My New Marlin Lever Action Rifle.

10787 Views 28 Replies 14 Participants Last post by billyjack, Dec 12, 2012

HenryinFlorida

Discussion Starter · Nov 5, 2012 (Edited)

Last week I ordered a Marlin 336W 30 30 Lever Action rifle from Buds Gun SHop.

Well, I went and picked up my new Marlin Lever rifle today. I took it out of the box in the gun store and gave it a once over. Everything looked great. I got home and continued to load it with some 30-30 snap caps I have. It was very hard to load. I chambered a round and dry fired it. When I tried to recycle it the snap cap stayed in the barrel. I looked, and it was deep in the barrel. I knew something was wrong, what could it be.
You see folks, I ordered an 336w which is a 30-30 chambered rifle. The box was marked 336W - 30 30 Lever Action, but when I looked at the barrel it was marked Mod 1895G 45/70 Govt. No wonder the wood looked so good on it. It was dark walnut instead of Birch... To go even further, the serial number on the box matches the serial number on teh gun. This is the box marked model 336W 30 30 - Lever Action.

PS: I just spoke to Marlin Customer Service. She verified that the serial number is for a 336W in 30 30.

Now my delima is, should I just keep it. The ammo is a lot more expensive for it, so plinking is out of the question....

What do you guys think?

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

SWO1

· #2 · Nov 5, 2012

Well.........this is just me now....The 45-70 is a more expensive gun. Myself, I couldn't keep it. If I decided to, I would have to nodify them and pay the difference. However if they do exchange it think they should pay the shipping and any other fees.

As for the expense of shooting, depends on how much you shoot, not really that much for a couple hundered rounds a year. If more...SOUNDS LIKE A REASON TO RELOAD.....

HenryinFlorida

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 5, 2012

SWO1 said:
Well.........this is just me now....The 45-70 is a more expensive gun. Myself, I couldn't keep it. If I decided to, I would have to nodify them and pay the difference. However if they do exchange it think they should pay the shipping and any other fees.

As for the expense of shooting, depends on how much you shoot, not really that much for a couple hundered rounds a year. If more...SOUNDS LIKE A REASON TO RELOAD.....

But how would you determin the diffierence. Buds doesn't have one in stock to compare. They are a discount seller so factory price wouldn't be correct.

greyhawk50

· #4 · Nov 5, 2012 (Edited)

How about an easier question

.

I say it's your choice. Much to consider.
Bud's Gun Shop on-line list the 1895G for $522 while they list the 336W for $395.
Sounds like you got a real bargain. But a bargain is only good if you can use it.
If it was a local gun shop, I would make sure that they weren't impacted by the mis-match. Seeing how it's an on-line distributor, sounds like it was a factory packaging error.
Sounds like you need to take up reloading to offset the cost.

Sorry, I don't have a good answer for ya.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/41185
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=336w&x=0&y=0

HenryinFlorida

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 5, 2012

greyhawk50 said:
How about an easier question.

I say it's your choice. Much to consider.
Bud's Gun Shop on-line list the 1895G for $522 while they list the 336W for $395.
Sounds like you got a real bargain. But a bargain is only good if you can use it.
If it was a local gun shop, I would make sure that they weren't impacted by the mis-match. Seeing how it's an on-line distributor, sounds like it was a factory packaging error.
Sounds like you need to take up reloading to offset the cost.

Sorry, I don't have a good answer for ya.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/41185
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=336w&x=0&y=0

You right in that it's a manufactor's error. They don't open any boxes at Bud's, they just ship based on what's printed on the label.

As a side note. I have already accumlated 160 rounds of 30 30 ammo, and it's not returnable.

hombre243

· #6 · Nov 5, 2012

Lucky or unlucky

HenryinFlorida said:
You right in that it's a manufactor's error. They don't open any boxes at Bud's, they just ship based on what's printed on the label.

As a side note. I have already accumlated 160 rounds of 30 30 ammo, and it's not returnable.

Lucky you snapped a practice cap instead of a live round. BUT, if you would have cleaned it you would have noticed a larger hole than a 30 cal bore. OK, you were just anxious...I am glad you used a dummy round.

If the box and the receiver have the same serial number and the factory says this is a 3030, then make them send you a new rifle in whatever configuration you originally intended, require them to pay all costs for shipping back to them, and get a gun that matches the serial number with receiver and box. Who knows, could be at some point some law enforcement officer runs the number and found the discrepancy. If you keep it, can you get in trouble for having a gun with a serial number that identifies an different gun altogether?

If you cant get satisfaction, and if you bought it from a store take it back. If from an online dealer, have them help you. I would be afraid of stirring up some anti-gun A-Hole by getting ahold of the Atty Gen. But I dang shore would not want to get caught with a gun that obviously does not match caliber with serial number.

I am a bit of a chicken sh!+ that way.

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SWO1

· #7 · Nov 5, 2012

Since you talked to Marlin and they say they shipped a 336W....In that case I would keep it. Math says your are $127 to the good. Offsets the cost of 160 rds of 30-30. Bet some shop whould take them for something if you bought some 45-70.

Wish I lived in Flordia....I would buy you a NEW 336W and trade......

akvs22

· #8 · Nov 6, 2012

Keep us posted, I'm curious about Marlin's response.

greyhawk50

· #9 · Nov 6, 2012

akvs22 said:
Keep us posted, I'm curious about Marlin's response.

Yes. We are all curious how this all turns out.

Spoon

· #10 · Nov 6, 2012 (Edited)

Hard choice, but I'd be inclined to hang on to what you have, buy a set of dies and maybe a mold down the road with a Lee sizer OR do some serious arm twisting. Tough position. I can't believe they're not falling all over themselves to bring you a properly matched weapon. As much as we despise, loathe & totally distrust the boys n gurlz at the BATFE...I think that such a faux pas would have the whole FB bunch's sphincters wound tight. Maybe I'm wrong to suggest it as leverage, but I'd bring you a new durty-thurty and a proper 45/70 (or at least a Mdl 60 or something) by way of the nearest dealer at Marlin's expense if you'd agree to surrender the major boo boo they somehow passed through all those QCs at the plant. Proof positive that this particular rifle wasn't fire function tested before packaging. I reckon you could say I'm a wee bit old fashioned on correcting human error. Did someone up the food chain at Marlin speak with you and offer a sincere appology? Did anyone admit and say "We're so sorry"? Kinda like a Kahr pistol I'm aware of that made it all the way to the buyer and the darn thing didn't have a FCG. No guts in it whatsoever. OOPS! This improperly identified weapon could have presented a most dangerous situation had you been a newbie and put a normal round in pulled the trigger instead of a snap cap!

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Spoon

· #11 · Nov 6, 2012

hombre243 said:
Lucky you snapped a practice cap instead of a live round. BUT, if you would have cleaned it you would have noticed a larger hole than a 30 cal bore. OK, you were just anxious...I am glad you used a dummy round.

If the box and the receiver have the same serial number and the factory says this is a 3030, then make them send you a new rifle in whatever configuration you originally intended, require them to pay all costs for shipping back to them, and get a gun that matches the serial number with receiver and box. Who knows, could be at some point some law enforcement officer runs the number and found the discrepancy. If you keep it, can you get in trouble for having a gun with a serial number that identifies an different gun altogether?

If you cant get satisfaction, and if you bought it from a store take it back. If from an online dealer, have them help you. I would be afraid of stirring up some anti-gun A-Hole by getting ahold of the Atty Gen. But I dang shore would not want to get caught with a gun that obviously does not match caliber with serial number.

I am a bit of a chicken sh!+ that way.

Hombre - You ain't chicken nothing, just a firm believer in C.Y.A.!!! See my seperate post. I think he's got a mess that Marlin's Customer Svc clearly doesn't understand like they should.

HenryinFlorida

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 6, 2012

Took the rifle to my local gunshop/range and had them take a look at it. It is indeed an 1895G in 45/70. I bought a box of ammo and shot a few rounds. It does pack a punch. Not sure I want to keep it. Marlin will ship it back to them and replace it with a 30 30. I will think it over for a bit before I do anything.

hombre243

· #13 · Nov 7, 2012

HenryinFlorida said:
Took the rifle to my local gunshop/range and had them take a look at it. It is indeed an 1895G in 45/70. I bought a box of ammo and shot a few rounds. It does pack a punch. Not sure I want to keep it. Marlin will ship it back to them and replace it with a 30 30. I will think it over for a bit before I do anything.

Henry, IMHO If you like the 45/70 better, see if the factory will give you a different 45/70 with no extra fees...for your trouble. Otherwise CYA and let them pay to get the 45/70 back and also send you a new thutty thutty...the one you originally wanted.

HenryinFlorida

Discussion Starter · #14 · Nov 9, 2012

I'm keeping it. Marlin would switch it for me, but I would have to pay FFL fees both ways. Not gonna do it. I will buy a Lees hand loader and just load some low power ammo for range and plinking.

Here is a picture of it incase your interested

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greyhawk50

· #15 · Nov 9, 2012

Sounds good to me. You got an 1895G for the price of a 336. That in itself is a bargain.
I would think that if you keep the original paper work and the original box with all the info on the bar code label, that should be enough to CYA.
Just my 2 cents. You contacted Marlin. They declined to make it right at no cost to you. Any other concerns would be on them. Just my thoughts.

HenryinFlorida

Discussion Starter · #16 · Nov 9, 2012

greyhawk50 said:
Sounds good to me. You got an 1895G for the price of a 336. That in itself is a bargain.
I would think that if you keep the original paper work and the original box with all the info on the bar code label, that should be enough to CYA.
Just my 2 cents. You contacted Marlin. They declined to make it right at no cost to you. Any other concerns would be on them. Just my thoughts.

That's the way I look at it also. They were willing to pay shilling, but the FFL fee's were more than shipping.

Rich1028

· #17 · Nov 10, 2012

nice rifle
and glad that you are happy

hombre243

· #18 · Nov 10, 2012

Picture is worth a thousand dollars worth of words

HenryinFlorida said:
I'm keeping it. Marlin would switch it for me, but I would have to pay FFL fees both ways. Not gonna do it. I will buy a Lees hand loader and just load some low power ammo for range and plinking.

Here is a picture of it incase your interested

Make sure you got pictures and keep them handy just in case. And if you have a letter from Marlin sayin they screwed up that's even better.

tahoe2

· #19 · Nov 10, 2012

Henry

That's a sweet rifle. I can't believe that Marlin wouldn't make it right and incur all the expenses, say's loads about their integrity (or lack there of). The shipping and selling of firearms properly documented is serious business, you need to definitely get a letter from them and have it notarized by an attorney (bad word , sorry!) The plus is; some collectors would pay dearly for a documented mistake like that. Gun, box, letter etc...

Spoon

· #20 · Nov 10, 2012

Beautiful wood on that "mistake". Ditto's on the lack of integrity comment by tahoe. That'd make me somewhat vengeful about FG Corporate folks, but to each his own. Seems you came out on top fiscally...maybe a another 30-30 will find it's way beside the big bore. Heck of a story now belongs with that piece.

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