Best NEW .30-30 Lever?

[Panzerschwein]

I've been wanting a .30-30 lever gun for some time now. I don't want to buy used so please do not mention used guns in this thread.

What new .30-30 lever gun that is traditional wood and steelnis best? I assume the Miroku ones from Japan are the best, but they are very expensive. Any less expensive ones any good at all? I've hear the current Marlin 336's are utter trash these days, and the Mossberg 464s have issues.

Any other CURRENTLY PRODUCED .30-30 lever guns worth owning these days?

 

[Kendal Black]

The Henry strikes me as smooth working and well made, but I cannot abide its lack of a loading port in the receiver. The Miroku is splendid, but you already mentioned the problem with it.

The other brands you mention have had reported quality glitches, Marlin's related to a transfer of ownership; Mossberg's, to teething problems in introducing a new model--but the introduction was a while back. Can anyone update me on whether the companies have sorted things out?

I don't know anything about the Rossi. But it says something about the value of the lever .30-30 concept that five brands want our business.

 

[jmr40]

If I were buying new production it would be the Japanese made Winchester or nothing. But with my budget I'd rather have the unmentionable. Nothing else I'd bring into my home.

 

[Dog Soldier]

It is too bad you have eliminated many classic Lever guns no longer manufactured.

 

[MAKster]

Any quality issues related to moving Marlin manufacturing was fixed a long time ago. The Marlin 336 design is historic unlike the Mossberg. The Henry doesn't have a loading gate so loading is cumbersome.

 

[Sistema1927]

Cooldill, I have followed your love of the Makarov, a military classic, so I am wondering why the dismissal of used. If I needed another .30-30 lever gun I would buy another classic Marlin 336 or Winchester 94. The racks of gun shops everywhere are full of great guns at decent prices.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Cooldill, I have followed your love of the Makarov, a military classic, so I am wondering why the dismissal of used. If I needed another .30-30 lever gun I would buy another classic Marlin 336 or Winchester 94. The racks of gun shops everywhere are full of great guns at decent prices.

I haven't been so lucky with finding good prices on used .30-30s. It appears the word is out that the "old ones are better", at least in my area.

I see many currently produced models going for a lot less. The Marlin and Mossberg ones both come to mind, among others.

I'm in the market for an inexpensive brush gun, not something collectible, for hogs deer and fun, and I've just wanted a .30-30 for years.

 

[Dog Soldier]

There is a reason the new lever offerings are worth less. Do you really believe everyone buying older lever guns are all gun collectors? The older models have a proven track record.

 

[Geoffo]

The Marlins aren't what they used to be. But the new ones are well built and reliable. My 336C has functioned perfectly whilst out hunting hogs. Just go to your local gun shop and check them out for yourself.

 

[Kendal Black]

I still want an update on what Mossberg is doing these days. Have they fixed it? There are things their design got just right, such as retaining the intermediate lever of the Winchester (the drop-down thingy) but providing a rear bridge on the receiver you can drive screws into.

 

[Deog]

New, Henry. Not a fan of the tube fed magazine, but nice none the less.
Older JM Marlin is the way to go.

 

[Kendal Black]

I am going to attempt here to forestall the Marlin versus Winchester debate. I hope never to hear it again.

Each brand is a shade better than the other.

The Marlin is on broad average a shade more accurate.

The Winchester is the easier to maintain.

The Marlin was designed by a true genius in firearms design and production, John Mahlon Marlin.

The Winchester was designed by his rustic contemporary, John Moses Browning.

To design firearms in the 19th century you needed a cool middle name.

Each fires the first commercial smokeless cartridge introduced in America.

Today we would call it an intermediate cartridge but then it was hot stuff.

The deer does not care about this debate. Lever .30-30's, either brand, have put more venison on the table than you can rightly figure.

The .30-30 has killed every big game species that walks the Americas.

Wounded them all, too.

 

[DPris]

The Winchester's easier to maintain?
How?

How many gun designs did Mr. Marlin produce during his career & how many did that rustic guy sell during his?
Denis

 

[Kendal Black]

The Winchester's easier to maintain?
How?

How many gun designs did Mr. Marlin produce during his career & how many did that rustic guy sell during his?
Denis

In older Winchester manuals you will find instructions for disassembly. In later versions, you're told to simply open the lever and clean everything you can get to. I think the change reflects non-corrosive ammunition and better oils and cleaning agents then available.

As to designers, the 1911 pistol, the Auto Five shotgun and the M2 machine gun were still a ways off.

 

[Water-Man]

I've been wanting a .30-30 lever gun for some time now. I don't want to buy used so please do not mention used guns in this thread. What new .30-30 lever gun that is traditional wood and steelnis best? I assume the Miroku ones from Japan are the best, but they are very expensive. Any less expensive ones any good at all? I've hear the current Marlin 336's are utter trash these days, and the Mossberg 464s have issues. Any other CURRENTLY PRODUCED .30-30 lever guns worth owning these days?

The Winchester's easier to maintain? How? How many gun designs did Mr. Marlin produce during his career & how many did that rustic guy sell during his? Denis

The Winchester's easier to maintain? How? How many gun designs did Mr. Marlin produce during his career & how many did that rustic guy sell during his? Denis

 

[JeffRaines]

I've been wanting a .30-30 lever gun for some time now. I don't want to buy used so please do not mention used guns in this thread.

What new .30-30 lever gun that is traditional wood and steelnis best? I assume the Miroku ones from Japan are the best, but they are very expensive. Any less expensive ones any good at all? I've hear the current Marlin 336's are utter trash these days, and the Mossberg 464s have issues.

Any other CURRENTLY PRODUCED .30-30 lever guns worth owning these days?

The Marlins are just fine. Was in the market for one earlier this year and picked up a new 336C. Have had 0 issues with it so far, and shoots where you aim it. I did consider a 336W for a short time, but once I got to hold it I decided against it. The fit and finish of the stock/wood was terrible, and the wood itself looked fake(similar to the Mossberg). While it was purchased to be a brush gun and not a beauty queen, I just couldn't bring myself to buy the inferior looking product. I'm sure that it probably works as good and shoots as good as the C though.

I did consider a Mossberg for a short time, before I got to hold it. They feel cheap, the wood seems 'fake'. They don't get the best reviews, either.

I didn't get a chance to play with a Winchester, but the pricing was too steep on those for me to bother.

 

[AZAndy]

Rossi's "Rio Grande" model is reasonably priced. Even has a scope rail on the receiver. I don't own one, but my Rossi .357 lever has treated me well.

 

[T.R.]

The Rio Grande by Rossi is well built and comes with a recoil pad, too. This would be my choice.

TR

 

[GooseGestapo]

From 2010 to 2014 Marlin (aka Remlin) had problems. Current guns are excellent.

I recently aquired TWO Marlin 1895's in .45/70. Walmart closed out and I got them for $299. Waiting for $50 rebate checks!

One was noticeably smoother with lighter trigger. I scoped it and have shot it. It's near MOA for 5-shots. I've gotten several 3-shot 1"groups. (Handloads of 46.5gr H4198, 300gr Hornadys) It's a KEEPER. Second is nib. Will sit on it a while.

I wouldn't be afraid to get a new Marlin. I personally don't care fo Henry's. I have 2 Win. M94's. One belonged to my older brother, and he killed his last and biggest deer with it on a drive I set up. It's not "pretty"' but is a deer killing machine! Second is a beautiful M94 XTR, checkered stocks, splendid finish. But MY preference is a lowly Glenfield M30 (Marlin Economy version of M336) half magazine carbine. It's a tack driver, light, handy, and homely! But it handles like a dream.

Shop around, you'll be surprised what lurks in the dusty corners of some gun shops. Used Marlins can be excellent deals.

 

[Dr. A]

I have 6 Marlin 30-30's. They range from a 1948 to 2015. The latest is an XLR. I looked for an older one, but found I couldn't tell the difference between them. XLR's are not known for their walnut stocks. They have a sturdy, but ugly laminate. I wanted the XLR because they have a 1-12 twist with regular Ballard rifling, which is better for shooting cast. It was a little stiff at first, (just like my new at the time, 1975, 1999, 2001, and 2009.). It is just as accurate as my 336CB, which are the two most accurate of the brood. I wouldn't consider a non-Marlin, because I am used to them, know how to work on them, and they just make sense. I have shot deer up to 258 yards with mine.

 

[DPris]

Calling Marlin a "true firearms genius" and in the same sentence referring to Browning as "rustic" is a bit silly.
Marlin designed/produced a comparatively limited number of long-gun designs, while Browning changed the world.
The time-frame of Browning's designs is irrelevant.

As far as the Winchester being easier to maintain goes, I find the Marlin much simpler to break down as far as I need to for ordinary cleaning.
That means removing one screw, the lever, the bolt, and the extractor.
Going that far with the 1894 Winchester is nowhere near as simple.

Possibly we're talking about a different view of "maintenance".
Denis

 

[Varminterror]

The current Remington stamped Marlin's are better than many eras of the old ownership. Things were rough for a few years around the acquisition, but I have 60yr old Marlins with worse fitting wood than some of my 2-5yr old Marlins. The only real reason my hundred year old Marlins are slicker than my new ones is the fact they have 100yrs of use and handling to have smoothed them out.

When it comes to leverguns, of which I have owned, serviced, or otherwise modified hundreds - Make Mine a Marlin.

 

[CraigC]

Bought a new Marlin 1895 yesterday and have to say, I think the their issues are in the past. Very well put together and nice wood to boot!
Of course, everything may change when I shoot it but right now, wouldn't hesitate to buy a new .30-30. That said, I see no shortage of desirable older guns.

Have handled a new Mossberg in the matte nickel finish and was heartily impressed. Almost brought it home. Might still.

All things considered, I still prefer the Winchester 1894 for a .30WCF.

 

[Deog]

The current Remington stamped Marlin's are better than many eras of the old ownership. Things were rough for a few years around the acquisition, but I have 60yr old Marlins with worse fitting wood than some of my 2-5yr old Marlins. The only real reason my hundred year old Marlins are slicker than my new ones is the fact they have 100yrs of use and handling to have smoothed them out.

When it comes to leverguns, of which I have owned, serviced, or otherwise modified hundreds - Make Mine a Marlin.

That is a stretch. I have been a Marlin lever enthusiast for a long time. I would never say anything produced after 2007 by Marlin is better then Any JM stamped Marlin in any way shape or form.

 

[Varminterror]

Different eras had different issues. I have a post war 1894 with the worst fitting/matching wood I've ever seen on any Marlin, regardless of proof mark. Had a 1970's carrier come through once which looked like it was whittled with a pocket knife.

I do just as many repair jobs on new ones as I ever did before the ownership change.