Marlin 336A or 1894C

[Dynasty]

In the future I hope to own one of these rifles, but need opinions on which is right for me. Both will be used for shooting at the range, plinking, hunting game with the largest being deer (maybe hunting), and home defense (plan on getting 12 ga and .45 also). I know both are very reliable being a proven design with the lever action so I'm not too worried about that. The 336A is cheaper $100 plus than the 1894C. Would the 336A be more expensive to shoot or would the 1894C? Which lever action rifle would you suggest I go with?

 

[ArmedBear]

At Big 5 Sporting Goods on sale, 336A and similar (birch stock) 1894 .357 are the same price.

336A is more expensive to shoot by a lot, if you don't load 'em yourself. A lot more recoil. .30-30 with no recoil pad is not a "fun gun" to plink with. It's not painful to shoot, just not comfortable or cheap to blast cans with. .38 Specia in the 1894 l is, however, a really fun plinker!

.357 can be used to hunt deer at a shorter range than .30-30. Depends on the size of the deer, and the range you want to shoot 'em at. The 1894C is also a pound lighter, which has its advantages in some environments.

 

[BillinNH]

The 1894 will take deer at 100 yards. The 336 will take deer at 200 yards. So if deer is the most important thing, go for the 30-30.

The 1894 uses cheaper ammo especially if you use 38 spl. So for plinking out to 100 yards, the 1894 wins on cost to operate.

I guess if most of your shooting is going to be 100 yards or less, go for the 1894.

Marlin levers are addictive. You'll probably end up with both eventually.

Bill

 

[Titus]

If it's "maybe hunting" up to deer, go with the 1894c. Then when you have to get another make it an 1895GS.

 

[woof]

I have both and love both. I know many deer have been taken with >357 but my personal bias is that more is better, the .357 isn't even legal for deer a lot of places. Since the deer thing sounds like a real maybe, I would buy the rifle for what you know you are going to do with it and get the 1894c. it is more "cowboy" more fun to shoot, cheaper to shoot (although not to buy) and etc as others have said. Then, when and if you decide to hunt deer, you'll be ready for another rifle and you can consider a 336 then.