Marlin 336 .30-30 Lever Action

[fiVe]

I asked an ammo question in another thread, but now I have some questions about the rifle.

I am the proud owner of a Marlin 336 .30-30. I researched THR, but did not find answers to my questions specifically (in fact, my research caused me to add a question). I hope these do not seem too elementary.........


1) When you cycle the lever, DOWN - ejects the cartridge and UP - chambers a new cartridge. Is this a correct statement?

2) Is it safe to carry this rifle with the hammer all the way down and a round in the chamber?

3) Is the half-cocked hammer position some type of safety setting?

4) In my research, I found a post of which I will partially quote:

The manual safety on the Marlin is handy when you want to empty the tubular mag without as much pucker factor. Put the safety on that blocks the hammer and work the action as fast as Kent McCord, the Rifleman. Then you go find the ammo...

I'm not familiar with the manual safety. I guess I thought you treat it like a single action revolver & VERY CAREFULLY thumb down the hammer, but I don't know if it is safe to do this (per #2 above).

Any help is greatly appreciated. I want to learn all I can about this rifle.

Most sincere regards,
fiVe

P.S. The rifle did not come with an owner's guide, but I sent a note to Marlin requesting one.

 

[Ex-MA Hole]

1) When you cycle the lever, DOWN - ejects the cartridge and UP - chambers a new cartridge. Is this a correct statement?

Yes.

2) Is it safe to carry this rifle with the hammer all the way down and a round in the chamber?

Not sure. Why not put on safety and 1/2 cock?

3) Is the half-cocked hammer position some type of safety setting?

Yes. If you pull the trigger, nothing will happen. If you test it, make sure that you are following the 4 rules!

4) In my research, I found a post of which I will partially quote:

OK. That's how I do it. There may be a better way? The other safety should be a little "nipple" (button?) on the rifle. I'm at work, so I'm trying to visualize...hold gun like you are going to shoot it. FOLLOW THE 4 RULES. Put thumb straight up. Should be said thingie around that area? Push it one way, turns red, push the other way, is black. One says safety on it. That's the other safety.


M

 

[treeprof]

I believe the 2 pc firing pin makes it less susceptible to firing if dropped and/or the hammer is struck w/a rd in the chamber, but 1/2 safe is the best. That is the pre cross-bolt safety way of doing things in the pre-frivolous litigation days (prior to 1984 for most Marlins). Worked for about a century; works today.

Thumb the hammer down to decock. Depending upon how far you ride it with the trigger depressed, it'll stop at either 1/2 cock or all the way down. Release the trigger immediately after the sear releases and the hammer'll stop at 1/2 cock. It's actually pretty fool proof with minimal practice; more so with the safety on. You can thumb the hammer back to 1/2 cock from the full-down position.

Congrats on your Marlin. I'm a huge fan of their lever guns, and own several. Just picked up a 39A .22 yesterday, in fact.

 

[Bullet]

You might want to check out Leverguns.com now that you own a Marlin 336.

 

[Fred Fuller]

fiVe,

Hope you hear from Marlin soon...

===================================================
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/FAQs/index.php#Q02

To obtain an Owner's Manual
Please send your name and address to:
Marlin Services
P.O. Box 248
North Haven, CT 06473

Be sure to specify the model name and serial number of the specific firearms.
===================================================

If your 336 is a newer version, it will have a crossbolt safety button on the receiver in front of the hammer. That's what all the talk about a "safety" is concerned with.

If yours is older, it will not have a safety button and half cock is the only safety you have. I would not carry a 336 with a round in the chamber and the hammer all the way down- half cock is there to prevent the hammer from being 'slipped' and firing the round in the chamber. If you let the hammer down fully and it is snagged/caught/bumped to the rear and let fall from a position short of half cock, there may be enough impetus to fire the round.

Congrats on getting a great rifle, I have a couple of them too and enjoy them immensely.

Stay safe,

lpl/nc

 

[fiVe]

Thanks for all the great info! The finish on this rifle is 98-99%, but it must be pre-1984, because there is no manual safety as previously described. I'll be sure to use the "half-cock" safety. I think this is the only time I've heard that it is ok to go off "half-cocked".

2 more questions:

Can someone explain more about the 2-pc firing pin? (How it works, etc.)


Is there any way to know when this rifle was manufactured? (The serial number starts with 260...)


Lee: That is the exact address I used for requesting an owner's guide. I also asked Marlin about the manufacture date.

Thanks again, fiVe

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

Your rifle was made in 1974. Subtract the first two digits from 100 and you'll get what year in 1900 the rifle was made. ((100-26)+1900)=1974

 

[TallPine]

I don't know if this will work with a Marlin 336, but you can unload a Winchester Model 94 without ever completely closing the bolt:

1) Lever down to eject cartdrige in chamber (if any)

2) Lever up slightly to just start the next cartridge into the chamber, and free it from the claws that lift it from the magazine tube.

3) Lever down completely

4) Turn rifle upside down (or on right side if a Marlin) to let cartridge fall out into your hand, etc

5) Start over at step #2, until magazine is empty

Because you never close the bolt on a cartridge, it can't accidently discharge.

 

[fiVe]

Nathanael_Green & TallPine: Thanks.


Once again, this site has been immensely helpful.