Have any of the gunsmiths that post here done a real critique of a recent production Marlin 336? I would be interested in hearing about the quality of these guns from a gunsmith's point of view. How were the tolerances? Everything straight and true? Etc.

I realize that these aren't exactly the most popular gun for customizing, but if anyone has done a fairly thorough examination of one of these I would be very interested in your impressions.

TIA,
Bob

[ 08-14-2003, 17:22: Message edited by: Recoil Rob ]

Actually Bob, the 336 is quite popular for customizing, albeit not as one thinks of a custom bolt gun. There are a few gunsmiths that specialize in customizing lever guns, such as Jim Brockman and Wild West Guns.

They tune them up and trick them out, it seems, mostly for guide guns, back up for hunting the big country. A lot of work is geared to the Marlin 1895 series, the bigger-bored version of the 336.

I am just finishing up a 336 for boar hunting. Mine's in .35Rem, I had the barrel shortened to 16.5in., the trigger tuned, then I glass bedded it and installed XO ghost ring and tritium sights and a scout scope set-up. Handy litle package.

If you're thinking of doing something like this try to find an older gun, before they had the cross block safety. Mine is from 1981, I got it at a gun show a few years back for $175 in perfect condition. The quality of my gun is very good, good fit of metal to wood, everything seesm to line up right. It may be heresy but IMHO much better built gun than the M94, just not as light.

Rob

[ 08-14-2003, 17:26: Message edited by: Recoil Rob ]

The Cowboy Action Shooting crowd are people to ask about Marlins. They are big on slicking them up for fast and smooth.

And I bought a Marlin years back that had been rebuilt into a custom lefthanded stocked heavy barreled varminter in .25-35 Imp. It's pretty piece and I got it cheap because it was just too weird for anyone normal.