[MattC]

I have been waiting several months now for local gunstores to get one in.  Last night I went to buy one.  Now, the dealers  around here are charging &#36599 for these rifles.  The shop had two, and I've got to say I wasn't impressed.  THe wood to metal fit is very poor and the matte black finish on the top and tang is ugly.  

I have better walnut laying around my garage floor than they put on these two guns.  

The barrel tapers so much at the end, there is hardly any muzzle left.  I think that this long skinny whippy barrel with the full length magazine tube will probably not shoot as well as the ss or guide guns.

Its still an neat rfile and I'd like to have one, but its not a &#36600 dollar rifle. Compared to a Ruger No. 1 at the same price, seems like a lot more gun for the money.  

I'm glad I didn't buy one sight unseen.  The classic lines are great but the details are not.

 

[IDShooter]

MATTC,
      That's too bad that the fit wasn't very good on those rifles. I saw one at a gun show a while back and I really liked the feel and balance of it. I have to admit that I didn't inspect the rifle closely because I wasn't in the market for one, but as I recall the wood was decent. You know, typical Marlin- not fancy at all but solid and straight grained. I hope the ones you saw are just lemons, and not representative of their current quality. I've been thinking about getting a 336 Cowboy!
Good Shooting!   ID
PS- I'm not a fan of the Ruger No. 1 due to a poor experience with one, but you'd be in good company if you chose one!

 

[Midnight Ranger]

I just bought a 336CB in .38-55 and it couldn't be any more perfect, the feel, balance and the quality.  I'm now in the process of buying the 1895CB.

 

[David Wile]

Hey Folks,

I do not know what Matt was looking at, but I got a Marlin 1895 Cowboy 45-70 with a 26 inch octagon barrel about six or so weeks ago. The wood is absolutely beautiful walnut with some really fine tiger lines in the rear stock. The rear sight was lousy for shooting more than 100 yards, so I installed a Lyman #2 tang sight.  I intend to put a folding rear sight in place of the original. It shoots like a dream with the new sight, and anyone who has looked at it has gotten a big smile and asked to shoulder it.

Several years ago, I bought the Marlin 1894 Cowboy in 44 mag with a 24 inch octagon barrel. It is also a beautiful gun, and I do not know of anyone who has been dissatisfied with either of the Marlin Cowboys. However, the problem I had with the rear sight seems to be a common complaint, and the 1894 models seem to be somewhat picky if they are fed shorter cartridges (such as a 44 special instead of a 44 mag), but I have not heard of anyone wanting to get rid of their Cowboys.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[gutpile]

guys i have a 336 cowboy in 30-30 and i love it,  the wood to metal fit is excellant on my rifle, and it shoots very good, i can get 1 1/2" groups from it @ 100 yards, not bad for a 30-30! i hunted with this rifle during deer season last year and took an 8-point buck with it, it has quickly became my favorite rifle. if my rifle is typical to the other 336 cowboys out there, Marlin sure did a good job with them...gutpile