Price Check - Used Marlin 336 RC

[Bobson]

I was at Cabela's this morning and saw a Marlin 336 RC (.30-30) on the used rack. It had a zip-tie around the grip & lever, so I couldn't check the serial number, but it didn't have a cross bolt safety, so I guess that puts it's manufacture date at 1988 or earlier (from what I've read).

The rifle was in great shape physically, with only a very light, superficial rust spot about the size of a dime on the top of the barrel just forward of the receiver. The furniture was excellent with light wear, but no scratches or dings. Sights were good, all the screws looked great, crown looked undamaged.

The price was marked $399. I keep reading about people saying around $300-350 is as much as one should ever pay for a used 336 in good shape, but this is the only 336 I've ever found that was in this nice of shape for under $500.

What say you? Walk away, or worth grabbing?

Purpose would be use as a primary hunting rifle (as is - no scope), for mostly blacktail deer, here in the Pacific Northwest.

 

[jmr40]

If the SN is under the lever it is a lot older than 1988. All of mine made in the 70's and newer have the SN on the top of the tang where it could be seen even with the lever strapped down. Mine made in the 1950-60's are under the lever..

MOST guns made since 1972 use a simple date code, just subtract the 1st digits of the SN from 100. A SN starting with 25, would have been made in 1975. A SN starting with 99 would be 2001. For an older gun use this link

http://oldguns.net/sn_php/marlinlookup.php

A few years ago $350 is about as much as I'd pay. You still may find one is a small gunshop for $300 or so, but those days are just about over. A good one from Cabelas @ around $400 is on the high end, but not horrible. 10 years from now it may seem like a bargain.

 

[Bobson]

Gotcha. Thanks for the input. The SN was under the lever for sure. I looked all over the receiver and barrel probably looking like an idiot. Then I thought to check under the lever and pried as much as I could, and there it was. Five or six little digits. Couldn't make em out though.

 

[rule303]

$400 is probably the new normal for a common older 336. It is less than a new 336c would cost, and will only go up in value if you take care of it. The RC designation was dropped in the early 70's IIRC, and the serial number moved to the top of the tang sometime in the 60's.

 

[W.E.G.]

$50 means nothing if you are talking about a gun you really want.

You can burn through that much ammo in an hour.

Unless you are buying a gun just to stuff in a closet, and never use, the cost of ownership of firearms comes not in the price you pay for the gun itself.
The true cost is what you pay for secure storage, ammo, range fees, travel, and most importantly,... your time.

I think I paid $5 for my Marlin a few years back.
The stock was a little bit busted.

 

[sixgunner455]

Paid $250+tax for a Marlin 30AS last week - that's a 336 action in a birch stock. Haven't gotten to shoot it yet, but it has the sweetest trigger I've ever seen on a 336. Same store had a brand-new Remlin 336 that the sights were installed cockeyed, and the wood didn't really seem inletted properly. Couldn't pay me enough to take that home!

Used quality guns are worth what you want to pay for them, I guess.

 

[CPLofMARINES]

Bought mine in 1985 (cross bolt safety) for $175, with my
Own money, I was 14 years old. The older Marlins are
Gems I think. I wouldn't waste my money on a new one
Today.

 

[CaliCoastie]

Good deal from the sounds of it. If you go back it might not be there. Good luck.

 

[bannockburn]

Last used Marlin 336 I saw they were asking $499 for it and it wasn't in that great of condition. If it's still there I would offer $350 and see what they say.

 

[jrdolall]

$350 for a used 336 in decent shape isn't bad. I have three 30-30's and a .35 Remington all of which I bought used and all of which I enjoy shooting. None of them have the crossbolt safety but I think they were all made in the 1970's. I can't remember off the top of my head but one was 1970 and one was 1978.

 

[dak0ta]

$200 for a 30AS with 4x Tasco scope and a box of 170 grain Core-lokts a few years ago.

 

[Agsalaska]

FOr todays prices it is about right.

 

[BSA1]

Haggle.

Make them a counter offer.

Cabelas knocked $50.00 off of the last gun I brought from them.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I've haggled at the Gun Library and got some money knocked off. They need to sell stuff, never hurts to ask..?

 

[MIL-DOT]

IMO, an older 336 is one of the best rifles you can pick up, considering the likleyhood ( in fact, inevitablility) of eventual AW/hi-cap bans. Anyone that told you $300-ish for one of these is living in the previous decade. Exceptions notwithstanding,the market on these has gone up considerably in the past few years, and for what you're describing, $400 is very reasonable (especially if it's even older than you think).
Go ahead and ask for a discount, it can't hurt, but if you're really interested in one of these, don't screw up a good opportunity over $25-50 bucks. Go grab it NOW !!!

 

[Bush Pilot]

Paid $250+tax for a Marlin 30AS last week - that's a 336 action in a birch stock. Haven't gotten to shoot it yet, but it has the sweetest trigger I've ever seen on a 336. Same store had a brand-new Remlin 336 that the sights were installed cockeyed, and the wood didn't really seem inletted properly. Couldn't pay me enough to take that home!

Used quality guns are worth what you want to pay for them, I guess.

Is the 30s the same action/barrel as a 336, just a cheaper stock? Any issues with them?

 

[Bobson]

Frankly, I don't have the money to grab the 336 RC right now. Just moved to Washington in the last two weeks and still haven't started at my new job yet. Didn't mean to mislead; this was primarily a "for future reference" type thread. I did go back to Cabela's today and checked, and the rifle is still there. Someone had struggled with the lever and loosened the zip tie a bit (or asked for it to be cut off and this had a new one), but I was able to make out the entire SN. 31###, which makes no sense to me. I got the attached picture off of Google. The rifle in the store did not have any sort of letter prefix. It was just 31### - five digits total, all numbers.

Well. It's a nice rifle. I looked it over again and realized I exaggerated a bit on the condition. There are a couple other rust spots, as well as some minor pitting at the crown , but it does still seem to be in at least "good" condition. Hopefully the rifle is still there in a couple weeks and I can grab it then. If not, well, there will be another down the road. At least I know what to look for and know what a fair price is.

I appreciate all the help.

 

[Salmoneye]

I have a 1958 336RC in .35 Rem, and there is no way I'd sell it for $400...