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Posted: 5/4/2008 5:15:58 PM EDT
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I've been considering a 30-30 lever gun as a do it all, truck gun. I know I've seen some threads related to this topic but I can't find any at this time. I'm looking for suggestions/input for modifications. I'm considering 2 options, first is a Winchester '94 that went through a flood in the mid '80's. Structurally everything is sound, but the finish is shot. The upside here, is no cost for the base rifle. Honestly, I'm not seeing a downside as my father is a gunsmith and will help out with the needed machine and finishing work. My second option is a Marlin 336, probably a used one since it is going to be completely reworked anyway. I definitely want to go with a ghost ring rear sight and a high visibility front sight. Right now I think the XS sights are my best option valuewise. Anything else that would be useful other than sights? Any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated, along with pictures of course. Thanks. |
I've got a marlin in .357mag, and I will NEVER get rid of it. Strong, reliable, and it has a solid top, so mounting anything on them is easy. I am thinking about ghost ring right now. 
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My subscriptions haven't been working, and I forgot all about this thread. For now I'm going with the Winchester, as it is basically free. There will be some replacement parts needed, but it will still come in under the price of a Marlin. This Winchester is a pre '64, so I was a little torn on modifying it. However, it is so rough right now, that the only thing worth selling would be the receiver and I'd much rather have it to use than sell it. We're going to cut the barrel down to 16.5" and the mag tube to match. For now I'm going to stick with the factory sights, and the whole thing will be parkerized. Is it a sin to parkerize a model '94? This is going to be a fun project. Thanks for the input. |
Marlin all the way. 30-30 or 45-70. They just feel tighter then a winchester. Open a 94 and shake it around and it sounds like a bag of bolts.  I love both of my marlins.   pictured is my 45-70 guide gun (obviously) with Brockman front and rear ghost ring sight and XS scout rail. |
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I find the gost ring to be too large. I am older and need the lens effect of the regular peep sight to get a good sharp front sight, I use the Lyman and I can unscrew the peep itself to change sizes or use the sight without any peep in poor light. Certainly not the only way but it works well for me. Don't feel bad about re-finishing an old winchester. If the finish is as bad as it sounds it has slim to none collector value so you are at least turning it into a good usefull shooter. I generally like the Marlins (along with the Winchesters) but they are stinkers to get running well with cast bullets (micro grove!), the Winchesters even with an old semi beat bore eat the cast bullets . |
No prob, Depending on where in VA your located, come up and check it out first hand sometime. |
I like your attitude! You might be happy with a Winchester, but you might be happier with a Marlin. I have had several of both flavors. I like the Winchesters for look, and carry.... but the Marlins are much more acurate and the metal just feels better. When the price on Winchesters went way up I sold mine and bought another AR. Now I have 3-Marlin 336 in 30-30, 1 Marlin 94? in 357, and a Guide Gun in 45-70. |
The new marlins have standard (ballard) rifling, and I have run cast bullets through mine with zero problems. |
[hijack] wasn't some gun magazine going to do an article on that? [hijack] |
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Marlin, its a much better made gun, IMO. My utility levergun is a 336 with a 16" barrel, and mag tube trimmed to fit. Williams WGRS rear, and Marble's ivory bead front. XS Pic rail. currently no optic. Looking at an Aimpoint for it. Still wanting to get a set of Ram Line synthetic furniture. |
Yes, the article is still in the works, the writers workload needs to thin out a bit. |
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I always found this article interesting www.suarezinternational.com/leveraction.html |
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