Old marlin vs old winchester

[Revolver Ocelot]

I have been in the market for a lever gun in 30-30 and had primarily been looking at Winchester but I decided to try and do a little comparison.

Now I have heard of some of the problems of the new Winchesters so I had been looking at the older ones when I discovered an older marlin was going for about the same price as an older Winchester.

So that being said between the two which has the better quality?

 

[heeler]

They are both very good but I give a slight edge to the Marlin.
Older Winchesters needed a side saddle type of mount if you were going to use a scope because they had a top of the receiver ejection where as the Marlin ejects out the side of the receiver.
The Winchester is a tad lighter.
I think the Marlin's wood is a better grade.
I own a 1981 built Marlin 336 which is a pre side button safety model and it shoots very well.

 

[moxie]

Ditto what heeler said.

And the Marlin is a lot simpler. Takes down for cleaning by removing one screw.

 

[vaupet]

In 30-30: Marlin, anyday of the week and on week-ends to
stronger action, easy scope mount and easy take-down for cleaning

now for the record: it's the newer marlins that have had some problems(seems sorted now, but not sure about that) and some older winchester were a bit shaky,

the newer winchester are build by Miroku in Japan with 'Japanese QC', so they are just about perfect.

my little lever collection: marlin 336, marlin 39, winchester 92 (2 pieces in 44-40, both miroku-build) and no regrets

 

[Elkins45]

Marlin wins if you're shooting them. Winchester (probably) wins if you're collecting them.

 

[ldlfh7]

I have the Winchester and my Dad has the Marlin. Both are open sights and both work well. Comes down to personal preference. I have killed deer with both. Marlin feels a little heavier.

 

[Jim Watson]

The Marlins are a better stock fit for me; they come up on target better than Winchesters.

I once read a gunzine article about how great the Marlins were.
The next letter to the editor column (You remember those, don't you?) had a response from a gunsmith who said he did many more repairs on Marlins than Winchesters.

 

[mac66]

I have a number of used Winchester 94s and Marlin levers. If you are going to scope it, put peep sights on it and or modify it in any way, then the Marlin is a better choice. Otherwise the Winchester is lighter and pretty handy.

 

[CaliCoastie]

i perfer marlins, that being said i believe that winchester has a stronger action as their locking lugs go over the entire end of the bolt, not just particaly into the bolt like a marlin.
My marlins out shot the one 94 winny i had and after taking it appart the second time i sold it.

 

[jmr40]

How old? The early Winchesters were just fine. After the changes in 1964 Winchesters have been up and down. Most are just fine, others not so much and there isn't any one time period that you can nail down. Just luck of the draw. Generally speaking the odds of getting a good rifle is better with the Marlin, but that doesn't mean you'll automatically get a bad Winchester.

The Marlin action probably locks up tighter which is part of the reason they are generally a little more accurate. But the Winchester is the stronger action.

 

[DM~]

For "using", make mine the Marlin...pleaseeee.

DM