Price check - Marlin 336 30-30 at Walmart

[Captain33036]

Hi Everyone

I wonder if you would not mind giving me a price check for a Marlin 336 30-30 at Walmart?

I *think* they are still in the $380 range, but not sure. I know the basic 336 that you can get online is still running about $500 and about $500-550 at gun shows. I know that the Walmart model is slightly different, but those differences seem minor to me, compared to the deal.

There are other, perhaps, better choices out there. A used Win 94. Maybe even the 300BLK my friend keeps touting (and I do have a complete lower sitting around). I just have always wanted a 30-30 lever gun, would like to scope it and do not want to have too much money into it.

Thanks

John

 

[jad0110]

Last time I saw a 336 at WM it was priced around $350 to $380, but I could be a tad off. That said...

There are other, perhaps, better choices out there. A used Win 94.

... or a used Marlin 336. I tend to prefer the simplicity of pre-cross bolt Marlins (I think that feature was added in 1982). I acquired this near mint condition 336RC at a pawn shop last year for $330. It was made in 1957 or so, I don't recall exactly, and it has the excellent Williams peep sights. IMHO, it is an even nicer gun at a better price than the new Marlins.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

i agree with jad. always plenty of used 336s in great shape at pawn shops, gun stores, and gun shows. i'd definitely go that route. slap on a skinner sight and you're set.

 

[rromeo]

$387 at Wal-Mart. I just picked up a 30aw yesterday. It's the inexpensive version with birch instead of walnut stock and fore end. Used 336s in my area are almost never less than $350. I picked this one for $275, with Weaver see through rings, Bushnell scope, and a box of ammo.
It has the safety but that doesn't bother me. It's still a JM gun which I think are better than the Remlins made now.

 

[jmr40]

The new Walmart rifles have laminated stocks and matte finished metal. About $380 seems about right if I remember correctly. I wouldn't have one, or the older 336W with the cheap birch wood. I'm sure they shoot just fine, but for LESS money there are literally millions of used 336 C's out there with walnut stocks and much better metal finish. The Walmart gun is going to be $400+ with tax. Why pay more, for less gun. Get into pawnshops and look for bargains.

The rifle on the left was 1 of only 500 made and would bring near $1,000. There are a couple of others that would bring over $500 because they are a bit rare as well. All of the others would sell for less than the Walmart specials, and are far better guns.

 

[HOOfan_1]

300 blackout is not as powerful as the .30-30

A .30-30 will push a 170 grain bullet as fast as the .300 blk pushes a 125 grain bullet

 

[moxie]

The 336s all look like Texans, at least the wonderful straight stocks.

To compare the Marlin to the Winchester, just field strip and put it back together. With the Marlin you'll be done and through at least one beer, maybe more, before the Winchester guy gets to first base. The simplicity is amazing.

 

[Captain33036]

Hi Everyone

Great posts, keep them coming.

There is a local GS this weekend and I will be looking at used Marlin 336 30-30's. I needed to know how to bound the price negotiations. A lot of these vendors are asking way too much for some of these guns.

I had a Marlin 1894C, which I really enjoyed. It was a Remlin, but flawless and performed flawlessly.

A good friend is all over the new 300BLK for his AR, and even though I have a complete AR lower, when I look at the ballistics, I just cannot see it. The 30-30, especially with the Hornady LE rounds, delivers 1000 ft lbs at 300 yards with about a 12 inch drop. That is darn good.

30-30 rounds are still easy to find, not expensive and I can reload them inexpensively. Brass should be easy to find. My friends shooting 300BLK's are making their own brass from 223 cases...not sure I want to go there.

I have shot the Win 94 and it is a great gun. But, having owned a Marlin and having the opportunity to put a rail on top for a scope of mini red dot (which I have sitting around doing nothing)...makes the Marlin a solid choice.

So...we shall see. I will be a matter of the deal. Knowing that you can get a brand new one at WM for under $400 (yes, I know...the wood and finish)....adds a lot to my quiver for negotiations...and for my bottom line.

More comments welcome. This is going to be an out-of-budget, just-to-have gun. I just enjoy shooting these and think it would be a good gun to have if the chance to do any hunting in FL came up (deer or hogs).

Thanks

John

 

[Deer_Freak]

Buds gun shop has the walmart version for $407. I would spend the extra money for the Walnut 336 if it was my dream gun.

I have Mossberg pumps that were made in the day when all shotguns had a walnut stock. They don't have nick on the stock. I am rough on shotguns. I don't hesitate to beat down brush with the stock of my gun. One of the Mossbergs has walnut that looks like tiger stripes. I have turned down some crazy offers for it. I just wipe the stocks of my guns down with Old English scratch remover every time I give them a good cleaning. I know walnut is supposed to be finished with dark oils but use the old english for light colored woods on your guns.

 

[Slamfire]

I have a pre cross bolt and a cross bolt. I prefer the cross bolt due to safety and the ability to dry fire without busting a firing pin. Which I did in my pre cross bolt M1894.

I am convinced that the cross bolt makes for a safer rifle, especially after a conversation with a young man who had an accidental discharge with a pre cross bolt M336.

He was unfamiliar with his loaner Marlin 30-30, I suspect he was familiar with single barrel shotguns with transfer bars. Those transfer mechanisms are carried with a round in the chamber and hammer down. So this young man chambered a round and lowered the hammer. He slung the rifle and went into the deep dark woods. He dropped his marking tape and when he leaned over to pick it up, his back pack swung around his shoulder and hit the hammer of the M336. He said the rifle went off right near his ear. A little more cant and the bullet would have gone through his head leaving his child fatherless. He still has hearing troubles.

Anyway, the cross bolt will prevent a slipped hammer from hitting the firing pin, and I have read posts where that has happened. It is my opinion that the cross bolt safety is a better, safer, idea. Even if it is “non traditional”

 

[Moparnut]

You said you are looking for a 336. Have u thought about used 30AS model? Not as nice, but operation and basic function is completely the same. Had one for years until I gave it to my son. Never had a problem with it.

 

[Sun Tzu warrior]

Deer freak; Quote "I just wipe the stocks of my guns down with Old English scratch remover every time I give them a good cleaning. I know walnut is supposed to be finished with dark oils but use the old english for light colored woods on your guns."
You are correct this product works great.
They make old english with scratch guard in dark also. I have and use both on guns depending on their orig color.

 

[Captain33036]

Thanks for all the replies. I agree, the Marlin 336 in 30-30 is a great gun. As I wrote, I have no specific role for it and it will be an unbudgeted purchase. I just feel that it rounds out the collection and would be a do anything gun (from stand off defense (God only knows) to HD to general hunting) and a fun gun to shoot. I though the 30-30 round was actually very pleasant to shoot.

So, will be looking for a used but recent vintage 336 at the local GS this weekend. Price will have to be under $400. I do like the cross block safety, I think it is a good safety. I used it all the time on my 1894C.

I thought the 1894C would be the be all and end all gun, sold on Elmer Keith's articles on the cartridge, however, I know you really should have and want to have over 1000 ft lbs on target, when doing an ethical hunt. The 336, with LE ammo seems as though it is capable of doing anything I would want to get into.

My friend continues to push the 300BLK. Even for Hogs here in FL ...and I agree...MUCH better than 223. But, another one of our group just got a Win 94 that he would use...even though HE has a 300BLK. I think I am going to get a Marlin 336.

Thanks
John

 

[HOOfan_1]

My friend continues to push the 300BLK. Even for Hogs here in FL ...and I agree...MUCH better than 223. But, another one of our group just got a Win 94 that he would use...even though HE has a 300BLK. I think I am going to get a Marlin 336.

Seriously, for hunting with an AR, I'd rather use the 6.5 Grendel than the 300 blackout.

With a 125 grain bullet, you will get about 300 fps more and 400ft-lb more.

 

[rromeo]

I just dropped by a pawn shop in town. They have 7 lever guns on the rack. 6 Marlins and a Win 94 in 32 Special. The 3 I handled were pre-safety and $350. I think at least 2 of the others had the safety.
There was a Glenfield 30 with the deer on the stock. That may come home with me next payday.

 

[Deer_Freak]

Deer freak; Quote "I just wipe the stocks of my guns down with Old English scratch remover every time I give them a good cleaning. I know walnut is supposed to be finished with dark oils but use the old english for light colored woods on your guns."
You are correct this product works great.
They make old english with scratch guard in dark also. I have and use both on guns depending on their orig color.

I have had bad experiences with the Old English for dark wood. If the finish is scratched to the bare wood it will just leave a big black mark. Since my guns get a couple coats of the Old English for light wood every year eventually the scratch will blend in. In fact, when I get a new gun I give it a coat of old english before I shoot it. All the wood on my guns is in like new condition. Some of my guns I have owned for 30 years. In thirty years a man will beat down a lot of brush in any of the areas I have hunted.

 

[BigBore44]

If you want a 30-30 the Marlin is a fine choice. You may want to do some online research about the "Remlins". Not every Remlin is junk. Not every one is even bad. But there are two reasons for me to go with original "JM" Marlins.

1. The older Marlins typically have a smoother action.
2. The furniture is much more aesthetically pleasing. Your hands produce oils that through years of handling produce some absolutely beautiful finishes. And the bluing is a much better quality.

As for the 300 blk out, if I understand correctly, it is a round that performs well when suppressed. But honestly I could care less about that. Never seen a lever gun suppressed. But now that I've said that, I wouldn't be surprised if someone posted a pic of one.

 

[jim97701]

There is a 336W on the NW Firearms forum with 15 rounds through it for $275, $300 with some ammo. If you go to the forum and type Marlin in the search it comes up on top as it was just put on this morning.

 

[rcmodel]

I know you really should have and want to have over 1000 ft lbs on target, when doing an ethical hunt

Who says that??

Lots of folks handgun hunt deer & hogs with .357 Magnum revolvers producing slightly over half the 'magical' 1,000 F/P energy figure.

They will shoot clear through a deer or hog with the appropriate hunting weight bullets.

People hunted ethically with muzzle loaders and 38-40 Winchesters for a century.
And they give you about half or less that energy figure too.

You shoot a hole though the boiler room with a fairly good sized bullet, going a halfway decent speed?
It lets air in, and blood out the other side.
They die ethically.

Dead is dead.
Can't get no deader then that!

rc

 

[Captain33036]

Certainly there is a whole cadre of hunters who use handguns exclusively. Some on some fairly big game. And certainly those are producing less than the stated 1000 ft lbs on target. A .45acp produces much less than that, at the muzzle and is certainly capable.

The 1000 ft lbs is just a number you see in writing. A guide. So, if the new Hornady LE 30-30 cartridge produces that at 300 yards, with a 12" drop, it tells me that this is a very capable cartridge and indicates that a Marlin 336, with a scope is a terrific platform.

Guys, got to tell you, I was in my local WM and they had one for $387. Brand new (warrantee). Yes, it is the laminate stock, but ....did I mention it was $387 new?

GS this weekend, will see what I find there. May go for a vintage one...but....NEW....with a warrantee...for $387....you have to give me a break here. Will see what is at the show. In no hurry.

Thanks

John