Just purchased a Marlin 336W... what's with the "W"?

Snowdog · Jul 22, 2020

A few months ago, I purchased the remnants of a collection of firearms and ammunition willed to a (somewhat anti-gun) neighbor by a prankster friend of his who then unexpectedly bought the farm. He had already sold most of the firearms but never thought to sell the ammunition, believing it pretty much worthless.

With the purchase, I finally got a Luger, along with two 1895 Nagant revolvers (I already had one but he "threw them in") and a bunch (A BUNCH!) of ammuniton. Thousands upon thousands of rounds, all in the original boxes... all centerfire, nothing rimfire. Though I could have made out like a bandit, I instead offered him a fair price, which he was more than happy with. I have enough trouble sleeping at night.

Somewhere around a thousand rounds are 150gr and 170gr JSP .30-30win. I don't have anything in .30-30 Winchester.
I suppose a logical person would sell the ammunition but being the perfectly eccentric person I am, I decided to look for a rifle chambered in it. Currently not an easy task, let me tell you. Maybe some factories are at limited capacity or closed due to covid, but everything seems to be out of stock.

Buy-it-Now options on GB were a couple/few hundred dollars north of what I remember prices being.
However, I found a Marlin 336W in great condition for $440 and decided to go for it.

So, I'm running into conflicting information about the meaning of this "W" nomenclature online. Does anyone know what it refers to?

Thanks in advance.

az_imuth · Jul 22, 2020

Try looking at the list here: https://www.marlinowners.com/threads/list-of-336-model-and-the-differences.31126/

earlthegoat2 · Jul 22, 2020

The 336W is a no frills version often sold at such retailers as Wal-Mart and the old K-Mart. Generally the “hardwood” (probably birch) stock is the defining characteristic. More recently they will have a no so great looking laminate stock.

It is a budget version of an already budget rifle.

On the pre-owned market, they still manage to sell for right around the same prices as a 336C, which is essentially a W with a nicer walnut stock.

I am pretty sure 30-30 is the only chambering ever made in the W version.

earlthegoat2 · Jul 22, 2020

az_imuth said:
Try looking at the list here: https://www.marlinowners.com/threads/list-of-336-model-and-the-differences.31126/

That is a great list but definitely needs some footnotes, addendums, etc.

Sav .250 · Jul 22, 2020

That`s your "basic" blue collar model 336.

jmr40 · Jul 22, 2020

Urban legend says it was initially a stripped down budget gun that was initially made specifically for Walmart, thus the W. I have no idea if that is true or not, but initially the only place I saw them was at Walmart. Everyone else was selling the 336C. The C stands for Carbine. Mechanically they are the same. The W uses cheaper wood and at times cheaper sights and a lower quality metal finish. Although the sights and metal finish have varied over time.

IMO $440 is too much for a 336W. I MIGHT pay that for a 336C. Lots of guys don't understand the difference. I often see 336C's and 336W's sitting side by side at gun shows priced exactly the same. I guess there are enough buyers out there who don't understand the difference that they are able to get those prices. A 336W should be closer to $300.

22250Rem · Jul 22, 2020

I'm pretty sure the previous posters are correct in that it's one of several lower priced 336's. I discovered that when I inherited a Marlin 30AS and began researching what that designation was, as mine's just an economy model 336 also. The 30AS might even be a step lower than a 336W but I'm not sure. The 30AS has a walnut stained birch stock with no checkering, no sling studs, no front sight hood, and a cheaper looking rear sight. But in spite of the cosmetics they are still just a 336 without all the upgrades. They still shoot just as well and because their initial lower price is reflected in the used market, they are considered a good bargain for those just wanting a good shooter. Although I'm not up to speed on current prices on used Marlins.

mondocomputerman · Jul 22, 2020

I have a 30aw, which is the Wal-Mart version I’ve read. It’s basically the budget version of the 336.

Just purchased a Marlin 336W... what's with the "W"?

Snowdog

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az_imuth

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earlthegoat2

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earlthegoat2

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Sav .250

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jmr40

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22250Rem

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mondocomputerman

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