Why does the 336 play 2nd fiddle to the 94?

Annie Oakley had a very nice engraved Marlin that sold on the auction a number of years back. The 336 is a good gun but I prefer the 1894 Winchesters made before WW2 and especially 1900 and early with the early patent script on the upper tang, no WP marks and the teardrop hammer.
 
When you carry a 26 inch barrel M94 Winchester the natural balance point shifts from the receiver (carbine) to the rear of the forestock on this rifle. Easier on the blueing finish somewhat.

Not many rifles have that near perfect "hang" for offhand shooting like the early 26" barrel 94's.
I only sold my 1910 in 32-40 because me old peepers can't handle standard irons now. :(

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Not many rifles have that near perfect "hang" for offhand shooting like the early 26" barrel 94's.
I only sold my 1910 in 32-40 because me old peepers can't handle standard irons now. :(

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Yes I forgot to mention that too. A repeating deer rifle that can point like a custom target rifle off hand unsupported. Shift on targets like nobody's business.
 
I had a straight stock Marlin [Texan], my wife wanted it, I am not really a lever guy and the rifle didn't really fit Her, Marlin Levers have been around about as long as Winchester levers just not in Hollywood, I remember an argument I had with a good friend He did not believe that the Marlin 1894 was around in 1894, the fore runners to the Marlin 336 and 39 were around before that if you believe Wikipedia. Cycling most Winchester 94s they always felt cheap to me [not the Miroku's] but I also never cared for the fat Marlin fore-end, if I was to get another 30 30 it would be a Texan again or maybe a Henry. I think the Marlin was more expensive in it's day than Winchester and again according to Wikipedia better in a Canadian winter because of the solid top receiver.
 
I own a 1918 94 rifle in .32WS. It belonged to an old time gunner from my home area. The tang has been repaired, broken at some time, but still shoots like a dream.
 
I like both Marlin and winchester models,the winchester model 94 carries so nice and the factory iron sights are decent enough to poke a whitetail at 100 yards fairly easy.I find the Marlins jam a lot more than the 94,especially when cycled slower than the force method we all know lever actions prefer.
 
My favourite walk-about rifle is my M1894 Big Bore, .375Win. Such a sweet carrying rifle.

Technically, the Marlin is a superior rifle, which I have a Marlin M1895XLR, in .45-70.

So I am a fan of both.
 
My ancient and beat up 94 has better machining, tighter tolerances, tighter lock up, and smoother action than any Marlin. Now I do like the Marlin levers but, nowhere near the same quality as the 94s.
 
I think it WAS true, but the Marlin is now preferred by many folks.

Largely due to the perception that scoping a '94 means a side mount, as it used to. This is no longer so, and hasn't been for decades now.

And the fact that most folks no longer carry their rifles long distances in hand.

Today's '94s are very sweet rifles.

Also, I do not like scopes on traditional lever guns, even Marlins.
 
While we are yakking about slim forend characteristics, I used to be a Winnie 94 fan boy (I’m a Model 70 fanboy these days) decades ago, then I got older and the iron sighted competition eyeballs got older too. I fell in love with the Marlin 336 for it’s ability to run optics. Being a competition shooter, walnut and me don’t get along. So, to that end, I bought a set of RamLine / Champion stocks from Elwood Epps North of Orillia, ON for around $80 and that slim forend for my 336 W was fantastic to carry.

Here’s my rig from the 2018 deer season….. with the slim forend…best of both worlds.


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And it was a super wet hunt that week….


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Anyways, there is much to be discussed on this thread. I thank you all for that banter! :wave:

:cheers:


Peace Be The Journey!
 

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My ancient and beat up 94 has better machining, tighter tolerances, tighter lock up, and smoother action than any Marlin. Now I do like the Marlin levers but, nowhere near the same quality as the 94s.

You have had bad luck with Marlins.
I have both... pick up your Marlin and shake it...do the same with your Winnie...tell me which one is noisier?
Marlin is much quieter IMO... and I've put way more deer on the ground with my 94..but a Marlin isn't iconic that way...but way tighter build IMO
 
3 centerfire levers in the safe.
Mdl 94 Wrangler .32 WS with Williams aperture.
Mdl 94 Trapper .44 Mag AE.
Marlin 336 .35 Rem with 2-7 Vortex.

All three are fun and unique.

My heart says Winchester.
My mind says Marlin.
 
I wasn't much of a lever fan at all until lately...

Marlin 1894 rifle (circa 1906) in 44-40
Marlin M1893 rifle (circa 1908) in 32sp.

These original Marlins were much trimmer, and IMO seemed to shoulder more comfortably than the later Marlin 1894's and 336's. Had much better sights too!

I prefer the Marlin M1893 over the Win. 1894, but about equal when comparing the Win. 1892 carbine and early Marlin 1894's.
 
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