Marlin 336

[CopperFouling]

I've been thinking about buying a slightly older Marlin 336 in .30-30. I don't have a particular reason for buying one other than a general enjoyment of leverguns. From what Marlin enthusiasts write, I understand that the ones stamped "JM" are more desirable than the newer (Remlin) manufactured ones. Why? Anything else to look for in a used one? Thanks!

 

[Ash]

There was a period of time as the Marlin work was winding down that quality control began to slip, coupled by the introduction of manufacturing at Remington made a certain number of 336's problematic. JM marked ones were manufactured prior to the Remington purchase. As I understand, current ones are fine. However, JM marked ones are also preferred because they were manufactured by Marlin as its own entity.

 

[EIB0879]

My son and I have 336s that are JM stamped circa 1971. They have Micro groove barrels. I'm not sure if the new ones do or not. I know there were QC problems when manufacturing was moved from North Haven to Remington and all the Marlin workers were gone. I have heard that the Remington produced 336s are getting better.

For me the JM stamped are a known entity. Ours are very accurate with a variety of ammo.If I was looking for another 336 I would look for a JM stamped, but that is my preference.

 

[jamesinalaska]

The 30-30 cartridge is an excellent, all-around, general purpose cartridge. It will never equal the ballistics of a .308 Winchester but never let the "nay-saying naybobs" tell you the that the 30-30 is inferior.

It is a poor choice for the deliberate hunting of dangerous animals like coastal brown bears, but easily dispatches garbage raiding blackies, younger, cabin wreaking grizzlies, and chicken-stealing foxes.

As far as the differences between the JM stamped rifles and the ones made after Remington purchased Marlin, well, there were some quality issues with the first Remington rifles (I had to send a .22 back for a correction myself) but I think those quality issues have been resolved by now. My favorite Marlin is my Reming made, youth model carbine. It is accurate, super portable and so easy to swing. I have plenty of firepower available with that rifle. Still, if I see a Marlin at a gun show I will look for the JM stamp but for me, I think that is just a habit.

 

[AKElroy]

If aesthetics are important to you, you can find older pre-safety 336's on line in near mint condition. I found one, 1974 DOM, still in the original box. I could find no evidence it had been hunted or fired; it was simply factory new. I mounted a high-gloss 2x7x30 Leopold in gloss Weaver top-mount rings. It looks right, with highly figured glossy walnut and deep gloss blue finish. It is my favorite deer getter, and it keeps 170 gr Remmy corlokt ammo 1.25" and under at 100 yards.

I paid a $250-$300 premium over a new remmlin, but the pride of ownership is more than worth it. They may shoot fine today, but they don't look like that anymore. The new ones use cheaper wood, lower quality finishes, with lots of proud wood at all the mating points. The pressed checkering is dismal. The early models have nearly perfect wood to metal fit, and are nicely hand-fitted and finished.

They don't make them like that anymore, but they are out there if you look long enough and are willing to pay a premium.

 

[CopperFouling]

My son and I have 336s that are JM stamped circa 1971. They have Micro groove barrels. I'm not sure if the new ones do or not.

Pardon my ignorance: what's a micro-groove barrel? Sorry. I am more of a smoothbore (read: shotgun) guy myself.

 

[CopperFouling]

If aesthetics are important to you, you can find older pre-safety 336's on line in near mint condition.

Well, my LGS almost always seems to have older ones in stock. I'll have to take a closer look the next time that I stop by there.

 

[CopperFouling]

The 30-30 cartridge is an excellent, all-around, general purpose cartridge. It will never equal the ballistics of a .308 Winchester but never let the "nay-saying naybobs" tell you the that the 30-30 is inferior.

I've never hunted a bear (and will never do so) so the venerable old .30-30 should be just fine for Missouri whitetails, etc. However, I do hear that the .825 G&S Online Express Magnum is a flashy new caliber, so maybe the .30-30 isn't enough.

 

[Salmoneye]

As I understand, current ones are fine.

Spend some time at MarlinOwners.com and you will find that quality is still a crap-shoot...

Not saying that they are all bad, but the quality is still hit or miss...

If thinking of buying a 'new' Marlin, make sure you go over it with a fine-tooth comb paying special attention to fit/finish, barrel clocking, sight cant, etc., and do not buy one if they will not let you cycle the action repeatedly...

Pardon my ignorance: what's a micro-groove barrel?

'Micro-Groove', it is a type of rifling 'invented' by Marlin that consists of many shallow grooves as opposed to a smaller number of deeper grooves (as in Ballard type)...

 

[Ash]

Mossberg used it for a while, too. Their term for it was Acro-groove.