I would say it is a fair trade if you are looking for a Marlin 336. Don't know the exact value of the Mossberg package, but the Marlin would be $350-400 around here. Welcome to Marlinowners!

 

Welcome to Marlin Owners from dismal valley. The serial number for the 336 is either on the top tang ( behind the hammer where the metal meets the stock) or under the lever. Take the first two digits and subtract from 100 for the year. The 30-30 was a popular caliber so a lot were made and not as valuable as 32 special or 35 Rem. I would say the rifle is worth $300.00 to $400.00 depending on where you live. You know what you have in the shotgun. I would try to make a trade even up for just the shotgun as it came from the factory and one box of shells for the rifle and one box of shells. You can sell the shield and stock on eBay and the shells to a hunter. This is just my opinion and I'm sure others will chime in. There are a lot of Mossburg shotguns out there but they don't make JM Marlins anymore.

 

I'd offer him $300 cash for the rifle, unless you've found you don't really want this particular shotgun. I'm sure you have more than that in your package.

 

Like others above, the pic of your shotgun and accessories would probably be more then what the marlin sells for most places. Depends on condition of 30-30, I'd say no more then $350 for it, figure out what you have tied up in your package and adjust from there..

 

you will like the marlin ,did you trade yet ?

 

Trading this for that often is not an even up trade. Getting what you want is the object. J s/n.

 

remember ,there is never anything lost in a trade ,what one don't get the other one does .

 

Welcome from S/E Michigan

 

.

I would not take it at any price if it does not have a serial number. No serial number, no deal. Make him show you an unaltered serial number.....otherwise the gun can be confiscated anytime. Don't ask how I know this.

 

No cross bolt safety so older than 1983. That's a good thing for most Marlin lovers.

Gotta ask, are marlin prices going back down again? Where I live in the Midwest, if it was in a gun store or pawn shop that would be a solid $400 to $450 rifle. Possibly $500. I've not seen a $300 Marlin in about ten years. Go online to places like gunbroker and they are similarly priced or even higher. Been a little while since I looked though, thus the reason for my question about prices falling.

The other thing to consider is this: will the value of the marlin continue to rise? Will the value of the mossberg fall for a couple years before it goes back up? Which will you get more use our enjoyment out of?

 

The Marlin is from 1969-1983, as it lacks the crossbolt safety (a good thing to lack!) and is stamped North Haven, not New Haven. Value should be $300-$400 depending on your local market. I would not trade more than a box of shotgun shells unless your buddy is willing to add in some cash on top of the trade.

Dave, I live about three hours from you and just scored a Marlin/Glenfield for $300 at a pawn shop. My good-condition 1979 336 with Williams peep sights ran $350. I think that you being in a major city jacks the prices up- it's hard to find a JM for over $400 in these parts without it being a Texan. If you look at Gunbroker closely, most of the $500 rifles aren't selling. Folks are listing them for amusingly high prices and getting no bids, unless it's a 50s waffletop.

 

It would be nice if he added that Winchester .22 to the deal.

Me I would look for a 336 to buy and keep your M500. Looks like you are set up well with that gun. Keep it.

 

Thanks for all of your responses guys I really appreciate it but I decided to just keep my Mossberg. I did ask if he could throw in the .22 pump with the Marlin and he declined. I will just put the Marlin 336 on my "list" of firearms I'd like to buy in the future.

Thanks again.

 

Same decision I would have made. Good luck, and welcome to the forum

 

bigbake, hang around here long enough and it won't be just one Marlin. We call it Marlinitis...they like to multiply.

 

DeoVindice,, I agree once you get the first 1 it will multiply,UNCONTROLLABLY! !!!! Which is good, but bad for the wallet... don't ask how guys on here know about the disease" MARLINITIS... no cure for it...

 

So a quick update, I just bought a marlin 795 .22 from a guy, came with a scope, 100 rds of Winchester hollowpoints (copper plated), 1 10 rd mag, and a 25 rd promag. So I'm officially in the Marlin "Club" right? lol

I currently have 5 firearms (Mossberg 500, M39 Rifle, Canik TP9 V2, P-64, and now the Marlin 795). I feel like this is a good variety of firearms to have and have quite a few "bases covered" here. The LAST piece of the puzzle is some kind of primary defensive carbine for SHTF and property defense. What should be my final firearm purchase? I've always wanted an AK and really like the RAS-47 (magpul edition) but have been thinking. Could I get away with just getting a lever action rifle, put a stock shell holder and call it good? One thing I do like about the lever action is that they don't require any magazines, and therefore I don't need any magazine pouches, then I won't need a molle/alice vest or harness system, etc. I must confess, I do already have both molle M-16 pouches and an East German AK-47 (4 mag capacity) ammo pouch but should I sell all of those and also save my money on not buying any magazines by getting a lever rifle?

I know this topic has been debated before but I want to eventually get a AK AND a Marlin lever rifle. The question is, which rifle should I buy first, and also which one should I "invest" the most into both time and money as my primary defensive weapon?

Thanks in advance!

 

Well bigbake, looks like you got a decent selection of guns to cover a few bases. I had to look up the canik tp9 I hadn't ever heard of it ( semi auto 9mm pistol). Between the 9mm and the moss berg 500 shotgun I'd say you have a decent handle on personal protection, at least the basics.

I can't comment on running an ar15 vs AK platform as a primary defensive carbine for teotwawki... but there are plenty of folks who are experts on such things. But since you joined us here on the Marlin forum, I'll be happy to give a free plug to the Marlin 336 30-30 as an excellent choice as a general purpose utility/hunting/defense rifle, and why you ought to own one (you can thank us later)

I think the strongest reason for owning a 30-30 is its versatility. The 30-30 round is a step up from the 7.62x39 and offers plenty of power for medium game such as deer/bear/hogs etc and can with careful shooting g take even bigger game such as elk. The ammo is also among the cheapest and there is a huge variety of different loads (check a place like Midway for price/selection). It is also a very cheap and easy round to reload for with something like a Lee Classic Loader and can handle cheap cast lead loads for plinking/practice or even small game hunting.

As far as defensive or property protection use, I think you could do a whole lot worse than a Marlin 336 for a rifle. The lever gun is compact and reasonably lightweight and has a 6 +1 capacity which is pretty good for dealing with most situations. It also has a tubular magazine so it's quick to top off and keep shooting (like your mossberg 500) and no mags to lose. If you equip it with a peep sight or small scope, hitting out to 200 yards is pretty easy and good shots can extend that range. The Marlin 336 action is very reliable and extremely easy to take apart a maintain it yourself.

So if your interested in a Marlin 336, I say go for it and get one! Even if you later get more fancy defensive type guns there is always a use and always a place in the safe for a Marlin 30-30! You won't regret buying one! Promise!