[JWHJLW]

I just bought a 1953 model 336 in 30-30.
Well used, but in fine condition.

Would it be stupid to drill and tap this gun?
I know it would affect the value some, but I feel like I would use it more with a scope.

Since there are Millions of them it shouldn't ever be worth much anyway...right?

Just looking for some opinions.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Bedrock]

It's your rifle. If you bought it to use, and if you will get more enjoyment out of using it if it is D&T'd for a scope, then it is not "stupid." A collector/purist might disagree, but I believe these old rifles were meant to use and enjoy. If that is what will make you happy, then I say go for it, and don't worry about what someone else may think. Just MHO, for what it is worth.

 

[JWHJLW]

Thanks Bedrock!

 

[mainecat]

I'd either peep it or pickup another one to scope..
Personally I wouldn't d&t it.. :'(

 

[pisgah]

It is your rifle and of course you may do with it as you wish. No criticism from me.

But if it were mine, I'd either leave it as-is, peep-sight it, or trade it for a newer, factory-drilled example. Find the right rifle and you might even make a profit on a swap, or selling yours and buying a replacement. The D&T job should be a simple one for a skilled gunsmith, but it is amazing how often the job is botched. Besides, I'm cheap!

 

[Cascade Jinx]

Many of today's "collectable' rifles were stock but the original owners did slight modifications to meet their needs. In their time the change may have been a Lyman or Marble peep instead of the original buck horn type sights, and later they drilled and tapped them. Marlin seeing this drilled and tapped the new ones which gave them a possible marketing up; in addition to meeting the needs of their customer base.

So I go along with the statement, "It's your gun and you can change it as you see fit." I would rather shoot my guns than put them away as a safe queen. But that's me!

I have a 1951 336RC that has been D&T; and was when I bought it. But, it is a great old accurate rifle and has a super smooth action from years of use. It is my son's favorite of my 7 Marlins.

SEE - Opinions are like A$$holes, everybody has one! ;D ;D

CJ

 

[greyowl]

If a peep sight will work for you, you may consider the barrel mounted version from Skinner sights. Tap out the buckhorn and install the Skinner. No alterations to the rifle that can't be undone. Just a thought.

 

[JWHJLW]

Thanks for all the good feedback guys!

Haven't even shot the thing yet...probably get a few through it this weekend.
If it shoots anything like my 1958 39A...I'll be in Love all over again!
I'm on the fence for the D&T...leaning towards leaving it alone.

 

[Rachethead]

You said yours is a '53 model; from '52 thru '54, 336 receiver tops were not matted and are identical to those of the "55 and later Marlin receiver tops with the exception of the four factory D & T'd scope mount holes. I wouldn't D & T a "48-"51 waffle top receiver; but have no problems with D & T any smooth top 336 model; although I would take great care to D & T those scope mount holes EXACTLY in the same locations as a factory D & T job.
As your gun is a shooter, has no collector value whatsoever and never will; then by golly D & T the thing and enjoy shooting your scoped Marlin! After-market D & T jobs were at one time a money generator for the company, and the gun works after-market D $ T'd numbers of early 336s until the need to compete with other makers forced the company to provide those pre-drilled holes as standard equipment. Now that's my opinion; and if you want to have some idea of what you can expect after you D & T your Marlin, you can make that judgment by checking out my '53 model 336A below.

 

[mogwai]

Can you get an extender for that vintage hammer? If so, where? I acquired a D&T waffle top that carried see-thru rings. I would like to add a low slung scope instead of peeps.

 

[Rachethead]

If you look closely at that rifle you will note that I performed a few aftermarket parts change-outs to include the trigger; I removed the original non-grooved trigger and replaced it with a trigger designed for the '57-82 pre-CBS Model 336 so that I could use an offset hammer spur. As I wanted a later model 336 appearance, I also replaced the original trigger with a gold-pated trigger, and added a late vintage sight hood and later vintage fold-down ramp type rear sight; no other metal parts have been altered or changed. There was no fitting to any of these parts; they simply dropped/tapped/slide into their proper alignments and the gun works slick and shoots straight.

 

[bigjeepman]

Jeff ...

Welcome to MO's forums. It sounds like you got another nice Marlin to play with. We like lots of pictures so you really need to post some of your rifles whenever you can .

What are you going to use your '53 30-30 for Jeff? Are you going to hunt with it, target practice, or both? If you are going to hunt with it and have "young eyes," a lot of members here use peep sights very successfully. If you are going to hunt with it and your shots are going to be say "100+" yards on the average, then you might D&T the rifle and put a good low powered scope mounted low on it.

It's your rifle Jeff and the important thing is to enjoy it to the fullest. Good shooting to you ...

bjm

 

[mogwai]

If you look closely at that rifle you will note that I performed a few aftermarket parts change-outs to include the trigger; I removed the original non-grooved trigger and replaced it with a trigger designed for the '57-82 pre-CBS Model 336 so that I could use an offset hammer spur. As I wanted a later model 336 appearance, I also replaced the original trigger with a gold-pated trigger, and added a late vintage sight hood and later vintage fold-down ramp type rear sight; no other metal parts have been altered or changed. There was no fitting to any of these parts; they simply dropped/tapped/slide into their proper alignments and the gun works slick and shoots straight.

Sorry for the confusion....I was asking the orignal poster about hammer spur for his 53 vintage gun. It might present the same problem for him as it does for me. I don't have a long eye-relief scope and haven't been able to find a spur that will work on the original hammer. So my gun currently wears a peep sight, even though it is D&T.

 

[dpe.ahoy]

That is some pretty wood Ratchethead. Very nice old rifle. To the OP, if your rifle is in top shape, you may want to peep it, if in the "user" condition, do what ever you want. My 52 was D&Ted when I got it, and not in good looking shape, but it shoots very good and likes the LE ammo, action is very smooth from lots of use. I will attempt to git her prettied up this summer, can't make her look much worse. : DP

 

[JWHJLW]

I'm not sure about a hammer spur for this one.
I put the one that comes with the scope rail on my 39A...
Somewhere between shot 100 and 200...it flew off...but we were having too much fun to notice.
Plenty of room between the hammer and the scope anyway.

 

[tlc361]

I just bought a 1953 model 336 in 30-30.
Well used, but in fine condition.

Would it be stupid to drill and tap this gun?

Blasphemy.....Gasp..Gasp!!! ....... :-X

The purity of an original condition rifle, how can one desecrate a thing of such beauty?..... :'( ;D ;D

Truth be told it's your rifle, make it comfortable for your use and enjoy the proper application of Mr. Marlin's design. These rifles are made to be used and not safe queens.

 

[gunrunner]

Id peep it. Think they look and handle so much better without a scope. IMO. But then again, you cant hit what you cant see, So if your eyesights not what it should be,Scope it. Because you got to shoot em to truely enjoy em. Congrats on the new old rifle. The old ones have a soul. Gunrunner,,

 

[Pard]

Would it be stupid to drill and tap this gun?

Remember you asked for My opinion....

Absolutely NOT

Not only do you ruin the value. You take away from why it was made, to be light and fast.
Go try it, and see who much fun it is. There are other sight options out there

 

[biggog]

If you can shoot with a peep sight try a williams sight that screws into the side of the receiver where it is already drilled. If you don't like thie peep you can always sell the peep to someone and then D&T the gun later. I have two waffle tops and both were D&T when I bought them. I wouldn't be able to use them if they weren't because I can't use open sights any more. If you do put a scope on the gun you can buy a hammer & spur complete from Midway and put it right in the gun. Save the the old hammer & you can put it back on the gun if you ever sell it.

 

[gunrunner]

My 59 mod 336 in 35 has a XS, The mauser in 35rem has a redfield,and the 99 has the williams. There all good ones and worth a try.Be neat if you could find a older style peep.Gunrunner,,