Marlin 336 and Winchester 1894
- Thread starter 1shotdown
- Start date
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Privately, 300.00 should get you a really decent gun, less, if they are not aware of the recent price increases.
In a shop, they are going from $300 for a "good" and up to 500 or a bit more for excellent. Much more for historical pieces. Certain cartridges, like 38-55 draw bigger prices too.
In a shop, they are going from $300 for a "good" and up to 500 or a bit more for excellent. Much more for historical pieces. Certain cartridges, like 38-55 draw bigger prices too.
Man I HATE computers
I was just typing a reply, and I am a two finger typist.............. and the farking thign just disappeared.
ANYWAYS what I was saying was that I would suggest that a person interested in buying a 336 or a 94 make very sure that they try them out first for FIT. I cannot shoot a 336 since I cannot get a sight picture without lifting my cheek off the stock, with two entirely predictable results:
1. the stock smacks me in the cheek; and
2. accuracy goes south.
There are still 336s around the country for $300. There are precious few 94s for that price.
But if I was going to buy a lever gun, which I do frequently, it would be a BLR in .308 and forget about those old obsolescent cartridges in those old unscopeable guns............
Now where are my asbestos undies...........
Doug
I was just typing a reply, and I am a two finger typist.............. and the farking thign just disappeared.
ANYWAYS what I was saying was that I would suggest that a person interested in buying a 336 or a 94 make very sure that they try them out first for FIT. I cannot shoot a 336 since I cannot get a sight picture without lifting my cheek off the stock, with two entirely predictable results:
1. the stock smacks me in the cheek; and
2. accuracy goes south.
There are still 336s around the country for $300. There are precious few 94s for that price.
But if I was going to buy a lever gun, which I do frequently, it would be a BLR in .308 and forget about those old obsolescent cartridges in those old unscopeable guns............
Now where are my asbestos undies...........
Doug
I just picked up a Marlin/Glenfield (very slightly cheaper version of the 336) for $250 at the Kamloops show. Excellent shape and I saw a nice one at Reliable Gun in Vancouver here for $275 before I went to the Kamloops show.
I prefer the Marlin to the Winnie and believe them to be a much better made firearm. No pre 64 crap either. Parts are common to most models so easy to get. Also one of the few levers you can take the bolt out to clean from the chamber out. The Brownings are a real good design too and lots of cals available in both. Also like the Savage 99 series and Winchester 88s. Not a big fan of Winnie 94s and seems to me too many little parts in there. I like the Winnies but I dont want to have one anymore unless it is something weird like a 38-55 or suitably strange cal. Have 2 levers now-Savage 99c 308 and the Marlin in 30-30. Go with what fits you and appeals to you. You are the one that will have to shoot it. But thats just my $0.02
I prefer the Marlin to the Winnie and believe them to be a much better made firearm. No pre 64 crap either. Parts are common to most models so easy to get. Also one of the few levers you can take the bolt out to clean from the chamber out. The Brownings are a real good design too and lots of cals available in both. Also like the Savage 99 series and Winchester 88s. Not a big fan of Winnie 94s and seems to me too many little parts in there. I like the Winnies but I dont want to have one anymore unless it is something weird like a 38-55 or suitably strange cal. Have 2 levers now-Savage 99c 308 and the Marlin in 30-30. Go with what fits you and appeals to you. You are the one that will have to shoot it. But thats just my $0.02
I recently picked up a 336 for $300. The ejector was missing, but it cost $20 for the ejector which the vendor kindly reimbursed me for as he was unaware that it was missing (estate sale). I'm very impressed with how easy it is to disassemble and clean. Incredibly simple mechanism. Nothing to it, just down load the owners manual from the Marlin website or google "Marlin 336 diassembly) and off you go. If you want to scare yourself, google diagrams of the internals of the Savage 99 or Win 88. (I'm not criticizing the Savage 99, I love the lines of that rifle and one in 308 is on my short list).
I had some issue with accuracy when i first got it, but i realized that the magazine tube was out of kilter and putting a lot of stress on the barrel. I VERY,VERY carefully put a couple of VERY SMALL bends in the tube to get the proper clearance and make the magazine tube essentially free float and poof, much better.
I also had one misfire, so I dismantled the bolt (five minutes) cleaned out a lot of gunk, oiled it up and works like brand new.
It was also nothing to throw a scope on it as it has the solid top receiver. Originally, I wanted a Win 94, but I picked up the Marlin almost by accident, and love it.
I had some issue with accuracy when i first got it, but i realized that the magazine tube was out of kilter and putting a lot of stress on the barrel. I VERY,VERY carefully put a couple of VERY SMALL bends in the tube to get the proper clearance and make the magazine tube essentially free float and poof, much better.
I also had one misfire, so I dismantled the bolt (five minutes) cleaned out a lot of gunk, oiled it up and works like brand new.
It was also nothing to throw a scope on it as it has the solid top receiver. Originally, I wanted a Win 94, but I picked up the Marlin almost by accident, and love it.
I agree and lots out there in the markeplace in 30-30. In my part of Ontario they sell for 300 to 400 depending on condition.
I noticed P and D in Alberta has a 336W in 30-30 for sale new for $425 right now. Hard to beat that price - http://www.p-d-ent.com/pages/firearms/8-Cen-Non.htm
I think most of the hyp over Winnie 1894 is the "John Wayne" aspect too. If you watch a western, all you see is Winnies or Sharpes maybe. Could very well be that they have ridden on the coattails of that and that would explain the downgrading in 64. Marlin has never had any issues like that as far as I can see. Pretty enough guns but if you want an accurate, rugged lever then the Winnie would be my last choice and I would only shoot it occasionally. Dont get me wrong, I like the Winnies but every one my family has ever bought be it 100, model 12 or 94 we have had problems with them. If I am going back in the bush I will take something else. To hang on a wall and admire then the Winnie is right up front expecially the 1906 takedown (I have one) and the 25-20 whatever that was. If it has to work then it will be a Marlin or Savage and they fit me better anyways. Not a fan of straight pistol grips too-feels wrong to my hands. Again My $0.02 but that is 40 years of .02
