[Gene Langston]

Do Martinis count? Got some .22s, also a 1895 Marlin in 45-70 and a Western Auto (Marlin 336) in 30-30.

My favorite is a Savage 99 in .300 Savage. GREAT round and great rifle, made in 1942. I don't have glass on any of them.

[Jesse17]

Originally Posted by hunter Joe

The Model 94 30-30 Win. probably killed more whitetails than any other firearm produced, although, it is probably the most dangerous long gun made. I was happy when Marlin introduced the cross-block safeties on their firearms. This made the lever more user friendly.

Sorry, I'm not disputing anything here, I'm just curious why they're "the most dangerous long gun made."

I bought one several years ago, I'm not sure what year the gun is, because it seams to have features of a couple different eras. All I really know is that it's a pre-64 30-30 Win. and it's fun to shoot. It's pretty accurate to 100 yards. and not bad after that if you can keep track of your drop.

But, I'm curious why they're unsafe? Is i just the tubular mags/recoil or what?

[Gene Langston]

I prefer the pre-safety Marlins myself, if by dangerous you mean "no safety." Marlins and Winchester 94s have sold multi-millions of rifles and the incidence of accident, I feel, is no higher than with any othe rifle.

I've never owned a Marlin or a Winchester that had a safety, in fact. I think they're at least as safe as a SAA Colt. You still got to cock them and pull the trigger.

[dukech1]

I bought a new 336 in 30-30 that has the cross bolt safty and the only difference between it and my 1894(aside from the obvious) is that with the safety on, I can carry it cocked. I just have to remember to take off the safety before I fire.

[willfully armed]

I too have the lever affliction.

I have a Marlin 39A, 30AS, 336 in .30-30 and 336 .35 Rem.

Im a little partial to Marlins. I did once have a 1894 in .44 mag. But that was back when I didnt value a good gun as I do now.

[rozzysean]

I love lever action 30-30's. This was the first the real rifle I ever fired and definitely the one I have used the most. Since there isn't much use for deer rifles in Massachusetts, it's pretty low on my list to get one, but I would like to pick one up at some point just for the fun of it.

[RL357Mag]

My first centerfire rifle was a Winchester 94 Antique in 30-30. Got it for Christmas in 1973. Still looks like new. I also bought a newer Winchester 30-30 Grey Ghost (synthetic black stock 24" barrel, short mag tube) it has the cross bolt safety. I have a 1960's Marlin 336 in 30-30 also, as well as an Ithaca Mod.49 and Henry Lever, both in .22 cal. I love them all. The Henry is the smoothest of all, and the Marlin is the most accurate of the 30-30's. They are good general purpose rifles capable of taking any North American game animal at reasonable ranges, especially with Hornady's Lever Evolution ammo.

[AdAstra2009]

I am quite the lever aficionado.

[M14sRock]

Present:
Marlin 39A Golden Mountie carbine
Marlin 39A/S Rifle
Marlin 336 (Western Field) .30-30
Win 94 (pre 64) 16" (bought this used and it had the last 3" of the bbl blood pitted very badly, so had it cut to 16". Paid $150)
Ithaca 49 single shot .22.

Past:
Marlin TDS .30-30
Savage 99 in .300Sav
Savage 99 in .308Win
Browning BLR .308Win
Browning BLR .243
Win 88 .243
Win 88 .308Win
Marlin 1984 .44mag
Marlin 1894 .357mag
Marlin 1895 .45-70 custom take down by Phil Sims
Marlin .444 (traded to Phil Sims for the work on the 1895)

Future:
Marlin .308MXLR or .338MXLR
Browning BLR in .358Win
Marlin 1894 in .41Mag
Win 64 in .30-30

[M14sRock]

Originally Posted by hunter Joe

The Model 94 30-30 Win. probably killed more whitetails than any other firearm produced, although, it is probably the most dangerous long gun made. I was happy when Marlin introduced the cross-block safeties on their firearms. This made the lever more user friendly.

Dangerous? Really? How so?

If by "dangerous" you mean "unsafe", any rifle is potentially unsafe if the user has their finger on the trigger.