Possible Purcase--Marlin 336 in .32 Winchester Special

[Cosmoline]

I've come across a Marlin 336 in the oddball chambering .32 Winchester Special. I've heard it's essentially an 8mm .30-30, but I'm wondering if it's worth getting the thing. It's a pre-crossbolt safety model in excellent condition. Asking price is 375, which translates to about 325 in lower 48 terms. Is the chambering an add-on as far as the value or is the .32 WS just a sad old duck of a cartridge?

Also, does anyone know if the .32 WS can be cranked up with handloads in the 336 platform.

 

[treeprof]

Hornady's Leverevolution load is now avail in 32 Special. It's still a fine cartridge.

There may be a small add-on value, tho $325 in lower 48 dollars may be a tad high. It'd likely be worth it to me b/c I'm into less-than-common Marlins.

 

[ArmedBear]

Nothing wrong with that cartridge. If you like the gun, why not get it?

 

[paintballdude902]

sounds like a fair price for it

i think the going rate for a .30-30 here with the beachstock is like 275

i would try to talk him down 20-30 bucks

 

[saturno_v]

Cosmoline I would not buy it...Only the biggest gun shops around here (Seattle, WA) carry the 32 WS and significantly more expensive than the 30-30.

The asking price for the rifle I think is very high (again compared to the area where I live)
Actually 336s chambered for the 32 WS get significantly DISCOUNTED because of the odd cartridge...is seen as detrimental to the rifle not a collector value increaser...

I do not know about handloading but off the box the cartridge is basically a ballistic twin of the 30-30.

I got this 30-30 336 circa 2 months ago for $225, the same shop had one in similar condition in 32 WS for $150

 

[3589]

For what it`s worth, I agree completely with Armed Bear. That is a very desirable rifle to a Marlin fan. It`s likely that that gun will increase in value a little bit each year since they made relatively few of them and yet they still make the ammo from time to time. If it is, indeed, in great condition I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Bob

 

[stiab]

IMO, that is a very good price on a very hard to find rifle. It is certainly worth a premiuim over the common 30-30 version. I would get it. The ammo is not that hard to find.

 

[saturno_v]

Well guys if you like them just come in WA....here the 336 in 32 WS are discounted....

 

[T.R.]

This my friend and his 32 Special. Bill Has been slaying deer with this carbine since 1952 and none got away.

As long as modern ammo is made for 32 Special, its a rifle worthy of consideration. That being said, I'd look into Washington gun shops via Yellow Pages to secure one at more reasonable pricing.
TR

 

[rangerruck]

for collectors of both the cart and the rifle, it is collectable, and sounds like a mighty fine price to me.

 

[Seafarer12]

I would try to talk him down a little. and see if he goes for it. I would rather have a 32-20 but thats just me.

 

[runninmike]

I would buy it on the fact that it is exceedingly rare in the Marlin flavor. Winchester pumped out Mc_thousands of them (I have a 1950 94 Win.32 W.S.) and Marlin produced far fewer and before going with the 35 rem.
The 32 win special is a ballistic twin of the 30-30 and nothing fancier, but I love it simply because it is a little different than most everyone else's win 1894.
Best and enjoy!-Mike

 

[SwampWolf]

In a pinch, I believe it's possible to use 30-30 ammunition in a rifle chambered in .32 Win. Special- but not vice-versa. Or so I've heard.

 

[grendelbane]

The reason the .32 Winchester Special is special is because it can also be loaded with black powder. It shares the special name, and characteristic, with the .38 Special and .44 Special. All 3 were introduced when smokeless was fresh on the market, and the idea was that it would be easiest to buy factory loaded smokeless powder cartridges, and then reload them with black powder.

Might be kind of fun to load up a few with a case full of FFG, and see how it performs. It wouldn't be fun cleaning up afterwards though.

 

[Cosmoline]

Thanks for the input! Depending on who you talk to the firearm is either a rare one bound to increase in value or an outmoded model sold at a discount. Obviously if we were talking about one of the old Marlin 94's in .32 WS or a vintage Winchester I would have run through the iceworm's gut to grab it up. But a 70's vintage 336 is sort of on the border between collectable and old shoe.

One last question--can you turn .30-30 into .32 WS by running it through a full length resizer? Some sources say yes, others say you need to fireform it.

 

[Freightman]

If you do use 30-30 brass which is not a problem,you need to mark it somehow to not mix it up if you have a 30-30. I use my wife's old finger nail polish.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

One last question--can you turn .30-30 into .32 WS by running it through a full length resizer? Some sources say yes, others say you need to fireform it.

IIRC, .32 WS is just the .30 WCF necked up to .32. So you should be able to just run it run it through a die with the appropriate expander button.

 

[littlegator]

Between "oddball" and "sad old duck" my Win 94-32 w.s. is crying... LOL

 

[Seafarer12]

One last question--can you turn .30-30 into .32 WS by running it through a full length resizer? Some sources say yes, others say you need to fireform it.

I would just expand it. Your only increasing the size from .308 to .314 a very small difference. I would shoot some 30-30 just to see what kind of accuracy it had with 30-30. If it shot inside of a few of inches I wouldnt worry about buying over priced ammo.

 

[JFWilder]

This my friend and his 32 Special. Bill Has been slaying deer with this carbine since 1952 and none got away.

As long as modern ammo is made for 32 Special, its a rifle worthy of consideration. That being said, I'd look into Washington gun shops via Yellow Pages to secure one at more reasonable pricing.
TR

With your rifle pointing at your noggin, I'm surprised you didn't knock yourself out at some point. Dude...set the thing down or sling it over your shoulder. That's not safe.

 

[stan rose]

I would get it. They are no where near as numerous as the .30-30 or .35rem, and it is a great cartridge. It was the first center fire rifle cartridge I owned, the rifle (a pre64 win.94) was passed form my grandfather, to father, to me. If it is in good condition the price doesn't sound bad either.

 

[Art Eatman]

Arrgghhhh! Necrothreadia!