winchester 94 vs marlin 336

Haven't owned or shot either - although I guess my 1895 Cowboy is basically a 336. I love it dearly. Just brought home a model 94 (made in 1956) in .30WCF today and am looking forward to shooting it soon. It sure looks and feels great. I chose it over the Marlin simply because it is a little lighter for the caliber.

I have three '94s and five (I think) 336s in 30-30, all old enough to be pre-safety. (A few other levers too.)

I think the 336 is a better rifle, but neither costs much used, so don't put too much thought into it... just find one of either that piques your fancy and buy it. If you like it, you'll surely seek and buy others, of either/both.

Back in the 70s I bought my first centerfire rifle I ever owned was a model 94 that I purchased from a local retail store. Now I'm a left haded shot. Took the rifle to the local "range",a sand pit as I remember and loaded 7 rounds 6+1 in the chamber.
7 times I fired and 7 times I bounced empty brass off the top of my head.Took the rifle and sold it to my uncle and went out and bought a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag. And IIRC I paid $75 or $80 for the Winchester and maybe a tad more for the Marlin. This also started my need to reload,but that's a story for another time.

I have a 94 and the action is a little rough for my taste compared to the marlin. Some have told me it needs to be broke in. It was made in 64 but I don't think it's seen much use. I prefer the looks of the 94 to the marlin also. They are both excellant choices. It's a ford chevy type of thing.

Winchester 94 is a 20 inch barreled carbine. Comfortable to carry and light.
Marlin 336 is a 20 inch barreled rifle. Slightly heavier, comfortable to shoot a lot.

FLR, you just got a new winchester 94, what price did you pay if you dont mind me asking, the prices that i have seen put it around 11-1300, a little different than 450 for a new marlin.

Im a big 336 fan(older) and i have 3 and one 94 i couldt pass at 200otd. but i dont think ill get another 94(i like to pull my rifles appart and clean them well) and the 94 doesnt lend its self to pulling it appart. It took me 2 hours last time(2nd and last time ill pull that rifle appart) to get it back together. best of luck if you are looking for a new(used/or new) gun. you wont go wrong with either and later to can get the one you didnt get now.

I'm going to have to go with the Winchester. My buddy has a Marlin 336, I've tried to like and shoot that rifle, it just doesn't fit me "right". The Winchester is an older made "Big Bore" in .375 cal., what a shooter! It has less than 100 rds thru it, still breaking it in. The wooden stock on this Big Bore is awesome, wood is better than I've seen on some fancier/costlier rifles. Winchester's been around a long time, just like the heft better.

My vote goes to the Marlin. I've had a 336RC made in the 70's and it just fits me right and feels like an extension of my arm whereas the 94 didn't. You can't go wrong with either one.

Marlin. The 336 is a much better design.

I own several 94's - one from 1976, & one from 1980 both pre-safety, the '80 being a trapper.

I also own a Marlin 1936 made in 1941 - the grandfather to the 336. It's a 20" barrel, flat bolt.

I really enjoy shooting all three - but if I had to carry one into the woods, it'd be the trapper made in 1980 - it's just smaller, lighter, and carries so perfectly balanced...

I completely agree with the Ford vs. Chevy analogy made by another poster above...

Never had a Marlin, would love to someday. but I've had a early 60's 94 for several years. I just love that gun.

Someone also mentioned the marlin being softer shooters, I agree, i'm putting a recoil pad on my 94.

If I had to carry it around all day, I'd go for the lighter Winchester 94.

Sold my 94, kept the 336

One word:

Marlin

Marlin 336CS 30-30-

Marlin is the best hunting rifle of the two like another member posted IMHO

Looks, handling, retained value go to Winchester....especially the pre-64 ones. Strength, accuracy and ease of maintenance (and cleaning from breech) go to Marlin. I have both. I like the Winchester for carrying but if I had that one in a lifetime shot I'd take my Marlin.

Incidentally, I like the Marlins so much I have several..from a little 39 .22 up to a big .444.

I grew up with Marlin's. Been shooting one for 59 years now, a Mod. 39a in 22lr, and still have it and my dad's old 336sc in 35 Rem, plus a much later 38-55, several in 45-70, 44 Rem mag and a sweet little 32-20.

I have 3 Winchester Mod 94's, all specialty models.

Honestly I like them all, but generally prefer the Marlin, they are more accurate, and it's much easier to remove the bolt( one screw) to clean from the breech, try that on a Winchester.

In what years did the 94's have "bad times"?

I have owned three used model 94's in 30-30 and one 336 in .35 rem. The the 336 was the more accurate and I wish I still had it.

If your talking looks, I like the 94.
If your talking hunting, the Marlin mounts a scope.
If your talking shooting, I have 94s, an 86, and a couple 73.
I had a .357 Marlin years ago and could not hit a barn if I was in it. I later found that was an issue with cast bullet I was using. If I were to buy another rifle to hunt with it would be a Marlin.