336 Scope Mount Holes Question

[ColdCoffeeMug]

Hello All,
I recently purchased an old used Marlin 336 from a pawn shop. It had a cheap Tasco scope mounted on it that I didn't intend to use so I removed the scope. When I removed the scope mount, I noticed that three of the four tapped holes for the screws go all the way through the receiver and I can see the bolt through these holes. I've never owned a 336 before and I don't know if this is normal or safe. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

 

[M1key]

Normal. Shoot it. If the holes bother you, reinstalling the base shouldn't interfere with the irons and you can mount another optic later. Or get some screws to fill the holes from your friendly neighborhood gunsmith.

M

 

[ColdCoffeeMug]

Thanks M1Key. I wasn't too worried seeing as how the entire right side of the bolt is exposed through the ejection port. I just didn't know if some bubba prior owner had mucked up the receiver before I got ahold of it. The holes don't bother me and I'll probably remount a scope or throw on some peeps at a later date.

 

[SwampWolf]

For appearance sake, you can always fill the holes up with "plug screws" (Brownells stocks an assortment of them).

 

[hoghunting]

If you decide to use plug screws, you will need 8-40.

 

[armysniper]

If you need screws to fill the holes without the scope, pm me. I have the ones from my rifle and I can mail you them for free. I do not intend on using them because I have a scope mounted on my rifle.

 

[gamestalker]

Many actions have threaded mounting holes that go all the wy through. Just be awre of that when changing bases so as to not accidentally use the wrong screw for the unintended hole. Doing so will sometimes cause the screw to interfere with the action by getting in the way.

 

[ColdCoffeeMug]

Thanks for the offer ArmySniper, but I think I'll just let them stay open until I get around to mounting a better set of sights on it. And thank you all for the advice.

 

[jeepnik]

One thing to remember, if you put in the plug screws, make sure they do not go "into" the receiver. They can prevent proper functioning if they do. Oh, and locktite them with "BLUE" locktite.

Don't use red locktite on anything you intend to disassemble later. It can be done, but it is a real pain.