Marlin 336 quality?

They're horrible to be totally honest. Took two new 1895GBL's back to the store before I decided I'd just much rather have my money back. You're best bet would be to find a clean used one. No MR serial numbered, and you want JM stamped on the barrel. The remlins just aren't what the used to be. If you really want new, check it over very carefully. Worth taking a look at the rant forum on marlin owners. Best of luck!
 
Get a used one. I picked up a 336w recently and the action is burr city. I had to take it all apart and file off all the burs to get it to operate smoothly and be able to feed any cartridges at all, then I took it to the range and it wouldn't eject, the ejector was bent out away from the bolt. Then the lever stopped locking shut, because of.....wait for it.....a burr!

Never have I seen such poor quality control on a brand new rifle, after putting in all the work it finally works smoothly and reliably, but on a brand new gun, it should do that just after opening the box.
 
I've looked at 5 different brand new marlin lever actions, and every single one had something seriously wrong with it. Most of the barrels were turned to about 1 or 2 o'clock, so the sights were very off kilter.
 
I just bought a 1951 336 in 35Rem. Solid as a ROCK!! They may not be as slim as a 94 but they are tough. And the old girl is in fine shape. FWIW I prefer the Marlins over Winchesters and like a curved pistol grip. The only lever I like more is my Savage 99c 308.
 
I brought a Marlin 336C 2 months ago, after the first shots fired at the range I noticed that the primer are getting out about 2mm and there was a bump near the brass head on every fired cartridge. I returned the gun to the store and after 1 month they told me they need to reimburse me since Marlin (Remington) recall back all the 336C they had in the store for inspection since my rifled had serious headspace or chamber problem ... :-(

I then got a nice used Savage 99 in 308win to fill up the empty spot in my gun safe :)

I will wait till I see improvement in quality before buying another new Marlington.
 
Marlington is a desaster even the Sendero one of the jewel of remmy, i had to bring it back 2 times for serious issues and finaly got refund, very sad story indeed... JP.
 
Owned a 336TS 18.5" Carbine, bought new in 1985, deadly accurate with all factory 170 loads(MOA or lesss), reliable to a fault. Fit and finish were excellent!:canadaFlag:

Sorry to hear another fine North American manufacturer has come down with a bad case of the "Faster/Cheaper Asian Flu.":eek:
 
My neighbor bought a Marlin 336 in the 80s and it functions like a well oiled machine. Pretty sad to read Marlin has kinda gone down in quality since I was considering a .444 Marlin.
 
Or you could just buy a nice used one thats a few years old. Not as many around as Winchesters but that may well be because the guys that have them tend to keep them. The one I just bought is 60yrs old and I expect to that it will be around at least that much longer. Save a few bucks too. A 10yr old Marlin is usually just broken it FWIW.
 
There was an older Marlin in very good to excellent condition, in 35 calibre, at the Lumby gun show yessterday, priced at $300.

Also, there was an old Savage Model 45, bolt action with a 4 shot removeable magazine at the show, priced also at $300. It was in 300 Savage, a calibre I had never seen before in that model Savage. It was complete with the magazine.
 
MegaMonkeyChunk said:
Pretty sad to read Marlin has kinda gone down in quality since I was considering a .444 Marlin.
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Don't despair. There are still many of them(.444's) around, all made at the old factory.
AFAIK, the aren't being made anymore/yet at the new place. I would have no
qualms about buying a new Marlin, but I would have to see it, cycle it, and
generally go over it with a fine tooth comb.
 
bogie said:
Or you could just buy a nice used one thats a few years old. Not as many around as Winchesters but that may well be because the guys that have them tend to keep them. The one I just bought is 60yrs old and I expect to that it will be around at least that much longer. Save a few bucks too. A 10yr old Marlin is usually just broken it FWIW.
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Probaly the best idea.:agree:

I was considering a new Marlin again for my wife but reading all the bad reviews ,I think I'll try to get the old 336TS back from the guy I sold it to in 1987!:canadaFlag:
 
I was speaking with a dealer a few days ago and it appears that the folks at Marlington have been paying attention to the complaints and the large number of returns to Gravels and such. Although we are only a smaller spoke in the wheel, seems like other spokes are falling off and that is getting attention.

He tells me that a few accountant/manager types have been given the boot. He tells me to watch a big advertising "Ford Quality" type blitz to start up because someone is shaking the tree.
 
I bought two from wholesale sports, both of which we're VERY sad examples of what a Marlin should be, or at least used to be.

I checked out the EE for a bit, but where wasnt a whole lot on there.

So today I sucked it up and ordered a brand new one from ellwood epps. I've never dealt with these guys before however they were more than helpful. They said they found one with proper fit & finish, had their smith inspect for proper operation of firearm, test fired, and the sights are supposed to be straight and dead center on this one.

.... We'll see how it goes, but I sure hope it's a good one.
 
Bought 2 rifles since January from Epps and by the way they pakage their rifles for shipping you can see that they go the extra mile. Will order for more anytime... JP.
 
bogie said:
Or you could just buy a nice used one thats a few years old. Not as many around as Winchesters but that may well be because the guys that have them tend to keep them. The one I just bought is 60yrs old and I expect to that it will be around at least that much longer. Save a few bucks too. A 10yr old Marlin is usually just broken it FWIW.
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ya! X2 on that. mine is a 1956 336 RC in 30-30: and it is kind of embarrassing. with handloads of dumpy old 170 grain soft nose round points and using 3031 powder it will shoot 1 1/2" 3 shot groups all day with just a Leopold M8 4X scope on it. i don't have any fancy rifles and this is one of the reasons why, the old stuff works well. i love this gun and it will never go. All i need now is a chrony to know what is really going on........ good shooting all!
 
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