Question for Marlin Owners

[Ida Noski]

I'm considering purchasing a used Marlin 336.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the difference between the 336A and the 336C is that the "C" has black walnut stock while the "A" has birch?
Is the A or C stamped on the barrel along with the model number? Or, all they just marked "336"?
Thanks for your help.

Jim

 

[Z71]

Lots of varietys of 336 Marlins! Don't know quite how they do the line-up. The Glenfield 30 is a plain jane birch stocked version of the 336, I do know for sure.

A Gun Traders Guide shoud give a detailed accounting of Marlin models and features.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Reading From The Barrel . . .

So, drag mine from the safe . . .

Reading from the left side of the barrel, between the carbine ring and the rear sight,

THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NORTH HAVEN CT. U.S.A.
MOD. 336C MICRO-GROOVE BARREL CAL 30/30 WIN.​

So, yes, stamped on the barrel.

The 336C has checkered walnut stock and has posts for sling swivels.

The 336W comes with a sling, but not walnut.

The 336A comes without sling and not walnut.

I believe the "not walnut" is birch, which is a little heavier but takes punishment well.

Mechanically, they're the same rifle. Where it gets different is in the XLR models, which have longer barrels and shorter magazines. Same action, though.

Does that help?

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Also Note

Please also be aware that, as this rifle has evolved over the years, so have the barrel stamps.

There are older Marlin 30/30 rifles with odd-sounding model numbers. I've run into them in gun shoppes and had to have it explained to me that, yes this is "basically" the same gun as the Marlin 336 series but, see here, this is different, and that is different.

So, what you see in the barrel stamp may well not match what's on my, new last year, 336C.

 

[Malamute]

The "C" is a pistol grip, full magazine 20" carbine. Checkering came later, and isn't part of the "C" designation. The gun you are considering may be earlier than the checkered guns, and will probably be free of the annoying cross bolt "safety".



The "A" rifles were pistol grip half magazine 24" barrel rifles. Same general comments about checkering and cross bolt safeties apply. Both had walnut stocks as standard.

 

[Ida Noski]

Thanks very much for the responses. I do not know the age of this rifle. I've got the impression that it's fairly new but the price is pretty good so I may have to check it out.
Thanks again for the info!

Jim

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I've had a 336 CS (blued) that was walnut-----currently own a 336 SS that is walnut also.

 

[454c]

I believe the sights are also different.

 

[ArmedBear]

A current 336A has a nosecap and a checkered birch stock with a hard buttplate.

A current 336C has a barrel band, a checkered walnut stock and a rubber buttpad.

Sights, removable sight hoods, barrel lengths, magazine capacities, stock shapes, etc. are the same.

The 336W is essentially the same as the 336C, but with a birch stock and hard buttplate.

AFAIK they do more polishing on the 336C steel.

I've also seen some of the lower-end 336 versions without a front sight hood, but I think you can snap one on if you want it.

Now only God and Marlin know what they've called every permutation of the Model 1893/1936/36/336 over the years, and the various sight hoods, buttplates, stock shapes, etc. on them.

 

[Ida Noski]

Had a phone conversation with the owner of this one. The pic that was posted locally shows sling swivels and a decorative end cap on the pistol grip much like a Remington BDL style. It has a hard plastic butt plate. The owner claims it to be mid 80's production with 20 to 30 rounds through it.
Getting it for a very reasonable price tomorrow. Thanks again for all of the info. I don't see how I can pass this one up.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Z_Infidel]

The current 336A also comes equipped with a different rear sight than the other 336 models. I believe it is a Williams WDOS. One advantage is that the sight blade can be replaced with a square notch to use in conjunction with a patridge-style front sight such as a Marbles sourdough.

 

[Ida Noski]

Oh well, so much for dealing with individuals.
Was supposed to get a phone call this afternoon to hook up and take possession. Never got the call. Rearranged my work/lunch schedule to accomodate and never even got a message to the effect of "sorry, something came up, can't make it".
I'm old school and I find that quite rude and inconsiderate. I wouldn't buy it now under any condition.
I'll keep looking, as I believe things happen for a reason. The reason may not be evident at first, but things seem to work out in the long run.
Thank you all again for the information. It has been very enlightening and informative.
Will keep you updated when I find something, although I'll probably post in the "336 Club".

Jim

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm old school and I find that quite rude and inconsiderate. I wouldn't buy it now under any condition.

I totally agree. Once you find one character flaw you can be sure there are others.

You'll find something nice so just keep looking. Personally, I would buy a 336C.