Winchester is a nice collectible gun that shows nice but I really can't stand how "sloppy" they are. The Marlin doesn't do anything as far as looks but dependable solid build is it's forte.

I’m partial to the Marlin 336. I installed a Wild West Happy Trigger, and it has a VX-3 1.75-6x32 German #4 reticle mounted on it. I got lucky because it shoots 1-1.25” MOA with 150 grain Core-Lokts.

I've owned both and I like the 336 better for a hunting rifle. To me, it just feels like a more solid firearm.

I like and appreciate the Model 94 but to me, it was more of a for-purpose firearm than a deer rifle. I carried mine behind the seat of my single cab truck, killed a couple of deer with it when the opportunity arose but its not a gun I would really want to take into the deer woods. I know it sounds blasphemous, but that's how I feel.

no one shoots Henry's?

Their .22’s are awesome.

I have no experience with their centerfires

I have owned multiple Winchesters and Marlins throughout the years. Of all I have owned, I currently have a JM stamped 336 that is a bit short on looks but the action is pure butter.

Henry’s - I love the way they look and feel. Wish I could shoot a 30/30!

Never owned a 30-30 and most likely never will, but knowing me it would by Winchester, I like the classic's. They just have a better feel to me.

You have a 1894 Marlin in 30-30?

Nope, my post was unintentionally misleading. They only come in pistol calibers that I’m aware of. I was simply speaking to the size and handling of them. The only one that I haven’t owned that I really want is the 41 Mag. The 357,44 and 45 Colt really shine as deer calibers hunting in the woods. 8-10 rounds in a lite and fast package. What I actually don’t own anymore is a 30-30. My 336 is a 35 Remington and I wouldn’t mind having some of the bigger bore ones again. Haven’t owned one in 30-30 for 25 years.

The fit and finish on the older Winchester’s is much better than the other guns. I’m still not sure what that finish is on the Henry?

Agreed. Because they both use a different design, both Marlin and Henry actions are much smoother than the Winchester.

It's the rough finish on the barrel of my Henry that surprised me most. It looks and feels like it should have been finely sanded much longer before bluing. I would say it's even more rough than the standard matte finish you find on many firearms today.

The receiver on the other hand has the standard matte finish, while the lever is polished blue.

I checked out a "brass" Henry at the Anna Walmart. I just can't warm up to them.

Some of y’all have obviously never handled/shot a pre-64 Winchester. There’s no comparison between it and a Marlin 336 as far as smoothness is concerned. The Winchester is much smoother. And there’s nothing “sloppy” about them at all. The Marlin does have the feel of being more solid and locking up tighter because it’s not an open-top design, but it’s a much more clumsy rifle.

I personally don’t care for the Henry but assumed I was in the minority on that. It just seems like a monster of a heavy gun to me. The brass ones seem to be wall hangers in my opinion. I would tear that sucker up I’m afraid.

With all that I wish they made something I liked. American company with American made components. Maybe I can start making them gifts to people.

Now you went and woke up spoiling for a fight, didn't you? I'm sure you're right about the Winchester, but you gotta respect folk's (like my deceased dad) love for the 336. It was what he could afford. And, after only having a Springfield .30-40 Krag, he thought he'd died and gone to Heaven (which he eventually did ).

Not to get off subject; but if you ever want to handle a real piece of gun workmanship, cycle and shoot a 9422 Winchester. The fit and finish is unreal for a mass produced gun. No black gun can come close. Back on subject, all of the guns mentioned will work at your ranges.

Lol nothing personal. To me it just doesn’t handle nearly like an old Winchester. No doubt the 336s are loved by many, and Winchester dropping the ball completely in 1965 made the Marlins even more loved.

Whats the best? Who knows I wouldn't care, they will all do what your asking.

Perhaps the reason why so many claim the Henry and Marlin have a smoother action is the difference in lever design. The Winchester includes a hinged floor plate that is forced down and changes the pivot point of the lever when it's moved down to chamber a round and set the trigger. This same floor plate and moving pivot point is probably why the Winchester is often said to have more "slop". The slop is most noticeable once the lever is down where the overall looseness of the hinged floor plate and interconnected lever can be seen and felt. Both the Marlin and Henry use a different lever and bolt design that most see as "tighter" than the Winchester because there is no moving floor plate. In both the Henry and Marlin, the lever's pivot point remains stationary throughout all movement of the lever and bolt.

While I too am partial to the feel and looks of the Model 94, I have to give credit to the designers of later guns who created a much tighter action with fewer moving parts.

Winchester 94’s shoot like old folks make love....slow, sloppy and all over the place










Sorry I couldn’t resist a chance to take a jab

Slop in the workings of a firearm is not always a bad thing. I once read the designer of the AK-47 wanted a gun with lots of slop so it would be less likely to jam while on the battlefield. I also read that early AR-15's were notorious for jamming, which forced soldiers in Vietnam to make sure they were constantly well oiled.

People tend to miss the genius of the Win 94 design and don't understand why it is designed the way it is. The 94 receiver is basically the same length as a 92, but feeds rifle length cartridges. And it does this without external hinges that mess up the lines/aesthetics and the easy carrying of the gun. Also people will say that the Marlin is a stronger action than the Winchester, but PO Ackley disproved this years ago by testing to destruction. Both actions are fine for the cartridges they are chambered in though and either will work great for your intended purpose.