Used Marlin 336 30-30 for $199. Should I get it?

[epijunkie67]

I was at the pawn shop just looking around and ran across a couple of used marlin 336s in 30-30. One had some light rust on the barrel and came with some cheap scope, all for $169. But they also had another 336 in 30-30 in what seemed like 95% condition. No rust and smooth action. I didn't get a look at the bore. They were asking $199.

I already have one 336 in 30-30 but this seemed like a nice price. Maybe I could through it in the truck as a truck gun. Should I get this rifle as a second 30-30? Is this as good a used price as it sounds like? Or if I'm just getting a truck gun should I get the one with a little rust on it?

 

[hkmp5g17]

$199 Sounds pretty good. Remember that you can haggle at pawn shops. If nothing else- have do it for $199 OTD.
Anthony

 

[ArmedBear]

A lot of rust will wipe right off with the right oil.

Don't pay for a gun that's in better shape than it will be after you've had it a week or two!

The 336 is a very old gun, but it's been altered a bit over time. See if you can find out how old these are. If they're newer ones, do they have walnut or hardwood stocks?

$200 comes too close to the on-sale price of a new 336W (hardwood) but would be a good deal for a like-new walnut model.

 

[George Hill]

Action might seem smooth until you run some ammo through it... then you might find that it's doing "The Marlin Jam" which is not some sort of dance like the "electric slide" or anything. But "TMJ" is an easy fix if you know how to take the gun apart.

 

[M.E.Eldridge]

A lot of rust will wipe right off with the right oil.

Don't pay for a gun that's in better shape than it will be after you've had it a week or two!

The 336 is a very old gun, but it's been altered a bit over time. See if you can find out how old these are. If they're newer ones, do they have walnut or hardwood stocks?

$200 comes too close to the on-sale price of a new 336W (hardwood) but would be a good deal for a like-new walnut model.

Were have you managed to find a 336 on sale for about $200? That would be a steal of deal.

 

[bakert]

You sure a heck aint gonna find a 336 for sale in my area for 200 bucks unless it's hot!!

 

[toandsc]

I was at the pawn shop just looking around and ran across a couple of used marlin 336s in 30-30. One had some light rust on the barrel and came with some cheap scope, all for $169. But they also had another 336 in 30-30 in what seemed like 95% condition. No rust and smooth action. I didn't get a look at the bore. They were asking $199.

I already have one 336 in 30-30 but this seemed like a nice price. Maybe I could through it in the truck as a truck gun. Should I get this rifle as a second 30-30? Is this as good a used price as it sounds like? Or if I'm just getting a truck gun should I get the one with a little rust on it?

 

[toandsc]

Bigger is Better

If you can, find the same in 35 Rem. Ammo costs the same, but the rifles aren't as popular just because noone knows them. Better brush cutter and much better stopping power for what you need. Rifle should cost less. The Rifles you mentioned are both overpriced above 135.00. Very common. Everyone has one in their closet or somewhere.

TC

 

[Zen21Tao]

If what you want in a trunk gun why not just get a decent cheap 12 gauge shotgun?

 

[rangerruck]

that is a damn good price. go to any gun show around here in houston, you cant get a decent marlin for under 275. used.

 

[lawson]

i wanna know where you can find a used 336 for $135

 

[Reyn]

i wanna know where you can find a used 336 for $135

Me too. I would buy them all day at that price.

 

[grimjaw]

That's odd. I've had my Marlin 336W listed on this and other boards for over a month now for $230 w/rings, and can't even get a bite.

jmm

 

[middy]

Here in Texoma land, 150-200 is the going price for a 336 in a pawn shop.

 

[Sulaco]

I don't know why anyone is so surprised at different prices. It's all regional as has been pointed out oh so many times before.

In my neck of the woods, used 336's go for around $150-$250 depending on condition and model. I picked up an older pre-safety model the other day for about $170.00 and detail stripped it. I did some work on it, installed new sights and now use it as a truck gun. I also have a newer one with the safety I use for hunting. It wears a scope and has also had some work done to slick it up. I paid about the same price for it but I added the scope.

I thought the Marlin jam was only with the 1895 actions. I've never seen or heard of a 336 doing it.

A little surface rust can easily be removed with some oil, 0000 steel wool and elbow grease. Don't rub too hard or too long though, or you will start to remove blue. Stripping down a 336 is really simple, it just takes some time. I always strip mine down when I first get them. That and re-oiling them does wonders for the action and trigger.

Make sure the bore isn't pitted too bad. Lots of these 336's are used by people who don't care for guns too well so they sit dirty between deer seasons and the moisture between the bore and the powder residue causes pitting. Also check for active corrosion (more than surface rust and usually flecks off when you mess with it) in the nooks and crannies.

But honestly, as long as it is less than a quarter century old, it has probably hardly been shot.

A good way to tell if it has is to look at the wear marks around the hammer and the lever.

 

[Michael Courtney]

That's odd. I've had my Marlin 336W listed on this and other boards for over a month now for $230 w/rings, and can't even get a bite.

jmm

By the time you add in shipping, insurance, and the FFL transfer fee, buying a gun online adds considerable expense, along with the fact that the online deal does not allow for personal inspection prior to the deal, and the risk that the seller won't ship the gun. In addition, your $230 deal is just $30 extra for someone not planning to scope the rifle.

Michael Courtney

 

[OldWolf]

Try to get a model with out the cross bolt safety. I think they are more desirable anyway.

 

[Trip20]

I just picked up an old model (producer 1957 or 1958) 336 in 30/30. It's got the micro-grooved barrel, and I believe this is the pre-safety model.

Got it for $125, but has a cracked butt stock. Also needs a serious cleaning and could definitely use a new finish. The bore was spotless which is one of the reasons I decided to take the rifle, even given it's outer appearance.

I don't know if I got screwed, but I figure with a good cleaning, new stock and sights it might turn out to be a decent shooter.

 

[crashm1]

I've been trying for the past month to remember what I paid for mine. I think it was between 150.00 and 175.00. I got it at an auction in my area with a few other goodies. Mine is from 1951 and is .35 rem. It shoots reasonably well, now I just need to decide what it's for.