JM Marlin 336. Am I Out of Touch?

W

Wasangeles

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2024
Messages
6
I’ve been wanting a Marlin 336 for a while. I was planning to wait for the Ruger Marlins to become more readily available, but realistically any Marlin will do, and I don’t need to spend $1400 on something that’ll get dings anyhow. It won’t be a show piece.

I’ve been checking local classifieds and JM 336’s pop up every once in a while, but not often. Prices are usually $700-1,000. Most showing up are fairly mint Remington Marlins, which has me suspicious of the quality if people are selling them after a single range session.

I looked at a JM 336C today that was $800. It was the first 336 I’ve looked at in a long time. It looked like it had been dragged behind a truck by the sling mount before the stud ripped out, and the bore cleaned by an overzealous carbide rod. Not sure how the stock managed to bulge outwards in one spot like it was dinged from the inside. It was a $300-400 gun at best in my humble opinion. It had been listed for a while which made me less inclined to question my eyes.

How hard is it to find a *decent* condition JM 336 in the $700 range? Not perfect, but not trashed. Is that a reasonable goal, or should I just wait for the Rugers to make their appearance around here? Maybe look for a Henry side gate instead? I’m in the Rockies btw, gun prices are usually pretty reasonable around here. I’m out of the loop on older rifles like Marlins though.
 
$800 for a JM 336?
I think the prices have gone down from what they were. Just a few months ago I saw a JM Marlin 336 for $1400 at my LGS. It was gone when I went back a week later. The gun was in very good condition from what I could tell looking through the display glass.
At a gun show I went to a couple of months back beater JMs were tagged at $1200-$1300. I didn’t see any in Good condition.
 
Lever gun prices, particularly Marlin, are pretty high and realistically are not going to drop. Older JM models will generally command a high price if nice and not buggered up with weird mods and odd ideas of slicking up what does not need slicking up. Especially pre-CBS rifles. The Remington rifles are much maligned and IMO mostly due to Rem-Hate. Though any pre-2015 should be looked at carefully, the transition period. Then Remington went bankrupt again and from the proceedings Ruger purchased the Marlin IP, machines and some left over junk for $29M (?). It took two years to restart production and get the drawings cleaned up and set up the new CNC machines and manufacturing cells and proof the production process. Owning some of each, JM, Remington and Ruger, my opinion, the Rugers may be the best rifles to ever where the Marlin name. But if you want one, a new 336, you will need to be on the lookout and Johnny on the spot.
 
Last edited:
3Crows has all that right. A friend bought a Ruger/Marlin 336 about 6 months ago, and it is a well put together rifle. Best "Marlin" I've seen and shoots really well.
I believe he paid right at 1K for it, but, he's fine with that. Now he's looking for the Ruger/Marlin 1894 in .357. At a reasonable price.
 
@Wasangeles, iI think you quickly figured out that the JM rifles have become more like collectors items rather than mere hunting rifles. Like pre-64 Winchesters, pre-lock S&W and original Pythons; there is a cachet that comes with owning “ an original” over the modern versions, so guys usually set a higher price for them because collectors are willing to pay more for them.

The last two JM guns I bought, a pre-safety 336 in .35 Rem and an 1895 CB in .45/70 Govt, I lucked into and paid a lot less for than I thought I would. If you keep your eyes and ears open and continue searching for one, I’m sure you will find a 336 that gets the approval of your eyes and your wallet. Just be sure to act on it when you find it, as @Pat Riot and @3Crows each posted above; good condition JM guns don’t sit in used gun racks for very long.

Good luck! 🙏

Stay safe.
 
Have you looked at the new Rossi R95? I wanted to get my wife a Marlin 30-30 so bad too but the JM's were beat to death and expensive and the Mayodan Marlins are very nice but very expensive.

So we went with the Rossi. Fitment it nice but IMO the wood could be better. Trigger is good, Action is slick. She picked it out herself and she loves it. Range day coming soon 20240307_190705.jpg
 
This is my 336c my mom gave it to me for Christmas in 1977 . I don’t think that I have even shot a box of cartridges through it . I don’t think that I would ever pay $1400 for one . But if you really want it you will soon forget what you paid for it if it’s a good one . In your case I might buy a Henry for now and when the price comes down on the Ruger models after they have been out for a couple years decide if I want to sell the Henry and buy the Ruger . IMG_1951.jpeg
 
IMHO there is a reason they are commanding the prices they are. There are also reasons why you can find the others.

My only Marlin lever is a 1980's 357 and like others I got it for a good deal. You just don't find rifles you would want to own much under a grand anymore.

But yea keep looking you might get lucky.
 
Riomouse911 said:
you quickly figured out that the JM rifles have become more like collectors items rather than mere hunting rifles. Like pre-64 Winchesters, pre-lock S&W and original Pythons; there is a cachet that comes with owning “ an original” over the modern versions, so guys usually set a higher price for them because collectors are willing to pay more for them.
Click to expand...

That's basically what I was going to say... about the JM part. It's like a badge of honor, and you have to pay the price. Further, there is a lever-gun resurgence going on right now... IMHO, driven by the cyclical interests in firearm types, also driven by Hollywood (think Yellowstone, et al...) We are in a boom lever market right now... with Henry, Ruger/Marlin, Rossi, the Italians... and, hold the stagecoach... Smith & Wesson?!?! Interest is high, demand is high... so prices are high.

If you are looking for a serviceable 336, and don't want to pay what the corrupted auction market asks, start working the pawn shops and smaller gun shops. The 336 is a very common rifle, and if you don't have to have an absolute cherry specimen, a little patience, and a little leg work should net you a reasonable rifle for a fair price.
 
red rick said:
This is my 336c my mom gave it to me for Christmas in 1977 . I don’t think that I have even shot a box of cartridges through it . I don’t think that I would ever pay $1400 for one . But if you really want it you will soon forget what you paid for it if it’s a good one . In your case I might buy a Henry for now and when the price comes down on the Ruger models after they have been out for a couple years decide if I want to sell the Henry and buy the Ruger . View attachment 1198290
Click to expand...
Look at that! No "Perch belly" on that one. Slim and trim! Very nice 336.
 
I'm glad I bought my son's 336 back in 2016 for $275. It was in pretty good condition. I re-finished the stock before I gave it to him. It's a 1971 and shoots sub MOA groups at a 100 yards just like my 1971 336. I told him if he ever wants to sell it I will buy it back.
 
I've owned a butt load of Marlin and Winchester lever guns over the years. I had a dozen all at the same time a few years ago and at least that many prior to that. Most cost me under $200. $500 was the most I ever paid for a limited run Marlin that later sold for $2500.

When prices started going crazy I sold all but 2. My only regret is that if I'd waited another year or 2 they would have been worth more than I sold mine for. And I got anywhere between 3X to 6X what I paid for them. I thought people were fools for buying mine at those prices.

They can keep them at the prices they are getting today. Levers simply aren't that good. I can get a rifle that does everything better for 1/2 what they want for one today and I stopped playing cowboys and Indians years ago.

But.... If someone does not have one, or has never had one, they should own a decent lever gun. I'd personally hold out for an older Marlin or Winchester even if it were a little rough. I actually like the look of an older, well used gun.
 
There is an increased demand for all lever actions right now due to states limiting semi auto rifle ownership. Lever action is the next fastest option.
 
red rick said:
This is my 336c my mom gave it to me for Christmas in 1977 . I don’t think that I have even shot a box of cartridges through it . I don’t think that I would ever pay $1400 for one . But if you really want it you will soon forget what you paid for it if it’s a good one . In your case I might buy a Henry for now and when the price comes down on the Ruger models after they have been out for a couple years decide if I want to sell the Henry and buy the Ruger . View attachment 1198290
Click to expand...
Did she buy it new in 77?
 
Wasangeles said:
I’ve been checking local classifieds and JM 336
Click to expand...

I understand everyone gets dewey-eyed when they hear JM Marlin, but something to consider... the JM stamp is not a guarantee. The latter years of production are noted to have issues, as they were still being made on worn out equipment, and/or less than skilled, experienced labor. Marlin was in decline prior to Remington... everyone seems to forget that part.

My point being, JM's are good... but buyer beware. Know what you are looking at.
 
I was able to get a close look at three of the new Rossi R95 rifles. I was favorably impressed. However, if they said Marlin on the barrel I would have thought somebody had a bad day at work. These rifles suffered exactly the same issues that people got their undies in a wad over early Remington rifles. Rough metal finish, wood fit was specatacularly poor. The rubber butt pad looked as if it had been sized for a different stock, at least 1/8 inch proud all around. Saying all that, I liked them. I guess I have a different expectation for a Marlin than i do for a Rossi. They are Marlin copies. Functional looking but not pretty.
 
Wasangeles said:
I just called. It sold yesterday as soon as they put it out 😭. It gives me hope though.
Click to expand...
Theres plenty more. Keep your eyes open and check back for new arrivals.
www.gunsinternational.com

Search Results

Buy and sell new and used guns online from anywhere in the world on Guns International, including pistols, shotguns, rifles, handguns, revolvers, ammo and more.
www.gunsinternational.com www.gunsinternational.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
Marlin 336 vs Revelation 200
Replies
4
Views
907
LSMS
L
E
  • Locked
If you were to purchase a NEW 30-30...
2
Replies
45
Views
2K
T.R.
T
S
  • Locked
Marlin 336 recoil pad, help!
Replies
7
Views
5K
MarkDozier
M
A
  • Locked
Marlin 336
Replies
3
Views
701
Abel
A
mgmorden
  • Locked
Winchester 94 vs Marlin 336 Price Discrepancy
2
Replies
44
Views
9K
Newtosavage
N
Back
Top