[oxbow]

I found a 1958 336A at the local Gander Mountain today.

It has a high comb stock with the 24" barrel. Bluing and barrel look very good. They are asking $300.

I like the feel and look and would have purchased it but it has two major problems.

1) Some one scratched his name and drivers license on the side of the action, looks to be deep.

2) The stock has a hairline crack extending back from the tang.

What do you think the options are repairing the scratches and the crack, or should I just keep looking and pay a little more for one in better shape?

 

[Halwg]

If it were me, I'd keep looking. I doubt that you'll be able to completely remove the name and DL #. Why in the good lord's name would someone do that?

 

[mogwai]

If it were me, I'd keep looking. I doubt that you'll be able to completely remove the name and DL #. Why in the good lord's name would someone do that?

To ID a stolen gun. straight forward. Simple as that.

Not a bad idea when you just bought a gun that equalled a month's pay

 

[Eli Chaps]

Definite pass.

 

[Ha Dingus]

There's a 336A in 30-30 sitting on the rack at the Richfield, WI Cabelas with none of those problems for $299.

Though worn, it looks pretty good.

Keep looking unless you can make your way to Wisconsin.

 

[LT]

If it were me, I'd keep looking. I doubt that you'll be able to completely remove the name and DL #. Why in the good lord's name would someone do that?

Probably the same reason for using see-through rings ;D

 

[oscarflytyer]

Nah... My 35 Rem was $350, and only minor flaws. 30-30 was $280, and again, only minor 'hunting' flaws. And I missed another 30-30 - Western Field 30-30 - again $280, beautiful wood and nearly no flaws. Wait it out.

 

[stykbow57]

LT go easy on those see-threw rings! we all know Hal really likes them. ;D ;D

 

[Brian in FL]

I'd also pass on this one. You should be able to find a 336 in better shape for that kind of money. And, I would recommend against those crummy see-thru rings. I hate them just about as much as Halwg does. What you need to do to scope a Marlin is to get a Weaver 63B base, or the equivalent, and Weaver Quad-Lock rings. That's the most cost effective and best way to go about it.

 

[Doubletap]

For the buzz marks on the receiver two words: Draw File. Then you polish it back to about 220. Then you reblue. The stock fix isn't so bad. Unless you like to do your own metal work prep and blue it's gonna cost ya. If you go this route you'll need to draw file the entire side of the receiver to keep flat surfaces flat. Rust bluing isn't difficult to do, just a bit time consuming with the carding, boiling, degrease, and reapplication. If it's not for you this A model would be a pass.

 

[RevDerb]

A definite pass for me. I might consider it for $225 (max).

 

[oxbow]

Thanks for the input. I will let this one pass.

 

[Henry McCann]

Here in Montana I would buy it. That exact gun would be at least $450, and if I saw a price tag of $550 on it, I would not be surprised!

 

[oscarflytyer]

WOW! Knew different regions had differing price ranges, but had no idea it was that bad! Guess I have it very lucky where I am.

 

[Littlemarlin]

I'd let her go too! The etched name and DL# would be enough to turn me away. I'm not a perfectionist by any means but prefer "honest" wear. Dinged up wood, some light bluing wear, even a few mild rust spots locally aren't a problem but don't care for alterations or defacing.

Here in Montana I would buy it. That exact gun would be at least $450, and if I saw a price tag of $550 on it, I would not be surprised!

I know what you mean Henry, a fair number of bolt guns floating around Montana (many on the used racks have seen hard use) but good used lever guns can be scarce there!

 

[swany]

I found a 1958 336A at the local Gander Mountain today.

It has a high comb stock with the 24" barrel. Bluing and barrel look very good. They are asking $300.

I like the feel and look and would have purchased it but it has two major problems.

1) Some one scratched his name and drivers license on the side of the action, looks to be deep.

2) The stock has a hairline crack extending back from the tang.

What do you think the options are repairing the scratches and the crack, or should I just keep looking and pay a little more for one in better shape?

Offer them $225 because of the ID engraved on it.

 

[biggog]

I would let it sit there for a month and then offer them $200.00 after I pointed out all the flaws. If you do get it for that price you can afford to redo the gun.

 

[Henry McCann]

You would think that Montana should have more leverguns. Come on, you can't get anymore western than levers and Montana. But the vast majority, and I mean 99% of all the used guns I look at, are bolt actions.

I have seen exactly two Marlin A's with a 24" barrel in Montana, in 20 years of serious looking through want ads and dozens of gun shops and shows. I bought one and even being in Montana I couldn't talk myself into buying the other one. It looked like it had been left in a cattle chute, while 100,000 head had been loaded, over the top of it. Only $250 bucks and it could have been mine.