Marlin 30AW vs. 1951 336

[jebjacksonlee]

Hello all, i have a question for ya'll. i have a choice between buying a marlin 30aw or a 1951 336. what are you opinions on both of them? the 'aw' comes with a bushnell scope. is it easy/cheap to put a scope on the 51 336? they are both $275. any and all opinions are much appreciated. both are in about the same good condition. thanks so much

[k5leveraction]

If it is the same seller see if you can buy them on a package deal. I just got a 30aw and a 1957 336 for 420 for the pair. I personally like the older if I could choose one.

[jebjacksonlee]

its 2 different sellers. is there any difference in the 2 as far as quality/accuracy? and are scopes easily mountable on the older one? thanks

[Doc Fillem]

Howdy Jeb! If you hang around this site for very long you will learn that answer is always "BUY BOTH"!

But, if you can only get one, the answer would be, it depends. A 1951 336 would not be drilled for a scope from the factory, that year rifle is known as a "waffle top" due to the wavy lines on top of the receiver. It may have been drilled for a scope at some point so check it and see. Most of us feel that those waffle tops should be saved and not drilled for a scope but kept original. The 30AW came drilled and tapped from the factory for a scope.

They are both good rifles, you can't go wrong with either one. Get the one that feels best to you.

[Sav .250]

You said you have a choice...... All things being equal(condition and such) My choice would be the 1951.

[biggog]

Jeb; Welcome to Marlin Owners. I'd go for the 336 from 1951 everytime. If you have to use a scope and the 51 isn't drilled and tapped it would be a shame to drill & tap it. The 51 will have Walnut stocks and be a well built gun. I'm partial to the old Marlins. Is the 51 a C,A or SC model? The A or SC would be worth a lot more for resale especially if they weren't drilled & tapped. Either way you'll have a good Marlin rifle.

[cgcollins]

For me it would depend on what I wanted to do with it. If it was a hunting gun, I'd go with the aw. If I wanted it to play with, look at or for the pride of ownership I'd go with the 51 (assuming it hadn't been drilled). Others may not agree, but the aw is probably more useful, the waffle top is just nicer. If you own a scoped rifle to hunt with go with the waffle top.

[dpe.ahoy]

If the 51 is not drilled, go with the AW, if drilled go with the one that "talks to you". All mine have said "take me with you" when we met. DP

[EagleH]

FYI, I think the 30AW will have birch stocks and the 336 will have Walnut stocks.

[Cajun]

I would buy the one in nicer condition!!! They are both pretty much the same rifle the internals are the same!!!