Help a pneuby pick one

[pneuby]

Here in town, I've got two used ones in stores calling me.
First is one of the Davidson's 1/500 runs : Stainless 336 w/pistol grip, gray laminate wood, and 16.5" bbl. The firesights were replaced with standard buckhorns for the model. $600.

2nd is a 336 TS, I think, with straight grip and 18" bbl. $450.
I sort of like the ability of straight grip and the extra round.

However, the stainless one is less prone to my acidity, has a fantastic recoil pad already installed, and it 2" handier, and likely better balanced. Of course, I could install XS sites and get a good finish on the blued gun, and still be ahead of the game.

Two things on PG models, The lever throw swings further forward, and right up against my foremarm, which I can live with. However, I've read here that recoil may be more abusive to the cheek with that stock. Any tendency toward that?

Either way, I think it will be easier to handle than a 94 Trapper I have with Ramline in place of the wood. Handy and light, but oh my does it BArK.
Thanks!

[Pete44ru]

First, let me say: Welcome to the Forum !

Second, I would buy the 18" straight-grip in a New York Minute - even if it wasn't half the price of the stainless rifle.
Just THINK of all the goodies the $$$$ difference would bring you.

But, bottom line - YMMV.

.

[kimwcook]

Can't answer your questions, but I can welcome you to the forum. Someone will be along shortly with their experiences. Again, welcome.

[pwl44m]

Welcome pneuby, also caint answer Ur question. But like has been said- lots of extra $$ to play with on the straight grip.

[O.S.O.K.]

Welcome to the board!

I vote the TS. Longer sight radius, straight grip and a great price. Recoil is a non-issue with the 30-30 IMHO.

[olyinaz]

For the money difference I'd vote for the straight grip gun as well.

Welcome to the forum!!

Oly

[jnyork]

For the money difference I'd vote for the straight grip gun as well.

Welcome to the forum!!

Oly

+1

[damienph]

For the money difference I'd vote for the straight grip gun as well.

Welcome to the forum!!

Oly

+1

I prefer the blue with the straight grip over the stainless/laminated, the price difference would buy a lot of ammunition.

I have both straight and pistol grip Marlins, I don't agree that one has more noticable recoil than the other.

[madman4570]

Welcome!
Straight grip (blued)$350

[MikeS.]

Buy the 600 one and put the other on lay-a-way. Problem solved.

[Griff]

1st, don't be quite so sure about the stainless standing up to a person's acidity, nor a blued guns' susceptability. Stainless is just that, "LESS"; and different things affect it, sometimes in ways that are less than predicable. My wife has quite acidic skin, yet her blued guns are very clear of any negative effects. But, whenever she handles one and puts it away, she always wipes 'em down with a rag... same as I do. Even my stainless guns get the same treatment.

And yes, for SOME folks the pistol-gripped Marllin's slightly higher comb MAY seem to impart more recoil. IMO, the Texan, (I think that's what the TS is), with its lighter weight will have more actual recoil; but an individual's stature, grip, posture, cheek weld, even facial structure could make the heavier rifles felt recoil more punishing.

Again, IMO, the TS will be worth more in the long run, IIRC, they don't make 'em anymore, AND if you find it does hurt, you'll be able to recover your investment... the Davidson's "Special", maybe not so much!

Edited to add: Oh yea, And Welcome to the Forum!

[pneuby]

Thanks for the warm welcome. You're near unanimous on the straight grip, which is where the practical side leans for me. Plus, it will be an apples to apples with my 94 when it comes back from refinishing.

Yes, it's stainLESS, LOL. Everything gets a wipedown, for sure!.

[Ysabel Kid]

Welcome to the fire! I'm a straight-stock lever-action kind of guy, so would go with that!

[Dave]

I have never noticed any difference in the recoil department between a pistol grip or straight stocked gun. I prefer the straight stocks but the pistol grip does seem to give you better trigger geometry.

Tough call on those two. Better get both.

[AJMD429]

Just to be different, I'd say I prefer the 'pistol-grip' leverguns (don't really know why - maybe a bit more comfy for my hand, mostly, plus I think they look prettier), and I REALLY like stainless (preferably a matte finish). However, no finish is indestructable, and matte ones in particular.

One other consideration as a tie-breaker could be WHICH one is the least likely you'll ever see one like again...? Sometimes one of the 'good deals' is just a good deal on something you see every once in awhile, and the other 'good deal' is something you'll be very unlikely to see again. In that case, vote one for the scarcer item.

Whichever you get, you'll no doubt find it very suitable, and you'll no doubt still keep hunting around for the other one to get later.

[2X22]

Just to be different, I'd say I prefer the 'pistol-grip' leverguns (don't really know why - maybe a bit more comfy for my hand, ...)

I couldn't agree more. A pistol grip feels much more natural to me and more pleasing to my eye. I don't have a lot of wrist flexibility so the pistol grip feels much better.

2x22

[Borregos]

Welcome!
Straight grip (blued)$350

+1

[pneuby]

Straight it is. I can't believe this thing will cycle empty cases! Wow...much faster action than my 94. Winnie is currently off to be refinished, but already I don't think they'll be a need to hold onto it. Ok, perhaps that is a bit rash, LOL. The proof will be in the side-by-side.

Even the butt-plate on this TS has some thought. Coarsely checkered where it makes contact. Yet, the upper heel is smooth, and gently curved so as not hang up as you shoulder it.

[damienph]

Winnie is currently off to be refinished, but already I don't think they'll be a need to hold onto it. Ok, perhaps that is a bit rash

Keep both of them. Variety is good for you. I have four rifles in 30-30. All different, all fun to shoot.

[Griff]

Winnie is currently off to be refinished, but already I don't think they'll be a need to hold onto it. Ok, perhaps that is a bit rash

Keep both of them. Variety is good for you. I have four rifles in 30-30. All different, all fun to shoot.

.30-30s are what makes the world a wonderful place. I only have 3 Marlins, but about 35 or 36 Winnies. Well, more if you count the clones... 24 of them are .30-30s, 6 more mdl 94 Winchester parts guns that are in various stages of build... all of which will be .30-30 (unless I decide to change that all of a sudden)!

While I like my Marlins, the Winchesters are just so much more lovable! Maybe the action is slower, but you won't find me admitting to it. The Winchester just seems to "fit" me so much better!