I like the pistol grip; I have about zero range of motion and severe pain in right wrist. Much more comfortable.

 

Quite honestly, I think it's more about what you like the looks of best. When raising/shooting either one during hunting season I have NEVER even thought about the type of stock on the gun, let alone even heard the report of my fired shot.

Just my opinion though.

 

I've owned and hunted with a number of different types of lever guns; M88s, M99s, BLRs, 94s and lots of different Marlins and I found that I like both, but prefer a PG stock.

I owned two .444Ps, one which had been modified to a PG stock and that's the one I kept. My 1895G and 1895M are both gone now too as I tended to use that .444P instead. It's a purely personal choice and I still have and like 4 or 5 lever guns with straight grip stocks.

 

I've always been a Winchester guy, largely because of their straight, uncheckered stocks. I'll make an exception for Marlin's Texans and lucked into an old Ballard rifled 35 a couple of years ago. That rifle fast became my favorite and it's probably saved me thousands of dollars I might have spent buying Winchesters and sending them off to be rebored

 

I like the looks of straight stocks better, but personally feel that the pistol grip are more comfortable to shoot.
FYI, I own several of both types.
this is just my opinion

 

Think it’s mostly cosmetic, the pros vs cons are negligible. Personally like the straight stock look.

 

I have switched a 1895CB and a 1894CL to Pistol Grip stocks because I think they are more comfortable for off hand, extended shooting. But the look of my 2016, 336 with a Straight Stock and a thin fore stock gets me excited.
Sometimes it's just about how it looks.

 

In addition I find the Winchester Pistol Grips more interesting than the new (post 1890?) Marlin pistol Grips.

 

Oh, Heresy 🫣

 

You’ll be far more likely to find a pistol grip then a straight stock. They were produced in much higher numbers. I prefer the straight grip but that’s mostly for appearances.

 

I like straight stocks over pistol grip stocks mostly because I like pistol grip stocks better than straight stocks.
Mostly depends on which one I'm holding at any given moment.

 

speydude said it best, LOL

 

Leverguns straight grips. Bolt guns pistol grips.

 

That's pretty much my opinion, too.

Bert

 

Marlin was always the " pistol grip " company...they are comfy to shoot and I like them for more open country shooting.....Now the straight grip Marlins are best on the short barreled , fast shooting, open or receiver sight rifles. I have a 20 inch straight grip plus a 16.5 inch.....both in 30-30. One of my favorites is a 336A from 1979 with the pistol grip, and 24 inch bbl......it wears a 3.5x10 scope ...for those reach out shots.....The ANSWER is simple...YOU NEED some of BOTH !

20 inch

16.5 inch...

24 inch...... SIZE MATTERS....

 

.The ANSWER is simple...YOU NEED some of BOTH !

Since I have the 94, maybe I should be leaning towards a pistol grip.

Bert

 

I like the looks of straight grip stocks but prefer to have a pistol grip when shooting.

 

I have many of both. I believe the pistol grip does a better job of managing recoil and the straight stock allows quicker handling. Since you already have the Winchester 94 with the straight stock, I suggest you buy a Marlin with the pistol grip.

T.S.

 

I suggest you buy a Marlin with the pistol grip

That's probably a good idea, but I may wait a bit to see what Ruger puts on the market. In the meantime, there are other rifles to spend money on.

Bert

 

Im a winnie 94 guy, I like straight grips.and one of my Marlins is a Texan. but if possible, do you know some one with a PG 336. see if you could carry it woods walking it will help you decide.

 

but if possible, do you know some one with a PG 336. see if you could carry it woods walking it will help you decide.

That's good advice and a lot better than just handling one in a store.

Bert

 

I generally like as vertical a grip as I can get. I prefer a modern sporting rifle with a very vertical pistol grip. I stayed away from levers because of my preference. But when I shouldered a 336 with a pistol grip I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the feel of it, it was easy to pull into my shoulder, and shooting it is quite pleasant. Just my experience.

The straight grips do have very classy lines though…

 

when I shouldered a 336 with a pistol grip I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the feel of it, it was easy to pull into my shoulder, and shooting it is quite pleasant. Just my experience.

The straight grips do have very classy lines though…

That's good to hear. I'm pretty sure I'll go with a pistol grip. I like the lines of the straight grip, but part of that may be that it's easy to get sucked into the Chuck Connor/John Wayne fantasy.

Bert

 

There is nothing wrong with the chuck connors or john wayne fantasy ?? Is there ??
I play John Wayne all the time.....Why do you think those aftermarket...big loop levers sell so well.....

 

For a fast shooting and close encounter I am on the straight stock corner. AC

 

Straight stocks seem to handle faster. I really like them on my 39M and pistol calibers.

But the pistol grip stocks I think manage recoil better. The best handling of all is an SC with the short mag tube and pistol grip stock. It’s the purtiest model too!

 

I’m a straight stock fan. Only one of my levers is a pg, but I do enjoy it as well. It’s the first and only pg I’ve bought. 336 BL.

 

I was weened on Win 94's which was my favorite deer hunting rifle, my second favorite was a mannlicher which had a pistol type grip. My preferred style of hunting was a stalk and stand(still hunting), so I thought the Win 94's (straight stock) was easier to carry at port arms, but the mannlicker (pistol grip) was more comfortable when brought up to an aiming position.

 

My preferred style of hunting was a stalk and stand(still hunting), so I thought the Win 94's (straight stock) was easier to carry at port arms, but the mannlicker (pistol grip) was more comfortable when brought up to an aiming position.

Actually, I'm looking at a Ruger mannlicher now. The Marlin will be next so I have time to think about it.

Bert

 

For fast handling and quick shots, straight stocks are best. It puts both hands in the same plane.
I find for longer more deliberate shots, pistol grip works better. Shooting off hand, the rifle tends to hang on target better.
Straight stocked carbine comes to eye quicker/ pistol grip rifle is better for aiming.

 

Shooting off hand, the rifle tends to hang on target better.

That makes me think of a sad story I heard this morning. I was talking to a friend who guides and asked how things were going. He shook his head a little and told me about an incident yesterday. His client had maybe wounded a buck at about 300 yards. Just as the light was going, they found it standing at about 100 yards. Instead of taking an offhand shot, the client started fiddling around setting up his shooting sticks. The deer said thanks for the extra time and left. The client claimed to have been a small arms instructor in the army.

Bert

 

Oddly enough, "still hunting:" is slow stalking, not hunting in a stand. Go Figure

 

Very Ironic. And most "Stand Hunting" is done sitting down! Who makes up this stuff??????

 

To me , the question of straight stock versus pistol grip has always been one of aesthetics alone.
I prefer straight stocks on a lever action, even though I am aware that pistol grips have been around forever.
To me the quintessential lever gun will always have a straight stock.
Once had an 1876 Winchester with a pistol grip. Didn't keep it long as it ut just didn't look or feel right to me.
But I suppose it all falls under the heading of whatever spins your prop,floats your boat, etc.
You pays your money and takes your choice.

 

I like them both, but the straight stock is for me! Winny 94's and Marlin Texans along with a few Marlin 1894's.
Now last weekend I held a 1938 Winchester model 71 with a pistol grip stock. It felt better in my hands than a Marlin 336 with pistol grips. It may sound silly, but I've never liked the plastic cap on a 336's pistol grip. The early SC Marlins from the 1950's feel good in my hands. It's about personal preference.