Well, they're all good. But to me, the ones made from '48 up until maybe about '60 represent the finest in terms of fit, finish, and action smoothness. Some don't care for the fat forends of the earlier ones -- doesn't bother me. They may not look too sleek, but they are hand-filling. The best connfiguration? Again, all good, but my favorite is perhaps the SC. The 20" barrel makes for easy handling in the woods, and the short mag tube lends a perfect balance.

 

hehe love this thread already! IMHO of course...

1. 1963-4 Maurader...need I say more?
2. 1965 Dads' rifle so mostly personal...
3. 1948 The first year.

 

Well, they're all good. But to me, the ones made from '48 up until maybe about '60 represent the finest in terms of fit, finish, and action smoothness. Some don't care for the fat forends of the earlier ones -- doesn't bother me. They may not look too sleek, but they are hand-filling. The best connfiguration? Again, all good, but my favorite is perhaps the SC. The 20" barrel makes for easy handling in the woods, and the short mag tube lends a perfect balance.

What he said 8)

 

The 1989 & 90 30TK from K-Mart & the waffle top 336RC with the sow belly forearm.

 

2007. Because it's what I have now. JD

 

For me, it's a nearly impossible question to answer and highly subjective. The 336 has been produced in so many iterations it's almost mind-boggling to consider them all.

In general, all the ones from the 50's I've ever handled were of excellent quality and I guess in the most general sense I would consider them the pinnacle of 336 quality.

But I also think the 336W and Glenfield 30A are unsung heroes of economy meeting effectiveness.

Then there is the '71 Zane Grey, the CB models, the stainless, the Spikehorn, and all the special Davidson's and Talo runs.

I reckon that's why so many folks own more than one.

 

The one you own! ;D

 

Well, they're all good. But to me, the ones made from '48 up until maybe about '60 represent the finest in terms of fit, finish, and action smoothness. Some don't care for the fat forends of the earlier ones -- doesn't bother me. They may not look too sleek, but they are hand-filling. The best connfiguration? Again, all good, but my favorite is perhaps the SC. The 20" barrel makes for easy handling in the woods, and the short mag tube lends a perfect balance.

Ditto, but I think they were still pretty terrific into the mid 70's. Double dittos on the SC. The longer barreled A's and ADL's were really something else also. Works of art every one.

 

Mine! 1951 336A

 

That 1989 30TK is a hard act to foller. Most accurate and best handling Marlin I have ever owned. I have owned a bunch of them.

 

.

1958 SC Deluxe.

.

 

You guys know for a fact the best 336 ever produced was the SS-LTD 35 remington.

Second would be a CB with the LTS in close third.

 

I never give it much thought. But I'm impelled to say the two Marlins my brother give me before he died. He give me his 336RC 30 30 and a 44 mag. which I believe is a Texan. Bought NIB in the 50s and maybe the the Texan in the 60s. The 444S that I bought NIB in 1972 never give me a problem and is the most accurate lever action rifle I have ever own. My 1972 Zane Grey 30 30 commemorative is a reliable shooter too. But as mush as I love shooting and holding these old rifle with all the years pass memories that gos through my mind. I look ahead in the now that will some but memories of day passing to years with new memories to come. This year's hunt will be with new and old friends and with my 444S and new 338MX. I'm praying for one more blast.

 

Right fond of my new to me 336 CB conversion done during the final days of Marlin.

 

For me it's the one that I don't have. It's still on the rack at the gun shop.

 

Best- 1966 - My first deer rifle

Best-2- 1974 - My Dad's rifle

Best-3 - 1973 336A in 35 Remington - There weren't many of these made.

All the rest have to fall in behind.

 

I like and prefer 'em from the 60's to mid 70's............

 

Begining to the Real People at Marlin were forced to quit working on them and do the production or else out the door work.. I would just guess mid to late 2009 .. on some and others til mid 2010..

 

Man those are some great guns described in this thread. A lot of history there. My personal favorite, not because it's the best, but because it is the first gun I ever bought new for myself is a 1990 30AS in 30-30. It is also the only lever action I own right now, which will change very soon hopefully. Might not have the history behind it as some of the other guns mentioned, but it is super accurate, a joy to shoot and handle, and a lot of deer are no longer walking around because of it.

Mike

 

Zane Grey's were made in 1972. Was the only year they were ever made.

Thanks George I guess I should have looked at the medallion. I bought the Zane Grey in 1986 when I walked into a sport store. It was on the rack and got my curiosity. I asked the store keeper if I can see it. He hand it to me and said " It's a Marlin 30 30 Zane Grey" I asked the price "$265." he said. Looking at the medallion that has Zane Grey 1872/1972 I asked if the rifle was new "yes it has been on the rack for about 10 years" he said. I said why hasn't anyone bought it yet "because nobody will pay $265. for a 30 30" he said. I looked at it again and said I'll take it.

You see I took 10 years off of the date I bought it and type 1976. Thanks to you now I will not make this mistake again.


PS
Well the shop keeper was on the money when he said "on the rack for about 10 years". I found the bill of sales. I bought the ZG in 1983 not 1986. Boy does time flies by.

 

265.00 probably was high for a 30-30 in 86 but was a good price for a ZG. Worth at least twice that now. I have a new ZG barrel and mag tube but no receiver to screw it on yet.

 

1962 in 30-30, becaus it was my first. And it's the only gun that's never missed a deer with the first shot.

 

Think my 1990 Model 30TK is a notch better than my 1987 1894S 41Mag, but it's a small notch. The short action of the 94 with it's 20" barrel is longer than the long action with the 18.5" barrel by about 1/2" - makes them both handy as all get out! Too pretty to be "truck guns", but not too pretty to take afield.

Jeff
NRA Life

 

Gunrunners Crazy Horse ;D

 

The one you own ???

Anthony