30-30 for 500

T

thedudeabides

New member
I had a Marlin ages ago and saw the new 336W models for as little as 350 at Wally World, but the quality doesn't seem to be up to what I remember it being 15 years ago.

The Mossberg 464 costs a bit more, is sold out most places, but seems more solidly built. And I mean the REAL 464, not the mall ninja SPX POS that is on sale everywhere.

Are these little issues skin deep, or has Marlin gone to hell? And honestly I just need something reliable and cheap to take on the local deer and the occasional small hog.
 
cant speak about the mossy as I've never even held one. What I did was scan the back room used shelf at the local gun shop. Two weeks later I was walking out with a VERY nice, pretty much (completely from what I could tell) unfired 1980s Marlin 336 for $214 out the door. Unparalleled quality, reliability and tack driving accurate to boot. I would pass on a brand new one though.
 
I say check your local pawn shops. Most never seem to have a shortage of lightly used 30-30 rifles for affordable prices. Most are a few years old, and in good shape.
 
The 336 W is the budget gun with cheap wood. I have no personal knowledge, but the internet chatter says the recent Marlins are a crap shoot. Even the top end guns.

I wouldn't have any of the Mossbergs as a gift. Even their best effort falls far short of the millions of perfectly good used Marlins and Winchesters setting on used gun racks all across the country. And they are selling for far less than the new Marlins or Mossbergs.

Here is a 1973 Marlin that I paid $250 for.

006-3.jpg
 
Out of the last 3 recently made Marlins that I have shot, 2 of them were good, and the other I would not wish on my worst enemy. Thankfully, I get to use this beauty :D

Winchester '94

2012-10-05233259.jpg
 
The Marlin 336 is a great rifle if you buy one pre-Remington. I'd look for a used one that was built in No. Haven. Any thing prior to 2007.
Follow this to determine the year.

The following table can be used to date the year of manufacture of a Marlin 336. It is also valid for determining most other Marlin firearm build dates from 1946 to the present.
Marlin year of manufacture maybe determined from the following table of letter/numeral prefixs to the serial number:
Date Prefix(s)
1946 C
1947 D
1948 E
1949 F
1950 G
1951 H
1952 J
1953 K
1954 L
1955 M
Date Prefix(s)
1956 N
1957 P
1958 R
1959 S
1960 T
1961 U
1962 V
1963 W
1964 Y, Z
1965 AA
Date Prefix(s)
1966 AB
1967 AC
1968 AD, 68
1969 69
1970 70
1971 71
1972 72
Starting in 1973, the year of manufacture can be determined by subtracting the first two digits of the serial number from 100: Example: SN 2512345 would have been made in 1975 [100 - 25 = 75].
 
I just picked up a new Remlin 336 today. The gun looks okay and has a laminated stock, and the price was right. The finish is certainly not up to par with my pre-Remington Marlins, but as long as it functions it will make a good "truck gun."
 
Here is my used gun shop special I got for $214. Not to shabby of a shooter...75 yards with 150gr core-loc standing:)

3361.jpg


3363.jpg


3364.jpg
 
You will be lucky indeed to find one like Berdan's. Wood like that will be rarely encountered in the used gun racks.
 
The 464 seems to be like the Win94, top eject and bottom drops out when open.
I prefer the Marlin action.
I bought my Marlin used, and got a well made 1988 model. Only $300 with scope.
 
Pick up a used one.

My 336 C was purchased in 1972 for 75 bucks. Still a good looking as most and shoots great.
 
It is hard to imagine a reason that would cause me to buy a new production firearm when there are old production rifles available. Better fit and finish, big price difference, etc. Even if you get it refinished or you miss a small problem and have to have a gunsmith do a little work on it you are probably money ahead.

I think most of the new rifles are more accurate than the old ones, but I wouldn't buy a 30-30 for a target gun.
 
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