Greetings. I've read about the newer model 336 and 1894 having a cross bolt safety (cbs). And the older models, which some prefer, have a traditional half cock safety. How does the half cock safety work? Is it pretty much the same or similar to a 1911 half cock?

Can a newer cross bolt safety half cock? If so, can you activate this while at half cock?

Would you look for a good pawn shop 336 to avoid the cbs or get a new Marlin and just deal with it?

http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/smiley_bucktooth.gif

With the hammer at half cock, the trigger won't depress. Yes, half cock can still be used with the cross bolt safety. They are independent, and you can use one or the other or both. Users of the older rifles find the new safety annoying, because it can be accidentally bumped on and thereby prevent a shot when it was needed. There are instructions floating around for one or two methods of modifying the safety to prevent this problem.

As for preference between the two, I guess it depends on whether you're too old to learn new tricks :) I'm a young pup, and the only Marlin I've ever had has the cross bolt safety, and it's never bothered me.