Winchester 94 vs. Marlin 336
11-30-2007 | 01:11 PM
#11
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,192
Likes: 0
From: Rivesville, WV
RE: Winchester 94 vs. Marlin 336
IMO it comes down to whether you want to scope the rifle or not. The Winchester(pre-64 of course) is tough to beat with open sights. It is lighter, faster handling, and every bit as accurate as Marlin, but it does not lend itself well to scope mounting. The Marlin is also a fine firearm. I have a couple of Winnies and Marlin's. My objection with the Marlin is the unsightly hole in the side of the receiver. I much prefer the older Marlin;s that had the ejection hole cover. I prefer the Marlin 1894(44 mag.), it has the cover.
For me a lever action is meant to befast handling, and to be shot with open sight's. That is why I prefer the Winchester. It just feels better in my hand's while I am carrying it, and I am slightly more accurate(off handed) with it. I would give the Winchester 94 an A+, and I would give the Marlin an A. Tom.
For me a lever action is meant to befast handling, and to be shot with open sight's. That is why I prefer the Winchester. It just feels better in my hand's while I am carrying it, and I am slightly more accurate(off handed) with it. I would give the Winchester 94 an A+, and I would give the Marlin an A. Tom.
11-30-2007 | 02:35 PM
#12
Fork Horn
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Fingerlakes Region of New York State
RE: Winchester 94 vs. Marlin 336
ORIGINAL: c j
oldelkhunter's probably right. Most objective evaluations I've seen usually come back saying the Marlin's a better gun.
I still like the Winny, though. Nothing warms my heart like a Winchester 94.
Hard to explain, I guess. To me, it's kind of like two old GTO musclecars. One has an automatic transmission and the other's a stick shift. The automatic probably cost more back in the day and was easier to drive and there were probably fewer made, etc. But which one is more fun?
No, Win 94's don't have great triggers. They are lighter, though, which IMO makes them more handy. To me, they just feel right, both carrying around and shouldering. I've never had any feeding issues with them, though, and with iron sights, the 94 with the new pointed Hornady ammo will shoot better than most hunters are capable of. I believe it's going to be easier to throw a scope on a Marlin. The newer 94s have a side eject which makes a top mounted scope possible, and the old ones can be fitted with a side-mount scope. But to me, using a scope with a 94 (or any lever-action) kind of defeats the purpose and takes a lot of the fun out of it.
I'd say get your hands on both and see which one calls out to you. Good luck and happy shopping.
oldelkhunter's probably right. Most objective evaluations I've seen usually come back saying the Marlin's a better gun.
I still like the Winny, though. Nothing warms my heart like a Winchester 94.
Hard to explain, I guess. To me, it's kind of like two old GTO musclecars. One has an automatic transmission and the other's a stick shift. The automatic probably cost more back in the day and was easier to drive and there were probably fewer made, etc. But which one is more fun?
No, Win 94's don't have great triggers. They are lighter, though, which IMO makes them more handy. To me, they just feel right, both carrying around and shouldering. I've never had any feeding issues with them, though, and with iron sights, the 94 with the new pointed Hornady ammo will shoot better than most hunters are capable of. I believe it's going to be easier to throw a scope on a Marlin. The newer 94s have a side eject which makes a top mounted scope possible, and the old ones can be fitted with a side-mount scope. But to me, using a scope with a 94 (or any lever-action) kind of defeats the purpose and takes a lot of the fun out of it.
I'd say get your hands on both and see which one calls out to you. Good luck and happy shopping.
I agree, it does warm my heart to shouler the old "94" but Marlin makes a better lever. You can scope it or have your choice of what kind of iron sights you want to choose. They are more dependable and have a smoother action. They seem to built stronger and are drilled and tapped for mounts. The bluing is excellent along with the american walnut they use for stocks. This sounds like I don't like Winchester, I do, I just think Marlin makes a better all around levergun.
11-30-2007 | 02:40 PM
#13
Fork Horn
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Winchester 94 vs. Marlin 336
I know there are lots of good things about the 336 but I wouldn't trade my 1962 '94 for three Marlins 
Killed a lot of deer with it and it just 'fits' me. I have plenty of scoped rifles that are fine for certain situations but when I'm planning to hunt the thick stuff, the '94 goes with me.
Killed a lot of deer with it and it just 'fits' me. I have plenty of scoped rifles that are fine for certain situations but when I'm planning to hunt the thick stuff, the '94 goes with me.
11-30-2007 | 08:04 PM
#15
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
RE: Winchester 94 vs. Marlin 336
ORIGINAL: millerhunter13
well i think it is preference, and not to say 8mm/06's grandfather isnt right, but just because he worked on more win. then mar. dosnt mean that winchester isnt as good of gun, you never know how good the people treated their guns, me i am a winchester person, so i would say winchester, but i do know that marlin is also i very good gun company i would say it is all how they feel to you.
well i think it is preference, and not to say 8mm/06's grandfather isnt right, but just because he worked on more win. then mar. dosnt mean that winchester isnt as good of gun, you never know how good the people treated their guns, me i am a winchester person, so i would say winchester, but i do know that marlin is also i very good gun company i would say it is all how they feel to you.
I have to admit that when I handle my Win Model 55 and compare it to my brothers 336 the Winchester does have an easy-to-the-cheek feel and is comfortable in my hands. But I suspect when actually shouldering in the field with a rapid heart beat I wouldn't notice a thing.
11-30-2007 | 08:34 PM
#16
Banned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
RE: Winchester 94 vs. Marlin 336
I've had both. The Marlin was definitley the superior of the two. Easier for scope mounting, cleaning, and more accurate. I really liked the pistol grip too. I have a 94 that was a gift from my wife. Its one of my favorites for obvious reasons. It is slimmer and I have a peep sight on it and use it for special occasions when Im on a afternoon doe hunt or just dinking around. I sighted it in off a bench once and my cheek looked like I went a few rounds with Mike Tyson. I still love that gun though, it'sa classy one. Im sure that that model has taken a huge share of the deer population.
I would say that if youwant a nostalgic back up gun, go 94. If its your primary gun and you need a scope for 200 yard shots, go marlin.
I would say that if youwant a nostalgic back up gun, go 94. If its your primary gun and you need a scope for 200 yard shots, go marlin.
11-30-2007 | 10:08 PM
#17
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: the Adirondacks
RE: Winchester 94 vs. Marlin 336
Let me say first I love the Marlin Lever guns, but If I had to chose just one deer gun it would be my 94. They are slim, light, and point like a dream. I scoped mine this year with a low power scope to take advantage of the new Leverevolution ammo and try something new. What a great combo. I've had no issues with the scope or mounting. Next year though I will probally go back to iron sights on this gun. Like it was said before, this gun really is made for snap shooting iron sights. As for cleaning the inards its really not that hard. It looks a little tough when you start, but if I can do itI am sure that the majority of people could pull it off.
I do believe however that the Win 94 is best suited to 30-30 and similar. I didn't care for the Big Bore versions. I really think you need agun that is a little more robustfor 45-70, .444 and such cartridges which is where the Marlin shines.
I do believe however that the Win 94 is best suited to 30-30 and similar. I didn't care for the Big Bore versions. I really think you need agun that is a little more robustfor 45-70, .444 and such cartridges which is where the Marlin shines.
12-01-2007 | 03:00 AM
#18
Typical Buck
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Northern Indiana
RE: Winchester 94 vs. Marlin 336
ORIGINAL: oldelkhunter
I have a similiar experience with the444. A friend of mine at the time sold me a 444 Marlin 336. That rifle could just plain shoot. A week after I bought it home he received his new 444 and it was a Winchester timber carbine . He went out and shot it and a week later asked me if I would sell the Marlin back . I should have said no but I never let a gundeal go sour with anyone especially a friend so I let him have it back. Holding the timber carbine in my hand it felt superior to the marlin until I worked that lever and squeezed that trigger. Then I knew why he wanted the old Marlin back. I guess he finally got his wits back.
I had a model 94 Big Bore in 444 Mar. This was the singlebiggest piece of s#*t firearm I've ever owned. WhenI shot it,the action was very hard to open. The more I shot it the worse it got. I owned this rifle for over a year before I shot it and realizedthere was something wrong with it.Winchesterdidn't want to know anything about it. Traded it for myMarlin 444.
I have a similiar experience with the444. A friend of mine at the time sold me a 444 Marlin 336. That rifle could just plain shoot. A week after I bought it home he received his new 444 and it was a Winchester timber carbine . He went out and shot it and a week later asked me if I would sell the Marlin back . I should have said no but I never let a gundeal go sour with anyone especially a friend so I let him have it back. Holding the timber carbine in my hand it felt superior to the marlin until I worked that lever and squeezed that trigger. Then I knew why he wanted the old Marlin back. I guess he finally got his wits back.
I have a Model 94 Big Bore and I get along great with it! I've had NO problems what so ever with it. I must admit, if I'd had the same experience that y'all had, I would have been pi**ed too!
For me, I'mwith Winchester all the way. Iwill admit,I do agree for the big stuff, Marlin makes a stronger rifle. But as mentioned earlier, I like the feel of my 94's much better than a Marlin. I like the quick handling of a 94 and I'll admit, I'm attracted to the nastalgia part too. Does that matter when you're trying to shoot a deer? Hell no! I know most of y'all have heard that in Indiana we can now use rifles with pistol cartridges in them and man I can't tell you have "cool" it felt to be able to hunt with one of my ole 94's! I grabbed that 44 mag and headed out to the woods and I was on cloud nine! As cj said, it's kinda heartwarming!
How about both!!?? A scoped 336 for the longer shots loaded with the Leverevolutions and an iron sighted94 with some good ole Winchester Power Points and you have it all!!!!
Great thread! I've enjoyed the reading!
12-03-2007 | 07:37 PM
#19
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Winchester 94 vs. Marlin 336
Marlin 336 by a long shot-- I have had the opportunity to own both and still have my golden 50 Marlin in 30-30. Yes the Win. is a little lighter, but imo the Marlin is a better manufactured gun. It mainly boils down to personal preference though. Good luck in your choice.
12-03-2007 | 11:15 PM
#20
Typical Buck
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: NC
RE: Winchester 94 vs. Marlin 336
Killed a big ol' doe with the Marlin today, and a five-pointer last Friday. Great rifle, the Marlin 336 - it just says hunting.
I've gone through other rifles, and they were fine. But the Marlin is satisfying. I don't see need for another one one, yet. Maybe if I join a club or get access to land with lots of big crop field... where's I'll need to be taking shots waaaay out there - maybe then. But the Marlin is pretty, carries well, is accurate, and drops the deer RIGHT NOW, more often than the .270 did.
Get a Marlin. It'll kill the deer as well as anything else you can buy, with the added virtues of moderate recoil and noise, and cheapest factory ammo in a deer-appropriate calibre. A further benefit is it gives lie to the clowns who claim the 30-30 is too weak, old, or obsolete.
I've gone through other rifles, and they were fine. But the Marlin is satisfying. I don't see need for another one one, yet. Maybe if I join a club or get access to land with lots of big crop field... where's I'll need to be taking shots waaaay out there - maybe then. But the Marlin is pretty, carries well, is accurate, and drops the deer RIGHT NOW, more often than the .270 did.
Get a Marlin. It'll kill the deer as well as anything else you can buy, with the added virtues of moderate recoil and noise, and cheapest factory ammo in a deer-appropriate calibre. A further benefit is it gives lie to the clowns who claim the 30-30 is too weak, old, or obsolete.
