Im my opinion the side eject Marlins are easier to scope. The best made Winchester 94's are the pre 64's, and you don't want to scope those, and the more recent Miroku models. They are top quality rifles in every way.

 

Both guns are great
wanting to mount a scope makes it all Marlin they are setup for a scope being drilled and taped, side eject and the comb of a pistol grip stock
Plus a great rifle I have a few and the only 0ne copy of a Winchester 1892 made by Rossi and it's setup for iron sights, one of the only two rifles I have with no scopes

get a Marlin JM they are out there

can you get one from the USA? somehow?

 

Well, to me that's a hard thought which is a better choice, since you already have a Marlin 336 30-30 why not shoot for the Win. 94 AE 30-30 so you can scope it on top of the receiver rather than with a side mounted scope. There is a Dr. Basil Pearson no drill TacRail setup with it you can put a scout scope on top of a top ejection Win. 94. if a scope is what you need.
I own both Win. 94 Angle Ejection and a pre 64 Win. 94 Top Ejection. I have purchased a Dr. Basil Pearson TacRail but have not done so yeti
Anyway, you scope these rifles it's all good.
I want to see how this thread goes before I write more.
TO NY🗽

 

I have quite a few Winchester 94s and Marlin 336s. My preference is the Marlins. - T.S.

 

Both models will take deer nicely, so it all comes down to a matter of choice. I hunt mostly with a Marlin with a 'scope, but I have Winchester '94s too. One is an AE and can take a 'scope. If I had only one 30-30 it would be a hard choice to make between the two, but it would be Marlin. For you it sounds like it will come down to availability, but it would be nice to have a Winchester especially if you now have a Marlin 30-30.

 

Personally I like the Marlin better than the Winchester , even though I've got a few winchesters. The Marlin is easier to clean and scope in my opinion! The nicest 94 I own is 1946-1947 model in 32spl thats almost pristine in condition. I would never try to put a scope on it or take it to the woods, ( that's just me). I have other rifles that I can take if I want. I'd hold out for another Marlin personally.

 

I'll add my 2 cents worth for ya.
I own both and have for a long long time.

Marlins wear in, Winnies wear out!

If you're going to scope it, the Marlin is much better suited to holding an optic solid.

 

In 30-30 I will take a Winchester every time.

 

When I was a kid, around here if you had a “deer rifle” the only question was Winchester or Marlin? Seems all deer rifles were lever action and 30-30. My Dad had a Marlin and my uncle had the ‘94 Winchester. Remember listening to the brotherly arguments on which was better. They were both terrific shooters and accuracy was always a draw. My Dad would always end it by saying he could add a scope to his, although he never did. Don’t think they ever completely settled it. I have both and I STILL haven’t settled it. The straight grip ‘94 rides better in a saddle scabbard but doesn’t sound like that’s an issue. I guess the Marlin is a bit smoother.

I think if I already had a Marlin I would have to try a Winchester.

Dan

 

Several have already added good info. I have a vintage Winchester that was my father’s rifle, it wears the peep sight he used. If I wanted to scope a Winchester, it would be an AE version. Marlins of every era are far easier to scope with the side eject. I’m not a fan of scout scopes, just never got accustomed to them. I am clueless on any import issues, but having purchased a few, I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase a Ruger production marlin if that is an easier option than finding a used JM in your market.

 

IMO the Marlin rifles are built more solidly but you cannot beat the classic design and handiness of the Winchester.

 

Does not Winchester have lots of Lever Rifles other that their 84?
I thought I saw like Short Rifles, Half Round,Half Octagon stuff like that.
Not a Wincheter guy. I remember liking the pistol grips.

 

Ok, so there’s a lot going on your post here. It sounds like you know what you want and are just looking for that confirmation from us to do it. The reality is, given your list of wants, there is going to be some compromise that you are going to have to make regardless of whether you decide on a Win 94 or a Marlin 336.
Here‘s the deal, Win 94s are excellent rifles but were never designed for scope use. Even the Angle Eject models are nothing more than an adaptation to allow for scope use. It will always be easier to mount and use a scope on a Marlin 336.
if the JM stamp is must have for a Marlin 336, then you are just going to have to be patient until the right one comes along.
For my 2 cents, given you already have a couple of Marlin deerslayers, I’d probably be looking to get a Win 94 as a range toy and continue using one of the Marlins for hunting, but again that’s just me.

 

Thank you everyone. You have settled my rather rattled head and I know what to do.

Hope you all have a great Christmas and peaceful New Year wherever you are...and happy shooting!

Lee.

 

Thank you everyone. You have settled my rather rattled head and I know what to do.

Hope you all have a great Christmas and peaceful New Year wherever you are...and happy shooting!

Lee.

THE END

 

Although I have always thought I'd eventually buy a Winchester 94, it hasn't happened, simply because I get to the question of scoping and the Winchester flies right out the window. All my hunting rifles wear scopes except one, a 1957 Marlin that wears a peep sight.

The End? I want to know what Lee has decided?!?!

 

I may have posted THE END but it is Lee the limey last post that suggested the end. Now if and when Lee buys either one there might be a part #2
PS. Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year May all your hope for the future come true.
Tony

 

You may be able to find a vintage Savage 99 30-30 that someone has drilled and tapped for a scope. Have hunted some 94s, prefer the 336.

 

For scoping, the best option would be a Marlin. I'm not sure about the availability in the UK, or if you'd even be interested, but over here, there are a couple of other options. Henry and Rossi's new R95. I've read good things about both, so it might be something to consider. Both are easily scoped as they are somewhat of a knock-off of the marlin 336. Good luck!

 

The 336 and its copies are definitely easier to scope, but no lever action of mine ever gets a scope.

 

A 94 unless it is an angle eject is hard to put an optic on. It’s just the way it is. Marlins and Henry and other lever guns are easy to scope. But, the drop on a savage stock can be an issue. I have owned both and would stick with the Marlin over the Savage and WW and Savage! I mounted some lvpo optics on two Henry’s last year and they are just amazing rifle to shoot, carry, hunt with.
GLWS.

Regards,

 

Marlin all day. I have many of each. I like the dnz one piece mount with a Leupold vx3hd cds 2-8. It is light clear and super fast to adjust magnifying. Consider a 35 if you already have a 30

 

For accuracy and handling I much prefer my Marlin and if I do decide to scope it there won't be a problem.

 

I might question this post, but my M. XLR 308 express has shot a group of three a size of a quarter in the X ring at 150 yards off a bench rest on a good day.
Tony

 

I retired my Win 94's about 15 yrs ago. My 73 yr old eyes can see the sights in bright sunlight but under the tree canopy or dawn and dusk not at all. The 44 mag on right has taken over 850 animals and is still what I use when killing a cattle beast for the freezer.

They have been replaced

The Texan 30-30 is more accurate than the Win but there's nothing in it with the 44 mag's.

 

All four are beautiful. I do like the Marlins for mounting scopes.

Maggs

 

Both are great, however, for your use (out to 150 yards), I would REALLY lean towards the Marlin because of the ability to easily add a scope.

The side mount scope mounts for the Winchester are troublesome (in my opinion)>
Enjoy the search!

Maggs

 

US Repeating Arms introduced the model 94 angle-eject rifle in 1982. It is easy to mount a scope on this model. Comparing the Winchester to a Marlin 336 has a few differences.

• Winchester is lighter and narrower
• Marlin has a somewhat floppy trigger which does not affect anything
• Marlin is easy to clean from the breech end by removing the bolt
• Winchester seems to balance slightly better for quick shooting
• New Winchesters are built in Japan
• New Marlins are built is USA

ROSSI model 95 is a very good 30-30 carbine built in Brazil.
Mossberg model 464 was recently discont'd but a good rifle.
Henry offers a number of 30-30 variants.

TR