Marlin 336W

[PRM]

Was at an LGS today looking at the Winchester 94s. A used Marlin 336W caught my eye. The gun was practically NIB, an older lady had brought it in and sold it. The Marlin seems built like bank vault compared to the Winchester. Solid, smooth action.

Not sure if it is a pre-Remington. No JM markings. But the barrel stamp says Marlin Firearms Company, Ilion NY USA.

I got it for $318, which was considerably cheaper than what I was looking at.

Anybody got any info or tips on this gun.

 

[jmr40]

Double post in error

 

[jmr40]

Same rifle as the 336C, but with a cheaper hardwood stock. It should be as serviceable as any other Marlin. That is a good price even for the 336W

You can determine the date of manufacture by subtracting the 1st 2 digits of the SN from 100. For example if the 1st two digits are 98, the gun was made in 02.

 

[ridgerunner1965]

a 336 of about any vintage is usually a good gun. does it have the crossbolt safety? if so it is made after early 1980's. either way you got a decent price.

the win 94 has a lb less metal in it so yes it will feel a bit less substantial. that in its self does not make it any less of a gun. it can be just as accurate and reliable as the marlin.

the marlin is often easier to mount a scope on. the win a bit better as a iron sighted brush rifle.

 

[tubeshooter]

Pretty sure a 336 made in Ilion, NY is going to be a Remington-era gun.

Still a good deal, provided that the rifle behaves anywhere near normally.


Nothing really to advise except to choose your weight (150 or 170). I guess there is Leverevolution @ 160 grains, too. Some people have been known to add a peep sight over the factory irons. Congratulations.

 

[PRM]

First 2 digits are 04, going by jmr40's info - I'm thinking it was a 1996 production gun? Pre-Remington gun?

Either way, I bought it for a truck/farm/shooter. Looking forward to putting a few rounds down range.

 

[otrman]

Is the serial number all numbers or is there "MR" in front of numbers? If no letters, then 1996 mfg would be correct. If it starts with "MR" then it is Remington made and I don't believe the date code applies to them.

 

[Bearnut]

That's a rifle I would have a hard time passing up too. Side ejection is a definite "plus." Would like to hear what kind of accuracy you get out of it.

 

[monkyboy1975]

Your rifle is definitely a post Remington take over rifle. Anything built prior to them closing the Marlin plant is stamped North Haven, CT. Have a nice W myself that I picked up new in 09; serial starts with 92 if that helps.

 

[ECVMatt]

I am a levergun fanatic and generally gravitate towards the Marlins. I really like the Winchester 94 series, but I love the 336 series. They are generally very accurate, easy to take apart for detailed cleaning, and much easier to add different sights/optics to. The Winchester is more svelte, bordering on gracile, but it a bear to take apart for cleaning and sometimes needs tweaks to equal the accuracy of the Marlin. I agree with the other that yours is probably from Remington, but I would shoot and enjoy it just as well. Die hard Marlin fans were irate that Marlin was sold, but in the end, it might have saved the Marlin brand from demise. I am glad they are still around and the one I checked out a couple of weeks ago was on par with any JM produced in the past. The only real warning I have for you is about Marlinitis...once you buy one, you tend to buy more.

Give us a range report when you get a chance to shoot her. Marlin's are right at home as a truck/farm/shooter.

 

[stiab]

You can determine the date of manufacture by subtracting the 1st 2 digits of the SN from 100.

His gun was made in NY and is definitely not a Marlin, it's a Remington (Remlin) so the date code does not apply.

 

[jmr40]

After a little research it does appear Remington has changed the date code. I can't locate anything indicating a system. On MOST Marlins made 1972 up until Remington took over you subtract the 1st 2 digits from 100. There are examples of special runs that don't fit the pattern. These guns just have a series of numerals with no letters. Does this rifle have any letters as a prefix to the numbers 04, or does it just start with 04.

Older guns used a different code and over the years even that changed at times.

 

[Salmoneye]

The Remington date code is on the barrel...

http://www.leeroysramblings.com/Gun Articles/remington_barrel_date_code.html

I know that the first runs of 'Marlin' guns out of Ilion had the barrel date code, but I have not looked at any current production to verify that the code is still being stamped...