Glenfield?

[kysingleshot]

I was in a pawn shop today looking at some lever actions. What do most of you think of buying rifles from a pawn shop instead of new? I have thought that was a cheaper way, but you don't know what you are getting. Also on that, what do you look at in a "well used" rifle. Now to the point of all this: I found a 30-30 lever made by marlin that said it was a "Glenfield." I know nothing of this model, but know it had a very nice carving on the stock of a whitetail buck. The serial # started out with 70-. I don't know if this means this is the year of manufacture, or what. It had a lot of light surface rust, but that is just cosmetic, some stock scratches and a price tag of $159.99. I don't know what to look at for functionability as this would be my first lever. Can anyone help me with some thoughts? Sorry for being so long-winded, but I wonder if this is one man's treasure?

Thanks,
Michael

[Daveinthebush]

It is a Marlin 336 and was made for either Montgomery Wards or Sears by Marlin.

There are a variety of old guns that used to be made for companies by bigger companies.  My first buck fell to a J.C. Higgins which was made by High Standard at that time.

[leverfan]

Most of the guns I buy are used, but pawn shop guns can be traps or treasures, depending on how greedy the shop owner is.  Some know very little about guns, and few offer a decent repair/return policy.  If the bore is in good shape, and the action cycles well, go for it.  It's not too bad of a price, and Marlin will probably stand behind it, even if the pawn shop won't.

[Lawdog]

Michael,

Buying from a pawn shop can be a hit or miss situation as with any "used" rifle.  If you are unsure of what to look for in a used rifles see if the pawn shop will give you a 5 day return policy.  This is so you can take it to a gunsmith and have him/her look it over.  If the pawn shop/used gun store won't go for the return policy then maybe you should be looking elsewhere.  Lawdog

[cam69conv]

Michael,

Buying from a pawn shop can be a hit or miss situation as with any "used" rifle.  If you are unsure of what to look for in a used rifles see if the pawn shop will give you a 5 day return policy.  This is so you can take it to a gunsmith and have him/her look it over.  If the pawn shop/used gun store won't go for the return policy then maybe you should be looking elsewhere.  Lawdog

Cam agree wholeheartedly with lawdog on this one..Man who wont stand behind gun need to be put in front of gun...hehehe Im startin to sound like Dali huh...Do exactly what lawdog said bud..Since you are unfamiliar with levers and dont know what to look for then make him give you a 5 day return but let him know what its purpose is and GET IT IN WRITING..Run to your closest smithy and have him check it out well..Headspace...Bore...Shape of the action and all