i normally see these things go in favor of the winchester. congratulations on the pick up btw. the marlin has the better ergonomics, and i much prefer the lack of the lever safety (lower tang safety?) in the marlin, but my 94 shoots better than my 336 with open sights. can't say it's the same for all of them, maybe the 94's bore is just in better shape.
Win 94 or a Marlin 336? That is the question...
- Thread starter GarMan
- Start date
- Status
I went with the Marlin 336 chambered for .35 Remington back in 1972. Later on, I added a scope. I wouldn't part with that gun for anything! Especially now since Hornady came out with the Leverevolution ammo.
You made a wise choice. The 336 Texans are great carbines. I sold all my 94's except for two in favor of Marlins. However Marlin has gone the way of Winchester now with the plant closing. All new Marlins will be made in Remington factories in NY and KY. I ain't happy about it either. Rem don't know anything about building leverguns.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Interesting how these threads play out. I've owned both for a lot of years and never knew there was anything inherently wrong with Winchester 94's until the internet. Sorry folks, I love my Marlins but I've always found Winchesters to be a more refined design, lighter in weight, better in balance, easier to carry and better lookin' to boot.
The only caveat is make sure the Marlin has straight sights. I have picked up a few newer models off the used rack with crooked ones.
The scoped one I owned for several years with bad iron sights got sold. Recently I bought one at a show that looked a bit like a relic from the Boer War. But, the sights are straight and true, good shooter, and no crossbolt safety. Quite happy with it.
The scoped one I owned for several years with bad iron sights got sold. Recently I bought one at a show that looked a bit like a relic from the Boer War. But, the sights are straight and true, good shooter, and no crossbolt safety. Quite happy with it.
You did good. As much as I love my M94 I would take a Marlin any day over the ole Winchester. Between the better optics mounting and the easier take down the Marlin has to win.
Everyone should own at least one of each.
I own one Win 94 and probably four or five 336s.
I think the 94 is probably more pleasing to my eye (cowboy movies, I suppose) but the 336 is, IMO, a more well-executed piece of machinery, which makes it a better tool.
My .02
Les
I own one Win 94 and probably four or five 336s.
I think the 94 is probably more pleasing to my eye (cowboy movies, I suppose) but the 336 is, IMO, a more well-executed piece of machinery, which makes it a better tool.
My .02
Les
I have had both. If you want to collect them, get an OLD
94.
If you want to SHOOT it, get a Marlin.
mark
94.
If you want to SHOOT it, get a Marlin.
mark
I have owned two of each. The Marlins seemed to be a little heaver and bulkier while the levers on the Winchesters rattled. They both shot just as well, and killed deer the same. It's a toss up try one and if you don't like it get the other too!
Sheez, like asking "should I marry a gorgeous blonde or a stunning redhead?". 
Good thing he already made up his mind. If only all of life's decisions good have a such good outcome either way you chose.
Good thing he already made up his mind. If only all of life's decisions good have a such good outcome either way you chose.
chas08
Member
Nothing wrong with either. I own both, though in different calibers. Marlin 1895 GG 45/70 and a Ted Williams 100 30/30 (Win. 94) I love 'em both for different reasons.
The Winchester is a traditional rifleman's rifle. Open sights are best on this platform. If you need a scope to pinpoint your shot, then you may need a different platform for your needs. Simple action, straight stocked, genius design, lightweight and no muss-no fuss. I enjoy shooting the "o" on a Coca-Cola can at 100 yards with open sights. More than that distance, I almost certainly will not take the shot.
My all time favorite is the .375 Winchester Big Bore, capable of taking anything on this continent. The historical .30-30 will not let you down, and has proven capable when the need arises, but in this case of marketing a new product, Winchester failed to convince the consumer. Tradition held favor over superior engineering on this cartridge. Then again, to me, it is the 94 platform, not the cartridge, that is all about tradition.
The Marlin is a simple hunter's rifle, a Wal-Mart - simplified, engineered for the masses - Special. You can mount a scope much more easily. The pistol gripped stock is much more accessible to modern shooters. Takedown and cleaning is simplified, but personally, it's not my cup of tea. It's like comparing an AR-15 to an M1 Garand.
Whatever you like, and whatever you need. They are two different beasts that you must find your own ammunition to hunt.
My all time favorite is the .375 Winchester Big Bore, capable of taking anything on this continent. The historical .30-30 will not let you down, and has proven capable when the need arises, but in this case of marketing a new product, Winchester failed to convince the consumer. Tradition held favor over superior engineering on this cartridge. Then again, to me, it is the 94 platform, not the cartridge, that is all about tradition.
The Marlin is a simple hunter's rifle, a Wal-Mart - simplified, engineered for the masses - Special. You can mount a scope much more easily. The pistol gripped stock is much more accessible to modern shooters. Takedown and cleaning is simplified, but personally, it's not my cup of tea. It's like comparing an AR-15 to an M1 Garand.
Whatever you like, and whatever you need. They are two different beasts that you must find your own ammunition to hunt.
Last edited:
I use my 94 like I'd use a shotgun with buckshot....a back in the woods deer gun. Often when I go squirrel hunting I would take both my .22 and a 12 guage with buckshot, after I inherited the 94 from my grandfather I switched over to it since an open site gun is a better woods deer gun than a scoped gun. A shotgun is still a better deer gun back in the woods, but I love rifles and had always wanted to shoot a deer with a rifle.
With the .375 Winchester, I show off with the grandkids with this. Not often, though, I will admit - the shells are expensive and the recoil can kick like a mule.
Although, I will admit, it was a childhood friend's father who could do this with his .30-30 - he was my inspiration. I had seen it done, time and time again, effortlessly.
So, I practiced with my own favorite until I could do it as well. Lots of hogs, deer, and bear can mutely testify to this. Not easy, no, especially once I had to get glasses as I got older, myself. The grandkids laugh, until they look at the can.
Then it inspires them, as well. You don't need doodads fastened all over your rifle to make a shot.
EDIT: Part of the "trick" shot is knowing your holdover, how the target is positioned, and old-fashioned Kentucky windage. Ballistics are simplified within 100 yards on a single cartridge and loading, with much practice. The other part is confidence in your ability to call a shot. Then make it.
Last edited:
An insult to the Marlin is not well taken by me. Just because Marlin marketed their product better doesn't make it a lesser product. As we all know, Winchester wasn't good at turning a buck.
No, you don't. But you will need a scope if you hunt in low light, have poor eyesight, or plan on making the most out of the shots that present themselves past 100 yards.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Why is that? I have a Winchester 1895 .405WCF that shoots sub-MOA with buckhorns.
I have plenty of scopes but most of my rifles wear receiver sights. I can't remember the last time I drew a bead on a head of game and thought "I wish I had a scope". Any proficient rifleman can take his peep-sighted levergun to 200yds without too much trouble.
Say what you want about Winchester. It was their foray into all those silly short, long, fat, beltless magnums that caused their demise. Were it not for that, we would have a slew of new 1894 configurations and chamberings. As well as a newly relocated tang safety.
- Status
Similar threads
