Fresh out of the box...but made 32 years ago

It is tough to pass on the Marlin, they are just so much smoother. But that Trapper of yours is sweet looking and probably handles like a dream. I say don't be foolish and keep both!
 
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Nestor said:
I'll be picking up Marlin today. Over the next couple of days I need to make a decision. I'm going to keep just one. It's going to be a difficult choice.
I'm going to post some more pictures soon.
Click to expand...

They are very different guns. The main beef I have with the later Winchester's is the way the lever locks up in the closed position. It's not as positive as the old ones or a Marlin and I find if I don't make a point of holding pressure up on mine all the little safety add on's can get in the way of a nice trigger pull.

I've also grown to love pistol grips even though they don't look John Wayne.......they sure are comfortable to shoot!
 
I'll certainly try to evaluate each rifle closely. Fine examples like these are hard to come by. I agree about the lever safety, but only time will tell which one I like better.
Good to have a problem like this :)
 
I have the same rifle. I use it for when I dogging for deer. Short gun that comes up fast.
How did you figure out its a 1982? I know mine is somewhere between 1980 and 1994 because its the angle eject (AE), is drilled and tapped for a scope and does not have the cross-bolt safety.
Never found out the exact year on mine because I wasn't willing to pay for the book or whatever online service that comes up when you google dates by serial number.
 
rem74283 said:
I have the same rifle. I use it for when I dogging for deer. Short gun that comes up fast.
How did you figure out its a 1982? I know mine is somewhere between 1980 and 1994 because its the angle eject (AE), is drilled and tapped for a scope and does not have the cross-bolt safety.
Never found out the exact year on mine because I wasn't willing to pay for the book or whatever online service that comes up when you google dates by serial number.
Click to expand...

http://www.savage99.com/winchester1894_dates.htm
 
You have a great choice to make, no way to make a mistake. I own Win 94 and 92, and Marlin in 444. My go to gun has been the 444 for decades. I really liked the cartridge. All my levers are iron or peep sighted.

My take on each rifle is the Winchester is handier and that Trapper and Winchester's straight stock shines there. The Marlin's fit larger and I like the pistol grip on mine. I'm a lefty but do like the side eject of the Marlin if you hunt in snow a lot. The top eject Winchester can drop crap into the action but they can be field cleaned very easily. This isn't really a big deal but I've noticed it once and awhile. The Marlin cleans a bit easier from the chamber due to the ease of pulling the bolt.
 
Marlin is standard model 336 with 20" barrel made in 1978. It's in excellent condition, but not as good as Winchester, even though it's all cosmetics.









Slightly longer and heavier (Winchester 2.78 kilograms - 6.13 pounds vs Marlin 3.17 kilograms - 6.99 pounds) Marlin has better trigger and smoother action. I'm sure that with time Winchester will smooth up as well...

 
Nice pair!
The Winchester will never be as smooth as the Marlin.
It's rare to see the older Marlins with the front sight hood still in place.
Looks like someone may have "bullseyed" the sling stud.
 
Nestor said:
I'll be picking up Marlin today. Over the next couple of days I need to make a decision. I'm going to keep just one. It's going to be a difficult choice.
I'm going to post some more pictures soon.
Click to expand...
Not a difficult decision for me. I think a marlin 336 made in it's hay day puts any win 94 to shame. Personal preference of course. That trapper is a nice looking little iron all the same. I've owned a few 94's over the years but just didn't care for them. Had absolutely no seller's remorse when they left. Now my 336 texan........they'll have to pry it from my hands!
 
Keep them both... set-up the Marlin for double jacking 150 SP's and the Trapper for hurling cast... ideal little pair... give those WT's heck...
 
Yes. I contacted the gunsmith and he's going to work on action and trigger of M94 few months down the road. I feel that for a brush gun handling qualities are the most important factor, so Marlin is on its way out.
 
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