336 New vs. Old

1229 Views 27 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Redthies, 6 d ago

TheTinMan

Discussion Starter · 27 d ago

I have an itch to get a 336 chambered in 30-30. I am very happy with my new Guide Gun - the machining and fit/finish are at least as good as the 3 JM Marlins I have.

A few weeks ago I went looking on GunJoker and GunsInternational for used 336s chambered in 30-30. The prices for JM models seemed stupidly high. However, I checked again this morning and it looks like I could get a nice JM 336 for $800-900 with a little patience. The new Mayodan made Marlins are selling for just over $1,100 already and that price might be headed south.

1) What is the difference between a 336 and a 336S?
2) Did Marlin use microgroove rifling in 336s? If so when did that start and should I care? I did care when searching for a 45-70 because I wanted to shoot lead bullets, but 30-30 leans toward jacketed bullets.
3) I know about the cross-bolt safety and it doesn’t bother me.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

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JLTibbetts

· #2 · 27 d ago

I believe the 336S was stainless steel with microgroove rifling. As far as I know they all had MG rifling and were otherwise 336's.

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444 Magnum

· #3 · 27 d ago

Marlin started the micro-groove in the 336 in 1953 iirc. It's been around a long time. My 336c that I hunt with is from 1985 and has good fit/finish and overall quality.

I think the main differences, other than the safety (not really needed IMO on a lever gun), is who made them. When Remington took over, they changed the manufacturing process and made it more assembly line fashion. Previously, one man assembled an entire gun ensuring each step. Under Remington, quality went down and eventually ended with Remington's troubles. The new rifles are manufactured under Sturm Ruger ownership. I have heard good things about these rifles but do not and probably will not own one. I prefer the original Marlin pre safety's from the 1980s and earlier.

Reactions: 5

Rifle Shoppe

· #4 · 27 d ago

You have a lot of choices with the 336 in 30-30 win caliber. That was made in the 24 inch bbl as the 336A pre safety, then the newer XLR 24 inch bbl in stainless........ lots of 20 inch barrel models , either straight grip or pistol grip walnut, also Stainless Steel metal.
You can go handy and look for a 336T...Texan with 18.5inch bbl.....or wait for a 336 Maurder with 16 inch bbl.
But ...really you NEED one of each....but get started soon....best of luck

Reactions: 5

TheTinMan

Discussion Starter · #5 · 26 d ago

Rifle Shoppe said:
You have a lot of choices with the 336 in 30-30 win caliber. That was made in the 24 inch bbl as the 336A pre safety, then the newer XLR 24 inch bbl in stainless........ lots of 20 inch barrel models , either straight grip or pistol grip walnut, also Stainless Steel metal.
You can go handy and look for a 336T...Texan with 18.5inch bbl.....or wait for a 336 Maurder with 16 inch bbl.
But ...really you NEED one of each....but get started soon....best of luck

I like the way you think

Reactions: 2

Ret_Eng

· #6 · 26 d ago

444 Magnum said:
Marlin started the micro-groove in the 336 in 1953 iirc. It's been around a long time. My 336c that I hunt with is from 1985 and has good fit/finish and overall quality.

I think the main differences, other than the safety (not really needed IMO on a lever gun), is who made them. When Remington took over, they changed the manufacturing process and made it more assembly line fashion. Previously, one man assembled an entire gun ensuring each step. Under Remington, quality went down and eventually ended with Remington's troubles. The new rifles are manufactured under Sturm Ruger ownership. I have heard good things about these rifles but do not and probably will not own one. I prefer the original Marlin pre safety's from the 1980s and earlier.

The Mod 336 MG rifling started in 1955/1956---other models came with MG rifling a few years earlier. I have a 1955 Mod 336A 35 Rem with Ballard rifling---its a real good shooter with both jacketed and hard cast bullets. The CBS safety started around 1983/1984---these rifles can have that safety removed, if desired, with a saddle ring insert.
I am not familiar with the Mod 336S---a Model 336M and 336SS (indicating a Stainless Steel rifle), Model 336RC (Regular Carbine), Model 336CS (Carbine Safety), Model 336SC (Sporting Carbine), Model 336A (Long Barreled Rifle Model) and Model 336C (Carbine) are the Model 336s mostly likely to be found on the used market. There are others out there as well such as the deluxe models (336SD, 336ADL) and the stainless steel long barreled rifle models (336XLR). There are others out there too---the Texans, the store brand models, the Glenfields, and the Specialty Distributor models---just to name a few.

Reactions: 5

truckjohn

· #7 · 25 d ago

You can get great rifles, you just have to be intentional about what you are looking for. Are you looking for collector condition? Expect to pay collector prices.

A shooter/hunter that's seen honest wear and modification over the years will come a lot cheaper.

During O's reign, after the Remlin debacle... The last time JM's went nuts... I picked up my current favorite. She's an early 1st year 1948 336 RC. It had a cracked butt stock and metal externally in about 70% due to heavy carry wear. The old waffletop was also drilled and tapped for a scope and it sported non-original swivel sling studs. I paid next to nothing online when the market was stupid... The gun suited me fine as it shoots like a laser beam with a beautiful, crisp trigger and I'm a hunter/shooter, not a collector.

Ironically, the 1st year I hunted it, it fell out of the treestand on the way down and broke the already cracked stock. Now, she wears a replacement with a soft buttpad. It's very much not factory, but guess what? I like shooting it even now.

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Redthies

· #8 · 25 d ago

444 Magnum said:
When Remington took over, they changed the manufacturing process and made it more assembly line fashion. Previously, one man assembled an entire gun ensuring each step.

The new rifles are manufactured under Sturm Ruger ownership. I have heard good things about these rifles but do not and probably will not own one.

This is all well and good, if the one person assembling your rifle is actually good at his job!🤣. My 2020 .30-30 is actually the best shooting Marlin I’ve ever owned. It’s fit and finish are 99% perfect too. It’s more accurate than my late JMs, that’s for sure.

The OP has a new Ruger Marlin 1895, so he knows more than most of us about them…

Reactions: 3

Redthies

· #9 · 25 d ago

Tin Man: as truckjohn said, figure out which 336 model you want and go from there. If I had a need (😂) for another one, I’d be only looking for a Texan or Marauder.

Good luck in the search, and post up what you find!

Reactions: 2

TheTinMan

Discussion Starter · #10 · 24 d ago

Yesterday I went to LL Bean for several things, including binoculars which took me to their gun section. I looked up and saw what seemed to be a 336 Classic MM (made in Mayodan). Handled really well - good balance and I like the slightly fatter forend. How much? They were asking $1,500

I told the young man that they’re selling on GunBroker for $1,100-1,200. “Oh no this is a good deal.” MSRP is $1,239. Then again they had Winchester 45 Colt Cowboy loads for “only“ $78.99/box of 50. I felt like telling the kid he ought to wear a mask and carry a gun if he’s going to charge prices like that but I behaved myself.

The search continues. I do have a lead on a very nice Winchester Model 64 Deer Rifle - more a collector piece than a shooter.

Reactions: 4

Faulkner

· #11 · 23 d ago

I've never actually seen anyone buy guns or ammo from LL Bean.

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SargeMO

· #12 · 22 d ago

it all comes down to your preference. By all accounts the Ruger built Marlins are pretty good and some of those built by Remington are good as well. You just have to look the one built by Remington over more closely, to insure that specific example is up to your standards.

The only Ruger built Marlin that interests me is the 94 in 44 Magnum, because they'll (reportedly, someday) be made with conventional rifling and a 1:20 twist barrel. Even at that, I would still wait for credible range reviews- assuming by then the price is something I'm willing to pay.

I in my mid 60s and to me, a Marlin has a JM stamp. There are still many available for less than new Rugers are selling for.

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GFK

· #13 · 22 d ago

You are probably better off waiting for a new one. At least, you can send it back, if there is an issue. Like Redthies stated, you know what Ruger is doing with the new Marlins. So, you have an idea of what to expect.

Reactions: 5

TheTinMan

Discussion Starter · #14 · 17 d ago (Edited)

2

GFK said:
You are probably better off waiting for a new one. At least, you can send it back, if there is an issue. Like Redthies stated, you know what Ruger is doing with the new Marlins. So, you have an idea of what to expect.

My gunsmith will sell me a Mayodan made Marlin 336 for $999.00 if/when he gets one from his distributor. In the meantime, I scratched my 30-30 itch with this 1949 Winchester Model 64 Deluxe Deer Rifle:

(Apologies for the auction house photos but I can’t do as well let alone better.)

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GFK

· #15 · 17 d ago (Edited)

It is like that sometimes. If you got an itch, it is hard not to scratch it. Sometimes, I can walk into a LGS and not even know that I had an itch. Until, something catches my eye. That itch seems to stay, until I take the sparkle in my eye home. On a recent visit to a LGS, I told the clerk that I was trying to avoid going in the section that has handguns, because I might end up taking one home. He stated, "Now, why would you want to do that?" Over the last couple of years, that has happen 3 times, which may not seems bad to some. But, all stemmed from something catching my attention. Luckily, nothing caught my attention, that time.

Reactions: 4

Strugl4xsc

· #16 · 17 d ago

truckjohn said:
You can get great rifles, you just have to be intentional about what you are looking for. Are you looking for collector condition? Expect to pay collector prices.

A shooter/hunter that's seen honest wear and modification over the years will come a lot cheaper.

During O's reign, after the Remlin debacle... The last time JM's went nuts... I picked up my current favorite. She's an early 1st year 1948 336 RC. It had a cracked butt stock and metal externally in about 70% due to heavy carry wear. The old waffletop was also drilled and tapped for a scope and it sported non-original swivel sling studs. I paid next to nothing online when the market was stupid... The gun suited me fine as it shoots like a laser beam with a beautiful, crisp trigger and I'm a hunter/shooter, not a collector.

Ironically, the 1st year I hunted it, it fell out of the treestand on the way down and broke the already cracked stock. Now, she wears a replacement with a soft buttpad. It's very much not factory, but guess what? I like shooting it even now.

Great story, I am glad I am not starting a collection of Marlin lever action rifles today, I bought almost all of mine in very much shooter condition at a time when the market was high only for collector grade rifles. I think the model 36's may be the best way to buy right now, they seem to be less sought after.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

Reactions: 2

TheTinMan

Discussion Starter · #17 · 16 d ago

GFK said:
It is like that sometimes. If you got an itch, it is hard not to scratch it. Sometimes, I can walk into a LGS and not even know that I had an itch. Until, something catches my eye. That itch seems to stay, until I take the sparkle in my eye home. On a recent visit to a LGS, I told the clerk that I was trying to avoid going in the section that has handguns, because I might end up taking one home. He stated, "Now, why would you want to do that?" Over the last couple of years, that has happen 3 times, which may not seems bad to some. But, all stemmed from something catching my attention. Luckily, nothing caught my attention, that time.

LOL a couple months ago I went to a store to buy boots and wandered through the bolt action rifle section before leaving. Suddenly I saw a used Winchester Model 70 Super Grade in 99% condition. I managed to leave the store without it, but when it was still on my mind 3 days later… thankfully it was still there. I’m a sucker for a beautiful wood stock:

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GFK

· #18 · 15 d ago

Nice looking wood! Yes, I like nice looking stocks also. A .308 has been on my mind. If I get one, it will probably have a wood stock.

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NickMc

· #19 · 15 d ago

If I stumble on a reasonably priced Marlin, it’s very hard not to buy it. I just tell my wife they are part of the retirement portfolio because they only keep going up in value.

Reactions: 4

TheTinMan

Discussion Starter · #20 · 11 d ago

I called the largest sporting goods store in the area this afternoon about a different gun. Before hanging up I asked if they had new Marlin 336 Classics in stock. Yes, 2 of them selling for $1,025.00.

I guess the 336 craziness didn’t last half as long as the 1895 mania.

Reactions: 3

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