Well, the '66 Regular Carbine is a great gun. While the newer model Remingtons seem to be improving, the jury's still out on them. They've had some issues. There's no question that the quality of workmanship and material is better on the older models. I, personally, would pay more for an older Marlin than a new Remlin. The deer carving models were true Marlins marketed to stores like Sears, Speigels, Wards, etc. They are fine guns and, given that there were far fewer manufactured, have a certain collectable value.

The only thing about a used gun is that it may have a problem that you may not be aware of (and there's no warranty). If it was misused, or left to rust, it could be a problem. If you are familiar with guns, check it out thoroughly. Look at the action, remove the bolt and check the bore, and look at the ejector. The amount of wear on the ejector is an easy view of how much the gun was used. If you're not comfortable doing this, take along someone who is (or check out Youtube clips on field stripping). In most cases, 30-30s were bought for deer hunting and shot infrequently. Rarely do they have significant problems. And if it does have a problem, you can usually get it easily fixed with advice from this site.

If it's in good shape, $300 would be a good price. If it's in really good shape, you could go up to $350. The value of the scope is marginal, unless you are planning on using the gun with that scope. In that case you could go up another $25.

And keep in mind that this is only my opinion, and I have not even seen a picture of the gun. You are wise to ask, and listen carefully to what others here have to say.

And welcome to MarlinOwners! - this is a great place full of friendly and knowledgeable folks.

 

With any gun purchase, look and check the gun over before buying it. I have a mixture of new and older Marlins. All of those guns are good guns. You could just get the older one that you're looking at and a new one too, lol! That way, you don't have to make such a tough decision.:biggrin:

 

I would definitely buy the used 1966 Marlin if it has a decent bore and it feeds/ejects properly. I'd offer him $200 and go as high as $300.

 

I know enough to check it over before I buy.

I was just trying to get the general value and any opinions on the older marlin. I was thinking $325-350 if in pretty good shape like tomjohn also said. Hes thinking its worth 375-400

I wouldnt need two of these rifles. with the cost of 30-30 ammo being what it is its not something im going to use often, and I used to think it was expensive to shoot my m1 garand.

This just kinda popped up on me, have wanted a lever action this just made me finally start looking into them

 

With a Marlin 336....older is better than new. Without a doubt. No cross bolt safety. No fit and finish issues to speak of.
Plus, the over all value is greater. Not by a lot but some. You can go to GunBroker and check out what models are going for on the open market. If you get it ...........you can`t go wrong. That`s if the over all condition is good as you can`t hide ...rough shape.

 

JMHO, I'd go with your friends 336, Speigels Marlins are some what rare to find, just interesting to own one. I went full circle back to lever guns, would only buy an older Marlin.

My son purchased a new 336 in 2009, terrible screws, even using gunsmith screw drivers the screw heads chip and crack, not burr like old screws, the actually chip and crack along the slot. I've been told the screws are made in China or some place even though the gun is sold as made in USA. Corporate types always looking to save a few pennies.

 

The 1966 is going to work, and maybe the new one won't. Check them both out and on the 1966 shoot it before you buy it.

 

Prices/values of older model used Marlin rifles in good condition have risen since the acquisition of the gunworks by Remington; and with the increasing prices of new Marlin levers, and the limited production of the Speigal model usually gives that model an added price premium. I've seen the Speigal models sell for as little as $200 and listed as high as $950 on gun auction and dealer web sites. Some people like the funky deer head stock medallion, and some don't; but Marlin lever rifles from this period are usually excellent quality.

 

Finally got together with friend to look at the rifle.

Turns out it was a Glenfield 30A. Made in 1981.
Not sure how he thought it was a speigel. Showed him pics and he said it was speigel.

So anyways. It was in really good shape, no marks on stock or receiver/barrel. Functioned and shot fine.

Did quick google seaerch on phone for value and ended up offering $250 as in good shape came with scope, sling and case.
Not sure if that was a good price or not but over with now.

Now to find some cheap 30-30 ammo if that exists.

 

Congrats on the older 30-30..... and yes, cheap 30-30 ammo exists. I recently picked up a 1978 336 in 30-30 mainly because .35rem ammo is getting harder to find and more expensive.

 

You made a great deal. 1981 is a good year (pre-safety). Now enjoy shooting it. One advantage of the 30-30 is that the ammo cost about half of the 35 or 45-70. I think WalMart has both Winchester and Remington ammo for around $17 a box or so. It's enough to get you started. Of course, you now have to find the brand and bullet weight your 30A likes

 

The ONLY newish Marlins I'll buy (and I won't even consider a Remlin) are models that weren't available pre-safety, like the stainless guns and cowboy guns.

No doubt about it, I would have bought your friends 336 and called it a day.

 

Yeah if it's in good shape that's a good price. I can get 20rd boxes of 30-30 around here for about 16 or 17 dollars. Otherwise, reload.

 

At Academy, 30-30 Remington Core-Lokt is 14.97 for 20 rounds and Remington has a 2.50 per box rebate on right now so that makes it not much more than I can reload it for. I ain't a big Remington fan, but the Core-Lokt 150 gr or 170 gr shoot well for me! John

 

Good Luck with your Glenfield, I'm still looking for a nice one, here in NY they go up to $350 in super nice shape.

 

Cheap ammo?
Cast your own, reload your own.
After an initial set up, cost to shoot is no more than .22 magnum.
And you know it's better than factory fodder, and it's consistent quality....the same...every time

 

If it was a Glenfield,AND had the deer head then the stocks were probably exchanged at some point Glenfield has beech stocks normally ,but who knows how that came to be,still a great rifle(

 

I'll bet that after 10 years the OP knows that ...

 

wow, old thread to bring up, so going through Brophy's' book on page 660 there's a ditty about a special run for Spiegel's of the deer head craving, apparently a different run from the "cookie" insert, 4,264 were made....makes them some what special.. As far as birch stocks, yes that was a standard being the economy model, however looking at pics in the book most appear to be walnut, I do see one with a rabbit insert that seems to be birch though, pics are black and white so hard to tell.

 

Too funny (or SAD) in 2012 $300 was a good price, and today in 2020 that 30-30 could bring $700 + all day

if I had a time machine, I would tell OP BUY that gun, and all the 30-30 and 35Rem or any ammo you can and just hold on to it, in 8 years it will be worth big $$$

 

Just happened to own one so they are dear to my heart,it was my first Marlin and first real deer rifle and was carved,it was,I’m pretty sure, a Spiegel!with beautiful Walnut stock and is still with me.

 

These ancient threads keep coming up because of the website owners having a recommended reading section at the bottom.
People see it get sucked in and comment before they realize the thread was created before they were born.
I suppose ownership believes it drives more traffic. I don't mind it but I do think old threads should be locked for comment after so much time.

 

Why? People might want to comment on them? What’s the harm? Some subjects are worth rehashing.
What if you were talking to an old friend,rehashing old memories and old hunts,and the Government or other people stepped up and told you ” that’s locked,don’t let us hear anything about it again!” That is the exact same thing!
That’s why I dont go on High Road much ,dang near anything is locked.
How many times have you heard the same story from a grandfather or older person ,I wish I could hear them stories again.sorry jmho.
Waffletop,let put it another way , the internet created the ability to create worlds with people of same interests,This world is “Marlinowners” we all have an interest in like things.This world is unique from the physical world in that it has a solid string of history,it’s almost like we can go back in time and visit people in the midst of their making a comment or explaining a process we can even dial in on that point in our history by doing a search.this really cool when we want to remember something or go over say an old 30/30 load we could not remember.Sometimes we might also accidently join in and continue a conversation and this connects with someone else at the present time and new conversation is continued on an older subject that is and will be interesting in our same interest world. Lol
Maybe it bothers people because ,in the internet world ,it’s almost like being able to talk to the dead or at least being able to hear them again!

 

No harm in bringing threads to the top, new owners of Marlins are just that "New" and this is how they learn, old threads of wisdom!