Off Brand Marlin quality?

[John Browning]

Are the Marlin made Wards/Glenfield/Western Field/Revelation off brand 336 copies as good as a branded Marlin? I know the wood is of a lesser quality, but do these have any mechanical or functional cost cutting measures?

I sold my 1970s 336 way too cheaply and with current prices I am looking at these to fill the hole. I saw a very nice, practically new condition off brand 336 that I think I want.

[Spyder]

I think they're just fine. I'm on the hunt for a couple of off brand rifles, be they hardware store or Ted Williams lever guns, bolt guns, or pump guns. I'd love to find a beat up old off-brand .243 or 30-04 with a good barrel that I can use as a hunting rifle.

[200Apples]

If we're talking pre 1990's manufacture, the only thing I can see that might be different would be the wood used for the stocks and forends.

Marlin actions of that period are incredibly simple and (in centerfire chamberings, anyway) use fewer parts than a Winchester action, for example, therefore I don't see Marlin going to the hassle of having a lesser-cost action parts stream. Is it a Microgroove barrel firearm you're looking at? That would corroborate my hunch.

Again, this is just a hunch. I think you should grab the rifle and have fun with it.

[John Browning]

I didn't catch the brand, but it is definitely a Marlin 336 except by name.

[Fishwishin]

I’ve always thought of it as a Smith and Wesson model 27 vs. 28 issue- all the bells and whistles and finish vs. working grade finish. I think an off brand would fill the bill just fine.

['ol shooter]

I have a Marlin .22LR single shot and it's Glenfield sister, the main difference is the wood and no bullseye in the stock. The actions are identical. I have a Sears 43DL, a Marlin 81DL with a little slimmer walnut stock, same action. All fine shooters.

[ar15barrels]

Is it a Microgroove barrel firearm you're looking at? That would corroborate my hunch.

I prefer the ones made before the microgroove barrels came out.
Just picked up a 1954 336 in 35 remington that is NOT marked microgroove so I am expecting ballard rifling when I finally DROS it.

[lastinline]

On the positive side, it couldn’t be any worse than the examples produced and sold as Marlins during that era. You might find a really good one.

[200Apples]

I prefer the ones made before the microgroove barrels came out.
Just picked up a 1954 336 in 35 remington that is NOT marked microgroove so I am expecting ballard rifling when I finally DROS it.

But of course. I was simply using a Marlin process as an example for the OP.

Oh, and you suck! 35 Remington is a great chambering in these 336s. I am envious.

You remember both the 2019-made, hot mess stainless 1894 SBL you looked at, then later helped me with, along with the 1951 39A you put the XS Sights on are both Ballard-rifled bores.

Then I have a 1968-made Microgroove 336 Texan Carbine in .30-30 that shoots shots touching. Nothing wrong with Microgroove bores when the bo0lits are sized right, and for lead I think it's .002" over.

But you already know these things.

My 1895GS is Ballard but my .357 and .41 1894s are Microgroove. All shoot very well.

[smittty]

The barrels on the 336 have always been canted, even way back in 1970.

But it only becomes noticeable when you install a receiver mounted peep sight.

[John Browning]

Turns out it was a Glenfield 30A made in 1982. I remember as a kid looking through the JC Penny catalogs and wanting one of the lever guns in there, so this one will stay with me to fulfill that 6 year old childhood dream.

It has no crossbolt safety, gets the old JM marking and is in otherwise like new shape, and doesn't have the ugly pressed "checkering" of the earlier Glenfields. It has some very plain but otherwise unmarked birch. It is a microgroove barrel, but you can't win them all. Still super happy knowing this one is just as good as any other 336, and better than many.

[870classic]

Are the Marlin made Wards/Glenfield/Western Field/Revelation off brand 336 copies as good as a branded Marlin? I know the wood is of a lesser quality, but do these have any mechanical or functional cost cutting measures?

IIRC, these "copies", or "off brands", were made by Marlin with some minor differences in wood and finish. Otherwise, mechanically (internally) they are identical to the Marlin 336.

Best regards,
870classic.

[Calif Hunter]

Mossberg also made some lever actions (Model 472 is one) that looked a lot like the Marlins and were sold by Sears. Montgomery Wards, etc. Roy Rogers was a fan of them, or paid to be, perhaps. I have never handled one but saw several at the Roy Rogers Museum when it was in Victorville. The trigger moved with the lever, though, when cycling the action. Remove the lever and bolt slides out to the rear.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Micro-Groove was adopted by Marlin in 1953. My 1958 336 has it.

The Off Brand guns IMHO are some of the most desirable Marlins. The fact that they have the different retailers markings is what separates them and builds a place in History for them

They are great platforms for experiments in refinishing, and I have had some decent success doing it. As far as I can tell they are identical internally to any other Marlin of similar vintage, and respond favorably to any of the action mods I do.

The Western Auto gun I did was identical in Metal finish to my 1958 gun, it had walnut furniture that was pretty bland, but still refinished well. If I had it back to do over I'd be doing some grain enhancement which would bring the wood character to a higher level. Just learning how to do that now and a gun I'm working on right now has some .

The object is to not be able to tell that it is not natural.

Randy

[John Browning]

Thanks for all the input, I appreciate the time put into responding.

I should have my Glenfield by mid June and will post pictures when I get it.