Winchester 1894 vs Marlin 336

[Savage92]

Which do you prefer the Winchester model 1894 or the Marlin 336. It's really close for me, but I think I prefer the Winchester. I like the old 1893 Marlin more than the 336, as I like the thin forends and straight grip of the 1893. If you had to choose which would you take.


Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Can I vote twice?

I prefer the 94 Winchester for collecting and nostalga.
That is what I own.

But for a hunting gun, the Marlin is superior in many respects.
The first of which is the ease of dissembly for cleaning.
Take out the lever screw and shake it and the bolt falls out.
Then clean the barrel from the rear end.

To do the same with a 94 Winchester takes a good gunsmith half a day.


rcmodel

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

The marlin wins, hands down in every aspect with the exception of carrying. The 94 is lighter and balances better in the hand for carrying. Sorry folks, but that's the way it is.

 

[Z71]

The Marlin is probably a superior rifle. Can mount a scope effectively. Supposidly a stronger action and it probably is stronger.

The side eject Winchesters can too, but the older ones must use a side mount or a forward mounted pistol scope.

I personaly own a Winchester 94 with a receiver sight, and it is an excellent rifle.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Marlin. Better handling, more solid and easier to clean.

Also - at least on mine - it is irritating to have to consciously pull the lever up on the Winchester for the trigger to work. The Marlin just clicks right into place.

 

[Bartkowski]

Marlin's look better, feel better, easier to disassemble, and they are easier to scope.

94's are more of a collectors item though.

 

[Regolith]

Aesthetically, I like the Winchester '94's a lot more than the Marlins.

Mechanically, the Marlins are superior, due to ease of disassembly and cleaning (I'm not too interested about the ability to mount a scope - the range limitations of the cartridges normally chambered in these firearms means that open sites are acceptable).

They're both great guns.

 

[Pine Cone]

While I like the looks of the Winchester, the mechanics of the Marlin are better. Since the semi-demise of Winchester the prices of the W1894 have jumped in my area to almost double the price of a similar condition Marlin 336 so when I had the choice earlier this year I got the Marlin.

 

[7mmsavage]

+ 1 rcmodel

What RCMODEL said sums up my feelings perfectly. I have a 94, dad has a 336. I like to look at mine hanging in the living room, but I'd rather take dad's gun hunting. I'd always wanted that 94 though, so I'm keeping mine.

 

[phydaux]

I have a 1975 Marlin 336 in 30/30. It has a thin forearm , a straight stock and no push button safety!!! It took me four years to find the one I wanted. The one you are looking for is out there, don't give up the search!

 

[db_tanker]

Winchester 94's and Marlin (insert model of your choice) will always be compared. Some will go with one, some with the other.

I have handled both.


I like the Marlin 336, especially the older ones and if I could I would buy one for the right price.


The Model 94 was the first centerfire rifle I ever shot...and I am sure that there are more people in the WORLD that can say that than any other rifle except mebbe the AK-47 my 94 will never be removed from my possession. period.


And on a more humorous note...the pub WASN'T called the MARLIN...it was called the WINCHESTER.

 

[davera]

I like the Marlin - but intend to one day also have a '94.

 

[IrvJr]

I have a Win 94 trapper (16" barrel) and I think it handles better than the Marlin 336's I've seen. I prefer the Winchesters slightly.

 

[bobsmith]

As others have said, I like the aesthetics of the 94, but earlier Marlin actions can be silky smooth and are basically a stronger and more simple design. Where Marlin fails, in my opinion, is in the the stocking department and this goes way back. Marlin has always had ugly, chunky, stocks which they try to dress up with poorly executed. mickey mouse checkering. In fact, some of their guns would look better if the checkering was left off. With all the money they're making with current popularity of their guns, Marlin should hire some one to design really nice stocks for them.

 

[achildofthesky]

I have had both and still have the '94 in 30-30...

The marlins always seem to function smoother but are a bit heavier. I kept the '94 just because it is near a mint saddle ring trapper with nice color case hardning on the receiver and not made anymore. Choosing between it and a 336 Marlin to hunt and shoot, I'd take the 336 any time.

Patty

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I missread the poll. I voted for the Win.1894 because I THOUGHT I was voting for the MARLIN 1894(no I do not live in Florida!). Between the two I MUCH prefer the Marlin 336. Sorry 'bout that.

 

[mjolnir]

The Win 94 is a superior design. The Marlin is neither stronger nor simpler.

The 94, like the Win 92, uses compound leverage, where the Marlin uses a fixed fulcrum.

Superior bolting. The locking block has more surface area where it contacts the bolt than the Marlin does. It also completely blocks the path of the bolt. The Marlin uses a LARGE square notch cut out of the bottom of their bolt that is over 50% of the vertical thickness of the bolt. Marlin's bolt is a round peg in a round hole; while easier to make, I'll take the rails of the 94 thank you.

Better carrier design...large surface area contact between lever and carrier, compared to line contact with Marlin. Carrier rises at END of forward lever travel, Marlin carrier rises at BEGINNING of return lever travel.

The combination of simple leverage at beginning of extraction and carrier rise timing leads to a non-smooth, bumpy feel with the Marlins.

Rattling, looseness...these are manufacturing issues, not design issues.

Ease of takedown, while convenient for the user, doesn't a better action make.

Scope use...for those of us who don't scope our levers, a non-issue.

JMHOs.

 

[Baba Louie]

As much as I like the Marlin, I gotta go with John Browning's 94 just because... it's a JMB design.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Model_1894

 

[bobsmith]

Marlin was able to chamber the 336 for higher pressure rounds like the .356, .307 and .375 without having to beef up their receiver like Winchester did in order to accommodate this group of cartridges. In doing so, Winchester spoiled the looks of the 94 IMHO. Marlins solid topped receiver provides good support to the bolt.

As far as having a bumpy feeling action, I agree this is an issue with current production Marlins. But earlier versions--perhaps late 60's and previous are silky smooth

 

[BobMcG]

I voted for the Marlin.

I've repaired a number of both and fired a number of both but whereas I've actually bought two of the 336s and none of the 1894s...

It's looks as though around my house the 336 is the favorite.

Main reasons? Always liked the Marlin side ejection and the .35Rem cartridge.

 

[rhubarb]

My old man was a cowboy. I grew up in a house where the only centerfire rifle was a Winchester 94. I bought my own when I moved out of the house. There ain't no other .30-30.

 

[Gustav]

I voted Winchester it was THE rifle for many for a long time it was the preferred rifle of choice.

Other than ease of take down and scoping the Marlin IMO does not offer more than than the classic John M Browning designed Winchester the basic design of which goes back well over 120 plus years.

Marlin to me is a solid well made reliable meat in pot hunting rifle while Winchesters are more like a finely made classic with better fit balance and feel.

 

[JNewell]

Here we go again...

However...

The Marlin.

 

[ArmedBear]

Uh, the best PR coup in the history of the gun world is that people think the Winchester 1892/94 design is the "original" and the Marlin came along much later.

The Marlin and Winchester rifles were all introduced around the same time. There have been some changes to each since then, but that's as true of one as the other.

This is a Marlin 1889 model. Look familiar?


This is Jesse James with a Marlin 1881.


Nothing against Winchester. I happen to love the way the 1892 feels in the hands! But the image of the cowboys all carrying 1892s comes from the movies, not history. The Winchester surely was popular, but it was not alone.

Here's some history: http://leverguns.com/

 

[sm]

Winchester 1894