which one would you buy?

[rossim92]

I have a friend who has a winchester 1894 ae with the rebounding hammer and a marlin lever with a scope, both are chambered for the 30-30. He will take 400 for either one. the marlin has the microgrooved barrel.

[old06]

One vote for the Marlin I have some of each and I like the Marlin's

[Pete44ru]

IMHO, Microgroove rifling makes little/no difference.

More to the point is a shooter's druthers.

Since a Win 94AE and a Marlin 336 (I presume) have different receiver styles, which one feels best in YOUR hands, when you pick it up & carry it ?

Since a Win 94AE and a Marlin are designed differently - also think about takedown/cleaning.

The Marlin's bolt comes out via opening the lever halfway, removing it's pivot screw, then dropping the lever out the bottom & the bolt out the back. Done.

The Winchester, while by no means "hard", IS more involved, to achieve the same takedown.

If the Marlin is a pre-CBS (cross bolt safety), I'd get it in a flash, but if the 94AE was also a pre-CBS, I'd buy it before the Marlin.

YMMV, of course.


.

[Sixgun]

Beings that its your buddy, ask if you shoot both of them. Use different loads with jacketed and cast. Then make your choice.

Forget the scope issue, unless its a Leupold. Cheap scopes are just that...cheap-----------------------6

[Idiot]

I like the Winchester 94, but without the rebounding hammer. I don't like the rebounding hammer because it makes the trigger pull very heavy and long. So, I'd recommend the Marlin 336. I've not had any accuracy problems with the micro-groove barrel while using factory ammo or jacket bullets. As far as the scope is concerned, if of good quality (Weaver K4 or better) it adds value to the package. If it's a low value scope, it should be considered a throw away and void of any added value. Either way, both guns - without scopes, if in very good condition, are worth $400. My money would go on the Marlin.

[new pig hunter]

+1 Marlin because it is so easy to fully disassemble for deep cleaning and gunsmithing the action.
+1 for ease of boresighting if that is desired.
+1, my Marlins demonstrate better accuracy than my Winchesters.
-1 Marlin because maybe it has the "marlin jam" ??

+1 Winchester for the super-smooth leveraction function (smoother than my Marlins).
+1, my Win's have never jammed during the leveraction cycle.
-1 Winchester, it is a serious chore to fully disassemble for deep clean and boresighting.

Otherwise, buy 'em both and eventually sell the one you like least.

Cheers,

Carl

[Blaine]

Well, IMO, 400 is high for either one.....You should be able to find either in the 300 range....Unless, the current craze has overtaken levers, as well. That 400 would buy a nice, old 94 that would have a lot more class.

[.45colt]

For Me it is a slam dunk,Marlin. the A/E Winnie rebounder was a pain from the day I got it. never ever again .......... now My model 64 made in '53 makes me smile. .

[rbertalotto]

Offer $700 for both....

[1894c]

i bought in December (2012) a 1979 Winchester 94 in good condition for $395.00 (pre-AE, my past AE experience was not very good, actually it was lousy, but that was my experience with one paticular levergun)...and i have owned Marlins, and recently a REM-Marlin 336BL (no longer with us)...in the end if i had to choose between the two i would choose the Winchester 94AE, but i would want to see how it would shoot and function before i would finalize my purchase--i have come to realize in my advanced age that i prefer the feel and the balance of a Win.94...even if it's a 94AE... :)

[Borregos]

It would be the Marlin for me

[M. M. Wright]

I agree with Blaine, in my part of the country he's a little high on them. Just yesterday 2nd son bought a 94 30-30 for $250 and no rebounding hammer or CBS.

[J Miller]

Neither with a qualifier.

I will not buy another Win 94 AE. Period. No exception.
I cannot shoot a Marlin 336 with a pistol grip stock without getting my cheek bashed. So a PG stocked Marlin is out too.

The qualifier is if the Marlin was a straight stocked version I'd grab it.

Otherwise I'd politely tell my friend thanks but no thanks and pass on them.

Joe

[FLINT]

I agree with whoever said to handle and if possible shoot both and see which one you like. I also agree with whoever said to offer him $700 for both - that might have been the best advice. Then you can shoot both as much as you like and sell the one you like less (if you want) later.

When I moved to a rifle county in 2002, my first goal was to buy a winchester 94 in 30-30. So I went and handled a bunch of them and ended up buying a marlin 336 and haven't regretted it for a second. At that time, the Marlins were still made really well, but the winchesters seemed to be slightly less so.

My marlin 336 is way smoother and cycles faster than any winchester I've handled, I've never had any kind of jam and it shoots way more accurate than I ever will.

[JB]

Well, IMO, 400 is high for either one.....You should be able to find either in the 300 range....Unless, the current craze has overtaken levers, as well. That 400 would buy a nice, old 94 that would have a lot more class.

I agree unless you just really want to pay $400, then I'll ship you all mine

[horsesoldier03]

$400 is high depending one what type of scope and mounts!

[Griff]

I have a friend who has a winchester 1894 ae with the rebounding hammer and a marlin lever with a scope, both are chambered for the 30-30. He will take 400 for either one. the marlin has the microgrooved barrel.

Neither. But, if you're looking to help your friend, either is ok.