First-time restoration

H

Hedley

New member
Ok, I know a Marlin 336cs isn't exactly a collector's item or anything rare, but just wanted some input. I bought it on a whim for $100 at a pawn shop(always wanted a lever-action), and after firing a box of ammo through it, I stripped it down and refinished the beat up furniture. I managed to take it down to bare walnut without taking too much wood from metal-wood contact areas, so everything still fits like normal, with no ugly gaps. Everything else looked nice...the blueing, rifling, everything. I also replaced the buttstock screws and front sight assembly from Brownell's. So I've got roughly $130 invested. Do you think I can turn around and sell it more more? How does it look for a first time restoration?
Before:
before0vg.jpg

beattohell7cg.jpg

Stripped:
stripped15lf.jpg

Stained:
afterstain8ea.jpg

Final(after semi-gloss):
final4jc.jpg
 
You did a very nice job, but I wouldn't exactly call it a "restoration." More of a "stock refinish." Yes, you could sell it at a profit-but you could have sold it for almost as much profit the way it was originally.
Bill
 
not much more

I buy them on a regular basis for about $135-175 like your's came. I sell them for less than $250 most of the time. I don't do a whole lot more than clean them up and iron out the dents and dings. I Parkerize a good many of them, but I reblue the ones that have real good wood on them. I wouldn't expect you to get more than what I do when I sell them, but I wish you the best of luck with it.
 
Since you "always wanted a lever action" why do you want to sell it after all the time and effort you put into it? You did a very nice job on the stock and you should be proud. Hang on to it.
 
You did a nice job on it, personally I'd keep it since you always wanted one. If you bought it with the intention to resell it, sell it. :o
 
restoration

Dear Shooter:
That is one fine job! It really looks nice - I'd keep it, shoot it and just have it.
I like the Marlin lever actions far better than Winchester! I think they're better guns!
When we look at guns and money I think this way; for a few pieces of paper I've got something that is "real" not just money in my pocket. I really like to trade guns, and have over the years filled the safe, and house, with guns. I keep all of the first rate ones and do like you did and fix up the ones that need it and are safe and trade for a better gun!
I love trading.
Harry B.
 
Hedley, you did a really nice job there. How does it shoot?

I'm unclear as to why you're in a rush to sell it. That's a nice rifle.
 
Aw man, it shoots great now. When I picked it up, the front sight assembly looked like it had been whacked pretty hard. The hood was tilted forward, and the dovetail was way off-center. One order from Brownell's fixed that. Seeing as how I've only shot a .22 up until I took this beast out, I was quite impressed by the recoil. It felt like my childhood Daisy until I pulled the trigger. I haven't taken it to an outdoor range yet, but I shot pretty good at the 50yd indoor range. It's very poorly lit past that, making it hard for me to even see the 100yd target without optics. I really want to go hog hunting soon.
I'm not in a rush to sell it, but I want to keep buying/selling until I can work my way up to my dream gun without breaking the bank.
 
Welcome to the gun world......LOL

I quit trying to buy and trade up a long time ago, or about 30 guns ago. I started out doing that and found out that I had a liking for all of those guns that I fixed up and just couldn't part with all ofthem.......LOL

You did a nice job of returning that one to excellent condition. I'll leave it up to you as to whether or not to sell. Myself, I would hold on to it because there may not have been a better hog gun ever made than the Marlin you have there. If you want to keep from breaking the bank, I would suggest you take a look at the Savage line of rifles. It is very hard to beat one of their economy rifles for accuracy out of the box. Best of luck to you!
 
Marlin

Dear shooters;
CNTRYBOY1289 - that happens to me - I like to keep them. All of us who trade guns are mental cases! But I know of no better insanity.
I agree with you on Marlins, Savage and I think CZ and Howa being real "sleepers" as guns. Savage, particularly is a sleeper!
Harry B.
 
LOL ain't that the truth

I bought my son a CZ bolt action rifle the other day. I haven't found a better shooting 22LR out of the box than this one so far.

I started buying and trading way back when I was 14. I wish I had a few that I let go and I still have a few more that I should have let go. I have collected some that were stolen and ever since then, I have had even a harder time letting any of them get away from me. In fact, I started over from scratch about 20 years ago and haven't sold more than five of my own collection since then. I'll buy a few here and there to put in the shop to sell just like the one Hedley refurbed. I almost cry every time one of them sells though>>>LOL<<<. Makes my wife so mad to see a grown man in tears over a GUN!!!!!!!!!

Now a days, I have to sneak around to buy them. Every time I buy one I have to hide it for a while and then when she finds it and asks, "Where did that one come from", all I say is I have had that ol thing a good while now and keep right on smilin'. Ain't it a shame that some of us get bit and some of us stay bit.
 
refinish, sell?

Just surfin through and saw this, thought i'd give my .02$

First of all, i understand trading up, but why sell this gun if you only have $130 into it, it shouldn't be that hard to save up that much more for your next rifle.

Second of all, i assume you don't have many/any other guns, and you'll eventually need a bunch :D so this one is definantly a "must have in any collection"

Third of all, i have many more guns then any one man needs (but i'm single and no one tells me no!:p ) but i hold the first gun i bought used and beat up (mauser 98) and refinished myself in high regaurd, and would NEVER part with it. Many have come and gone, most can be replaced, but not something you did yourself....;)

And in hindsight i've learned, to avoid later regrets, only buy guns, don't sell them, unless they are real crap and won't shoot, or you HAVE to try it and are disappointed, thinking "i can always buy another one later" has a bunch of guys crying right now over lost Model 70 & 94's, Savage 99's, etc :eek:
 
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