Idea for a Marlin 336

N

Nine the Ranger

New member
I've been looking for a compact lever gun. I would like to have the barrel cut down to 16 inches (or whatever the minimum length is), and replace the stock irons ( I HATE HATE HATE the hooded front sight) with a ghost ring/post system. A short action, and replace the wood with a darker colored wood, maybe hollow out the butt to hold a few extra rounds.

I'm going for a light, handy, little rifle that could be as close to a 'do-all' rifle as possible.

Thoughts or recommendations? Does anyone know how much money this would be?
 
It could be done, but there have been a few versions made over the years with a factroy 16" barrel. Finding one of those will simplify your project considerably.

They currently offer a Spikehorn version as a youth gun. It comes with a 16" barrel and cheap wood cut down to a shorter LOP. It is not hard to find a full size replcement stock. Several options for better sights.

They made a straight stoked version with short barrel back in the 50's, 60's called the Maurader. They turn up from time to time. I have an LTS version from 1988 with the same short barrel. Basically a newer version of the Maurader.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/72758

http://www.gunlistings.org/californ...d_country/rifles/83004/marlin_marauder__rare_

http://www.gunsamerica.com/99211408...Rifles/Modern/Lever-Action/Marlin_LTS_336.htm
 
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The hood slides right off the front sight...Replacing with Skinner rear <$100...

Strip the stock, and stain it whatever color you want for time and $10...

Barrel cut down and recrown <$200...

Drilling the butt is no difficult feat...

Below is a link to a guy that made a 'trapper' from a Carbine...Basically the saem idea, only he scoped his...Results are on page 16:

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/336/93839-operation-35-rem-custom-trapper-underway.html
 
I have a 336 with a Williams rear peep and a scout scope, Burris, mounted on the barrel by warne. Works awesome, could easily be adopted for Picatinny rail and red dot if you wanted..
 
None of what you want is hard to do. I never cared for hooded sights, I always took them off first thing whenever I got a gun with one on. I'm not a fan of the skinner sights, a sourdough front blade and a (steel) Lyman or Williams Foolproof rear are good sights, stick up less, have better adjustments, and cost less. I understand some of the later Marlins aren't drilled and tapped on the side from the factory, but that's simple to correct, without resorting to the odd looking top mounted receiver sights. Wood color can be changed simply with a refinish.

Marlins are fine guns, especially if you want to scope one, I'm more a fan of Winchesters for a couple reasons, one of which is they are a little lighter than a similar length Marlin.

Shorter is nice for carry and getting in and out of a vehicle, but has noticably increased muzzle blast compared to a 20" barrel. I have a 16" barreled 30-30, but simply don't like shooting it compared to a 20" gun. Nice to carry, not so nice to shoot. I think the 20 carbines are about perfect as a general purpose gun. YMMV

Here's a link to a guy that made a couple short Marlins.

http://leverguns.com/articles/AKChurch/trappers.htm
 
This is me going a little off topic in fmy own thread.

How is the recoil/ballistics of the .35 Rem v.s the 30-30, I was thinking of tracking down a 336 in .35.
 
Apples to apples they are pretty close, 170 gr 2100 fps 30/30 vs 180gr 2100 fps 35 rem. 35 rem gives you more options in bullet weight at the high end and you can load some 158 gr at the low end. It may be a little more versatile but you will find a lot more 30/30 ammo on shelves and reloading info in books. I like 35 rem, pretty accurate cartridge.
 
If you looking for a combined hunting/tactical weapon I would look for a short throw caliber, ie 44mag. It will allow for quicker follow up shots.
 
I have A 336 SC cut to 16.25" with skinner sights, and xs leverscout mount. with A leatherwood Scout scope. in Leupold QR rings. It is A handy little gun and is A favorite. Brockman has A cartridge carrier that fits in the buttstock.

Go for it!
 
Nine the Ranger said:
How is the recoil/ballistics of the .35 Rem v.s the 30-30, I was thinking of tracking down a 336 in .35.
Click to expand...

The .35 Remington is a sleeper cartridge of the short-range deer woods. I bought mine in 1974 and it's accounted for several of our whitetail brethren. What I like about that big 'ol 200 grain Core-lokt is that it kills like the hammers of hell. Anything under 150 yards reacts most promptly. I've had them go down before the gun came out of recoil and I've never had to track a deer shot with that cartridge. On paper, most folks turn their noses up at it, but the effect on game is immediate and undeniable.
 
Another thing I like about .35 Rem is the ability to use most .38 caliber handgun bullets in it...

I load cast all the way down to .38 Special velocities for plinking and small game...
 
Shop around until you find a shorter barreled Marlin. Replace the rear sight with a full buckhorn. Take off the front sight hood. You can refinish the stocks yourself. It sounds like you're making this harder to do than it ought to be.
As for a do all rifle, I doubt that one has ever been made. There will always be something come up that calls for a different tool. For a general purpose 'Truck Gun' your concept sounds as good as any.
 
Have you looked at the Rossi M92? They can be had with 16 inch barrels and 357, 44, and 45 Colt calibers.
 
Look for a Marlin 30A, its a 20" version of the same rifle with a shorter lighter birch stock, no recoil pad, front sight post without a hood, tapped rear for a sight of your choosing.
 
16" Marlin .30-30's are fairly hard to come by but they are out there. So if you are wanting one you may very well be on the right track albeit not a cheap one. Lever guns aren't as easy to shorten as bolt actions, they have mag tubes, springs, bands, etc but more than one has been shortened so it's far from impossible. A better option may be to look for a Winchester 94 Trapper in .30-30(16", many more made) or a Rossi .357 or a Marlin .357. You don't lose much if anything with the .357 out to 100-150 yards, they can be easier to find (still in production as far as I know) and in the long run might be the more cost effective way to get what you want.

I've owned both 16" and 20" versions of the Winchester 94 and if I had to do it over I'd go for the 16" trapper every time. I never noticed much, if anything, for increased blast or recoil and IMO leverguns are at there handiest with the shorter barrel. The Marlin isn't a collector its a shooter and if you want a shorter barrel do it. Being said I'd also choose the .357 over the .30-30 every time too.
 
That was the point of my 1st post. Buying a 16" gun will be a little more costly, but will be cheaper in the long run than buying a longer barreled gun and modifying it. Another plus is that modifying a gun will decrease its value. Buying a more expensive gun made in the shorter length will only increase in value over time.

Not saying it can't be done, but I've got 2 shorter barreled guns made that way and run across 3-4 a year at various gunshows and in gunshops. Worth the trouble and time spent to me.
 
I am A big Marlin fan but I have been looking for A 1894 Marlin in .45 Colt. When I see them for sale they are About $800.. I started looking at the Rossi M92 lineup. Just over $400. They are looking pretty good. the ones I have handeled looked better than the new offerings from marlin. they also offer barrel lengths from 16 to 24 inches round or octogon. The wood is nicely shaped and fitted but not very pretty.
Cutting A 336 30-30 is not as expensive as you would think. Brockmans does it for around $150. I love my Marlin shorty.


I went and checked. Brockmans price to shorten the barrel is $110.
 
After hunting for years with a 5' recurve bow, I find a 20" barreled rifle to be far easier to swing around ;)

3"-5" ain't gonna make or break ya unless improperly prepared when stalking...

And if yer in a tree stand, what's the point of a shorter rifle? ;)
 
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