Marlin 336RC .30-30 Lever-Action Carbine, 20 in Micro-Groove Barrel, JM Stamped, 1978, Side-Eject, Pre–Cross-Bolt Safety
This 1978 Marlin Model 336RC Regular Carbine is a JM-stamped North Haven rifle chambered in .30-30 with a 20 in Micro-Groove barrel. It features the desirable side-eject, solid-top receiver and the pre–cross-bolt-safety configuration. It retains classic walnut furniture and adds practical upgrades including a receiver-top accessory scope rail and a knurled hammer spur extension.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The wood furniture looks great, with only a few light scuffs and dings. The metal surfaces have been refinished with a matte black, non-factory sprayed coating (Cerakote/Duracoat-type) without prior metal prep to remove existing pitting, so the pitting remains visible beneath the finish.
What’s Included
- Marlin Model 336RC .30-30 lever-action rifle (JM stamped, 1978)
- Installed receiver-top accessory scope rail
- Installed knurled hammer spur extension
The 336RC (Regular Carbine) combines Marlin’s side-eject, solid-top receiver with a full-length tubular magazine for six rounds of .30-30. This example is a JM-stamped North Haven build from 1978, aligning it with the sought-after pre–cross-bolt-safety era.
Its 20 in steel barrel uses Marlin’s Micro-Groove rifling, a hallmark of the 336 line that supports consistent performance with .30-30 loads. The barrel is paired with a ramped front blade (no hood) and an adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight on the barrel.
The stock set is walnut with a pistol-grip profile and matching checkered fore-end. Sling swivel studs are installed, and the length of pull measures 13.75 in for a balanced carbine fit.
This rifle retains traditional controls and adds two useful enhancements: a receiver-top accessory scope rail and a knurled hammer spur extension. The rail offers straightforward scope-mounting options, and the spur provides positive hammer purchase.
Additional period-correct details include the JM barrel stamp at the barrel/receiver junction, steel receiver and barrel construction, and two barrel bands securing the fore-end and magazine tube.