So I was at my buddy’s gun shop in Bronte Texas and he was selling a marlin dark 30-30 (his personal gun) for 900$. I’ve wanted one just because it’s threaded and this was literally brand new so I grabbed it. Checked gunbroker and you don’t want to know what they were going for.

Anyways, what’s the deal with them? They had bids literally 3x retail on them. Anyone have one? Like it?

After seeing it for myself, I did some searching and found other owners claiming their Marlin 30-30's with the newer "Micro-groove" barrel don't produce tight groups with Hornady's LeveRevolution ammo. But on the flip side, everything else I've tried in my 336 with the micro-groove barrel shoots very well.

Link

I don't know why anyone would want one but my Marlin .30-30 is from 1951 and doesn't even have micro-groove rifling so I'm old school despite not being old. Pretty much all Marlins are through the roof right now, even the weird ones and the Remlins.

$900 for a Marlin dark is a steal. I will give you $1200 for it if you'd like to make a quick profit on it.

I appreciate the offer but I think I’m gonna hold on to it lol.

Here’s a pic

So the guy I bought it from said “I can’t hit anything at 25 yds” I shot it at 20 and it was literally 20” high. I had to nearly bottom out the peep site and at 50 yds it groups very well. I was standing and using a big pod tripod holding the gun with open sites and ended up with an approximate 1.25- 1.5” group. I think that’s decent for me. I was shooting hand loads my dad loaded that are mimicking Remington core locks. I’m more than pleased.

Might have the wrong front sight. Shorter for a longer barrel. Taller front sight should straighten that right out. Can get it from xs sights.

I thought that as well but it needs to be tall to accommodate a suppressor. It comes with a suppressor height front site

I wonder if they make a shorter peep for it? But as long as you can hit with it now that’s all that matters, don’t fix if ain’t broke. It’s a very cool gun. I have always loved the Marlins and they have been my preference for a lever gun my whole life. I mean ALL my life, since back when they sold them at KMart, lol.

Have you shot it with a suppressor yet? Maybe that lower angle of visibility evens it out?

I now have shot it with my can. It’s good at 50 but at 100 it’s high. Gonna put a red dot on it and forget about the open sites.