If that's the exact BLR you're looking at I'd run away from any gun sold with a 3d printed magazine. I have a couple 336 rifles and one blr in 243. The Browning is nice, but also much less forgiving of being dirty and as you've mentioned parts availability and it is overly complex. I'd go for the Marlin, put a peep sight on it and put a spare ejector and extractor in your parts box since the rifle is 71 years old.

 

Thanks Moleman!

What parts typically break on Marlins from normal usage?
Should I grab another firing pin in addition to a new ejector or something?

 

It sounds like you have already talked yourself into the Marlin. I have a Browning in .308, but my lever .30-30's are Winchesters - so not an exact correlation to what you describe. I have several various .308's and several various .30-30's, and like them equally. So leaving out the calibers, I would look at ammo capacity & availability, "fit & feel" of how easily it can be brought on target, ease of 'field' maintenance, etc. That sounds like the Marlin to me, too.
My BLR has had exactly 9 rounds through it. Bought it new, sighted it in, then came across a Savage 99 in .308 for an incredibly great price before the fall seasons. The Browning is the 'safe queen' because it's too darn shiny & pretty to take to the woods....

 

Marlin! That Texan can be carried naturally with your hand wrapped around the receiver. Looks like its in excellent shape.

 

Welcome to MO's from the marshes of south Louisiana.
I would go for the Marlin. I'm sure it's lighter then the BLR.

 

Another vote for the Texan. I've got a '55 in 35 Remington. That old iron sighted thumper is a gem.

It wouldn't hurt to have a spare rear (forend) band screw, either.

 

Welcome from South Florida! I'd say the Marlin is your better choice for exactly the reasons you've (and others) stated and I've got both!

 

You can’t go wrong with a 336 Texan. Handier than a pocket on a shirt.

 

Marlin for the reasons cited, but also because detachable magazines get dropped or lost.

 

Welcome from the Ottawa valley. I own both a BLR in .308 and several 336's (unfortunately no Texans) and from what you describe, I too would lean towards the Marlin. Either would do the job inside 50 yards for sure but I feel the Marlin would be a more reliable rifle. My BLR has let me down more than once though it has taken 4 Moose (and many deer) so far and I only use it in situations that require a long shot. I find it needs so much more care and vigilance in keeping it clean and sounds "tinny" when levering. The Marlins ( I have a 1952 as well) seem to do all I ask them to do with no repairs yet, I have only changed one butt plate, and that broke during shipping from the auction house.
My 2 cents say, go Marlin.

 

Hi everyone,

This is my first posting here on MarlinOwners and I'm looking for some info and opinions from the more experienced members of the forum.

I'm in the market for a new rifle for around the house and have my decision narrowed down to two firearms but am having trouble deciding which!

I live in a very rural place in Canada (I'll let you guess where! ) and want a rifle to keep around the house just in case.

The rifle will predominantly be kept at home in the event that a predatory black bear or polar bear decides to make trouble and for shooting pesky coyotes/wolves that pass through my property.
But it will also see some use as a brush gun for moose hunting and for hunting harp seals on ice pans.

I don't want this thread to turn into a caliber war, I've seen both big bears and moose easily taken with both the old .30 WCF and .308 Winchester and know it can be done, regardless of what the fancy gun writers say!
There isn't a shot that I can envision me taking either in a hunting or self-defense scenario that will be much further than 50 yards, so the .30-30 and .308 have ample energy to do the job.

I'm torn between a beautiful 1952 JM Marlin 336 Texan and a pre-81 BLR. I've handled both and I really like the Marlin. I'm a slender lady and the Marlin just fits me better. The BLR has a much more complicated, albeit smoother lever action. The Marlin can be taken apart, serviced and cleaned with a multi tool while Browning specifically states for owners to NOT disassemble the BLR's complicated rack and pinion lever system.

I've also heard stories and seen YouTube videos of the BLR's detachable magazines failing to feed a round when the shooter was either shooting fast or short-shucking the lever.

The pre-81 BLR magazines are also impossible to find here in Canada and when you can find them, they cost like $300.00. Whereas, a new magazine spring for the 336 tube is a dime a dozen in the rare event that I need to replace it.

The Marlin also has a higher magazine capacity at 7 compared to the BLR's 4 rounds of .308.

I'm really leaning towards the Marlin for the aforementioned reasons but would like to hear some other thoughts!
Pics below!

Thanks!
Kimberley
View attachment 936958
View attachment 936959

You just convinced me not to get the BLR.

 

Well I own two Brownings A BLR in .308 and a BL22. The .22 has been repaired many times and the .308 more than once. I ain't buyin' any more.

 

I've never owned the Browning you have described but my sister-in-law shoots one in 7mm-08 and it is a fine hunting arm. But I have much experience with 30-30 carbines. Never had a problem with lethal wound channels or penetration with standard 170 grain factory ammo. The old 30-30 will kill animals much larger than common deer! I feel that it does its best work at 150 yards or less. TR

 

I have a Texan, awesome gun. I took a BLR apart for cleaning for a buddy and I discovered why he paid me to do it. You can ply can’t beat the combination of looks and ease of the 336, remove one screw, drop the lever and pull the bolt. Easy. Plus a detachable magazine in a lever just feels wrong

 

Can I pay you to do mine? 😊

 

Loaded cartridges availability is good for both calibers. If handloaded with LVR powder, the 30-30 can be moved a notch up the power ladder.

Have hunted either a 336, BLR or Savage 99 for 30 years. Everything said about the 336 rings true, but you can also short stroke that action. Only know of the current BLR, lighweight models, complicated action yes, but lever down provides access for an aerosol gun scrubber. The 308 BLR compared to the 336 is : lighter, shorter, likely notably more accurate and more powerful. Having said that, my preference would be for a Savage 99F 308, a rifle that made its reputation in the Canadian wilderness: simple, very light, fast, accurate, internal magazine, a joy to handle, unbelievable machining and hand fit, quality, parts readably available . Current used pricing is similar to a excellent 336. Do not overlook the Savage 99 in 300 Savage if you reload, that caliber is fetching about $150 to $300 below the prices a 308 chamber in the same model is commanding, or put the savings into ammo. Technically obsolete, the cartridge is still loaded and readably available , and will be since there is maybe a million out there of all makes, many still in use.

Upper Marlin 336SC 30-30, lower Savage 99A 308 Winchester.

 

Welcome to the forum. Marlin all the way, for all the reasons mentioned so far.

 

The only thing better than a Marlin Texan is a Marlin Texan with an 18 1/2” barrel.

 

I have the T and the TS in 18.5 and now that you have a 30GT I might have a snowball's chance in hell of finding one of those.

 

A friend let me borrow his 30-06 BLR. It was ok but too heavy for my tastes, I would also choose the Marlin

 

The only thing better than a Marlin Texan is a Marlin Texan with an 18 1/2” barrel.

Agreed, although a 16.5 Marauder would be nice also.

 

My vote is for the Marlin, especially a texan....hands down because ---- it's lighter, simpler, easier to clean and maintai by yourself

My son once told me " Dad, I like these Marlins...when you pull the trigger..they always go Bang "

If you acquire a 1952 made 336....consider having all the springs replaced at once....main spring, magazine spring, Lever plunger spring, firing pin spring, carrier rocker spring, ejector - as it is basically a spring.

See my recent post - how ugly can a lever plunger be ? ......I was shocked by the condition of that spring..

 

I read a few posts scanned through the rest, I'm with those who suggested the Marlin.
I own both Marlin and BLR Model 81 bought NIB in 1983. The BLR has the potbelly magazine which is a hard mag. to find, and when you do it's expansive. But the BLR potbelly mag. are now preproduction and are sold by Numrich gun parts.
If I lived in a place where polar bears are, I would like something stronger than a 30-30, Like a 45-70.
But you are right, all bullets kill.
My take is, The Marlin 30-30 is simple rifle to use and maintain, and ammo is most anywhere to be had.
The Texan model will hold its value.
I always prefer a tubular mag. on a lever rifle. What I hate about a detectable mag., it seems I'm always misplacing it.
I believe that John Marlin designed his Lever rifle for users who live in a rural places to protect themselves and hunt for food.
Well good luck with your choice.
TO NY🗽
PS. The older BLR mag. with its round bottom is Nicknamed potbelly, I think because of the way it looks when installed in the rifle.
MAGAZINE, .243, .308 & .358, 4 RD, OLD STYLE, BLUED, NEW (PRE 81; REPRODUCTION)
$85.25
Manufacturer: BROWNING
Model: BLR 81, BLR
Product #: 1566180
CT buyers must be FFL holder. Please contact Customer Service.

 

I read a few posts scanned through the rest, I'm with those who suggested the Marlin.
I own both Marlin and BLR Model 81 bought NIB in 1983. The BLR has the potbelly magazine which is a hard mag. to find, and when you do it's expansive. But the BLR potbelly mag. are now preproduction and are sold by Numrich gun parts.
If I lived in a place where polar bears are, I would like something stronger than a 30-30, Like a 45-70.
But you are right, all bullets kill.
My take is, The Marlin 30-30 is simple rifle to use and maintain, and ammo is most anywhere to be had.
The Texan model will hold its value.
I always prefer a tubular mag. on a lever rifle. What I hate about a detectable mag., it seems I'm always misplacing it.
I believe that John Marlin designed his Lever rifle for users who live in a rural places to protect themselves and hunt for food.
Well good luck with your choice.
TO NY🗽
PS. The older BLR mag. with its round bottom is Nicknamed potbelly, I think because of the way it looks when installed in the rifle.
MAGAZINE, .243, .308 & .358, 4 RD, OLD STYLE, BLUED, NEW (PRE 81; REPRODUCTION)
$85.25
Manufacturer: BROWNING
Model: BLR 81, BLR
Product #: 1566180
CT buyers must be FFL holder. Please contact Customer Service.

Now you got me thinking if my 2 extra magazines might not be original. They're bagged/sealed as I received them when I - I'll stop as to not derail this thread. I'll start my own when I get some good pictures of the mags.

 

Thanks everyone!
Looks like the Marlin is the clear winner here!

I think the Marlin will make a fine brush gun for moose and black bears over bait where I live.

I've also been thinking about snagging up a cheap Mossberg Maverick 88 12 gauge strictly for protection at home and while out and about in the woods alone. Seeing everyone talk so highly about the vintage Marlin Texans makes me want to make this one as a safe queen outside of hunting season. I can beat a cheap old pump shotgun to death and not lose sleep over it, plus 12 gauge slugs make me feel a little more confident in a life or death scenario when faced with something like a polar bear.

Now I have to decide if I also want a Mossberg or a Remington 870!

 

Thanks everyone!
Looks like the Marlin is the clear winner here!

I think the Marlin will make a fine brush gun for moose and black bears over bait where I live.

I've also been thinking about snagging up a cheap Mossberg Maverick 88 12 gauge strictly for protection at home and while out and about in the woods alone. Seeing everyone talk so highly about the vintage Marlin Texans makes me want to make this one as a safe queen outside of hunting season. I can beat a cheap old pump shotgun to death and not lose sleep over it, plus 12 gauge slugs make me feel a little more confident in a life or death scenario when faced with something like a polar bear.

Now I have to decide if I also want a Mossberg or a Remington 870!

I have both Mossberg 835 Turkey shoots a 3 1/2" 12 gauge but you can't shoot slugs in a Mossberg turkey barrel.
I bought a Mossberg smooth bore with rifle sights for my M. 835 to shoot slugs.

The reason Mossberg does not recommend shooting rifled slugs down the standard smoothbore barrels is that the barrel is of a nominal.775" in diameter instead of the standard nominal of.727" while slugs are much smaller at roughly.680" or smaller to fit through full chokes.

Remington had a $50 rebate on their long gun and the Rem. 870 was on sale for $300. so, for $250. NIB Walnut stock blue steel with a 28" ventilated rib barrel it was a bargain.

I don't know much about the Maverick 88 12 gauge but think they're less expansively made than the Mossberg 500. The Mossberg 500 is a well-made economical shotgun. I would go for the M. 500 12 ga. 3" chamber 26" barrel if I can choose.
TO NY🗽

 

I'd take that BLR.

 

That's awful tiny writing, is that a whisper of embarrassment, or are you testing my eyesight

 

My vote is for the Marlin Texan! I have a 1954 Texan in 35 Remington.
I would not trade it for two Brownings! But that's just me.
Good luck no matter what your choice!

 

Have done a great deal of drive hunting, buckshot on deer. There certainly is more penetration and bone breaking with 000 buck than 00. The effective range with those low pellet count 000 loads, is near 1/2 less that 00 or #1, with any given shell length. Up close it hits really hard, should make a good bear load. In old safari Africa was used to back up lion hunters. Having taken a bluffing black bear with a rifle, found I would have preferred buckshot at that close range, things happen very fast.

 

Good choice Kimberly.....but Marlins are not ment to be in a Safe......they is working guns !

I get a little extra Thump by reloading my own 30-30 ammo. My new favorite is a Barnes Original Bullet ..it is .308 diameter and a whopping 190 gr. Designed for 30-30 and 303 Savage velocity. If you can get some of those..I highly recommend them.....especially since you live and hunt in LARGE GAME country.

I'd send you some...but isn't it illegal for Americans to ship ammo into Canada ??