Lever gun lesson please! - Page 3

Creature · October 17th, 2007, 04:20 PM

Okay, so it seems the majority of responders here likes Marlin rifles.

Going back to my original question, what does a Marlin have over a Winchester...or vice versa?

Tubby45 · October 17th, 2007, 04:25 PM

Marlin Guide Gun in 45/70.

bmcgilvray · October 17th, 2007, 04:33 PM

"Going back to my original question, what does a Marlin have over a Winchester...or vice versa?"

The Marlin is still in production at this time.

A Winchester 94, at least a pre-64 is a joy to use and rich in tradition and well-earned respect. The Winchester will outpace the Marlin in future collector's value. A 1964 Winchester Model 94 or one of the next few years afterwards often feel like a bunch of tin cans being stirred when it is cycled. Function is still great. Wish I'd kept my raggy 1964 vintage Model 94 "truck gun".

A Marlin Model 336 in .30-30 is generally more accurate, argueably stronger, and more pleasant to shoot than a Winchester Model 94 Carbine.

mousehunter · October 17th, 2007, 05:33 PM

Marlin makes 2 actions (rifle, and carbine). Winchester has made a ton of models in the past, but the last produced was the 94 (a 30/30 rifle action often chambered in carbine). Other Win models are more suited for big game or carbine use - but are $$$.

I have a Win 92 and really like it, but since we are discussing Win 94 then... The Marlin 336 action is stronger than the 94 (it is also heavier), the Marlin Carbine is the rifle of choice for SASS competition (dependable, durable, etc...). Unless you just want a Winchester, or want a very small light brush gun in 30/30 - I would favor the Marlin.

Redneck Repairs · October 17th, 2007, 05:45 PM

Levers are not my thing . However if i would choose to own one , the blr ( browning lever rifle ) would be top on the list of them , Marlin would fall shortly behind . The reason for this is that the two actions will hold up better than strictily traditional winchester/henry actions. They take mor pressure and can be chambered to usefull ctgs .

maclean3 · October 19th, 2007, 09:06 PM

I've got a Marlin 336 in 30-30, great little brush gun for whitetails. My only experience with a Winchester lever gun was my Dad's Canadian Centennial - beautiful collector's piece but weighed about three tons with it's octagon barrel (hey, I was 8 or 9 the last time I shouldered it).

The one outstanding difference between the two designs that always sticks in my mind is that the Winchester's top eject tended to throw hot brass down the front of my shirt

, the Marlin's side eject never caused that problem.
Jack

frankmako · October 19th, 2007, 09:55 PM

i got a 30-30 and a 35 rem. both are good guns for hunting and protection. look for the older guns (1970's), they are the best.

bmcgilvray · October 20th, 2007, 02:17 AM

A vintage Savage Model 99 makes an elegant lever action rifle. The strong action will handle some pretty high intensity cartridges and the late vintage rifles could be had in .243, .284, .308, and .358. For that matter the .250 and .300 Savage cartridges are no slouches either.

This is a mid-fifties 99 chambered for .300 Savage. It's a relatively recent acquisition, purchased to replace the one I used for many years but later sold. Took 20+ deer with that first 99 .300 Savage.

Gunnutty · October 20th, 2007, 01:03 PM

The Savage 99 is a fine rifle. I have two of the Winchester model 88's in 308. They have been excellent lever guns as well. I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Marlin 444 lever. It packs quite a punch and is a great brush gun. I enjoy shooting a good lever action rifle. The Marlin actions seem to be a little stouter then the Winchester 94's.

retsupt99 · October 20th, 2007, 02:37 PM

I have the Marlin 336SS...a .30-.30 in stainless...

I just bought it a few months ago without a scope just a fiber optic front site. My intention was just to have it as a 'SHTF' HD weapon in the stash.
I had a similar .30-.30 decades ago, and like many of my weapons, I sold it for someother weapon...regretted it, and now I can sort of reclaim my favorites.

October 17th, 2007, 04:33 PM	#23
bmcgilvray Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Texas Posts: 1,232	"Going back to my original question, what does a Marlin have over a Winchester...or vice versa?" The Marlin is still in production at this time. A Winchester 94, at least a pre-64 is a joy to use and rich in tradition and well-earned respect. The Winchester will outpace the Marlin in future collector's value. A 1964 Winchester Model 94 or one of the next few years afterwards often feel like a bunch of tin cans being stirred when it is cycled. Function is still great. Wish I'd kept my raggy 1964 vintage Model 94 "truck gun". A Marlin Model 336 in .30-30 is generally more accurate, argueably stronger, and more pleasant to shoot than a Winchester Model 94 Carbine. Last edited by bmcgilvray; October 17th, 2007 at 05:49 PM..

October 19th, 2007, 09:06 PM	#26
maclean3 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,886	I've got a Marlin 336 in 30-30, great little brush gun for whitetails. My only experience with a Winchester lever gun was my Dad's Canadian Centennial - beautiful collector's piece but weighed about three tons with it's octagon barrel (hey, I was 8 or 9 the last time I shouldered it). The one outstanding difference between the two designs that always sticks in my mind is that the Winchester's top eject tended to throw hot brass down the front of my shirt , the Marlin's side eject never caused that problem. Jack __________________ "The sheep are everywhere. We are raising up a nation of cannon fodder types and we are screwed." HotGuns

October 19th, 2007, 09:55 PM	#27
frankmako VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 2,036	i got a 30-30 and a 35 rem. both are good guns for hunting and protection. look for the older guns (1970's), they are the best. __________________ An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject. Red State State of Mind

October 20th, 2007, 01:03 PM	#29
Gunnutty Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 985	The Savage 99 is a fine rifle. I have two of the Winchester model 88's in 308. They have been excellent lever guns as well. I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Marlin 444 lever. It packs quite a punch and is a great brush gun. I enjoy shooting a good lever action rifle. The Marlin actions seem to be a little stouter then the Winchester 94's. __________________ We will be much better off when we learn to deal with things as they really are, instead of how we wish them to be! Last edited by Gunnutty; October 20th, 2007 at 04:53 PM.. Reason: spelling

October 20th, 2007, 02:37 PM	#30
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 15,607	I have the Marlin 336SS...a .30-.30 in stainless... I just bought it a few months ago without a scope just a fiber optic front site. My intention was just to have it as a 'SHTF' HD weapon in the stash. I had a similar .30-.30 decades ago, and like many of my weapons, I sold it for someother weapon...regretted it, and now I can sort of reclaim my favorites. __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

October 17th, 2007, 04:20 PM	#21
Creature Ex Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 343	Okay, so it seems the majority of responders here likes Marlin rifles. Going back to my original question, what does a Marlin have over a Winchester...or vice versa?

October 17th, 2007, 04:25 PM	#22
Tubby45 Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: In the reloading room Posts: 1,988	Marlin Guide Gun in 45/70.

October 17th, 2007, 05:33 PM	#24
mousehunter Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 156	Marlin makes 2 actions (rifle, and carbine). Winchester has made a ton of models in the past, but the last produced was the 94 (a 30/30 rifle action often chambered in carbine). Other Win models are more suited for big game or carbine use - but are $$$. I have a Win 92 and really like it, but since we are discussing Win 94 then... The Marlin 336 action is stronger than the 94 (it is also heavier), the Marlin Carbine is the rifle of choice for SASS competition (dependable, durable, etc...). Unless you just want a Winchester, or want a very small light brush gun in 30/30 - I would favor the Marlin.

October 17th, 2007, 05:45 PM	#25
Redneck Repairs VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,141	Levers are not my thing . However if i would choose to own one , the blr ( browning lever rifle ) would be top on the list of them , Marlin would fall shortly behind . The reason for this is that the two actions will hold up better than strictily traditional winchester/henry actions. They take mor pressure and can be chambered to usefull ctgs .

October 20th, 2007, 02:17 AM	#28
bmcgilvray Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Texas Posts: 1,232	A vintage Savage Model 99 makes an elegant lever action rifle. The strong action will handle some pretty high intensity cartridges and the late vintage rifles could be had in .243, .284, .308, and .358. For that matter the .250 and .300 Savage cartridges are no slouches either. This is a mid-fifties 99 chambered for .300 Savage. It's a relatively recent acquisition, purchased to replace the one I used for many years but later sold. Took 20+ deer with that first 99 .300 Savage.

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