[Farrier Matt]

Lets hear some opinions on why we like one or the other. Myself, I like a Winchester. I like the way I can eject a round from the chamber, then push the next one in line down, closing the action on an empty chamber. Both are great rifles, and in my experience, which is limited mostly to Winchesters, about equal in terms of accuracy, reliability, etc. It sems like their are more Marlins out thier chambered for the bigger stuff, 444, 45-70 etc, where I see more Winchesters in 30-30, 357, 44, etc. Just thought Id get some of you alls opinions.

 

[Sinbad12-2007]

Personally, I prefer the Winchester, but for reasons that Marlin owners hate Winchesters. I like the 94 because it is loose and sloppy. I've carried mine in freezing rain, snow, dusty conditions too. I've actually had to knock my Winchester against a tree to knock off the ice. To me, those conditions MAY freeze up a Marlin. AND, most Marlin owners have sense enough to come in out of the rain too ... especially freezing rain. As I got older I did too. My 94 rattles. Always did. That's what allowed it to function in all kinds of nasty weather conditions. It always fired and it will still shoot 5 shots into 2 1/2" at 100 yards.

Marlin makes a fine rifle and I won't fault them at all. I've owned a few and shot several more. Nice, smooth actions. I like 'em. Accurate to a fault. But you asked which I PREFER.

 

[mogwai]

Marlins, for the pistol grip buttstock and solid top frame, Winchester for the slim forend. I've shaved a couple Marlin forends, but haven't heard of a simple fix for that straight Winchester buttstock.

 

[JNewell]

Both are great rifles, and in my experience, which is limited mostly to Winchesters, about equal in terms of accuracy, reliability, etc.

Yes, really.

 

[fknipfer]

I own both 30-30, 35 Rem 45-70 Marlin, 30-30, .356 Win both have features the other doesn't have but really both are as equal as can be.


fknipfer

 

[RifleFan]

These are great responses.

My preference is the Marlin. I just love them. I don't like the top eject of the Winchester and the Marlin action just feels better. It is very strong as well. I have had my Marlin in rain, sleet, snow, mud...you name it and have never had any problems. The Marlins are also usually incredibly accurate for a lever gun. My 336 .30-30 will always be one of my favorite hunting rifles.

 

[Jason T Smith]

I like Marlins myself, and for some of the reasons Sinbad mentioned, always thought Winchesters felt loose. Like was mentioned before though they cycle and fire with boring regularity so it must not be a flaw. I own levers in Marlin, Winchester, Savage, and Rossi and they're all my favorite!

 

[hogcowboy]

Marlin or Winchester

Ive got both. I'd have to say I just like the feel of the Marlin better. So I would have to go with Marlin. I can't fault the Winchester at all though.

 

[SFT]

I have owned both and just thought that the Winchester action was klunky, too loose and I never got the kind of accuracy out of it (.45 LC) that I did with my Marlins.

 

[sawbuck]

Savage is by far the strongest , Winchester has sold millions , but so has Marlin . Marlin by a long shot just feels better to me , is simpler , plenty strong and in fact is a s strong as Winchester but not up to Savage 99 , Scope friendly , and closed top to keep dirt , dust , rain and snow at bay. I've got them all and Marlin is number one with me

 

[Tnhunter]

Savage is by far the strongest , Winchester has sold millions , but so has Marlin . Marlin by a long shot just feels better to me , is simpler , plenty strong and in fact is a s strong as Winchester but not up to Savage 99 , Scope friendly , and closed top to keep dirt , dust , rain and snow at bay. I've got them all and Marlin is number one with me

My vote for strongest goes to the BLR, chambering cartridges with 65,000 PSI potential. I've owned most of them myself, Winchester, Marlin, Savage, and Browning. A lot has to do with personal taste or preference, but it would be awfully tough not to appreciate Brownings in 7/08 and .325WSM as adequate for pretty much all of the hunting found in N.A. for big game. The 7/08 speaks for itself and the .325 brings nearly 4,000 FPE to the table with some loads. I simply never warmed to the 94s I owned and no 99s live here any more either. Again though it's mainly personal preference but Marlin & Browning are the lever guns I prefer.

 

[budd]

I own a Marlin 1895, and 2 Winchesters 94s. I like both but prefere Winchester.

Budd

 

[pisgah]

The BLR definitely trumps the 99 when it comes to strength -- but then, both are in a class other than either the Marlin or the Winchester. Even in their carbine versions, neither the BLR or the 99 is quite as lightweight, trim and handy as either a Marlin or a Winchester, but either can serve quite well if what a shooter is after is more punch than the 336 or 94 can supply.

 

[Tnhunter]

The BLR definitely trumps the 99 when it comes to strength -- but then, both are in a class other than either the Marlin or the Winchester. Even in their carbine versions, neither the BLR or the 99 is quite as lightweight, trim and handy as either a Marlin or a Winchester, but either can serve quite well if what a shooter is after is more punch than the 336 or 94 can supply.

As far as weight goes, the BLR/.308 is listed at 6.5 lbs. The .308MX (which I own) is listed at 7 lbs and the 336C/30-30 is also listed at 7 lbs. The BLR and Marlin MX are virtually the same length and the 336C is 1 1/2" shorter. Very little but personal preference to choose from with the .308 Win and .308ME very very similar in performance as well. The .338MX could even be described as outperforming the BLR in .358. I liked my two 99s, but they were not as handy in hand as either my 336ER or BLR, so they moved away.

As they say; six of one, or a half dozen of the other......

 

[MikeG]

I won't say there's anything wrong with those poor souls that are stuck with Winchesters, but well, you know.....

 

[mike]

What about the misguided unfortunates who are stuck with Marlins?

Why the constant debate over the relative strength of Marlin 336 vs Winchester 1886. The fact is that he 1886 is probably half again a strong as the 336(1895). In reality it all boils down to what you feel comfortable with, and I happen to much prefer the Winchester. I own a couple dozen Winchesters and one Marlin, a 1950 .336A .35 Remington.

 

[Tnhunter]

What about the misguided unfortunates who are stuck with Marlins?

Why the constant debate over the relative strength of Marlin 336 vs Winchester 1886. The fact is that he 1886 is probably half again a strong as the 336(1895). In reality it all boils down to what you feel comfortable with, and I happen to much prefer the Winchester. I own a couple dozen Winchesters and one Marlin, a 1950 .336A .35 Remington.

You certainly chose a very fine, classic Marlin to own! What type sighting system does it have?

 

[seasprite]

I won't say there's anything wrong with those poor souls that are stuck with Winchesters, but well, you know.....

Ya we know

 

[mike]

It has an older Lyman 66, but I could change it to a vintage 56. I have a few NIB early Lyman 56s that would fit nicely. The rifle is in very nice condition for it's age.
<a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/old86/?action=view&current=CIMG2168.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/old86/CIMG2168.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Tnhunter]

She's a Dandy! I was secretly hoping you were not going to say you had a scope mounted on it, which would have meant drilling and tapping as it did not come from the factory D&T'd. Great set-up. Even though I am generally strictly a scope guy, I do have a nice older Marlin set up with a Peep, a .444S. It's so accurate with that peep and 265s it almost scarey. Maybe I just flinched exactly right for that group.... lol.