[rklaver]

Hey Everyone,

So Marlinitis has stricken a month after my first Marlin purchase. I just bought a new issue 336 Receiver and barrel to build up as a custom 336. My question to you is are there any old parts that won't work in the new receiver? For example I'm looking at complete bolt assemblies from older pre-crossbolt rifles. Has there been any changes in the bolts over the years that would not allow the older to be used in the new?

Thanks all!

-Rich

 

[papabear]

You may be in for a surprise. Even if they fit, guns put together with parts usually end up being quite expensive. Kind of like building a car out of parts purchased at NAPA. Price at the dealership is 30K. By the piece at the parts store is 137K.

ARs and 1911s excepted, most gun parts are expensive and require some fine tuning to fit. There are a few drop in items. Good luck. Personally, I would much rather have an older Marlin from when they were still assembled by master craftsmen.

 

[Tomray]

rklaver,

Welcome to MarlinOwners.com.........

RE: your question.........What papabear said is true.............

First, I wonder how you were able to buy only a receiver. I would expect the fact that you could, may mean that receiver already has some dimensional issues.......Barrels are much easier to get........What caliber receiver is it? do you actually know?..........I will tell you that while the different calibers look to be the same......dimensionally they are NOT........some have added functional cuts/operations added to facilitate a particular caliber.

Speaking as a Manufacturing Engineer, RETIRED from Marlin Firearms Co. at the time of the closure of the North Haven facility, I have something to offer..........


All major components continually went thru small dimensional tweaks for a number of reasons, and still do today..........

I know,.....you would think that a product that has been in production so long, would have all the bugs out.................

NOT SO............A small tweak in one area, means a small tweak in another.....

Or, a particular operation gets changed to make it easier and faster to perform, or because the change will yeild more parts with less scrap..........

Or, Marlin Gunsmiths ask for a change to make their job easier and faster.........the list of reasons goes on and on..............

Most times, these changes can be "retro fitted" or "fitted forward" with a little work and understanding..........sometimes not..........

Is it possible to you to build a Marlin from parts?..............sure, if you can get the right sequence and caliber of parts.........
If you don't, or can't, then the results will be clunky, nonfunctional, unreliable and even dangerous............

You will find some parts will be available ONLY to gunsmiths with FFL's, and other parts will be "Factory Install Only" items...........

As Jack stated above, Its cheaper faster and more reliable to start your custom rifle with a complete donor rifle...........

Tom

 

[truckjohn]

guns put together with parts usually end up being quite expensive.

ARs and 1911s excepted, most gun parts are expensive and require some fine tuning to fit.

LOL...
AR's and 1911's are certainly not excepted from this.... Both the AR and 1911 are famous for not running right (Or at all) with garden variety retail parts.... Look at all the custom shops out there that make money hand over fist on NOTHING but AR or 1911 work....

But... At least you *can* get parts for them... Try getting good, in spec parts for your garden variety non-military gun.... Even a rifle that saw multiple millions produced....

The first point is a great one, though....
Wanna know how to turn a $300 gun into a $800 gun.... Build it yourself out of parts...

There's nothing quite like the pain of realizing WHY those used parts were parted out for used in the first place..... Now... 99% of the time - the 336 is nowhere close to worn out internally.... BUT... you just never know until you buy them, assemble, and test it out.....

Thanks

 

[rklaver]

Thanks guys, all excellent points. I did get a lot of enjoyment from building my AR though. I certainly won't say money isn't an object, but I don't mind spending a bit extra to give something a try.

I actually bought a 30AW in 30-30 which is actually being delivered to my FFL today :-D. My original intention was to modify it to a Guide Gun/Marlin Marauder clone. But the more I thought about it the less I wanted to destroy JM stamped product. So I bought a new remlin 336w 30-30 receiver/barrel on gunbroker which I'll have no guilt sending off to get shortened or if the project get's botched the world isn't missing anything special, LOL.

Mainly I was just curious if I need to stick to new production parts or if I can scavenge for older used parts on ebay. I'm not a fan of the new black coated bolts which is why my original question specifically calls that part out.

 

[rklaver]

FYI The only part that really shocks me cost wise is the carrier or at least fot what Brownells sells it for... geez. This weekend I'm putting a new style carrier into my older 1894. Seems like a lot of people have said that fixed their Marlin Jam, hope I'm one of those.

 

[pricedo]

The skillset you bring to the task is a big factor.
I've seen a few beautiful rifles (mostly Winchester & Marlin leverguns) built from a combination of parts scavenged from junkers and new parts but the guy I'm thinking of is both a gunsmith and a qualified machinist with serious skills on a lathe.
If he's short a part or has one that doesn't quite fit he can make them fit.
For an ordinary sodbuster like me whose skills amount to knowing what end of the hammer to hit the nail with I'd go with the majority opinion on this thread and just buy a good used rifle.

 

[miljimbob]

FYI The only part that really shocks me cost wise is the carrier or at least fot what Brownells sells it for... geez. This weekend I'm putting a new style carrier into my older 1894. Seems like a lot of people have said that fixed their Marlin Jam, hope I'm one of those.

I was just going to suggest getting a Brownell's catalog (or website with schematic) and start tallying up all the parts you need (plus all the $5-$8 screws!) and you will be shocked. If you decide to go ahead, at least you will be getting new current production parts. Best of luck!

 

[Golphin]

If you look at Ebay under "marlin 336" there is just about every part that goes into the gun. Some are high but some are not so much.

 

[marlin model 93]

I dont know about old into new, but new into old sure works. :flute: 1948 receiver with new parts.. bolt is from 50' though..

 

[Squirrel Brain]

I'm personally not so "brave" as to start with only a stripped receiver; but I did purchase a barreled action with a stripped frame (a 30TK of all things, an '80 model) and build a "custom" 30TK with pistol grip and factory checkered walnut stocks. The boys above are correct as to parts costs, so my approach to minimizing that aspect of the project was to purchase one of those police siezed Marlin levers where all parts are stripped for resale; then the frame is destroyed, in this case a Model 30AS. I salvaged the lever, bolt, lifter, screws, all interial parts, etc; then sold the stocks and all remaining parts not needed or used. As I had gotten my parts package at a good price, the parts when sold more than covered my investment in the 30AS parts package; but I still had to purchase my walnut stocks, mag tube, tube spring, tube cap, hanger, barrel band, screws, etc. so that when I had finally collected all the parts and completed my project I had as much, or more in the finished piece (it was nice) as an original unmolested 30TK would have cost. In fact, I actually purchased an unmolested 30TK afterwards in near new condition with a set of aftermarket high-dollar peep sights for $350; so in dollars my project saved nothing. In terms of experience, and satisfying the itch to actually do such a project; this effort was certainly worth the money, as my desire to custom build a Marlin lever has been permanently satiated (I'll save lots of dollars!).

 

[rklaver]

...so in dollars my project saved nothing. In terms of experience, and satisfying the itch to actually do such a project; this effort was certainly worth the money, as my desire to custom build a Marlin lever has been permanently satiated (I'll save lots of dollars!).

Ah yes, the very itch I'm trying to scratch. I'm coming off of a high from building my AR and want more. I have a couple more AR's I could build but I find the parts to be more expensive, plus I'd rather build a lever. :biggrin:

Technically I already bought the receiver/barrel and I have a hammer assembly, loading gate, and trigger guard plate on it's way. So there's nowhere to go but forward. Don't worry I'll take you all along for the ride if you want. :driver:

...one of those police seized Marlin levers where all parts are stripped for resale; then the frame is destroyed...

This is interesting, how did you find out about those parts kits?

 

[papajohnabi]

Keep us updated rklaver! It'll be a neat project to follow along with! John