Winchester 94 vs Marlin 336

[tbrwlf]

Having owned and used both, I prefer the 336. As others have said the new ones are suspect. Look for an older well cared for one in the EE. The price between the two is insignificant. I liked the 94 but with the angle eject a scope was not possible. The older marlins are very well made and the fit and finish are near perfect. The same can be said for the 94s.

Currently I have 2 336s and no 94s. That tells you what my experiences have taught me.

The 336 is a nice carry gun. Not too heavy and yet heavy enough to ensure light recoil using Leverevolution rounds.

 

[noelb]

I have a beutuful 1981 Glenfield 30A. This was made by Marlin with Birch instead of Walnut, and slightly cheaper sights. I also have a "new" Marlin 1895 GBL in .45-70, and yup, she's rough around the edges, but nothing anyone with a little mechanical mindedness couldnt sort out. I love my Marlins. Theres a reason the custom shops in Alaska use these actions for survival guns. They are robust, well built, reliable rifles.

 

[Woodsman]

My dad and I each have pre 64 Winchesters and also Marlins. The Winchesters have better balance and feel for carrying. The Marlins have slicker actions that are a breeze to take apart to clean from the breach and real easy to scope.

The 94AE(angle eject and scopeable) would be our choice if money was no object, but unfortunately it is. So our Marlins get the nod because we both love and need our scopes for hunting.

 

[TheCoachZed]

The 94AE(angle eject and scopeable) would be our choice if money was no object, but unfortunately it is. So our Marlins get the nod because we both love and need our scopes for hunting.

Are you saying AEs are worth more? I always assumed the opposite, since they are post-64.

I picked one up recently, that's why I'm wondering. Traded it for a short-barreled Winchester 1500 XTR 12 gauge.

 

[stuckon308]

I have owned both. I prefer the older 336 to the 94. I bought a brand new 336 and couldn't stand it for some reason. Things just didn't feel right. Then I bought an older 336 off a guy for $100 and I couldn't be happier.

I can hit 4" offhand at 100 yards all day long. Which is normally decent for me without a scope. My contacts mess my eyes up with irons.

The gun feels tighter and not plastic.

The 94 is a good gun. It's just an older design compared to the 336 in my humble opinion.

 

[Woodsman]

Are you saying AEs are worth more? I always assumed the opposite, since they are post-64.

I picked one up recently, that's why I'm wondering. Traded it for a short-barreled Winchester 1500 XTR 12 gauge.

The pre 64's command more than post-64 top ejects. AE's in walnut will go for 50-60% more. Brand new AE's are quite pricey.

http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?family=003C&mid=534174

 

[Hawkeye]

i'm a little biased as my first rifle at 18 was a winnie 94 and i took my first deer with it a couple years later. it was made between 1970 and 1972 based on my research there was a fire that destroyed the records at that ime. i love that little gun it likes remminton coreloc 150gr its light and i;ve never had a problem with it. the wood finsih what pretty bad with it and the metal isn;t the greeatist but i've stripped the wood and renfinished with tru oil and its a beautiful honey now thanks to this rifle i'll never own a marlin unless its a 4570 and that problbly wont happen as a i ahve a 458wm and 45 colt rovolving rifle

 

[Joe549]

I have used both the Marlin and Winchester. I would take the Marlin hands down.

 

[38'55]

As you can see by the previous posts the membership is split. Save your cash and buy both a nice pre 64 win to use with irons and a Marlin to scope if you desire. I don't much care for the look of a scope on a Lever but my eyes don't agree with it. Now I just wish Wild West Guns would export me a big loop lever for my 336.

 

[Sun_and_Steel_77]

FORD or CHEVY?

Pick the one you like and go shooting.

 

[saskcop]

Whatever you get, find one without a crossbolt safety. I have an older Marlin and really like it. I have had newer ones with the safety and found them annoying. I had a Win 94 in .307 with the saftey and hated it. Safties on levers are for lawyers, and I am pretty sure not too many lawyers hunt. Pick up an older Winchester or Marlin or Glenfield off the EE and you will be set.

 

[mike t]

if you are looking for scopeable lever the winnie 94 AE (angle eject) comes drilled and tapped for a scope and are 90% of the time cheaper than a pre 64 they seem to pop up on the EE forum often enough

 

[andrei]

Winchester 94 all the way(period)

 

[bollox]

Whatever you get, find one without a crossbolt safety. I have an older Marlin and really like it. I have had newer ones with the safety and found them annoying. I had a Win 94 in .307 with the saftey and hated it. Safties on levers are for lawyers, and I am pretty sure not too many lawyers hunt. Pick up an older Winchester or Marlin or Glenfield off the EE and you will be set.

Agreed. I don't like scopes on levers either.

94 for the "win"

 

[John Y Cannuck]

For some reviews on both New Marlin, and New Winchester rifles, check the 2011 Shot show section http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=243

 

[Eagleye]

I have both rifles [a couple of each] The 94 does "feel" a bit nicer in the hands, and carries very nicely.
I have aperture sights on all my leverguns, since these 60+ eyes have a tough time with opens.
If you are seeking better accuracy and convenience of stripping and cleaning, the Marlin wins, hands down.
Otherwise you can get by just fine with the 94.
This is a win-win situation. Either rifle will work just fine. Eagleye.

 

[kamlooky]

I figured 94 for sure but that dern H4831 let me shoot his Marlin 44 mag and is that thing sweet.
I own three Winchester levers, two in 94 and one in 92. Don't know if I would trade any of them for a Marlin. The 30-30 maybe..........aw crap, no.

 

[deadeyes40]

have owned and used both.if i was getting another lever gun it would be the 336.only chambered in 35 rem instead of 30-30.and like was already stated stainless is over rated.

 

[Edward Teach]

Whatever you get, find one without a crossbolt safety. I have an older Marlin and really like it. I have had newer ones with the safety and found them annoying. I had a Win 94 in .307 with the saftey and hated it. Safties on levers are for lawyers, and I am pretty sure not too many lawyers hunt. Pick up an older Winchester or Marlin or Glenfield off the EE and you will be set.

You could always replace the crossbolt safety with one of these:

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/crossbolt_safety.htm

Then if you're handy, you could drill and tap the replacement for something useful, such as a saddle ring:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Detail.aspx?pid=560100&filter=rifle+saddle+ring&catid=0

 

[thebigslide]

So this spring I've been carrying my dads winchester 94, and loving it, the balance, the weight, and the size is perfect. But alas, I must soon give it back, so I'll be looking for a lever to replace it. I'd like stainless steel, so I'm looking at a marlin.

Now what I want to know, is does the marlin carry, and balance like the 94? Is it sufficiently similar that I won't be feeling sorry for myself that the 94 is elsewhere?

Hey, if you like the feel and look of the Marlin but aren't sure about the QC, I'll debur and slick a new one up for you for $100. You'll be able to cycle it with one finger, I promise. They really are a much better rifle once you work them over.