Marlin 336W rant

eco

eco

BANNED
Regular
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Always wanted a lever action for hunting. I have only used my 30-06 bolt in the past for hunting, but I figured I needed a nice bush lever gun, not too expensive but reliable and nice looking. So I stumbled upon a low count 30-30 Marlin 336W in the exchange here. Beautiful gun. Still very new new. Decent price.
But damn, this gun has some issues.. maybe minor but it's making me not like it as much. Only other lever I have is my Henry's Golden Boy in .22, so I figured this one would be just as nice and smooth.
First issue I have is the weight. I haven't measured it, but damn, just imagining having to lug this thing for hours in the bush is making me exhausted. It feels unnecessarily too heavy. I'm comparing it to my other guns like the golden boy, 10/22, an sks, a browning x-bolt, various pump and semi shotguns. It probably comes closest to my old long coach (double barrel) gun.
The "Marlin factory scope" it came with was useless. Felt like starring through a coke bottle and trying to see something on the other side. Distorted picture, dim, fuzzy hairs. I put on a Vortex diamondback so that got bit better.
The shoulder pad is a piece of metal. 30-30 is not a massive round, but after couple of boxes of ammo the sharp edge on the butt stock does quite a number on the shoulder. Accuracy is decent with a scope.
The action is very stiff also. It ejects just fine, but you have to work it hard.
The loading ramp is so damn stiff and hard, it frequently bites yours fingers when trying to load. You got to push the rounds in there hard with a lot of pressure, and then when it goes in, so does the tip of your finger.. it usually gets pinched and cut on the sharp edges inside the gate.
And then my biggest issue is the finishing of the rifle. Every friggin edge is so sharp and edgy. Cycling the action your fingers and hand start to hurt if you relax your grip a bit. The loop edges are very pointy and not smooth like on the Henry. Even the wood/checkered fore end feels like grabbing onto a cheese grater.
I mean they could have taken a file to the edges before finishing it... Especially since it's so heavy, it digs in no matter how you carry it or work it.
Anyways, just venting. I'm trying to love this thing, but it's just not sitting right.
 
To resolve the loading gate issue (common to all side gate levers to some degree) load the rounds halfway at a time and push them in with another round. You will only pinch your thumb on the last round

Stiffness will resolve over time, make sure there is no grease in the action, Marlins are easy to remove the bolt from and clean, big advantage of these actions

The scope, rifle weight etc ; part of the deal unfortunately. Marlins are heavier than some levers but not especially heavy imo
 
Taking the bolt out is easy with removing the one screw. You can polish the bolt surfaces with fine emery cloth and oil to make it cycle smoothly. Take a file and sandpaper to the wood to smooth the edges and then Tung oil after. I didn't see if you have a blued or stainless model. I have both in the 95 model. I also took a good file and emerycloth to the lever and addressed the sharp edges. Used a wipe of cold blue on the blued lever.
 
Never seen/held a Winchester M94 with what you call sharp edges. It's lighter than the Marlin.
Some you can mount over bore optics such as the Angle Eject.
I think it's better served with an after market peep sight.

The best IMO are the 1950s made pre 64s.
Fit and finish excellent. Parts reliability is superior. Best metallurgy. You know what? Pre 64 or Post 64 or Miroku, never seen anyone complain of thier accuracy.
No experiments with silly Micro Groove that should have stayed with Marlin 22 rimfire in the first place.
Maybe cast bullets for 357 or 44 carbine?

The only one real advantage Marlin over Winchester is cleaning the bore with a cleaning rod back to front.
That is it really.
 
Last edited:
You cannot compare your Henry 22 to the Marlin. Not an apples to apples comparison.
Henry has a slick little action and is light weight.
The Marlin action will get slicker with use over time, and proper care and maintenance.
These actions are meant to be cycled in strong, brisk manner in order to ensure proper feeding. It is not your X Bolt that can be cycled slowly and quietly.
Marlins are heavier than Henry and Winchesters, and this is due to the more robust actions. They can handle higher pressures than others, and are heavier due to the different design to handle the higher pressures.
IMO as well, but after carrying these rifles in the bush for miles over the decades, have never found their weight an issue.
As mentioned above, use of another cartridge is the way in which we were taught to load these rifles. You will learn to load that last round without pinching your finger.
Accuracy has always been acceptable to very good with several rifles over the years (currently own 6 Marlin lever actions).
The sharp checkering is an appreciated feature once you have experienced hunting with it in the rain or snow, when stocks can get slippery to hold onto with cold or wet fingers. Most pressed checkering is fairly flat and dull, and provides no real grip in colder, wetter conditions.
The metal butt plate can be replaced with a rubber recoil pad, which will be more comfortable and practical, especially when leaning the rifle in the corner. It won't slip on the floor and fall over.
The factory installed scopes that were usually provided where usually made by Tasco or Bushnell and were inexpensive introductory models that were not known as quality glass, and must not be compared to better quality optics that many of are used to today.
Your Marlin was made in another era, and needs to be judged from that standpoint. Not compared to rifles of this era, that are manufactured with new equipment and processes. It must be appreciated for what it is. If you do not find that this suits you (which only you can determine) then, move it along and purchase a lever action that you find does suit your tastes, and enjoy.
 
Sounds like you don’t really want a lever action…
And that scope is broken, even old scopes shouldn’t look like that.
 
Have a BL carbine model in laminate, it's heavy for what it it for sure, not enough that I would complain about it but yeah...heavy carbine.
Shoots 170's very well, no fit/finish issues even though it's a Remlin. Trigger is even pretty decent.
 
I wanted to like my JM stamped Marlin 1895 SS 45-70 guide gun. Unfortunately, canted sights, a stiff loading port and poor overall finishing was enough for me. There seems to be a wide range of opinions on them, from great to pi$$ poor, so YMMV. That thing went down the road and it's not missed. I more recently picked up a Henry all-steel 45-70 carbine and have had zero complaints. It's also lighter than my Marlin at only 7lbs. It is a pre-loading gate model, and I thoroughly enjoy the tube magazine. One in the chamber and 4 in the tube is all I ever need. The Henry just feels better built to me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom