Decided I need balance...

[Buck Kramer]

My collection needs a little more balance, most (almost all) of my guns are military or self defense type guns. While I am happy with my collection I'm now looking for a classic firearm. I considered a bolt action 30-06, a 30-30 lever action, a Remington model 81, and a lot of others. I think I'm looking for that "old deer rifle" feel.

I am pretty settled on a Marlin 336. It has that classic look I'm going for, and from the reviews I've seen/read owners are pretty happy with it. There are also a lot of after market sights for it and it is already tapped for a scope.

Thoughts on the Marlin 336? Or how would you balance this equation?


Romanian RPK
Bulgarian AK-74 (2)
91/30 Nagant (2)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>=<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<???
PSA AR-15
Springfield XD 9mm service
Bodyguard .380
Iver Johnson Champion 12

 

[TonyAngel]

Everyone needs a 336. My oldest firearm (meaning I've had it the longest) is a .30/30 Marlin. I'm down in Louisiana and there isn't anything that needs to be done that can't be done by a .30/30 lever gun.

Although I'm a big fan of bolt guns and autos, if I could only have one rifle, I'd be hard pressed to choose something other than a good lever gun.

 

[mberoose]

Big fan of the Marlin lever actions...336 series, 1894 series, can't go wrong. Great rifles.

I will say though that a nice bolt action in .308 would be on my list if I already had what you had.

 

[MrDig]

I love my lever actions. Can't say enough about them 336 is a good choice.

 

[hogshead]

I have 4 Marlin Lever guns. Love them all.

 

[happygeek]

This is Rifle Country, but for only $100 you can get a M1895 Nagant to go with your Mosins. Revolvers are always classic.

 

[Buck Kramer]

This is Rifle Country, but for only $100 you can get a M1895 Nagant to go with your Mosins. Revolvers are always classic.

I thought about a revolver, but I'm trying to fill the truck rifle niche at the same time.

Side note: My brother in law got one of those and those are a hoot to shoot!

 

[Craigman]

336's are nice, but dont scope it. They are perfect the way they are. Naturally pointing open sight guns. Once you start appreciating lever guns you may see it that same way. Mine is a waffle top and i would never dream of drilling/tapping/scoping.

 

[dubya450]

I'd say go with the 336 Marlin. Just about every deer hunter has one or has used one at some point. A 1948 Marlin 336 r.c. in 30-30 was my first centerfire rifle, handed down from my grandpa who didn't deer hunt but twice in his life and to this day it has only about 40 rounds through it and i bet 36 of em were from me. They're THE "classic deer rifle" I think you're lookin for.

 

[hardluk1]

Or try to find a nice savage 99 . Great deer rifle and not your run of the mill rifle.

 

[Paladin7]

The Marlin 336 is a great choice. Another to strongly consider, if you can find one, is the Marlin 1894 c (blue) or 1894 css (stainless) in 357 Magnum.

The 357 out of a carbine length barrel performs in 30/30 territory and you have the option to inexpensively plink or hunt small game with 38's. Overall, an extremely versatile field, range, HD rifle...for small game up to deer sized animals you are good to go.

I have the 1894css in 357 and highly recommend you check one out... they are easy on the eyes and the wallet, especially if you handload.

Another thing to consider...current Remington produced Marlins are not of the same quality as the older Marlin produced firearms, so be careful when you purchase and check your rifle carefully. I'd suggest you try to find one of the older Marlin produced guns and stick with that.

 

[kenken]

Hey guys, you can't leave out the Winchester 94. Got to have one of them also. A person can't go wrong with either of the two leveractions mentioned. 30-30, maybe trapper, no scope.... don't get no better than that.

kenken

 

[SabbathWolf]

The Marlin 336 is a great choice. Another to strongly consider, if you can find one, is the Marlin 1894 c (blue) or 1894 css (stainless) in 357 Magnum.

The 357 out of a carbine length barrel performs in 30/30 territory and you have the option to inexpensively plink or hunt small game with 38's. Overall, an extremely versatile field, range, HD rifle...for small game up to deer sized animals you are good to go.

I have the 1894css in 357 and highly recommend you check one out... they are easy on the eyes and the wallet, especially if you handload.

Another thing to consider...current Remington produced Marlins are not of the same quality as the older Marlin produced firearms, so be careful when you purchase and check your rifle carefully. I'd suggest you try to find one of the older Marlin produced guns and stick with that.

I just bought a single-action 357 Blackhawk.
This is an interesting thread because I too was toying with the idea of a 357 lever-action to go with it as well.

What's so bad about the new Rem produced Marlins?
Can you give a couple details?
I don't have any experience with them.
I've been looking at Marlin and Henry so far, but am not sure what would be better.

I don't really want to buy a used gun however.
Whatever I get, I'll have to pick from new production.

 

[sixgunner455]

Lever .30-30 would go nicely in your house or mine.

That said, I think you have another big hole in your collection: you don't have any .22 rimfires (LR is the most important). WHY NOT?

I couldn't get along without at least a couple .22s. Love 'em - I can shoot all day and not notice the money. Cheap practice for the bigger stuff, and just fun on their own merits.

 

[Paladin7]

The problems I've seen reported and have seen personally with the recent Remington produced Marlins are mainly QC issues... poor fitting, dinged stocks, sights out of alignment, etc. I've personally examined one that once the lever was opened it would not shut, locked up tight and had to be disassembled to get the lever back into position.

Do a search and you will find a lot of info. These QC issues are well documented.

Bottom line, check out the rifle you intend to buy very carefully and you should be alright.

Also, don't worry about buying used, the same due dilligence applies, but there are a lot of good used Marlins out there.

 

[mcdonl]

336's are nice, but dont scope it. They are perfect the way they are. Naturally pointing open sight guns. Once you start appreciating lever guns you may see it that same way. Mine is a waffle top and i would never dream of drilling/tapping/scoping.

Yup. I have scopes on my bolt guns for days in the tree stand, but if you are a still hunter and move through the brush nothing beats GOOD open sites.

Paladin, I just picked up a 336 for $275 at Cabelas... it was the older model but had two pins in the stock... they were asking $300 I got them to take it down to $275... I got a much better gun than the ones with the dreaded "R" in front of the serial number.

 

[snakeman]

Nothing says classic like a lever action 30-30

 

[Baba Louie]

Thoughts on the Marlin 336? Or how would you balance this equation?

Find a good, newer 336 Trapper and call it a day?

 

[Badlander]

Marlin 336 in 30-30= Deer rifle......and truck gun.

 

[Buck Kramer]

I've made up my mind on the 336, can't find one though. You cannot hunt deer or turkey with a rifle in most of IA, and a lot of the more traditional gun shops around here have went "tactical" to stay alive. If you look at my current collection, I can't say I didn't contribute to that though...

 

[tahoe2]

Savage model 99

A model 99 in .300 Savage !! that's a lever with big gun style. Mine is still pretty accurate. Built in 1951, I put 3 shots into 3/4" at 100 yds, 5 opened it up to 1-1/4" as the barrel got hot. that's with my handloads, and 165 grn Sierra Grand Slams @ 2500 fps.