Marlin Model 336

Type of lever action rifle and carbine

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, the model with a 24 inch barrel is only available in .30 30 Winchester. The Model 336 is now back in production as of March 27, 2023.

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. and coil type main and trigger springs in place of the flat springs used in earlier Marlin rifles. 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. 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.

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.

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 collectors piece.

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. A variant of the New Model 1895, called the 338MX and 338MXLR, has also become available in more recent times .338 Marlin Express.

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 (including the current Model 1895, the Ruger No. 1 single shot, the Browning BLR or the Siamese Mauser conversions), 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 (although with smaller bullets with a much lower sectional density) 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.

One recent innovation growing in popularity is the "Guide Gun" concept. The name most probably originates from the types of longarms favored by Alaskan hunting and wilderness guides as a defense against attacks by bears. The Guide Gun concept consists of a handy, short barreled (usually 16 to 20 inches) lever action in a large caliber such as the .444 Marlin, .45 70, or .450 Marlin with a 3/4 length magazine tube. Usually custom made by a skilled gunsmith, these guns are usually fitted with either open sights (such as ghost rings or express sights), a reflex sight, holographic sight or a long eye relief scope mounted on a scout rail. Marlin New Model 1895 actions are frequently used to build this type of firearm. In an attempt to capitalize on this trend, Marlin began offering custom versions of their New Model 1895 action beginning with the now discontinued Models 1895SDT and 336SDT. Current "Guide Gun" models include the Models 1895G, 1895GS, 1895GBL, 1895SBL, and 1895m.

Aside from existing Marlin models, the basic Model 336/Model 1895 receiver and lever action mechanism has enjoyed some popularity as a parent for various wildcat caliber conversions. These custom rifles are increasingly popular in the western United States, Canada, and Alaska where encounters with grizzly bears and other potentially dangerous animals can be expected. Some of these wildcat cartridge conversions include the .450 Alaskan, .457 Wild West Magnum, .50 Alaskan, and the .510 Kodiak Express. Of the conversions mentioned both the .450 Alaskan and the .457 Wild West Magnum do not require new barrels, but simply a chamber reaming and the required action modifications (referred to as "action lengthening"); the .457 Magnum also allows continued ability to use .45 70. The .510 Kodiak Express is the most powerful wildcat conversion available for the Marlin at 5,000+ ft lbs. Both the .50 Alaskan and .510 Kodiak Express require a new barrel to be installed on the rifle. The .45 90 Sharps (also called .45 90 WCF or simply .45 90) has occasionally been used in converted Marlin 1895 rifles. The .45 90 conversion involves modifications to the action that increase the bolt travel and action timing (to adjust when a round is ejected, and when a new round lifts to enter the chamber), and the chamber in the barrel is reamed to .45 90 specifications. The case of a .45 90 is more than a quarter inch longer than the .45 70. The limitations on bolt travel of a converted Model 336 rifles are generally limit its case overall length (COL) to 2.85 inches. The 2.85 COL allows all bullets that work with the .45 70 action to be used in the converted .45 90. The .45 90 converted 1895 actions have the same pressure limitations as the .45 70 actions.