Braxton Taylor
History
Among the most famous lever-action rifles in American history, the Marlin Model 336 has been in continuous production since it hit gun store shelves in 1948. The company sold its 3,000,000th Model 336 all the way back in 1979, and the current figure is obviously much higher. The 336 is the brainchild of famous gun designer L.L. Hepburn and traces its lineage to the Models 1893, 1936, and 36.
What distinguished the 336 was a round breech bolt in place of the rectangular bolt of previous designs. Marlin claimed in marketing materials at the time that this “massive locking bolt” assured smooth feeding and was “virtually jam proof.” The design also promised greater strength and durability to handle what were at the time high-powered rifle rounds.
Remington Arms Company purchased Marlin in 2007, and Ruger bought the company from a bankrupt Remington in 2020. Ruger has since released their own take on the legendary design–the Model 336 Classic–which retains much of what Marlin fans loved (and some of what they didn’t) about the original rifle.
Features
The 336 has been offered in a huge variety of models and configurations. The original Model 336C sported a 20-inch barrel while the Model 336A featured a 24-inch barrel. The stock has a more vertical pistol-style grip rather than the Winchester 94’s straight grip stock. In 1956, Marlin began offering the 336 drilled and tapped for a scope (its side-ejection system made it an ideal candidate for this), and the famous gold trigger was added in 1959.
Original Marlin 336’s did not incorporate any kind of safety, but the infamous cross-bolt safety was added to Carbine models in 1984. This safety mechanism has been criticized by many as unnecessary and confusing, but Ruger decided to maintain it in its reintroduction.
But they also made some excellent improvements. Ruger-made 336’s feature a cold hammer forged barrel, a thinned forend, and various design and manufacturing tweaks to make the rifles more durable. For more info, check out our full review of the Ruger-made Model 336.
Availability
It’s not difficult to find a Marlin Model 336 on the used market, most of which can be had for less than $800. If you want a factory-new rifle, you may have to wait a bit longer. The demand for Ruger-made 336’s has been stout, and I’ve heard from readers lamenting the fact that they can’t be found for love or money. My best advice? Get on the waiting list now. Ruger is churning these things out every day, so it’s just a matter of time before you get your hands on one.
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