NRA Gun of the Week: Marlin Firearms Model 336 Dark

by
posted on April 17, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

The Model 336 Dark is the latest launch from within the Marlin Firearms stable of classics. The carbine bears new-age tech, metal treatments and adornments that stretch the confines in which this model and style of arm has lived within for decades.

This latest .30-30 Win.-chambered lever-action rifle is a viable tool with myriad purpose, too. Home defenders, hunters and plinkers alike will find the utilitarian approach Marlin employed as modern and practical. The side-ejecting Model 336 features a solid, flat-top receiver that was design for use with optics, and the Dark series, in its factory form, comes standard with XS Sights Lever Rail, which houses an adjustable aperture rear sight. A large front sight post, with a single white line, is perched atop the 16.25” barrel just rear of the 5/8x24 t.p.i muzzle threads.

Parkerizing was used to minimize the risk of metal corrosion. The phosphating process increases wear-resistance, too. Marlin’s Parkerization process renders a matte-black finish for the Marlin 336 Dark. Painted hardwood chosen for the buttstock and fore-end features a black-web-textured finish. The painted texturing provides users of the carbine with assurance when handling, especially when moist conditions are encountered.

Marlin included cordage wrapping on its big-loop lever, and a sling woven of the same paracord-type material. A rifle capable of withstanding abuse through excessive use, Marlin turned out the lights with its latest adaptation of its Model 336.

To learn more about the Marlin 336 Dark, watch our NRA Gun of the Week video above.
 
Marlin 336 Dark Specifications
Manufacturer: Marlin Firearms
Model: 336 Dark
Type: lever-action center-fire rifle
Chambering: .30-30 Win.
Barrel: 16.25”; threaded 5/8x24 t.p.i 
Finish: Parkerized
Stock: black web-textured painted finish
Sights: adjustable XS Ghost Ring aperture rear, white-striped post front
Magazine: five-round capacity, tubular
Length: 34.5”
Weight: 7.65 lbs.
MSRP: $949.00

Further Reading:
Tested: Marlin 336 Dark Lever-Action Rifle
Marlin Model 1895: The Ultimate Guide Gun
Get A Grip On Lever-Action Accuracy
Lever-Actions for Personal Defense
A Look Back at the Marlin Model 1895

 

Barrl in hand and text calling out 5/8"x24 muzzle threads.
Rear-view of Marlin rifle with text highlight XS Sights Lever Rail.
Buttstock of Marlin rifle on white background.
Man in black shirt and shooting gear shooting a lever-action rifle on white shooting range.

Extras:
NRA Gun of the Week: Marlin Firearms 1894 CSBL


ARTV: Marlin Firearms Today


NRA Gun of the Week: Marlin 1895 GSBL Lever-Action Rifle


British 1st Airborne in WW2; Marlin Model 1894; Bergmann MP-28 Sub Machine Gun


Colt Model 1895 "Potato Digger"

Latest

Nra Leaders Attend White House Event 1
Nra Leaders Attend White House Event 1

NRA Leaders Attend White House Dinner as President Trump Signs Orders Expanding Access to Public Lands and Waterways

NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Doug Hamlin and Institute for Legislative Action Executive Director John Commerford represented NRA members at a White House dinner hosted by President Donald J. Trump.

The America 250th Longrifle: Creating One Tribute to America's Semiquincentennial

As part of the America 250th celebrations this year, one longtime American Rifleman contributor had to have his own special tribute to our country's semiquincentennial.

The Long & Short of It: Rock Island Armory's Pak-Out Platform

One of the latest designs to come from Rock Island Armory is its Pak-Out, a folding shotgun that is offered in several different configurations.

Gun of the Week: The New Taurus Judge

For 2026, Taurus USA took a fresh look at one of its most popular platforms, the Judge revolver, and updated it with a new feature set while retaining the versatility that made it popular in the first place.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 18, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

This Maryland County Moved to Disarm Jews and Others in the Face of Evil

Even given the unconscionable history of gun control, the law banning concealed carry in and within 100 yards of houses of worship and other public assemblies in Montgomery County, Md., is particularly disturbing.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.