One thing I don't like about the 336 I own is the checkering. Not too fond of checkering. I love the wood though, it has a really great grain, and rich color. Can you safely thin the stock down to remove the checkering? If no, can anyone recommend a good place that sells quality stock blanks for the 336? Thanks


Bones

Bones, I totally agree with you about the fat stocks, and have often thought of slimming mine down. The checkering is too sharp, and will wear down with usage, but the one thing I like better about Winchesters is their skinny little stocks!

Personally, I'm going to take off the forearm and get out the hand sander, and take a good quarter-inch off each side, checkering be ****ed. Refinishing the wood is easy, and the gun will always look and feel better to you. You might even want to checker it yourself, after getting a LOT of practice on scrap wood. Come to think of it, there's enough time before deer season to do all three of my Marlins.....all I need now is the time and motivation! :rolleyes:

PJ

http://www.precisiongunstocks.com/
At last there is an alternative to the poor quality, poorly finished stocks found on today's Cowboy style rifles. Now you can replace that bulky shotgun-style buttstock and oversize forearm with genuine walnut stocks that are properly contoured and better fitting than factory stocks.


http://www.precisiongunstocks.com/graphics/pgw-2gun.jpg

Top: Marlin 336 Retrofitted with Precision Gun Works Cowboy Shooter Package in Crescent Style Butt

Bottom: Winchester Late Model 94 Retrofitted in Carbine Style Butt
Precision Gun Works' ™ Cowboy Shooter stocks are patterned after early original Marlin and Winchester rifles. With these fine quality semi-finished stocks, you can retrofit your late model rifle to look like the original Marlin or Winchester 1894. Buttstocks and forearms are manufactured to exacting specifications from select, straight grain American Black Walnut. Only very minor fitting is required, followed by sanding and final finishing. (For a professional fit and finish, we recommend Precision Gun Works' ™ Deluxe Stock Finishing Kit, $34.95 ppd.) Buttplates are of excellent quality, made from steel, polished and blued.

Buttstocks and forearms are available separately, at list prices shown in the catalog. The crescent steel buttplates are $50 and the carbine steel buttplates are $40, respectively. Buttplate screws are $2/each (two are required per buttplate). Package pricing is for a limited time only, subject to change without notice.
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/gun_accessories/marlin_stock_upgrade/
Gun Accessories
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/outdoorsbest/s.gifhttp://www.rifleshootermag.com/outdoorsbest/s.gifhttp://www.rifleshootermag.com/outdoorsbest/s.gifMarlin Stock Upgrade
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/outdoorsbest/s.gif


http://www.rifleshootermag.com/rifleshooter/gun_accessories/RSmarlin_stock480A.jpg The growing popularity of the Marlin lever-action series of rifles in their various iterations that include small game rifles, medium game rifles, low-velocity Cowboy Action plinkers and intense dangerous-game rifles, has spawned a secondary market of suppliers for sights, scopes and stocks. Treebone Carving offers Cowboy conversion stocks for straight or pistol grip Marlin 336, 95, 39 and 1897 models. Ninety percent inletted stocks for straight grip rifles are $100 and pistol grip versions are $130, new buttplate included. For an extra $20, Treebone will reshape your clubby factory forearm to the slim 1893-style Marlin, which makes the gun much more lively. The Treebone pistol grip version copies the original Marlin and Ballard grip with the gentle S-curve. A shotgun plate is also available.The stocks are not drilled for the tang bolt, so these are not "drop-in" stocks, but a skilled hobbyist will achieve a much closer wood-to-metal fit than is available from the factory. The buttplate is drilled and counter-sunk for its screws. Wood upgrades from standard to special select are available in American, Claro, English and French walnut as well as Eastern fiddleback and Bigleaf maples. Contact Treebone Carving, Dept. RS, P.O. Box 495, Priest River, ID 83856, 208/448-1735, [email="treebone@earthlink.net"]

That is some good looking wood. This is the first time I have seen this outfit (treebone) offered as a vendor. Thanks for the information!

You're welcome. At times I think that putting very fancy wood on a rifle makes it look too good to risk taking it out hunting, but then again you can always bring your nice "show" gun to deer camp, then when you're buddies aren't looking you switch it for your birchwood walmart special. Always pose with your fancy wood stock gun though!:D
QUOTE=nfmMike]That is some good looking wood. This is the first time I have seen this outfit (treebone) offered as a vendor. Thanks for the information![/QUOTE]

You know, the birchwood stocks that come of the lower priced Marlins is actually a more stable and dense wood than walnut, but because of it's tight unattractive grain is always stained and covered up, but I've heard from a few folks who have been pleased with stripping the finish, sanding and staining to suit their tastes. Just a tangent comment.

I have always noticed that quite a few folks are sort of appologetic about their "but it's just hardwood" or birch, or laminate, stocks. I have seen some real interesting laminate patterns, and some other "hardwoods" that would not bother me in the least. I guess part of it is because (god forbid) I would take out any 100 year old, gold inlayed, scrolled and pampered firearm out and shoot it - I am not much of a collector. I figure, if the wood looks that good, some time down the road it can always be nicely refinished for the next member of the family.

I know how you feel. I won a gold and silver commemorative pistol a couple of years ago, and the action job and custom grip just beg to be used, but I don't dare do anything but stare at it. The hardwood stocks that came on my Baikal SXS are stained dark, and are nice and dense but I don't baby the thing; I get out and shoot that sucker, and currently put about 30 shells through it every month at least. No dents or scatches make a difference on that one, and for some reason a keep buying Marlin 336 30-30's with the hardwood/birch stocks as my go to, foul weather/go anywhere gun but then sell them after a few months. I don't know why that is, maybe I just need more new guns.:D
I have always noticed that quite a few folks are sort of appologetic about their "but it's just hardwood" or birch, or laminate, stocks. I have seen some real interesting laminate patterns, and some other "hardwoods" that would not bother me in the least. I guess part of it is because (god forbid) I would take out any 100 year old, gold inlayed, scrolled and pampered firearm out and shoot it - I am not much of a collector. I figure, if the wood looks that good, some time down the road it can always be nicely refinished for the next member of the family.

OldeBones-

What is the configuration of your rifle? Cowboy with straight grip?

New wood can be had from Marlin... I like the checkered stocks better personally and have been toying with the idea of buying new wood for my .38-55 that is now wearing the smooth stock/forend.

Best regards-

Sky C.

It's the 336CS, with pistol grip stock, with grip cap. I like the wood, I just don't like checkering, and thinning the stock seems like it would not mate up with the metal the same. I would really like to get a good piece of wood and 'hand carve' a new buttstock and fore end, and do a bit of engraving on the wood, but I don't have the tools to do the inletting. I'm trying to sort out ideas while I save up the money. By the time I can afford it, I may actually know exactly what I want :D


Bones

Bones. I got a semi-inletted stock from Boyds that was a second and am very pleased with both the stock and the price. I bought a straight grip for $19.65.
Right now they have two pistol grip seconds at $23.43 ea.
Part #300-323-1 if you are interested.
Boyd's site is www.boydboys.com - look under "specials" on left side of page.
Dave