winchester 94 or marlin 336

moisanfan11 · January 2, 2013, 09:36 PM

Should I stick with my winchester or try the marlin

FALPhil · January 2, 2013, 09:46 PM

I have both. The Marlin feels more solid. The Winchester has slightly better balance. It is six of one, half a dozen of the other.

jmr40 · January 2, 2013, 09:57 PM

Each has their advantages. Over the years Marlins have been consistently very good. Winchesters quality has been all over the place, but if you have a good one, they are every bit the equal of the Marlin. Generally the Winchesters tend to be a little lighter, the Marlins have the advantage of side ejection if you want to mount a scope. If not, that does not matter.

If I had a good Winchester, I wouldn't let it go to buy a Marlin. If you just want to buy a 2nd rifle, I think the odds of getting a good one are a little better going with the Marlin. Especially in the used market.

This is my favorite and the best of both designs. A 1973 Marlin when they made them with a lot less wood in the forend and a lot less weight.

R.Lynn · January 2, 2013, 10:10 PM

I have both. My winchester is older pre-64 given to me by my uncle. He loves them and has a large collection. I baught the 336 because I liked the winchester but wanted a scope. Now I think the 336 maybe my favorite in looks and shooting. It's awesome.

mohead10 · January 2, 2013, 11:23 PM

336 gets my vote. In .35 rem. can't get that in a mod. 94

Keg · January 3, 2013, 11:52 AM

Quote:

This is my favorite and the best of both designs. A 1973 Marlin when they made them with a lot less wood in the forend and a lot less weight.

Jmr40...that is a Texan model....I have one from 1970.....My SIL has one from '78....My favorite Marlin....

I have a couple pre-64 Winchesters and a USRAC trapper model....I like em all....

L_Killkenny · January 3, 2013, 03:27 PM

You already have a Winchester..... zero, none, nada reason to get a Marlin. Maybe not entirely true, if you have a pe-AE Winchester and want a scope than that doesn't apply but other than that?????

The Winchester feels/handles like a carbine should, the Marlin more rifle like. Little heavier, little chunkier, a Marlins have that dang pistol grip stock.

Guv · January 3, 2013, 04:08 PM

That "dang pistol grip" stock keeps you'r wrist at a more natural angel though.

Hawg · January 3, 2013, 06:33 PM

I'd keep the Winchester. The Marlins are good but the 336 is ugly and the pistol grip doesn't help it any.

dgludwig · January 3, 2013, 06:35 PM

What Hawg Haggen said.

ThomasT · January 3, 2013, 06:47 PM

I have had several of both and prefer the Marlin. But only by a little. The Winchester feels better because its lighter and slimmer. If you want to scope it the marlin is the best bet. The marlin may be slightly more accurate. Maybe. Either one is accurate enough for open sighted shots at deer out to a hundred yards. Most deer are shot closer anyway.

I wish I hadn't sold the last winchester I had. It was a post 64 but was well made and fairly tight with no freckles on the reciever. I just bought an AR and as much as I like it I would sell it way before I sold my last 30-30.

As far as the pistol grip goes it doesn't make me any difference. I have a 32, 357, and 44 mag marlins with the straight grips and I never notice when switching around holding them.

stu925 · January 3, 2013, 09:19 PM

Keep the Winchester especially if it's pre '64 but buy a 336 in addition to it. You didn't day what your 94 is chambered for but I imagine it's .30 WCF, if that's the case look for a .35 Rem 336. If the Winchester isn't .30 WCF then get the 336 chambered in that.

Stu

Guv · January 4, 2013, 01:26 PM

To clean a Marlin from the breech, remove one screw!
Clean a Winchester 94 from the breech.................

jimbob86 · January 4, 2013, 01:33 PM

Quote:

The Marlin feels more solid. The Winchester has slightly better balance.

The Winchester felt flimsy to me- even light recoiling cartridges like 30/30 would kick the hell out of kids, one of those, methinks.

solocam72 · January 5, 2013, 06:00 AM

Keep the winchester! Especially if its a pre 64

L_Killkenny · January 5, 2013, 10:44 AM

Quote:

To clean a Marlin from the breech, remove one screw!
Clean a Winchester 94 from the breech.................

And before the internet????????? No one gave a crap for 100 years. Cleaning guns from the muzzle isn't a death nail.

Guv · January 5, 2013, 11:42 AM

Guns were getting the barrels damaged by improper cleaning methods long before the internet! I'll bet some did give a crap.

Hawg · January 5, 2013, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Guns were getting the barrels damaged by improper cleaning methods long before the internet! I'll bet some did give a crap.

I've cleaned a butt load of guns from the muzzle and never messed one up. I've used every kind of cleaning rod imaginable, wood, aluminum, fiberglass all the so called bad stuff.

mr.t7024 · January 5, 2013, 12:12 PM

Shoulder them both and or flip a coin.

Cliff

Strafer Gott · January 5, 2013, 12:34 PM

My Marlins are rimfires. The 80's model is as heavy as a 336. The "D" model is much more like a Winchester 94. I use that model, and my 1960 model 94 in the irons. The model 39A Marlin is scoped with a 4 power, but for a scoped lever action, I have a 300 Savage with a 3-9x. That gun has quite a bit more reach than the model 94 .30-.30.

Guv · January 5, 2013, 12:37 PM

I'm sure you have Hawg, so have I and many others, but the fact remains that many a good rifle has had the muzzle ruined by contact with a cleaning rod.

dgludwig · January 5, 2013, 01:05 PM

I have no problem cleaning my model 94 Winchester rifle from the muzzle. One of the cardinal rules for cleaning any firearm via the muzzle is to use the cleaning rod (regardless of what material it's made from) judiciously, avoiding any contact with the crown. This is not that difficult and many, many firearms require cleaning from the muzzle, including almost all non-takedown Winchester and Savage lever-action rifles; all current Remington pump and semi-auto rifles and virtually all revolvers (Dan Wessons and some top-breaks excepted), to name a few.

ThomasT · January 5, 2013, 01:25 PM

If cleaning from the muzzle I use a bore guide. I have bottle neck cases I have cut the shoulder and neck from and slip the rod through the neck and that pratects the bore.

In a 30 cal I use a 270 case cut off and it will fit in the bore at the crown. This keeps the rod from rubbing on the end of the barrel.

jimbob86 · January 5, 2013, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Cleaning guns from the muzzle isn't a death nail.

If done wrong, repeatedly, it is.

Look for rifling at the muzzle of some of the milsurp guns out there ..... some have none left on one side or the bottom, right at the end, it having been worn away by steel cleaning rods..... And folks wonder why their Mosin can't shoot into a pie plate @100 ......

Old Grump · January 5, 2013, 01:40 PM

If the 94 is in good shape and a good shooter there is no reason to change unless you want to scope your gun. If mine ever dies and can't be fixed I will change but as long as it still works and keeps shooting I'm hanging onto it.

Dos centavos from a dinosaur

January 2, 2013, 09:36 PM	#1
moisanfan11 Member Join Date: December 1, 2012 Location: flagstaff, az Posts: 58	winchester 94 or marlin 336 Should I stick with my winchester or try the marlin __________________ Guns can't decide to kill , it's the people using the gun that decide to pull the trigger

January 3, 2013, 06:35 PM	#10
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	What Hawg Haggen said. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

January 5, 2013, 12:12 PM	#19
mr.t7024 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2012 Location: Ma, near a brook Posts: 229	U.S. Marine’s Scathing Response to Sen. Feinstein’s Gun Control Proposal: ‘I Am Not Shoulder them both and or flip a coin.Cliff

January 5, 2013, 01:05 PM	#22
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	I have no problem cleaning my model 94 Winchester rifle from the muzzle. One of the cardinal rules for cleaning any firearm via the muzzle is to use the cleaning rod (regardless of what material it's made from) judiciously, avoiding any contact with the crown. This is not that difficult and many, many firearms require cleaning from the muzzle, including almost all non-takedown Winchester and Savage lever-action rifles; all current Remington pump and semi-auto rifles and virtually all revolvers (Dan Wessons and some top-breaks excepted), to name a few. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

January 5, 2013, 01:40 PM	#25
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	If the 94 is in good shape and a good shooter there is no reason to change unless you want to scope your gun. If mine ever dies and can't be fixed I will change but as long as it still works and keeps shooting I'm hanging onto it. Dos centavos from a dinosaur __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

January 2, 2013, 09:46 PM	#2
FALPhil Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2007 Location: Racoon City Posts: 934	I have both. The Marlin feels more solid. The Winchester has slightly better balance. It is six of one, half a dozen of the other.

January 2, 2013, 09:57 PM	#3
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,806	Each has their advantages. Over the years Marlins have been consistently very good. Winchesters quality has been all over the place, but if you have a good one, they are every bit the equal of the Marlin. Generally the Winchesters tend to be a little lighter, the Marlins have the advantage of side ejection if you want to mount a scope. If not, that does not matter. If I had a good Winchester, I wouldn't let it go to buy a Marlin. If you just want to buy a 2nd rifle, I think the odds of getting a good one are a little better going with the Marlin. Especially in the used market. This is my favorite and the best of both designs. A 1973 Marlin when they made them with a lot less wood in the forend and a lot less weight.

January 2, 2013, 10:10 PM	#4
R.Lynn Member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Posts: 47	I have both. My winchester is older pre-64 given to me by my uncle. He loves them and has a large collection. I baught the 336 because I liked the winchester but wanted a scope. Now I think the 336 maybe my favorite in looks and shooting. It's awesome.

January 2, 2013, 11:23 PM	#5
mohead10 Member Join Date: December 18, 2011 Location: West Virginia Posts: 42	336 gets my vote. In .35 rem. can't get that in a mod. 94

January 3, 2013, 03:27 PM	#7
L_Killkenny Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,676	You already have a Winchester..... zero, none, nada reason to get a Marlin. Maybe not entirely true, if you have a pe-AE Winchester and want a scope than that doesn't apply but other than that????? The Winchester feels/handles like a carbine should, the Marlin more rifle like. Little heavier, little chunkier, a Marlins have that dang pistol grip stock.

January 3, 2013, 04:08 PM	#8
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	That "dang pistol grip" stock keeps you'r wrist at a more natural angel though.

January 3, 2013, 06:33 PM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I'd keep the Winchester. The Marlins are good but the 336 is ugly and the pistol grip doesn't help it any.

January 3, 2013, 06:47 PM	#11
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,753	I have had several of both and prefer the Marlin. But only by a little. The Winchester feels better because its lighter and slimmer. If you want to scope it the marlin is the best bet. The marlin may be slightly more accurate. Maybe. Either one is accurate enough for open sighted shots at deer out to a hundred yards. Most deer are shot closer anyway. I wish I hadn't sold the last winchester I had. It was a post 64 but was well made and fairly tight with no freckles on the reciever. I just bought an AR and as much as I like it I would sell it way before I sold my last 30-30. As far as the pistol grip goes it doesn't make me any difference. I have a 32, 357, and 44 mag marlins with the straight grips and I never notice when switching around holding them.

January 3, 2013, 09:19 PM	#12
stu925 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 953	Keep the Winchester especially if it's pre '64 but buy a 336 in addition to it. You didn't day what your 94 is chambered for but I imagine it's .30 WCF, if that's the case look for a .35 Rem 336. If the Winchester isn't .30 WCF then get the 336 chambered in that. Stu

January 4, 2013, 01:26 PM	#13
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	To clean a Marlin from the breech, remove one screw! Clean a Winchester 94 from the breech.................

January 5, 2013, 06:00 AM	#15
solocam72 Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2012 Location: Great Northwest Posts: 222	Keep the winchester! Especially if its a pre 64

January 5, 2013, 11:42 AM	#17
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	Guns were getting the barrels damaged by improper cleaning methods long before the internet! I'll bet some *did* give a crap.

January 5, 2013, 12:34 PM	#20
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	My Marlins are rimfires. The 80's model is as heavy as a 336. The "D" model is much more like a Winchester 94. I use that model, and my 1960 model 94 in the irons. The model 39A Marlin is scoped with a 4 power, but for a scoped lever action, I have a 300 Savage with a 3-9x. That gun has quite a bit more reach than the model 94 .30-.30.

January 5, 2013, 12:37 PM	#21
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	I'm sure you have Hawg, so have I and many others, but the fact remains that many a good rifle has had the muzzle ruined by contact with a cleaning rod.

January 5, 2013, 01:25 PM	#23
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,753	If cleaning from the muzzle I use a bore guide. I have bottle neck cases I have cut the shoulder and neck from and slip the rod through the neck and that pratects the bore. In a 30 cal I use a 270 case cut off and it will fit in the bore at the crown. This keeps the rod from rubbing on the end of the barrel.