Marlin 336, Should I Get One?

[Mauserguy]

I have had a hankering for a Marlin 336 in 30-30 for some time. My local shop has new rifles on sale for $375.00, with a sling.

Another local shop has a used 336 for $325. It doesn't have a sling, but it has a fully screw adjustable rear sight. I think that it is some kind of upgraded gun. It looks like new, except for the heavy layer of dust in the barrel. As with any used gun, though, you never quite know what you are getting. My question is, should I get a Marlin 336, and should I take the used rifle?
Mauser

 

[davera]

Marlins are pretty much bomb proof - unless they were pathologically mistreated. Either one sounds fine but I'd go for the one with aperture sight.

 

[oldrevolverguy]

Marlin 336

I have both a 30-30 and a 35 Rem 336. They are reliable, accurate, and easy to maintain. There are a ton of them on Gunbroker.com. That is where I got my 30-30. They are under-valued on-line because they are so common. I got a killer deal and suspect that, with a little patience you could to. However you go about procuring one, you will not be sorry you bought one.

 

[gunnerh]

marlins rule

336 's need to been shot in , best after 100 rds out of them. Go for the one with the peep sight. I put one on three 30/30's and one on a 444. I have tried to scope all of them but for close to medium range good irons sights just get better results. My 2 grandsons have taken deer and feral pigs with the 336's I used to have. One daughter uses a 30/30 as her HD gun , she says "b/c she knows she can hit with it".
I know little about used prices but a good peep sight is $36 to $75 from brownell's. You can put in on yourself.


Hell is in the details

 

[Gustav]

Yes!

 

[brasskeeper]

gunnerh is right those sights are expensive. But if the used rifle is in rough shape you may be better off buying the new one. It also depends on if your going to mount a scope on the rifle as there may not be room for both a scope and the sight.

 

[DDawg]

I have a 336 in 35 Remington. I can't count the times I've drug that gun up a tree attached to the end of a rope. I've never had the first problem. I've killed every deer I ever shot at.
I would recommend it to anyone.

 

[Mauserguy]

To clarify, the used gun, in excelent condition, does not have an aperature rear sight, but rather a screw adjustable sight. It has a buckhorn sight picture, but can be adjusted for both windage and elevation using the sight adjustment screws.

I like the idea that it is an open sight since every hunting deer experience I have had has been at close range were I only had the briefest moment to aim. I think that this is a great woods rifle. On my hunting trip last week, I ran into a number of does at about twenty yards (I never saw any bucks), so the buckhorn sight seems like a good thing.

Please talk me into the purchase.
Mauserguy

 

[bobsmith]

You might look at the used 336. Depending on how old it is, some of the older 336's were nicely put together and have really nice smooooth actions.

 

[Mauserguy]

The shop with the used gun had a zip tie on the action so I could not check the action, but looking at the fit and finish, I would have no compunction on purchasing it. It looked like a little used rifle. At any rate, I need to decide if I need another gun in the locker, and if a used gun is worth the risk.
Mauserguy

 

[bobsmith]

Decide whether you need another gun in the locker? The answer is obvious....yes! My next purchase will be another gun safe.

 

[Mauserguy]

Oh, one other question for you all. A sling on a bolt gun can help steady the arm as you cycle the bolt, aiding in follow up shots. Will a sling on a lever gun at all impede the cycling of the action?
Mauserguy

 

[Bartkowski]

The sling on mine hasn't been a problem, and they are great guns so if I found a good deal on one I would buy it. Found mine at a gun show, made in 1979 fine condition for $260+tax and transfer fee.

 

[Commander Guineapig]

The answer to buying another gun is always yes.
The question should never be "Should I..." but "Which one should I..."


--Quoted from 2 Ballistics 5:17, the section entitled "Thoughts and proper meditation for a gun owner"

 

[Thernlund]

I got mine on Gunbroker for $299 new-in-box. With some due diligence you can get a decent deal on a new one.


-T.

 

[tnieto2004]

I believe you can get a new one for around the price they are selling the used one ..

 

[Mauserguy]

The only problem is that I am in southern California, so we don't have many FFLs left. Prices here are always higher than other areas, and if you buy online, you have to arrange a transfer. All and all, both, I believe, are decent deals.
Mauserguy

 

[Z_Infidel]

The used gun is probably the 336 model equipped with the Williams WDOS rear sight. A screw holds it tightly in the dovetail and it is adjustable for windage and elevation, and you can also install several types of sight blades in the base. If I had one I would probably replace the U-notch buckhorn with a square notch and then install a patridge or sourdough front sight post instead of the bead. These same rear sights can be installed on any 336 and are available from Williams or Brownell's.

 

[Chipperman]

If the used one is <20 years old, then juts get a new one. If the used one is >20 years old, buy that one.

My 336 was made in 1947. There is no comparison between the fit and finish between mine and a new one. (of course this applies to all new guns, not just Marlins)

 

[Mauserguy]

How do you know the age? Is there a date stamp?
Mauserguy

 

[Chipperman]

They won't have a date stamp per se, but you can date them from the SN.

First obvious thing is looking for a cross bolt safety. If it's not there, then it's an old gun.

 

[bobsmith]

Re: Commander Guineapig

Very well put and a motto I try to live by. At least in respect to guns.

 

[Commander Guineapig]

Very well put and a motto I try to live by. At least in respect to guns.

exactly

 

[Taffnevy]

You should get one, yes. From most reports I've read and heard the new models are still top quality, no compromise.

For the minor price difference I personally would get a new one, just so you know what you have and can treat it as you like from day one.

I just bought one a few weeks ago. I put XS ghost ring sights on it, and I absolutely love it. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Bartkowski]

I believe, from 1972 or 1973, if you take the first two numbers of the serial number and subtract them from 2000, that will tell you the year it was produced. Mine is 21........ so it was made in 1979. Before 1972 there is a letter and it they stand for certain years.