Marlin lever actions

[rockman6]

I don't have one and am looking to get one for plinking mostly and maybe as a deer rifle.  It looks like there are old, used, new, etc around and am wondering about opinions on which to select.  Dicks has new ones for about 420 and that is just a little more than the used prices.  Are the older ones with the JM stamped barrel that better or different?  Any models better than others?

 

TIA, Bill

[mudstud]

From what I gather some of the newer ones have had issue with the sights, and actions being less the par. I seen post stating that the newer 45/70 models would have the front sight not centered up on the barrel they where between 1 and 2 o'clock. And some post where the action was very gritty. These where on 45/70s because that was what I have been looking for I do not know if this is true for others. Also I think that these where some rifles that Remington was making after buying out Marlin. The older ones seem to be topnotch from what I seen. Good luck 

 

 

 If you get a chance look up Hickok 45 on youtube he has some good videos on lever guns.

[maroonandwhite]

From what I've read the newer ones have all the kinks worked out. I have a jm stamped base model and it still has the gold trigger and is blued. The new base models have a black (I think) trigger and a matte finish with a birch / hardwood stock. Id say look used as there are plenty out there and it'll probably be good and broken in.

[Keyless]

I have several of the older ones and they feel much better than the new ones . I looked at some of the new ones and the quality ,fit and finish does not seem to be the same .Keep in mind that the company changed hands and the new ones now are said to be better than the ones from a few years ago.  

 

The last time I went to Gun Brokers and looked , it was all the JM stamped 45- 70 rifles had bids and none of the new ones even had a bid . That was several weeks ago and may have changed by now . Prices normally seem to be higher on the JM stamped guns in nice shape and often bring more than new , Remington made Marlins.

 

I have a JM stamped 1895G in 45-70 and have seen several like it bring over 700.00 on GB . There must be some reason so many of them bring top dollar. One or two selling for too much you can always say it is just an idiot with too much money that doesn't want to be outbid . But it is not uncommon to see them actually sell for that much.

 

 Check the pawn shops and you can pick one up in a 30-30 for less than 300.00 and probably have a better gun in the long run. I have bought several in 35 Remington for around 250.00 But already had some in 30-30 so I never paid much attention to them . For plinking 30-30 would probably be best on ammo price and availability.

Edited October 31, 2014 by Keyless

[nightrunner]

For Marlin lever actions, the older the better. A JM stamp gun or otherwise know as a pre-Remlin ( Remington owned Marlin) is good but a pre-safety is even better, made before they started putting crossbolt safeties on them.

[gl19gobang]

I wish I still had my 336C 3030. I bought it new for 99.00 at Kmart around 1978. Was a great gun but I sold it to get a bolt action .270

[Handsome Rob]

Oh, I do love my 336s!.....


That's a '67 .44 Texan, a '71 .35RC & a '50 .30-30A

When it comes to Marlin (or Winchester for that matter) levers, the older the better. Pre '64 models command a premium, but pretty well any 336 pre '97 with a JM stamp is worth owning & can be picked up for 3 bills. The .35s tend to fetch an extra hundy or so.
The .30-30 (actually .30WCF) is a great round to reload with bullets anywhere from 110-200gn. Mild to wild. And despite popular opinion is a VERY capable deer cartridge way beyond 100yds.
My 336a has a Williams peep & with my handloads will happily put 6 shots in a 5" group at 200yds.

Edited October 31, 2014 by robtattoo

[Patrick Henry]

One of your best sources for info on Marlins is www.MarlinOwners.com

[satalac]

I love my 336C .35 Rem. I think I dated mine back to the 1950s. If I was buying a new one I'd go 30-30 simply because it's impossible to find .35.

Edited November 1, 2014 by satalac

[xd shooter]

I love my Marlins. I have one Remlin in 45-70 & it is a great rifle. I know there are many & many posts & complaints about Remington's quality with this line. Maybe I was a lucky one, mine was only missing the tang bolt that holds on the buttstock :). Other than that it is a point & shoot. Point of aim is dead on shooting 340gr home cast hollowpoints.

 

I also have one in .444 that is a post safety  '89 model & for some reason I could not hit with it. Somehow a scout scope was the answer that it needed.

 

After that I have a the 336 line .35 Rem from '82, & 2 in 30-30 that are from '76 & '66.      

 

Than the 1894 line 2 in .357 Mag from '80 & '81.

 

& last but not least the 39a line 1 from '83 & as of yesterday one from '47

 

I also have one of the levermatics Model 62 in .256 Win Mag. Yup a fun one to find brass for!!

 

They are all a blast to shoot but most of what I reach for is the .22, the 45-70, & the .357. None of those are as easy to find but to me they cover ALL the bases.

Edited November 1, 2014 by xd shooter

[xd shooter]

satalac I would love to give that .35 a second home. I have plenty to shoot through it. :)

 

Nice rifle.

[runco]

Every serious gun owner has owned or still has either a Winchester or Marlin lever action.  I agree the older the better.  I for one like older dark walnut stocks.  I currently have three, a Marlin 30AW 30/30, Winchester 94XTR (carbine), and Winchester 9422.   Would like to own a pistol caliber though. 

[satalac]

satalac I would love to give that .35 a second home. I have plenty to shoot through it. :)

Nice rifle.

Haha, I'll hold onto it a bit longer ;)

Do you reload?

[frankmako]

the older the better when it comes to lever guns.  look for something in the early 70's and older. marlin and winchester is the way to go in the old guns.  35 rem, 30-30, 44 mag and 357 mag work well.  

[gregintenn]

I would advise you to hold out for an older Marlin without a safety. I don't know who or why; but it seems that people with no gun knowledge designed the safety for an exposed hammer lever rifle, and about the same time, forgot about quality.

 

The older Marlins, and Winchesters too for that matter, will command a premium over newer guns, but are well worth it.