I have a question on how to size up a marlin 336 for a 12 year old. He is a big boy around 5’5” 160 pounds should I buy the 336y youth model it said length of pull is 12.5” barrel 16.5” over all 34” or will he grow out of this quick or should I just get a one of the other 336 models that are 20” barrels and 38.5” over all I was on marlin web site but found nothing to help me …Thanks

Greenie, the young man may be big enough to handle either rifle. In either case, the length of pull will be the most critical. A too-long stock is not only awkward to mount quickly and shoot accurately with, but it can also make a mild-recoiling rifle into something that'll pound the stuffing out of you. Barrell length -- well, that's far less critical, IMO.This youngster certainly sounds big enough to handle the slightly increased muzzle-heaviness of the 20" tube.

If this were my son, I believe I'd try to find a situation where I could let him handle both guns and just see which one fits him better at this time. If you go with the short one and he outgrows the short stock in the future, you can always add on a thick recoil pad or replace the buttstock altogether with a full-size one.

Thanks for the info how do you measure his length of pull? I have called around my town and no one has a 336Y youth to compare and most don’t stock any 336 models they just want to order one in even Wal-Mart only has a 336W

Thanks for the info how do you measure his length of pull? I have called around my town and no one has a 336Y youth to compare and most don’t stock any 336 models they just want to order one in even Wal-Mart only has a 336W

Just take a tape measure or yardstick and measure the distance from face of the trigger to the middle of the butt. The 336w has, I believe, the standard buttstock, and I think that's 13.25" LOP. Not a great deal of difference, only 3/4", but it can make a big difference in feel. To me, a too-short stock is easier to adapt to than one that's too long. And, if you're hunting in cold weather, the shorter length may be just right for a heavily-clothed shoulder.

Is there a way to measure my son’s arm or shoulder to hand? to find out if he has a longer length of pull then the 12.5 on the 336y model …Thanks

I have a question on how to size up a marlin 336 for a 12 year old. He is a big boy around 5’5” 160 pounds should I buy the 336y youth model it said length of pull is 12.5” barrel 16.5” over all 34” or will he grow out of this quick or should I just get a one of the other 336 models that are 20” barrels and 38.5” over all I was on marlin web site but found nothing to help me …Thanks
I would definitly recommend the full size model. He's not gonna get any smaller! With the full size he can use it the rest of his life.

Shooters don't have a length of pull per say, long-guns have a length of pull. That said, you can't really measure your son's length of pull. What you can do is try different firearms and find what is comfortable for him. Some old timers would measure from the inside crease of a bent elbow to the first knuckle on the trigger finger, and call that the fellas length of pull, but that method doesn't tell you much. If you can find a youth model single shot shotgun or anything with a shorter stock, you could let him see how it feels next to a "standard"
stock. Hope this helps a little.
Woody