Marlin 336 or Winchester 94?

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Bigkrackers

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I'm looking at either in 30-30 and have found both at a LGS. They have 2 used Marlins with scopes and a used Winchester with iron sites. None have safeties and each are in good condition; no rust and light wear on the stocks. One was made in 1975 (SN 2515xxxx) so I think thats 75 right? The other SN starts with AD so that puts it in1968. The SN is under the lever on the tang. The 94 was made in 1976. The 30-30 Marline is $400 and the 35rem is $500. The Win94 is $500.

So, my first question is a price check on these. Second question is which one? I'm going to use whatever gun I get for a little deer hunting. I have experience with 30-30 but nothin with 35rem.
 
At that price, the scopes on the Marlin guns are probably clunkers. I would attribute ZERO additional value to the gun with that sort of scope on it.

Now, if it was your PLAN to buy a lever-gun, and put a cheap scope on it anyway, then you're all set with one of the Marlins.

You'll have some difficulty finding .35 Remington on the shelf at Wal-Mart.

If you plan on hunting, you should take an iron-sight gun out in the woods at dawn or dusk sometime. Needs to be 15 minutes before sunrise, or 15 minutes after sunset. Stick a brown cardboard box (like a pizza box - so long as it is brown) at the base of a tree 100 yards away. You have one shot to hit it. Good luck.
 
Prices are excessive for my part of the country.
I was in a local pawn shop yesterday. They had a Marlin .30/30 with typical "bargin" scope for $349.00. They had two "pre-saftey" M94's for $399, and one at $499 that had the checkered stock, hooded front sight and had box with it. All appeared to be in "average" condition. I can typically "bargain down" the prices about 10%, meaning I can walk "out the door" for the asking price or a little less after taxes.

I prefer the Marlin in .35Rem to the .30/30, but own both. (not to mention a Win M94 in .45lc, and Marlins in .22lr, .45/70 and .338ME......)

If you intend to plink and admire or carry a lot, I recommend the M94 with a reciever sight.
If you intend to mount a scope and hunt extensively, get the Marlin.
If you reload, get the .35. If you only shoot factory ammo, get the .30/30
 
So, my first question is a price check on these.
You should be able to find a Marlin 336 new in either .30-30 or .35 for less than $500 (w/o scope), so factor that into your decision. Personally I would consider the .35 to be too expensive and the .30-30 pretty close to the top price (for a 30+ year old, not terribly rare gun), unless it has some kind of premium scope attached. I'd definetly try and dicker them down. Probably shoot for around $350 OTD? ;)

I'm not as familar with Winchester so I don't feel qualified to comment on the value there.

Second question is which one? I'm going to use whatever gun I get for a little deer hunting. I have experience with 30-30 but nothin with 35rem.
The .35 has some modest ballistic advantages over the .30-30, and some people really like the caliber, however .30-30 has probably harvested millions of deer over the years. Ammo choice for the .35 is going to be more limited and it may be harder to find and/or more expensive, too. Combined with the higher price of the gun, I would definetly go for the .30-30.
 
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Prices seem high but they may be "right" for your area. Condition is everything.
Both are great levers. If you want history, go with the 94. The Marlin 336 is a solid gun and having one in Rem35 cal makes it special. IMO.

Either way you can`t go wrong............
 
Prices seem about right for the AZ area. I just bougrt a made in 1973 Mod 94 for $200 from a private party in good condition and a Marlin 336 like new with box for $350, also from a private party.
 
Winchesters quality has been up and down over the last 50 years. Some good, some bad. The chances of a mid-70's Marlin being a good gun are much greater than a Winchester from the same era. If you get your hands on a good Winchester it is a tossup.

With a scope $400 is about right. Without seeing them I'd say go for the 1975 Marlin.

The 35 is a good round, but in the real world offers no advantage over the 30-30. Ammo is about 2X more expensive, if you can find it, and you lose a little range with the 35.
 
I'd buy the nicest of the two Marlin 336's. Either serial# is fine. If one scope happens to be better than the other....eh...bargain to swap them.
 
If you want to use iron sights, the Winchester is trimmer and lighter to carry. If you intend to use a scope the Marlin wins hands down. (Top versus side ejection.) Here in Western Pennsylvania the .35 Remington is quite popular and ammunition is easy to find. If it's not in your area, places like Cheaper than Dirt will be happy to send the Big Brown Truck to your doorstep with any quantity you desire.
 
Marlin vs 94

I agree with if you want a scoped rifle you have to get the marlin. If you can hunt with the iron sights the 94 is just much handier. I think the 3030 is the better choice and the deer, black bear or boar will not notice the difference between it and a .35. I usually check auction arms to find prices for guns. Gun broker another choice that seems to be a bit higher.
 
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