Author Topic: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?  (Read 1860 times)

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Offline His lordship.

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Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« on: January 13, 2008, 10:51:52 AM »
I had a Marlin 336 bought around 1999 new in the box, in general the gun was well made, but the lever rubbed the frame from being opened and closed.  The tube mag had a cheap looking plastic plug from where it pushed the bullets into the chamber.  Accurate rifle though.  Traded it off.

Thinking of getting another one as they are affordable, well balanced and handy.  I want to use it for pig hunting, occasional deer, and woodchucks.

How are the new ones in the quality area?

Thanks.

Offline Swampman

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Re: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2008, 03:01:31 PM »
They are as good as they ever were.  Maybe better!
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

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Offline big medicine

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Re: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2008, 06:00:02 PM »
I would buy one in a heart beat. Matter of fact I bought two last year and have zero complaints about either one. The will shoot as well as any bolt gun, and the 308Mx has become go to rifle. I don't think you will have any regrets.

Offline ihuntbucks

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Re: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2008, 06:06:14 PM »
I bought one last year in .35 Remy.Works flawless.Also have one in .3030,several years old.No complaints here either.....Rick
"Traveling East" F&AM #261  RAM #105  R&SM #69  KT #23 "Live for nothing;die for something"

Offline Buckeye

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Re: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2008, 03:00:19 AM »
I really like Marlin Firearms, but the last two new Marlins I've purchased has suffered from tooling marks...i traded the 45/70 and I kept the 35...(I vowed never to sell another 35) I replaced the 45/70 with a Pre-safety model, and just got a 450M online so I'll not see it for a week or so...
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Offline Old Grizz

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Re: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2008, 01:26:25 AM »
I had a Marlin 336 bought around 1999 new in the box, in general the gun was well made, but the lever rubbed the frame from being opened and closed.  The tube mag had a cheap looking plastic plug from where it pushed the bullets into the chamber.  Accurate rifle though.  Traded it off.

Thinking of getting another one as they are affordable, well balanced and handy.  I want to use it for pig hunting, occasional deer, and woodchucks.

How are the new ones in the quality area?

Thanks.


I own a bunch of Marlins without any complaints. They still use plastic followers in the magazine but I have never seen one fail because of it. There are after market followers made of aluminum to replace the plastic one. Marlin makes a great rifle but like any mass produced products, sometimes minor problems get by the quality department. Rest assured, if there is a problem, Marlin will stand behind it 110 %.
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Offline chucky52

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Re: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2008, 11:18:22 AM »
I have Marlins ranging from 1968 - 2006. The old ones are the best. 5 years ago I began shooting NRA Cowboy Lever Action Silhouettes. My 1968 .22 is great. I had to find a pistol caliber and tried a 32 H&R, the accuracy was non-existent, slugged the barrel and got a .314 reading. The bullets are .312 so back to Marlin. The barrell was replaced and the new barrel slugs .310. Better; but, a 5 in. group at 100 yards is unacceptable for everything.

Picked up a used .25-20, about the same story, no accuracy @ 100. My 336 is great. Now one might think I had the result of a couple of bad luck of the draws; however, Marlins are prevalent in NRA slihouettes and I stand around and discuss Marlin quality with shooters at every shoot, it's common with new Marlins, quality control is poor. For those thinking quality is great, let me know, there are a lot of slightly used Marlins for sale out of my collection and/or the guys I shoot with. The hope is that with the buy out, in two years quality will return.

Offline McLernon

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Re: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« Reply #7 on: March 04, 2008, 10:15:49 AM »
If you buy a 1895 Classic in 45-70 you will never need another rifle for your applications. I would say my XLR is a very goood 100 yard ground hog gun, maybe 150 yards.

Mc ;D

Offline S.B.

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Re: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2008, 05:21:51 PM »
They are as good as they ever were.  Maybe better!

Ditto that!
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2008, 11:48:09 PM »
I have Marlins ranging from 1968 - 2006. The old ones are the best. 5 years ago I began shooting NRA Cowboy Lever Action Silhouettes. My 1968 .22 is great. I had to find a pistol caliber and tried a 32 H&R, the accuracy was non-existent, slugged the barrel and got a .314 reading. The bullets are .312 so back to Marlin. The barrell was replaced and the new barrel slugs .310. Better; but, a 5 in. group at 100 yards is unacceptable for everything.

Picked up a used .25-20, about the same story, no accuracy @ 100. My 336 is great. Now one might think I had the result of a couple of bad luck of the draws; however, Marlins are prevalent in NRA slihouettes and I stand around and discuss Marlin quality with shooters at every shoot, it's common with new Marlins, quality control is poor. For those thinking quality is great, let me know, there are a lot of slightly used Marlins for sale out of my collection and/or the guys I shoot with. The hope is that with the buy out, in two years quality will return.

You simply picked chamberings that aren't very accurate.  At 100 yards I'm surprised you could hit anything.
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline chucky52

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Re: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« Reply #10 on: April 09, 2008, 07:02:47 PM »
You're surprised I could hit anything??? These are shooters and guns that participate in national NRA competition. You should show up and see what the few well made guns can do. It's the run of the milll quality which is unacceptable or in other words, the newer guns. If you get one and the specs are out you'll need voo doo or something because physics will not work.

Offline Rangr44

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Re: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« Reply #11 on: April 10, 2008, 02:05:45 AM »
It seems that quality at the Marlin plant, these last very few years, is a sometimes thing - most times you get a "good" one, but sometimes you don't.

With the new Cerebus/Remington owners first cleaning house at Bushmaster by closing the marketing dept, and (as of two days ago) announcing the closing of the Mass. H&R plant by the end of this year & relocating only "some" employees South, I'm thinking some Marlin employees are in a "I don't care" attitude, and others are retiring early and/or looking for a parachute somewhere else.

BTW - The LeverEvolution-style (XTR) followers, used to upgrade older rifles to feed the last Hornady  cartridge in the magazine reliably, are red plastic.
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Offline six_gunz

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Re: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2008, 08:17:44 PM »
They are as good as they ever were.  Maybe better!

I'll 2nd that!!!
I just bought my 15 year old a brand new 336 30-30 for Christmas. We took it to the range the day after and it shoots as good as any I've ever shot.
"I don't hunt for the kill, I kill for the hunt!"

Offline T.R.

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Re: Current quality on model 336 Marlins?
« Reply #13 on: April 17, 2008, 10:53:01 AM »


This is an average group for my 1979 Glenfield 30GT carbine with 18.5 inch barrel.  Scope is Simmons 2X-8X with two piece Millett bases and Weaver rings.

Circle is 3 3/8" DIA.  I made the target by tracing around a can of beans onto a colorful junk mail flyer.
TR