Question: Picked up a 1952 Marlin 336a as payment for work at my LGS. When I asked about taking it down, I was told to not take it apart, clean it from the muzzle only as it is nearing 60 years old and parts may not be compatible with current production 336a's. I like to take my firearms apart to clean them and learn about them. Is he right, I may not be able to find parts or that the parts arent compatible?
Thank you! Part of my concern arose from going to the Marlin Customer Support page and reading the disclaimer:
Discontinued Models
We can no longer service some discontinued and older models. Models 336 and 39A's that are more than 50 years old and semi auto 22's more than 30 years old cannot be serviced by Marlin. Please write or call the Marlin Service Department with the model and serial number of your firearm if you have any question regarding serviceability.
I had a bad bolt in my 1949RC 336 and needed to replace it so I called Marlin and got the same BS. I went to Gun Parts and purchased a new one a lo and behold it fit perfect. I then check the bolt clearance and it was fine. So now I have a 1949 RC with a new bolt shoots fine and works great.
There are several differences between new and old Model 336's; the hammer, the trigger, rear sight, front sight hood, stock and forearm size and shape, etc; but they are all minor and most parts will interchange with the newest models (stocks and hammers interchange up thru 1982; and later stocks can be modified to fit). I have a 1953 336A on which I changed out all the above parts with later vintage 336 parts and the gun functions and shoot flawlessly.
There are several differences between new and old Model 336's; the hammer, the trigger, rear sight, front sight hood, stock and forearm size and shape, etc; but they are all minor and most parts will interchange with the newest models (stocks and hammers interchange up thru 1982; and later stocks can be modified to fit). I have a 1953 336A on which I changed out all the above parts with later vintage 336 parts and the gun functions and shoot flawlessly.
I simply wanted to give my old 32 Special/Ballard rifled Marlin a more modern look so......I changed out the hammer with a slightly later lower-profile later vintage trigger grooved for a hammer spur, I swapped the early blued trigger with a later gold-plated trigger, I removed the old stamped sheet metal rear sight and replaced it with a later vintage fold-down type that could be used with a low mounted scope, I installed a later style front sight hood onto the original ramp front sight; and I swapped the original stocks with a set of 1961 vintage 336 A-DL model stocks. All changed out parts interchanged perfectly using the original screws and pins; and functioned perfectly afterwards. All in all a very simple upgrade and below is the finshed result.
99% of things will swap right out. Screws are all the same as is most all the furniture, stocks are close enough to work.hammers until I think 84 will work as will pre safety bolts. Only thing you are likely to hurt are screws anyway & even those shouldn't present an issue if you use good fitting hollow ground screw drivers.
I simply wanted to give my old 32 Special/Ballard rifled Marlin a more modern look so......I changed out the hammer with a slightly later lower-profile later vintage trigger grooved for a hammer spur, I swapped the early blued trigger with a later gold-plated trigger, I removed the old stamped sheet metal rear sight and replaced it with a later vintage fold-down type that could be used with a low mounted scope, I installed a later style front sight hood onto the original ramp front sight; and I swapped the original stocks with a set of 1961 vintage 336 A-DL model stocks. All changed out parts interchanged perfectly using the original screws and pins; and functioned perfectly afterwards. All in all a very simple upgrade and below is the finshed result.
I simply wanted to give my old 32 Special/Ballard rifled Marlin a more modern look so......I changed out the hammer with a slightly later lower-profile later vintage trigger grooved for a hammer spur, I swapped the early blued trigger with a later gold-plated trigger, I removed the old stamped sheet metal rear sight and replaced it with a later vintage fold-down type that could be used with a low mounted scope, I installed a later style front sight hood onto the original ramp front sight; and I swapped the original stocks with a set of 1961 vintage 336 A-DL model stocks. All changed out parts interchanged perfectly using the original screws and pins; and functioned perfectly afterwards. All in all a very simple upgrade and below is the finshed result.
Oh she's purty! I did take mine apart, visually all the parts looked "new". Bolt needed a lil cleaning, especially around the firing pin, but the breach was near spotless and cleaning the bore was quick. Teardown was simple, and I lubed the bolt and the lever. Was there anywhere else that needed TLC lubrication that I missed?
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