Marlin Vs. Winchester 30-30s
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Posts: 1,345
Marlin Vs. Winchester 30-30s
My question is weither or not the marlins are worth the little extra money in new rifles? What about older used ones? Is there anything that I should look for with either? I don't think I'll put a scope on the gun, but my buddy has a winchester that I've handled and he "hung" up alot. Is this just the character of the action/caliber combination or are the marlins better with this?
#2
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 280
RE: Marlin Vs. Winchester 30-30s
Marlins have on big advantage, in my book. You can clean them from the breach end easily. Both handle well and are sufficiently strong to handle the 30/30. The Marlin action is a bit stronger, not that this will matter with a 30/30. At one time, I had a Marlin 336 in the long barrel version. Shot tons of deer with that rifle.
Personally, I like peep sights on a levergun.
Personally, I like peep sights on a levergun.
#3
RE: Marlin Vs. Winchester 30-30s
ORIGINAL: Ought Six
The Marlin action is a bit stronger, not that this will matter with a 30/30.
The Marlin action is a bit stronger, not that this will matter with a 30/30.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 494
RE: Marlin Vs. Winchester 30-30s
I just bought a "new" used Marlin 336 (pre-safety, fwiw). In looking for it, I looked at a lot of new and used Marlin and Winchester leverguns. For me, it simply boiled down to the side eject vs. the top eject and the overall mechanism it entailed. I just liked the Marlin action better for what I intended to do (mount a small scope). The significant factors that seem unanimous are: they are both excellent guns, time-tested and proven and the Winchester is lighter than the Marlin. All other factors probably boild down to opinion.
If you are thinking of putting a scope on the lever gun, you can use a "normal" action mounted scope on the Marlin because it ejects to the side. The Winchester requires either a funky side-mount system (which I personally dont like) or to use a long-relief scope mounted in front of the breech, where the rear iron sight is. That second option is no big deal, in fact some Marlin owners do the same thing.
If you are thinking of putting a scope on the lever gun, you can use a "normal" action mounted scope on the Marlin because it ejects to the side. The Winchester requires either a funky side-mount system (which I personally dont like) or to use a long-relief scope mounted in front of the breech, where the rear iron sight is. That second option is no big deal, in fact some Marlin owners do the same thing.
#5
RE: Marlin Vs. Winchester 30-30s
ORIGINAL: zekeskar
If you are thinking of putting a scope on the lever gun, you can use a "normal" action mounted scope on the Marlin because it ejects to the side. The Winchester requires either a funky side-mount system (which I personally dont like) or to use a long-relief scope mounted in front of the breech, where the rear iron sight is. That second option is no big deal, in fact some Marlin owners do the same thing.
If you are thinking of putting a scope on the lever gun, you can use a "normal" action mounted scope on the Marlin because it ejects to the side. The Winchester requires either a funky side-mount system (which I personally dont like) or to use a long-relief scope mounted in front of the breech, where the rear iron sight is. That second option is no big deal, in fact some Marlin owners do the same thing.
#9
RE: Marlin Vs. Winchester 30-30s
Another Marlin fan here too.
Stronger, look better, function much smoother, easier to clean, easier to take apart and reassemble.
A big feature that the Marlin has that the 94 does not is that when you close the lever on the Marlin it snaps closed and keeps the trigger block safety depressed with out you having to do anything else. The 94 does not snap the lever shut and you MUST squeeze the lever to the stock in order to depress the trigger block safety and fire the gun. If your hands are a bit large like mine it is a little bit dificult to quickly wrap your hand completely around the stock tight enough every time in order to depress the trigger block safety and fire the gun. This is a big nuisance for me with the 94's.
Stronger, look better, function much smoother, easier to clean, easier to take apart and reassemble.
A big feature that the Marlin has that the 94 does not is that when you close the lever on the Marlin it snaps closed and keeps the trigger block safety depressed with out you having to do anything else. The 94 does not snap the lever shut and you MUST squeeze the lever to the stock in order to depress the trigger block safety and fire the gun. If your hands are a bit large like mine it is a little bit dificult to quickly wrap your hand completely around the stock tight enough every time in order to depress the trigger block safety and fire the gun. This is a big nuisance for me with the 94's.
#10
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,345
RE: Marlin Vs. Winchester 30-30s
Bigbulls...I'm so glad you posted that! I had completely forgot about that part of my experience with my buddies 94! I probably chalked it up as a ..."hmmm, that's strange this gun must be 'off' somehow" I never thought of it being intentional. I'm kinda a large guy too...put some gloves over my hands and I had to do some funky straight-finger pinch which I'm sure does miracles for accuracy.