336 New vs. Old

1224 Views 27 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Redthies, 6 d ago

TheTinMan

Discussion Starter · 26 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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GFK

· #21 · 11 d ago

TheTinMan said:
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.

So, are you heading to the shop to get one?

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TheTinMan

Discussion Starter · #22 · 10 d ago

GFK said:
So, are you heading to the shop to get one?

Honestly, I don’t mind putting it off for a little while. In addition to that Winchester Model 64, I also won the bidding on another rifle at auction last weekend and feel like slowing down would be a really good idea. It’s not like Ruger is going to stop production any time soon …

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GFK

· #23 · 10 d ago (Edited)

TheTinMan said:
Honestly, I don’t mind putting it off for a little while. In addition to that Winchester Model 64, I also won the bidding on another rifle at auction last weekend and feel like slowing down would be a really good idea. It’s not like Ruger is going to stop production any time soon …

That Winchester must nice. I can understand though. Most of them shoot about the same. For me, I wanted a back up and looked for a Marlin, but got a Henry, due to availability. Yet, I will admit that I [love] the way my Henry shoots. And, it seems to be made more solid. However, my Marlin seems lighter and more traditional. Since I seem to be a more of a traditional man, Marlins just seem to appeal to me more.

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Redthies

· #24 · 10 d ago

GFK said:
I got a Henry, due to availability. Yet, I will admit that I ____ the way my Henry shoots. And, it seems to be made more solid. However, my Marlin seems lighter and more traditional.

You forgot to fill in the blank!

I’ll assume you “love” the way it shoots. Which model Henry did you get? I have a few of them and all are great shooters. I have a .44mag BBSC that I’ve yet to shoot, but it has a bore sighted Nikon 1-4x mounted. Might get it out this weekend.

Tinman- What state are you in where they have new 336s in stock? I’ve yet to see any Ruger built Marlins in my area.

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TheTinMan

Discussion Starter · #25 · 10 d ago

Redthies said:
You forgot to fill in the blank! I’ll assume you “love” the way it shoots. Which model Henry did you get? I have a few of them and all are great shooters. I have a .44mag BBSC that I’ve yet to shoot, but it has a bore sighted Nikon 1-4x mounted. Might get it out this weekend.

Tinman- What state are you in where they have new 336s in stock? I’ve yet to see any Ruger built Marlins in my area.

Maine. The LL Bean in Freeport has one in stock … for $1,500. However, Kittery Trading Post said they had 2 and were asking $1,025 IRRC. Not showing on their website though.

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GFK

· #26 · 10 d ago

Redthies said:
You forgot to fill in the blank! I’ll assume you “love” the way it shoots. Which model Henry did you get? I have a few of them and all are great shooters. I have a .44mag BBSC that I’ve yet to shoot, but it has a bore sighted Nikon 1-4x mounted. Might get it out this weekend.

Tinman- What state are you in where they have new 336s in stock? I’ve yet to see any Ruger built Marlins in my area.

Thanks! Well, that is true. I do love the way that it shoots! I got the 30-30 (H009). The finish is nice! It shoots well also. The trigger is nicer than my 336W. Yet, I still like the style of my Marlins. For some reason, Marlins seem to have more of a personality to me. However, I am glad that I got a Henry.

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ck5950074

· #27 · 7 d ago

I think if I was in the market for a 336 in .30-30, and was going to spend $1000, I would just get the new Ruger 336. Old, JM Marlins, especially since the Remlin debacle, have taken on a mythical status as being super high quality, well finished firearms. Marlins were always made to sell at a price point, and they were mostly at the lower end of the scale. They are fine guns, but certainly not the works of art that have been attributed to them. I have 2 336's, one from the early 1970's, the other from the 1950's. They are excellent hunting rifles, but to say they are flawless in fit and finish would be an exaggeration. My .30-30 has wavy, scalloped wood on the fore-stock, machine marks (minor, but visible) in various places, and the barrel and magazine tube were not in alignment with each other. However, it shoots under MOA @100 yards with with any factory 170 grain load you load into it. The same qualities apply to my other Marlins and Glenfields, nice hunting guns, not poorly done, but not perfect either. My 1951 vintage Golden 39A is an exception, it shows extra care in fit and finish. I have seen and handled the new Ruger 336, it is superior externally to every JM I have ever handled.

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Redthies

· #28 · 6 d ago (Edited)

ck5950074 said:
I think if I was in the market for a 336 in .30-30, and was going to spend $1000, I would just get the new Ruger 336. Old, JM Marlins, especially since the Remlin debacle, have taken on a mythical status as being super high quality, well finished firearms. Marlins were always made to sell at a price point, and they were mostly at the lower end of the scale. They are fine guns, but certainly not the works of art that have been attributed to them. I have 2 336's, one from the early 1970's, the other from the 1950's. They are excellent hunting rifles, but to say they are flawless in fit and finish would be an exaggeration. My .30-30 has wavy, scalloped wood on the fore-stock, machine marks (minor, but visible) in various places, and the barrel and magazine tube were not in alignment with each other. However, it shoots under MOA @100 yards with with any factory 170 grain load you load into it. The same qualities apply to my other Marlins and Glenfields, nice hunting guns, not poorly done, but not perfect either. My 1951 vintage Golden 39A is an exception, it shows extra care in fit and finish. I have seen and handled the new Ruger 336, it is superior externally to every JM I have ever handled.

I agree 100%. The JMs are fine guns, but not anything extra special. Just good solid affordable guns, that have earned a place in history. The new Ruger guns are better in most ways, except not being “original” Marlins.

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