Simple modification to improve Marlin 336 lever and trigger

[Kokopelli]

I own a mid 80's Marlin 336 in 30-30. The action and trigger have always been kind of stiff. It was purchased used from a LGS several years ago. This week, I decided it was time to do a complete tear down, cleaning and lubrication. I found the inside of the magazine tube had original factory lubrication which turned into a thick brown goo. I'm surprized the magazine follower didn't hang up in the tube.

While apart, I examined the hammer assembly and did some web searching. It was suggested to take 3/4 of a coil off each end of the trigger spring to lighten it. I did it to one end of the spring only. I used a dremel with a cut off wheel and ground the new cut flat.

Reassembling the rifle, the modification was immediately noticible. It did two things. It made the trigger pull much nicer, leaving plenty of hammer power to strike the primer of a round. The big surprise was how easy it was for the bolt to push the hammer back and cock it. The lever is very smooth and easy now. The gun runs slick and I expect accuracy to improve with the lighter trigger.

[golfish]

Thanks for the post...

I've been looking at these in 35rem...

[pennstater]

Nice work Koko. Like that rig. And no infamous Marlin perch belly on that one. Nice!
BTW, what scope is that?

MLC

[golfish]

Nice work Koko. Like that rig. And no infamous Marlin perch belly on that one. Nice!
BTW, what scope is that?

MLC

lol @ perch belly...I haven't heard that one

[Kokopelli]

Nice work Koko. Like that rig. And no infamous Marlin perch belly on that one. Nice!
BTW, what scope is that?

MLC

Thanks! That scope was on it when I bought it. It is a Tasco 4X that is made in Japan. The glass is very clear, with an ultra fine cross hair.

This is my heaviest long gun at 8 pounds, 0 ounces unloaded. I wish it were lighter.

[pennstater]

Thanks! That scope was on it when I bought it. It is a Tasco 4X that is made in Japan. The glass is very clear, with an ultra fine cross hair.

This is my heaviest long gun at 8 pounds, 0 ounces unloaded. I wish it were lighter.

Ha! Ought to pick up my Henry brass with 20" octagon barrel and scope.
It's a hog! But, I forgive it, as it is ACCURATE!

MLC

[hermosabeach]

will it fire reliably with the lighter spring?

[Kokopelli]

will it fire reliably with the lighter spring?

That crossed my mind. The online suggestions said to take 3/4ths of a turn off of both

[Spyder]

I was just trying to sight mine in a couple weeks ago. I need to decide what kind of sights I want to replace the buckhorns with...

I've got a Williams on my 45 Colt Cowboy and it's not my favorite.

[Kokopelli]

I was just trying to sight mine in a couple weeks ago. I need to decide what kind of sights I want to replace the buckhorns with...

I've got a Williams on my 45 Colt Cowboy and it's not my favorite.

[Spyder]

I need to look in to the trigger spring mod you did. I wound up looking at Skinner sights last night again. I'm going to buy the Black Gold Express sight, I just need to decide if I want it for my hunting 336, or my hunting 20" 1894 Cowboy.

The 45 Colt currently has Williams receiver sight and fiber optic front. I may buy the Skinner for the 1894 and put a little red dot on the 336 and move the Williams to a different 336 or maybe the 24" 45 Colt cowboy. Too many choices not enough moola! ...but the thought of the black gold express on the 20" octagon 45 Colt...that makes me happy. 😄

[echo1]

Thanks for the practical write up. I've got a 30AS that could use some trigger smoothness. PAX

[Imageview]

I really like the skinner express sights, and the folks who work there are awesome. I would not hesitate to put an express sights on any rifle they make them for.

One caveat is that the express sights with scope mount needs higher rings than they recommend. There's just not enough room for much elevation adjustment with the Talley medium rings.

[32spoke]

I have three lever guns, all have Skinner sites.
The for my two Marlins, I installed the safety deletes, like the old Marlins/half cock becoming the safety/and the trigger finger.

I also installed the lighter triggers from Ranger Point Precision, the Aluminum loading gates, I also installed the lighter springs and the single piece firing pins for lighter action.

Fun rifles to shoot!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Spyder]

Hopefully I didn't derail this thread by my sights comment...
But I DID just order a black gold express for my 20" 45 Colt 1894 Cowboy. I was tempted to get the case hardened one, but I will wait and see how I like the Skinner on the hunting rifle, and then maybe buy the case hardened version for the BBQ rifle after.