Marlin 336 vs Winchester 94

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John828

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I have never owned a lever action, but I am going to purchase a Marlin 336 just to have whenever a deal comes along. It seemed there is not much talk on the internet about the Winchester compared to the Marlin. Is this primarily due to the Winchester ejecting spent cases upwards?
 
Ive looked at them both recently. If you get a pre64 94 they are very nice. If you get a pre remington 336 they are also very nice. 336 if you want a scope.
 
I own a pre-64 Winchester, and my wife owns a 90's vintage 336. The Winchester handles better in my opinion, but the Marlin is a better built, more accurate, and is much easier to mount a scope properly. Either one is completely reliable, and will do anything a .30-30 can handle.
 
I prefer the marlin action, I've tried to like the Winchester but they aren't for me. If you ever take down a Winchester or a marlin? I sold my Winchester after the second time, put your hands on both, shoulder both, shoot both (if you can) decide what caliber you want then. ..... Start looking for one that speaks to you. Good luck.
 
No, pre-64 Winchesters for me. This is just going to be a piece I will use off and on for deer and hogs, so I am waiting for a decent used Marlin in the $300-350 range.

So, are the Marlins more popular solely because it is easier to scope them?
 
My opinions after owing both and shooting alot. I like the history and feel of the Winchester, but like the Marlin in about every other way. My Marlin 336 in 30-30 are more accurate than my 1952 model, Winchester 1894. In the 336's, I have only shot jacket ammo and the microgroove works well with anything I have shot. I also have a Marlin 1894 with ballard rifling which is more accurate than my Winchester. Marlins are super simple to disassemble and re assemble. With Remington obtaining Marlin and relocating the factory any Marlin with a JM proof mark sells like hotcakes. If you get a Marlin with a waffle top that has not been drilled and tapped please don't.
 
Top ejection is fine if you have a nice big hat. I prefer a fedora or outback style hat. Without such a hat I expect you'll do the hot-brass two-step a time or two. I like the lines of the 94, but side eject is a nice feature.

Just my 2 cents worth.... Your mileage undoubtedly will vary.
 
In addition to the scope advantage, the Marlin action is a bit smoother and more positive.

And, you field strip it for cleaning by removing one screw. Easy as pie.

Overall, the clear choice is the Marlin, IMO.
 
The later Winchester Model 94's side eject. I've read a bunch of Marlin/Winny squabbles.
I got a Winchester, kid has the Marlin. The 94 is flatter, a little lighter, nice geometry for that first quick shot. The Marlin shoots sweet, holds steady and seems a more simple design. They are both good but the 336 you can get at Walmart, brand new at a good price. The 94 is buy it used or buy new at a ridiculous price, like do you only drink fine Campanya?
 
Having owned both, I prefer the Marlin. It's just a tighter rifle, easier to clean, and you can scope it or put peeps on if you'd like.

It's heavier and doesn't handle as nimbly like the Winchester, but the others advantages are the reason why I choose it.
 
The later Winchester Model 94's side eject. I've read a bunch of Marlin/Winny squabbles.
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They still eject from the top. But if you use 2 piece bases the empties eject at an angle that will clear the scope. They are referred to as AE, or Angle Eject models.


No, pre-64 Winchesters for me. This is just going to be a piece I will use off and on for deer and hogs
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Unless you are getting something pre WW-1 the pre-64 Lever rifles have very little collector interest. They fall into about 3 price ranges the rifles between the wars will bring a little more, but aren't generally collectable. Between WW-2 and 1963 rifles should not really sell for much more than newer guns. Mine is a 1958 model and it is a shooter, not a collectable. The model 70 was the rifle that really changed dramatically in 1964.

After 1963 quality has been all over the place. Some are great, others quite lacking and it is hard to pinpoint a range of years. You just have to look at individual rifles and shoot them before you know. The good ones are every bit as good as the Marlins.

Marlins have been much more consistent. Up until recently you rarely run across a Marlin with issues. If I were buying for a hunting rifle the odds are a little better if you can live with the non-traditional pistol grip. Marlins tend to be a bit more accurate, are easier to mount a scope, but are much heavier. Especially the pistol gripped guns. My Marlins are the heaviest rifles I own, beating out my bolt rifle in 300 WSM. A Winchester will be 1/4-1/2 lb lighter and handier to carry.

All said I prefer the Marlins, but only the straight griped versions. If you can find one of these you get the best of both designs. There are 2 Winchesters in there, but the rest are Marlins.

levers002_zpsaa81d662.jpg
 
Is this primarily due to the Winchester ejecting spent cases upwards?
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No, it is due to Winchester stopped making the 94 in 2006.

It is being made again now in Japan, but only in limited numbers, and they sell for $1,200 or so.

I have 6 lever-actions, and 5 of them are Winchesters.

I prefer them to the Marlin.

rc
 
I have my fathers 336RC from 1954 and my Father-n Laws Winchester from 1960. The Winchester is a little lighter and trim but the Marlin just feels like a better gun. You can also mount a scope on the Marlin. My vote goes to the Marlin.
 
Growing up with Winchesters, I like them better. They are short, flat and point like a favorite shotgun. The Marlins feel clumsy to me. Like dancing with your cousin.That's just me, I am sure they are liked better by some people. I see there are a couple Winnies that snuck into that photo above though......
 
It all comes down to which one fits you the best and "feels" right. I love my marlin 336, I installed a Williams aperture, and it shoots 2" groups all day long at 100 yards, which is more then adequate hunting accuracy IMO. On the other hand, I love the romanticism of the model 94, last year I picked up a 1953 model 94 in 32 Win. Special. It shoots fine, and feels great in my hands. My marlin is always the one I bring with me in the truck. Can't go wrong with either!
 
Can't go wrong with either!
Click to expand...

True. But I prefer the Winchester (mine has a Williams "FoolProof" receiver sight mounted on it, as do a few other rifles I have) merely because it "feels" and handles better in my hands. Choosing between either of these fine rifles involves a degree of personal subjectivity.
 
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For what I use them for - deer hunting where shots are 75 yards or closer - I prefer the Winchester. It's a bit lighter and easier handling than the Marlin and that's what I'm looking for where I hunt. They're both great guns though.
 
It's true this topic has been covered a few times :). It's not quite as popular as the 30-06 vs 308 .... or the Ford vs Chevy ....or even the Ginger or Mary Ann debate ;) ,.....but it has been around a while .

I own both and love both . One is little lighter in the hand and faster while the other feels a little more sturdy and a little more smooth and accurate. ( wow :eek: maybe it is the Ginger or Mary Ann debate :D ) At the end of the day the differences between my two rifles are not huge.

I can't imagine you could horribly wrong with either one, but if I could only keep one it would be my Marlin 336c , or as I like to call her Mary Ann ;)

Tentwing
 
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I don't have anything new to add other than to reinforce prevailing opinion, winchesters are lighter, handle a little better and have a certain classic look to them. Marlins are easier to scope, take apart to clean, slick up the action, and are generally cheaper. I'm with jmr40 on the straight grip guns, they are all I want, though the pistol grips aren't bad. His collection is nicer and more extensive than mine though.....
 
I have both a 1966 94 and a 1968 336c. I'd hate to make a choice of which to keep. The 94 belonged to a mounted police unit here so has some history, the 336 belonged to a friend.

My opinion is the 94 points faster but the 336 has a slick action.
 
I don't have much to add either other than my undervalued opinion.

I like the Marlins better, mainly because of the location of the ejection port on the 94's. But the Marlins just seem to be a little tougher to me. The action is strong and the wood is heavy. Levers should be tough guns.
 
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