Need Marlin 336 advice

[pawneefork]

I have a nice 1976 Winchester 94 and would like a Marlin 336 to keep it company. I'd like some inter-closet rivalry. ; )

I'll certainly avoid cross-bolt safety models, and I'm aware that Remington bought Marlin and now makes guns in Ilion NY, so I want a Marlin made in CT -- but what era is considered ideal for the Marlins (or what era is considered disastrous)? Winchester has their pre- and post-64 issue -- does Marlin have a period where quality was slipping and guns should be avoided?

Also, if you're a Marlin guy, can you tell me what the deal is with the alpha suffixes? Like the 336C, or 336CS, etc.? Thanks.

I had a Marlin 39 Scout .22, and that rifle was king of the 22s. have owned Browning BL-22s, a Browning autoloader, Ruger 10/22s, and so on, but that Marlin lever 22 was amazing.

 

[jim243]

I would say a pre-2007 model. Not sure about the cross bolt safety but here is one used for sale.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/973613792/Marlin+Model+336+NO+CROSSBOLT+SAFETY+3030+Win.htm

I have a 336C which is the carbine model in 35 remington. (not for sale, LOL) It does have the safety, I don't see it as a problem, but then my gun is for hunting not collecting. All my rifles have safeties on them. Remember you are full responsible for any accidental discharge.

Good Luck
Jim

 

[Badlander]

Date codes

Model 336: June 1948 to present.
219Zipper, 30-30, 307 Win?, 32 Special, 35 Remington, 356 Win, 38-55, 375 Win, & 44 Mag. Early serial numbers located on the lower tang under the lever. Later ones on upper tang. These serial codes also work for the 22lr leverguns as well.
C-1946
D-1947
E-1948
F-1949
G-1950
H-1951
J-1952
K-1953
L-1954
M-1955
N-1956
P-1957
R-1958
S-1959
T-1960
U-1961
V-1962
W-1963
Y-1964
Z-1964
AA-1965
AB-1966
AC-1967
AD-early 1968
68-late 1968
69-1969
70-1970
71-1971
72-1972
27-1973
26-1974
25-1975
24-1976
23-1977
22-1978
21-1979
20=1980
19-1981
18-1982
17-1983
16-1984
15-1985
14-1986
13-1987
12-1988
11-1989
10-1990
09-1991
08-1992
07-1993
06-1994
05-1995
04-1996
03-1997
02-1998
01-1999
00-2000
99-2001
98-2002
97-2003
96-2004
95-2005
94-2006

 

[Badlander]

Reread your post. 336C carbine, CS carbine safety, SC Sporting Carbine, T Texan, TX Texan safety. For starters.

 

[jmr40]

Marlins have been far more consistent in quality over the years compared to Winchester. There are none I'd really avoid, except for aesthetics. At least up until recently. I prefer the late 60's through the 1970's rifles. Over the years the guns have remained basically the same, but there have been subtle changes to the stocks. Many older versions looked pregnant with a bulging forend. The 1980's and newer guns have way too much wood in every dimension. The 1970's guns are much trimmer and lighter.

To date a gun made after 1971 simply subtract the 1st 2 digits of the SN from 100 to get the date of manufacture. For example if the 1st 2 digits are 25, the gun was made in 1975. If the 1st 2 digits are 92 then it is a 2008 made gun. Older guns, or some very limited edition models, require you to use a date code like the one listed previously.

 

[greyling22]

You might look for some of the older store brand marlins for a good old gun at a low price. I bought a glenfield marlin for almost nothing. crappy birch stock, but the nicest, slickest, 336 I've ever handled. I regret letting it go.

 

[Abel]

I like a 336 that is drilled for a scope, but doesn't have the crossbolt safety. That gives me a large population of rifles; from 1956-1982...but, I would buy anything up to and including 2010 and still be pretty confident of good quality.

 

[stonecoldy]

I'll agree with Abel, guns made by Marlin even up to the Remington take over can be excellent shooters. I have a 2009 336C in .35 Remington that will easily shoot into a 1" group with Hornady Leverevolution ammo. My two 336's from 1980 in .30-30 shoot nearly this well with their favorite ammo. Hard to go wrong and prices on used guns in very good condition can be had with some searching. I got my pistol grip 336 .30-30 for around $200 a couple years ago, and picked up my Texan .30-30 for $360 last year. Both in 95%+ condition.

 

[RPRNY]

For value, I would go Glenfield 30A (I believe that's the right model). It's a pre-cross-bolt safety 336 with the forend nose cap and short magazine tube. As per above, the birch stocks aren't ideal, but that is such a sweet set up that it can be overlooked.

For looks, a 336 Texan.

For collector value, a Marauder. The short barreled straight grip in .35 Rem. Pretty rare and priced accordingly.