Sights and trigger for a Marlin .30-30

[AZRickD]

I've had my fair share of high-dollar rifles, but my favorite is my newly-discovered Marlin (Western Field) .30-30 which my father purchased over 40 years ago. It's handy and it shoulders well. What more can I say.

I took it out for javalina over the weekend and wondered about some minor improvements such as a trigger job and perhaps the Williams FP sight.

Any opinions on this?

Thanks,

Rick

 

[Rob1035]

I'm thinking about buying the XS ghost rings for my dad's 336, should make it a nice, quick gun.

I know there are companies that do trigger stuff, cant think of them off the top of my head though...

 

[AZRickD]

I'm considering them too, although they aren't adjustable.

The Williams peeps are and are just a bit cheaper

http://www.williamsgunsight.com/

Here is the somewhat adjustable model for $48

Here is the micrometer model for $81

The Williams peeps are awfully small (while the XS Ghosts are awfully big).

I wish Mama Bear was a gunsmith.

Rick

 

[JohnKSa]

Ashley Outdoors (now XS) and Wild West Guns both make good sights for the Marlin leverguns. The Williams Sights are nice but lack the style of these two designs.

As for a trigger job--I don't know of one that can beat the WWG drop-in "Trigger Happy" Kit. Haven't heard of an unsatisfied owner to date. I don't know if it will fit your particular Marlin, but Wildalaska (who regularly posts here) will know--he works at WWG.

I'm considering them too, although they aren't adjustable.

Actually, I believe they are adjustable. From the XS website in Rob1035's link:

"Ghost-Ring rear sight is fully adjustable for windage and elevation."

http://xssights.com/store/pix/catalog/rifle/rifle-gr-windage.jpg

Just for fun, here is the link to the WWG sight.

http://www.wildwestguns.com/Accessories/accessories.html

Here is the blurb about the trigger--you can find it by scrolling down from the top of the link for the sight.

"A precision EDM sear and trigger that is hand polished to produce a crisp, clean 2-3 pound trigger pull on ALL Marlin centerfire lever rifles. Unique patent pending design eliminates the infamous and annoying Marlin trigger flop. Now anyone can have the crisp, light trigger that has made our custom Marlin rifles well known all over the world. It's a trigger job in a package! Gunsmith fitting required. Available in Blue or Nickel."

I have heard of only one instance where very minor fitting was required in spite of WWG's caveat. It's almost always a drop-in installation. Mine was.

 

[rbernie]

The XS sights are adjustable, and are far less obtrusive than the Williams FP while being more robust than the Williams WGRS series. They're an excellent upgrade.

Both of my Marlins have pretty decent triggers - I've not found the need to do much with 'em.

 

[Sulaco]

Ditto what rbernie said.

The XS Sights are fully adjustable for windage and elevation. In fact, I just zero'd the set on my 39A the other day. I also have a set on one of my 336's and they work great. They are smaller and more streamlined than a full blown "reciever sight" and they are made of forged steel so they are tougher (not that the aluminum Williams sights aren't tough, but steel is stronger than aluminum).

I have heard good things about the WWG "Trigger Happy" kit. It is supposed to remedy the Marlin "trigger flop" issue as well as give a nice. clean break at around 3 or 4 pounds (I think). But my stock Marlin triggers do that already and I haven't done anything but clean them and keep them oiled.

There are the 5P, FP, WGRS, Lyman, XS Sights and others all available for the 336 so have fun choosing! Checkout Brownells for a good selection.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/catsearch.aspx?c=2473&p=3946

 

[wanderinwalker]

I'm considering the XS Ghost Rings for my Marlin 1894PG. They're more expensive than most of the Lyman and Williams sights, but I'm also considering adding a Lever-Scout rail, and know the XS sights will work with that.

I have a couple of nice, high-precision rifles (Rem 700 Mtn .260 Rem, Armalite M-15NM Service Rifle) and access to many others, but I find that little .44 Magnum rifle to be my favorite range gun and "plinker" (if a .44 Magnum can be called a plinker! ). For hunting it should be perfect for my areas, where dense cover reduces visibility to measurements of feet and paces.

 

[Z_Infidel]

I have the XS sights on both my 336 and my 1894C. Yep, they're fully adjustable, very durable, and the front sight post is easy to pick up in just about any light that makes shooting feasible. It's a quality product.

 

[AZRickD]

Lot's of great info.

Now, for the trigger. I've had smiths work on the trigger of my other rifles and pistols and have always had good to excellent results. Is there any particular problem with stoning a Marlin levergun trigger and perhaps swapping springs?