[SoftPoint]

This is the first chance I got to fire my new remington owned 336W and the older one I have, with a side by side comparison.

Accuracy: Achieved MOA accuracy with both guns at 100 yards.(with scopes)
Feeding reliability: No failures
Smoothness of action: This is where I noticed a difference. The older Marlin was much noticably smoother. I'm not sure if it's because the new one needs to be "worn in" or not. The older Marlin glided when working the lever, The newer one was noticably stickier.

I was worried that the accuracy might be compromised under the new ownership, but they were comparable. I'll have to see if the action "wears in"

 

[Halwg]

I would think it should. Seems the more you shoot them, the smoother they get.

 

[yukondog]

It will, all of mine did although my 357 was pretty smooth out of the box.

 

[Tatersoup]

my first Marlin lever gun is smoothing out quite nicely.

 

[white fox]

Nothing like some good wear to slick up the rough spots.

 

[Brian in FL]

My wife and I recently got a couple of new W's in different stores, mine was bought at WalMart and hers was bought at an Academy store, but we haven't gotten them to the range yet. Mine is Remington built and is not at all smooth, there is a quite noticeable hitch when I first start to close the lever, but I expect it will smooth up with some use. I just fiddled with hers that was built in Connecticut in 2009, and it was quite noticeably smoother although a bit stiff which was normal for a new lever action rifle. When we get them to the range we'll see how accurate they both are.