Rossi is making a very good replica of the Marlin 336.......

Jeff Quinn · Post by **Jeff Quinn** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:42 pm

Only in .30 WCF for now. I will have pictures on Gunblast this weekend from the NASGW Show. It doesn't actually have "Marlin" stamped on it, but other than that, it is pretty much a 336. The sample guns are very smooth, and well-finished, but with pretty plain wood.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:44 pm

Interesting but I have to ask why? Is there a market I'm not seeing that used Marlins don't fill? I'm no business or marketing major so this is interesting to me...

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:02 pm

I wonder what configuration it will be? Where will they put the bolt lock widget? Will it have the Taurus key lock?

I'm curious Jeff, can you sneak is a little peak????

Joe

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:04 pm

The Henry Big Boy is basically a gussied-up Marlin.
Nothing (much) new under the sun...

buckeyeshooter · Post by **buckeyeshooter** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:06 pm

I'd like to see a photo, I know they made a 92 copy. Can't see it will sell though.

Pisgah · Post by **Pisgah** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:08 pm

I could see Rossi or another company making a nice niche in the market with something like this IF they did what I think Marlin should do and turn out what I think of as a Classic version -- better polish and finish on the metal, old-style, slimmer wood, maybe a nice grade of walnut with the old-style pistol grip and optional curved or shotgun-style butt, upgraded sights, etc., etc. It would NOT be on sale at WalMart for $300, to be sure, but I probably know of a dozen buyers I could round up tomorrow. There is nothing wrong with the rifles Marlin is making today, but their retro styling (checkering, octagon barrels, etc.) has not had the same look or quality as the old ones. Frankly, they strike me as a bit cheezy-looking; at best, as good raw material for turning in to something like I'm talking about. I personally prefer the chubby, uncheckered wood of the early-'50s models to the "old-style" fashion of today. And let's not even talk about that useless crossbolt safety ...

The fact that Remington owns Marlin now could make a rifle like I'd want either more or lesss likely to come about in America. If Rossi made a go of it, maybe Remington might make the leap.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:09 pm

Isn't Marlin still making a good 336?

Wierd. Of all the leverguns to re-invent.
Just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense
but what does mean these days?

Interesting though. The more new guns the better but there
is a really big "Why" hanging out there.

jb

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:13 pm

Remember --- A Marlin is just a pile of pretty good parts to make a really good Marlin out of...

But it will still be a Marlin.

Now -- A square-bolt Marlin, with slimmer wood, and a hand drawn finish would be acceptable, but still...

gregg · Post by **gregg** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:22 pm

Buck Elliott wrote:Remember --- A Marlin is just a pile of pretty good parts to make a really good Marlin out of...

But it will still be a Marlin.

Now -- A square-bolt Marlin, with slimmer wood, and a hand drawn finish would be acceptable, but still...

Then I might bu one . Other wise I'd buy Marlin.

jlchucker · Post by **jlchucker** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:52 am

Pisgah wrote:I could see Rossi or another company making a nice niche in the market with something like this IF they did what I think Marlin should do and turn out what I think of as a Classic version -- better polish and finish on the metal, old-style, slimmer wood, maybe a nice grade of walnut with the old-style pistol grip and optional curved or shotgun-style butt, upgraded sights, etc., etc. It would NOT be on sale at WalMart for $300, to be sure, but I probably know of a dozen buyers I could round up tomorrow. There is nothing wrong with the rifles Marlin is making today, but their retro styling (checkering, octagon barrels, etc.) has not had the same look or quality as the old ones. Frankly, they strike me as a bit cheezy-looking; at best, as good raw material for turning in to something like I'm talking about. I personally prefer the chubby, uncheckered wood of the early-'50s models to the "old-style" fashion of today. And let's not even talk about that useless crossbolt safety ...

The fact that Remington owns Marlin now could make a rifle like I'd want either more or lesss likely to come about in America. If Rossi made a go of it, maybe Remington might make the leap.

Amen to that. The retro styling started in the New Haven CT area in the 1960's and those companies eventually left or went out of business as their sales declined. How many Marlin owners who post on this site and others write about taking their Marlins apart and slimming down that fore-end, or finding the pieces to convert the current pistol grip models to straight grips. The checkering on new Marlins is something that many like and probably just as many do not. On a positive note, it keeps the aftermarket stock producers in business for those who prefer the classic look on the new or used Marlins that they buy.

35 Remmy · Post by **35 Remmy** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:18 am

It sounds like a few of you guys here might be a little anti Marlin. I have owned most all lever action rifles and Marlin IMHO, is the best there is. I currently own two Marlin 336's. One in 30-30 and the other in 35 Rem. BOTH are excellent rifles that are extremely accurate and function flawlessly. Whats not to like ??

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:34 am

Why make a gun that is still in production when there are some great guns that are no longer being made

L_Kilkenny · Post by **L_Kilkenny** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:44 am

game keeper wrote:Why make a gun that is still in production when there are some great guns that are no longer being made

That's my main question. The only reason I can think of is that todays Marlins generally leave some to be desired in the looks department. Hope Rossi does a good job on em.

LK

bcp · Post by **bcp** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:10 pm

Rossi's main market for a 336 copy is probably Brazil and the rest of South America. Marlins may be scarce and expensive there. Importing them into the US is likely only a small part of the business.

Bruce

txpete · Post by **txpete** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:31 pm

since rossi is now taurus....no thanks

Terry Murbach · Post by **Terry Murbach** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:36 pm

BEING THE ETERNAL CYNIC AND PESSIMIST, I ASK YOU; WHAT DOES ROSSI KNOW ABOUT MARLIN THAT WE DO NOT KNOW, YET ???

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:39 pm

I would probably buy a Marlin again if they lost some of that wood, espeicially up front.

Maybe that Rossi will help poor folk get their hands on a tested system!

Thanks Jeff.

Nath.

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:46 pm

game keeper wrote:Why make a gun that is still in production when there are some great guns that are no longer being made

I asked the same question back when Mossberg made Marlin clones -- except the Mossbergs didn't work worth a Tinker's Dam...

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:21 pm

The other thing to consider is it may be made for other country's that don't have access to the marlin's or the sales suffer because of the exchange rates or the distain for Marlins add-on cross-bolt safety.
The reason I say that is because the Rossi 92's going to Canada and Australia don't have the ugly bolt top safety. Looks like they are only for the litigious US market.

NonPCnraRN · Post by **NonPCnraRN** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:30 pm

I used to be a dyed-in-the-wool Winchester 94 fan. I thought Marlins were fat and ugly and I don't like curved pistol grips and half mags. I then bought a 450M and although I still don't like the fat forend, and shortened mag there were many things that I like about the gun. It is easier to take down, clean and work on yourself . You can't buy a Happy Trigger Kit for a Winchester 94. Marlins don't have the rebounding hammer that screwed up the trigger pull. Most gunsmiths won't work on 94s because they can't put in a drop in trigger or make a quick adjustment like most bolt guns. Then I bought a 1895 Cowboy and fell in love with the thin forend and clean lines. If I were to wish for a knockoff Marlin it would have just a half cock safety, straight pistol grip/straigt lever and slender wood like the Cowboy. If the trigger was not acceptable, no big deal... order a trigger kit. I would like a uncheckered slender walnut stock and forend. It doesn't have to be a super fancy grade as it would be used, not a safe queen. If you want a new Marlin 30-30 now you get one choice, curved pistol grip and lever, chunky wood and checkering...not what I want. I think there is a market for a Marlin levergun that looks like a Win 94. Even with a cross bolt safety there are aftermaket fixes for that too. It just looks like an extra screw to the uninitiated. I have a Puma in 480 Ruger that is light, handy, slender and NKJ is going to fix the safety problem, slick it up and install a receiver sight as soon as I make up my mind which one. My point being that even though it is knock off the trigger is fairly decent as is since there is no rebounding hammer to contend with and the safety can be replaced with a plug and a bolt mounted receiver sight. And it didn't cost an arm and a leg like an original 92. Plus I don't know of any originals that would stand up to the 454C or 480R. Lets give Rossi a chance. Who knows, we may be pleasantly surprised.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:20 pm

I really like my Rossi's. Marlin's too. Each has some advantage over the other with their current designs.

I'd look at a Rossi "336" and if Marlin made a copy of the 92 Win (...hint, hint...

) I'd look at one of them too. Might even buy it...!

Bogie35 · Post by **Bogie35** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:26 pm

I don't understand it either. But it's a great design, and Rossi might be willing to offer more options. Let's wait and see.

bogie

gundownunder · Post by **gundownunder** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:55 pm

the Rossi 92's going to Canada and Australia don't have the ugly bolt top safety

Sorry Nate but the last Rossi I looked at did, and it is butt ugly enough to stop me buying one.

As for the 336 copy, it seems to me Marlins QC dept has gone down the gurgler so if Rossi can make a better copy I'm sure it will sell. Also, here in Oz a Marlin sells for over AU$1000, an 1894 cowboy will get you no change out of AU$1600 so a cheaper good quality gun will get our attention.

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:00 pm

Love the fat forend on my 45/70.

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:13 pm

Old Savage, I don`t love it but it don`t bother me none either. I have both and don`t plan to thin any of the thick ones.

Bogie35 · Post by **Bogie35** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:16 pm

I grew up shooting semi-auto shotguns (Remington 1100's), so I kinda like the thicker forends on the Marlin.

bogie

Rifleman336 · Post by **Rifleman336** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:42 pm

Well, I don't like seeing copy of the flagship marlin, I think Rossi will have problems selling it here in the USA. "IF" it's a carbon copy of current production configuration, people are going to find that some of the parts are not going to fit from make to make, and if they need to get parts support, they might have a headache trying to get them if Legacy Sports remains the importer.

I'm pretty sure that one of the members on this board had a problem with a Rossi model 92 rearsight that broke, and Legacy said they don't provide parts support, nor would they help.

And the quality of the media prototypes are probably great, but I predict that the quality of machining will go down the road their recent 92's, RUFF.

I hope, I'm wrong, it would be nice to see old style features available for those that want it.

But heck, if I ran the world. Marlin would have a real custom shop, that would take on special projects and be a source for "retro" parts. I have a Marlin 94C that I want to have a pistol grip stock amognst other things. But they have'nt made one for I guess a decade(?) or so.

But my opinion is what you paid for it.

Rifleman 336

Warhawk · Post by **Warhawk** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:52 am

It looks like Rossi has Marlin beat on the metal finish, I wonder if these are standard production guns? But the wood looks like the same stuff that Rossi uses on the 92's.

I was hoping to see straight grip WALNUT stocks. And it looks like they copied they Marlin right down to the CBS.

Pics are from Jeff's site ...

There is some more levergun porn at http://gunblast.com/NASGW2009.htm

oldboot · Post by **oldboot** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 2:02 am

I am definitely not impressed with the wood. It like some one rushed the staining process.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:21 am

Check out the wedge shaped piece in front of the lever pivot screw. THAT would make it very hard to carry. An unnecessary chunk of metal that is not only unneeded, but ugly to boot.

Joe

mikld · Post by **mikld** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:46 am

Is that a safety button below the hammer and aft of that screw?

Jeff Quinn · Post by **Jeff Quinn** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:53 am

mikld wrote:Is that a safety button below the hammer and aft of that screw?

Yes, it has a crossbolt safety.

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 11:15 am

Not at all appealing to me. It's still got that butt-ugly fat forend, too. Why, oh why, do they insist on the nonsense?

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 1:21 pm

Looks like they took the worst features of the 336, added a few bad features of their own, over-polished the result and voila...

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 1:48 pm

J Miller wrote:Check out the wedge shaped piece in front of the lever pivot screw. THAT would make it very hard to carry.

Yeah, what's up with that?
Lowering the pivot point of the lever might improve smoothness, and I'd be all in favor of that, but at the cost of some 'carryability'. Wonder if it shortens the lever throw?

airedaleman · Post by **airedaleman** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 2:22 pm

bcp · Post by **bcp** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:16 pm

J Miller wrote:Check out the wedge shaped piece in front of the lever pivot screw. THAT would make it very hard to carry. An unnecessary chunk of metal that is not only unneeded, but ugly to boot.

Joe

That part makes it look like the receiver was copied from the older Mossberg lever action.

Some comparison photos (Marlin-Mossberg)

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/sho ... stcount=13

Bruce

garyhan · Post by **garyhan** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:43 am

There are about one zillion two hundred fantastacatillion manufacturers of AR's and 1911's. I think we can find room for two manufacturers of 336's. Encourage interesting variations and positive improvements and we may really see something to augment the Marlins. I can't speak for all Rossi firearms, but there are certainly many fine Puma's out there including my own.

gary

.45colt · Post by **.45colt** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:36 am

I don't understand "WHY". If You want a hardwood stocked Marlin 336 there are lots around.My model 30 shoots great. Maybe they are going to sell these for $99.00?

Rifleman336 · Post by **Rifleman336** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 8:07 pm

YUCK!! I see it they messed up the execution, more than a little. I stick witht the real thing.

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 8:25 pm

Yuck is the word for it!

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 8:32 pm

Nope. Not going to ever end up in my collection. Fo sure.