OK.. I'm stumped by two things... first of all, I've been looking for a .32 caliber levergun since I bought a switch-caliber Ruger Blackhawk about ten years ago... Marlin USED to make a 336 in .32-20, .25-20 and .218 Bee... right after I bought my pistol, however, they quit...

Well, now they have them in their catalog again..

Only they stepped on their noodle as far as what caliber went in which model..

the new production ones are a 336 in .32-20.. and an octagon-barrel Cowboy model in .32 H&R....

what should I do?

Order both, or wait untill they swith the calibers around in the guns and THEN order both?

or just order the one I want (the Cowboy model) and see if I can get it re-chambered?

Interesting dilemma. I would not rechamber anything if collectability is an issue for you. The Marlin 336 is a fine rifle. The .32-20 is not exactly in the faster, harder hitting market, so I have not clue how long any 32's will last with any production run. Good luck.

not worried about collectibility... this is gonna be a shooter/beater for 'yote, squerzel, bunny, woodchuck.. you know.. small game.

the only reason I wanted the Cowboy model, is it has a larger magazine (10 vs 6) and a cooler looking barrel... but who's the schmuck that decided to chamber the Cowboy Action gun in a modern cartridge (.32 H&R)? I thought maybe they were thinkin' you couldn't get .32-20 ammo anymore, but then the dorks come out with a MODERN gun in .32-20? Huh?

It's gonna get handloaded for either way... I can get another 400 fps or so out of the WCF cartridge... which in an 85 gr pistol bullet is gonna make a flatter trajectory (yeah yeah I know the 32-20 is supposed to have a 100 gr slug)...

I just need something to whine and moan about..

If you are abounding with pesky critters, I can see why the longer tube would appeal to you. It is also nice to avoid reloading if it is cold. Reloading will add some zip, too!

Ihave a Marlin 336 RC in .32 Special cal. I can remember my Dad bying it back in 1949. It was very popular back then. It is still in very good cond. Only problem is i can't find anyone with that size dye to reload it. It is just a bit bigger than the 30-30 but cost a heck of a lot more to buy. I may be wrong but i think i read somewhere that the .32 Spc. may make a comeback. Has anyone else heard of this ???

I have the 32 special in a 1893 Marlin and can't really see them bringing that round back again . I also have the 218 bee in a marlin lever but it is the 1894 CL model I have never seen it in the 336 model .

So what's wrong with the .32H&R mag? It's basically all the performance of the .32-20, but in a straight walled package. The .32-20 is a relatively poor cartridge design when you're using smokeless powders, it was (duh) designed for black powder, nowadays we can get more bang for our buck.

Personally, I would rather take the .32-20 version and have it rebarrelled with the cowboy octagon bbl and restocked with the english grip, non-checkered stock set than buy the .32H&R cowboy as is. I'd love to buy one, but I can't get over the rimfire type loading tube...They made this gun because of a high demand from Cowboy action shooters, but none of us want it because of the stupid loading tube!!!

that's exactly my point... I reload both cartridges, so that's not an issue... I can get good performance out of both... and that rimfire magazine tube is kinda retarded...

but what I'm after is a rifle that ISN'T a .22LR or .17HMR... I wasn't particularly in the market for a .38/.357, I traded my King Cobra off for my Red Label... I thought this would be cool.

I have two Marlin 336SC, .32 Winchester Special Lever Guns. One with microgroove rifling, and one with ballard. I would not part with either! I reload my own ammo for these. RCBS has the dies still in production. Both Hornady, and Speer make a 170 grain bullet for the .32 Winchester Special. Also I see ammo available for the .32 W.S. at gun shops. Marlin discontinued the .32 W.S. chambering in the 336 line, in 1963.

Razor, you brought back some memories mentoning the .32-20!
In 1955 my father,for my 15th birthday, bought me a used Winchester Octagon Barrel in .32-20 {perfect condition}
for $75 bucks.I only shot it a couple of years and went in the military.My father loaned it to my cousin..........
and he sold it.
Man I wish I had it today!!!


AS for your question.......I would do a little more asking around,before you make any trades!