elsewhere?
 
I don't know very much about the 94 or the 336, but from what I've read, the marlin is heavier. I don't know about the balance.

New Marlin's are hit-or-miss apparently. Many have advised to handle the rifle before buying it, to make sure everything is in order.
 
With all the problems with the new Marlins I would make sure I handled it before buying or check the stores return policy. You might buy a new one and be without it for a year while the warranty repairs are being done. All to common now. Or you could get a used 94 off the EE for about $400, you already know how nice they are. The two guns are very different, but both are great when you have a good one.
 
I own a Win 94 and it is very nice. I handled a new Marlin 336c (carbine) at the store last year and first impressions were such that I quickly returned it to the salesman and put new Marlins out of mind. Older Marlins, which I have handled, are, however, very nice. I also handled some old beater trade-in Win 94s at the same time and found them to be perfectly functional but worn, beaten, and somewhat overpriced. I then bought my pre 94 Win on the EE for under $400 (shipped) and it's a beauty. Stainless is nice, but over rated IMO. What was the question.....
 
Which one?

There is a difference in weight and balance between the Winchester 94 and the Marlin 336. The older Marlins were made from steel and are heavier than the Winchesters. However, the big plus is that you can easily mount a scope on the Marlin, because they are side ejection.

My advice is go to a gun store, and handle both of them. Then make a choice.

Because of the name and hype, the Winchester 94 sells for more than the Marlin 336 on the EE. Be aware that after 1964, Winchester made a lot of CRAP, and the 94 had a lot of feeding problems with the cast lifters. They did change back to steel machined lifters, but I am not certain what date that was.
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i have both model 94 and a 336 all are older guns the marlin a 1948 the winchesters depending on which one range from 1896 to 1981 overall the winchesters are a better handling gun as narrow throught the reciever and foreshock light and easy to carry in the bush the advantage of the marlin you can mount a scope but who needs that for the bush, the new marlins i here aren't so good to bad for such a fine firearm stick with a good 94 and you'll never have a problem.
 
and the "advantage " that the marlin had in scopeing was negated with introduction of the angle eject- i've got a 93 vintage trapper and wears a scope just fine
 
Win 94 or Marlin 336

Personally, I like 'em both.

Here's my criteria for 'em though....

Irons or peep sites - Win '94

Scoped - Marlin 336

My .02 only, your mileage may vary.... :p

2010-06-08_204927_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
The other thing to consider is pistol grip or straight stock.
The Marlin's tend to have fat wood that makes them feel bulkier but you can shave them down if you don't like it.
Winchester's look more traditional but the Marlin action is solid and well designed.
I like them both as well.
 
I like how a Winchester feels in my hands. It does not matter if its a rifle or a carbine, pistolgrip or strait grip, ancient or new, they all have that same feel.Marlins are good guns, better in many ways,but they dont feel like a winchester and if its the feel of your dads winchester you long for you will never be satified with a marlin.
 
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Older marlin all the way. You can put on the same side mount peep that you put on a 94, or scope it. you can get them in straight stock or pistol grip. thin forearm or semi beavertail. full or 3/4 mag. plus they are WAY WAY WAY easier to field strip and clean, have fewer moving parts and were made very well until 2009 or so, not 1964.
And parts are easier to find and cheaper for marlins.

I like winchester too, dont get me wrong, but they are popular because of hollywood. Marlins are popular because they are better than winchesters... and it dosen't look like the action is going to fall out the bottom of a marlin when you cycle it.

my 2c
 
Hmm, sounds like I should keep my eyes open for a nice used 94. I won't rule the 336 out yet though, I'll have to make a trip to the gun store and fondle one a bit.
 
41 Colt said:
I have to agree, at least until you completely break it down and file off all the nasty burrs and clean out the loose metal particles, then they are quite slick.
Click to expand...

I just said that to piss off the marlin guys. I really know very little about marlins, never fired one and only handle one shortly. 1894 win I have had a few, the older the better! Personally I like the Saddle Ring Carbines, nicer stocks and do not have the hooded front sight which I don't like either. Try Epps for Win 1894's if you want to buy from a dealer. They usually have a great selection of old Winchesters and very good prices. Last one I bought from them was a 1894 SRC dated 1926 for $400.

Cheers
 
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