Marlin Model 336
The Marlin Model 336 is a lever-action rifle and carbine made by Marlin Firearms. Since its introduction in 1948, it has been offered in a number of different calibers and barrel lengths, but is commonly chambered in.30-30 Winchester or.35 Remington, using a 20- or 24-inch barrel. Currently, several models with a 16-, 19- and 20-inch barrels are available in.30-30 Winchester. The Model 336 is now back in production as of March 27, 2023.
History
The Model 336 is a direct development of the Marlin Model 1893 rifle, which was produced from 1893 to 1936. Based on the patents of L.L. Hepburn, the Model 1893 incorporated a new locking bolt system and a two-piece firing pin. In 1936, with only minor changes to the stock, forearm, and sights, the Model 1893 was redesignated the Model 1936. All of these firearms featured a solid-top receiver made of forged steel and incorporated side ejection of fired cartridges. Compared to the Winchester 94, then the predominant lever-action hunting rifle, the Model 36 was somewhat heavier with a simpler internal mechanism and a full pistol grip-type buttstock in contrast to the Winchester 94's straight-grip stock.In 1948, the Model 36 was replaced by the Model 336, which incorporated the patents of Thomas R. Robinson, Jr., a Marlin employee. Sold under both the Marlin and Glenfield brands, the Model 336 has been in continuous production from 1948 to the present day, and is currently produced by Ruger Firearms under the Marlin brand.
While most current variants of the Model 336 feature a full pistol-grip walnut stock, 20-inch barrel and full-length tube magazine, other versions of the 336 have been frequently offered by Marlin over the years, including barrel lengths of 16.25-inch, 18-inch, 22-inch, and 24-inch barrels; half-length magazines; straight-grip stocks; and hardwood furniture.
Design
An evolution of the Model 36 rifle, the Model 336 is easily distinguished from its predecessors by its open ejection port machined into the side of the receiver. Design improvements include a stronger and simpler round-profile chrome-plated breech bolt, a redesigned cartridge carrier, an improved extractor, and coil-type main and trigger springs in place of the flat springs used in earlier Marlin rifles. Like its predecessors, the receiver and all major working parts of the Model 336 are constructed of steel forgings.With its solid, flat-top receiver and side ejection of fired cartridges, the Marlin 336 is prime candidate for use with a rifle scope. In 1956, Marlin also incorporated its proprietary Micro-Groove rifling system into the Model 336 and other centerfire Marlin rifles. This rifling system, which used an increased number of relatively shallow rifling grooves, cut down production time and significantly extended the service life of machine tooling. According to Marlin, the Micro-Groove system provides very uniform bore dimensions and a very smooth bore finish designed to improve accuracy, prevent gas leakage, and reduce bore fouling.
The Model 336 is designed to be easily disassembled for cleaning. Removal of the lever pivot screw with a flathead screwdriver, allows field stripping of the lever arm, bolt, and ejector for maintenance. Unlike many lever-action designs, the Model 336 can be cleaned from the breech, much like a bolt-action rifle. This in turn avoids damage to the muzzle caused by cleaning rods and tools.
Production
As of 1983, the Model 336 was ranked the #2 all-time leader in U.S. high-powered sporting rifle sales, after the Winchester Model 1894, with over 3.5 million sold.Ruger began manufacturing Marlins after buying rights to the design from Remington. New production of the 336 was announced in a news release that began on March 27, 2023.
Other models based on the Model S336 action
Marauder, Trapper, and Model 336YMarlin has made short carbine versions of the Model 336 over the years, including the Model 336 Marauder, Trapper and the Model 336Y. Usually featuring a short 16- or 18-inch barrel, these carbines are considerably shorter and lighter than the standard 20" carbine. The Model 336Y also featured a short buttstock to enable use by younger shooters.
The Glenfield
For many years, Marlin produced a less-expensive Glenfield line of Model 336 rifles for retail at mass merchandise and department stores including: J.C. Penney, Sears Roebuck & Company, Western Auto, K-Mart and Wal-Mart. Marlin sold these rifles as the Glenfield Models 30, 30A, 30AS or 30AW. Other Model 336 production rifles were stamped with names chosen by the retailer, such as the J.C. Higgins Model 45 and Model 50, the Montgomery Ward Western Field Model 740-A EMN, the J.C. Penney Foremost Model 3040, the K-Mart Model 30TK and the Model 3000 for Big 5 Sporting Goods. Mechanically identical to the Model 336, these mass market rifles were typically fitted with lower-cost hardwood stocks and forearms, and some metal finishing operations were eliminated in the interest of lowering unit cost. By marketing a less-expensive version of the same rifle under a different name to mass merchandising stores, Marlin protected its customer base of small specialty gun dealers.
Store brand models
By 1983, most of Marlin's mass merchandise retailers were in a position to insist on name-brand firearms, and the Glenfield line was dropped. However, Marlin continued to offer a less expensive version of the Model 336, variously called the Model 336W or Model 30AW, originally sold only to the Wal-Mart chain. Fitted with a hardwood stock and lower-cost sights, these rifles were frequently offered as part of a special package with an inexpensive rifle scope, sling, or other options. The Marlin Model 30AW package included a 3-9x32 factory-mounted scope and padded sling, but was otherwise identical to the Marlin Model 336W.
XLR series
Marlin also offers an XLR line of rifles in several calibers, all based on the Model 336 lever-action design. The Model 336XLR features stainless construction, a 24-inch barrel, and a grey/black wood laminate stock.
Model 336SS
The Model 336M, a Model 336 carbine made largely of stainless steel, was introduced in 2000. It was replaced a year later by the Model 336SS, a 20-inch carbine offered only in.30-30 caliber. The Model 336SS was in production until 2020, and featured a forged stainless steel receiver, barrel, bolt, lever, and trigger. The magazine tube, springs, and loading gate are also fabricated from stainless, while other metal parts are nickel-plated steel.
Model 375
Introduced in 1980, the Model 375 uses the Model 336 lever-action mechanism but was chambered in the then new.375 Winchester cartridge. This model was discontinued in 1984 after around 16,000 were produced.Model 336ER
Introduced in 1984 this model was very similar in appearance to the Model 375 with the addition of the cross-bolt safety. This model was originally to be chambered in both the.307 Winchester and.356 Winchester. The 307 Winchester was never manufactured, having only a few prototypes being made. The 356 Winchester was manufactured from 1984 to 1986, with only 2,441 of these rifles were ever produced and are considered a highly sought-after collector's piece.Model 444
Introduced in 1965, the Model 444 Marlin uses the Model 336 lever-action mechanism, including the signature open ejection port machined into the side of the receiver, but is chambered for the.444 Marlin cartridge. At its introduction, the Model 444 was the most powerful lever-action rifle on the market. With a muzzle energy of more than 3000 ft-lb, the Model 444 was intended for the largest North American game animals. The Model 444 holds 4 cartridges in the magazine and one in the chamber, and was originally fitted with a 24-inch barrel and a straight-grip buttstock.Early Model 444 rifles utilized a 1-in-38" rifling twist and were handicapped by a lack of suitable bullet weights. In addition, nearly all existing bullets for the.444 had been originally designed solely for use in handguns; used in the Model 444, the bullets tended to break up at higher rifle velocities. A new 265-grain bullet greatly improved the utility of the Model 444 as a hunting rifle, and other bullet weights have since been introduced. In 1971, Model 444's barrel length was reduced to 22 inches, and the rifle's buttstock was changed to a full pistol-grip design. Later production rifles received a change in barrel twist to 1 in 20 inches to stabilize longer and heavier bullets.
Model 1895
Introduced in 1972 and named in honor of the Marlin Model of 1895, the current Model 1895 rifle offered in.45-70 caliber utilizes the same Model 336 receiver design and lever-action mechanism used in the Marlin Model 444. A variant of the New Model 1895, called the 338MX and 338MXLR, has also become available in more recent times.338 Marlin Express..450 Marlin
The.45-70 was originally a black powder cartridge and most factory ammo is loaded moderately for safety in older rifles, including the original Model of 1895. With increasing numbers of modern.45-70 rifles built with high strength actions, handloaders and specialty ammunition makers like Hornady, Buffalo Bore and Garrett produce high intensity.45-70 loadings that may equal or exceed the power of the.444 Marlin. Some approach the power of the.458 Winchester Magnum and are effective against dangerous game. Use of such loadings in older.45-70 firearms is dangerous and should not be attempted; for that reason, Marlin introduced the.450 Marlin, a belted version of the.45-70 cartridge that will not chamber in older.45-70 rifles. However, many.45-70 Model 1895 owners chose to use the traditional.45-70 loads for deer-sized game with the option of using the high intensity.45-70 loads for more dangerous game.The 1895M lever-action rifle chambered in.450 Marlin was offered from 2000 until 2009 and is no longer in production.