I’m 6 months into retirement, and it is time to start having a little fun and pick up a few toys - toys that could always be put into serious use if need be. A few questions…
I will likely start with a lever gun - with 30-30 being the likely caliber. Researching has brought up problems associated with carrier misfeeds - at least with Marlins and Winchesters. Rare, but of concern to a function freak like me:). Nothing I could find about this occurring with Henrys.
Any comments to this???
2). Second rifle will be a short 308, scout type. Looking at either a Ruger GSR or a Savage 110 Scout.
Any comments to this???
I wouldn’t worry too much about carrier misfeeds in a Winchester or a Marlin, no experience with a Henry. If you are after a Marlin the older rifles are preferable given how bad the late guns were before they went under. Not sure how current guns are under the new owners.
My own preference for a scout rifle is the Steyr, and prices have come down on them a lot compared to when they were first introduced, but still not in everyone’s budget.
I personally prefer the Marlin design quite a bit, but Coal Dragger has a good point that recent guns had issues. Older 336s are great rifles. The Marlin receiver and bolt design is less particular than Winchester, and somewhat easier to field strip. Marlins are much easier to put a scope on if you want. I also like the pistol grip more than the straight pull of most Model 94s. I grew up handling lever guns and I’m perfectly happy without a safety, but some people like the cross bolt on Marlins. That’s not to say there is anything bad with about Winchester, I like them and there is a reason the design has lasted over 120 years.
If I was buying new I’d get a Winchester. Depending on what you wanted do, I might suggest looking at a .44 Mag like the Model 92 instead of a 30-30. I like the 30-30 and still hunt with it occasionally, but thanks to the interest in handgun hunting and big bore revolvers there’s a lot more ammo options in .44 Mag than 30-30. The pistol caliber lever guns are also just fun to shoot. I think there’s very little difference in performance on deer and hogs at close range—in fact I think the 240 grain .44 JSP is better than the 150 grain 30-30. The 175 grain 30-30 round nose is a solid hunting load, though.
I have 2 Marlins. One of their older “Sears” brands and a newer 1895CB. Just sold a Winchester 94.
I prefer the Marlin over the Winchester when it comes to optics mounting and smoothness of the action (I realize those could just be my examples and not necessarily representative of the entire line). The 1895CB i bought used but it’s only a few years old, 2016 I think?!? No function issues but then again they don’t get shot like Glocks
I dunno why, but I’ve never liked the Henry rifles. The first ones I ever handled when they were new to the market just seemed chintzy to me and I’ve never gotten over that initial impression. I’d much rather scounge around and find an older Marlin or Winchester.
On the Scout rifle, get the Ruger over the Savage and a Steyr over either one.
OR, have a gunsmith build one for you- and it doesn’t have to be a “commissioned work of art”… I bought a half assed sporterized 1903A3 Springfield out of a pawn shop for $200. I had some stock modifications done, cut the barrel down a bit and had a gunsmith mount a scout rail- all of that cost me another $350. Excellent scout rifle and cheaper than any of the previous options listed. You do realize Coopers first Pseudo Scout- and several others, were based around the Springfield? If you are ok with not having a “perfect scout”, it’s a good option…And even now, you can find the old 1950’s and 60’s basement converted “Sporters” for reasonable money if you look around a bit.
A couple things that the old military rifles have over the modern versions is— 1. Absolute reliability- I have heard and seen of both Rugers and Savage Scout rifles going down when run hard. You never hear that about a military issued Mauser/Springfield. I ran mine in a Scout Rifle class and it ran like a top for 3 days. 2. They retain the ability to stripper clip feed ammo- Cooper felt that was important- maybe less so now with the good detachable mags, but a nice option. A man that knows how to run a rifle can keep up a good rate of fire with the old military rifles.
I am a fan of the JM branded Marlins. I have a few of the 30-30’s and a couple of the 1894’s in 44mag. So far no issues with them. At the time I was buying them Winchester’s quality was up and down plus as TBAR 94 said they are easier to scope. Some folks are even mounting Red Dots on them.
Henry has a good reputation and good customer service from what I have read.
If you are a patient man supposedly Ruger will have their version of Marlin out in less than a year.
I spend a fair amount of my time over on the Marlinownersforum. There is a lot of tips and tricks on maintaining the guns. If you are so inclined give it a visit. They are a friendly bunch.
As one who had an 80’s Marlin 336 & still owns the family Win.94, the biggest difference is weight.
336 is a heavy receiver & a god platform for a scope, 94 is much easier to carry all day but the top eject makes optics a PITA. My 336 was in 35 REM vs 30-30 for the 94 so can’t say which was more accurate.
The only Henry I have is a rimfire pump but it’s well made & reliable.
I’ve got a Marlin 336 in 30-30 and an 1894c in .357Mag. Both are older JM stamped, and both have just short of a bajillion rounds thru them. I’ve never had a carrier jam (but I have read about it), or any other jam for that matter.
My 1971 336 wears a Weaver K4 and will put 3 round into less that an inch at 100 yards consistently. I have both Win (1980s) and Marlin (1964, 1971) 30-30s and just don’t remember having any issues with either brand.
I prefer the Win 94 because its light and slim, even compared to a straight-lever 336 “Texan”. I also like the Win 94 because you can open the action carefully, remove the round that was chambered, then close the action on an empty chamber. Tough to do that with the Marlin.
I’m a Marlin fan. Love the nostalgia of a Winchester, but I just like the feel of a Marlin better. I also fondle every Savage 99 I find on the used racks, but none have followed me home yet.
+1 on roll your own scout rifle. The Ruger looks cool, but it’s pretty heavy. No experience with the 110 scout, but a couple of friends have the std 110s. They are nice accurate guns. But any 700 can be made to take mags, many other rifles come with them. It ain’t magic to get a forward scope mount. Frankly I’d shoot someone else’s to make sure you actually like the “scout” style.
A Marlin 336 in 30-30 would be my desired rifle to search for based on your #1 quest. Preferably a JM stamped one, but a new production should be good as well. Just look it over well in person if you go new.
For a Marlin lever gun I’d use ranger point precision for a couple little upgrades, but most importantly get some skinner peep sights. I don’t like scopes on a lever gun.
I have a few marlins. 1894c JM, Model 60 JM, and a Remlin era 1894SS in 44Mag. All flawless.
My son has a Henry youth 22 lever action and it jams a feed every now and then if he is not racking the lever correctly. He’s about to turn five, so there’s some practice and maturity yet to come. It functions great for me. Really fun little gun.
I have to agree with much that is already been said. I have two Winchester 30-30s and would prefer a Marlin given the ease of mounting a scope. The older Winchesters are especially difficult, but the newer ones with the angle eject would be better for scope mounting. Unfortunately, the much older ones are the higher build quality. The most recent look good as well, but the guns somewhere around the 80s too early 2000s seem a bit cheapish.
I would not have too much concern with function in any of them. They should all work relatively well. Every problem that is ever going to be had with a gun has been hand by Winchester and Marlin because there are so stinking many. The same cannot be said for Henry, therefore you probably don’t see as many complaints.
I have had better luck finding a Steyr scout rifle than any other brand recently. Consider other general purpose 308’s in addition to scout rifles. They are a great many practical 308 bolt guns if you give up the forward optic. There are other conversions that can be done if you desire the Forward optic as well. Spend some time on the scout rifle forum, look at The Scout Rifle Study by Richard Mann, and watch “Rethinking the Scout Rifle” on YouTube.
A Browning BLR in .308 with a scout rail might fit most of your needs.
I bought a 336 in 44 mag that may be unfired or used very little. I have heard of feed issues but mine feeds ammo just fine. Does wear over time lead to feeding issues or do only some rifles have the issue?
I have always wanted a lever gun as well, and just barely picked up a Henry Big Boy in .44 Mag. I’ve really liked it so far, but i’m far from experienced with lever guns, so not sure how it stacks up to others.
I grew up thinking Win was the only way to go. I started shooting and really found an appreciation for Marlins. I like peep sights on lever guns, and there are different options for different Marlins depending on age. All of the Marlins (at least semi-modern) have easy optics mounting. Micro-groove barrels can be problematic for cast lead (there are work-arounds in sizing).
The Henry action is based on the Marlin 336 action. My FIL bought me one as a .mil retirement gift and I have been really happy with it. My FIL called Henry and told them the reason for the purchase and they hand picked really nice wood for the rifle. It is heavy in comparison tp other options. Depending on the Henry you are looking at, it might / might not have a loading gate. Mine tube loads like a .22. Much easier on the thumb for a day at the range and a breeze to unload after a day in the field. Not something you can top off in a SD/HD scenario.
You can get an really nice Miroku made Winchester new. I don’t think I have ever seen a Browning, Winchester, or muzzleloader that came out of the Miroku plant that wasn’t a quality product.
I really hope Ruger sorts out Marlin. I’m sure it will take some time.