I have been working on this rifle project for far too long. I have a distinct like of compact rifles and wanted to build a Cowboy Assault Rifle or Politically Correct Urban Defense Rifle. Whatever you call it, I am very happy with how it turned out.
The rifle started life as a Marlin 336 waffle top .30-30 manufactured in 1949. I picked it up at an auction 10-15 years ago. The wood was average, mechanically excellent with a very smooth lever action and crisp light trigger, but the finish was very worn. No pitting or rust, just little of the original blue left. First thing I had done was have the barrel cut back to 16.5" and the stock shortened about 1½". This was easy as the five shot tube was the older version which was not full length. I then shipped it off to Birdsong in Arkansas where it was coated in Birdsong Teflon Green with black accents. Excellent indestructible finish.
It sat for a long time and I finally had the receiver drilled and tapped and added Skinner winged tactical sights - blade front, peep rear. Shot it briefly a couple weeks ago at the 100 yard gong and the iron sights were right on. At least right on for an 18" gong offhand. Eventually I settled on a Burris Fastfire III in a winged mount for a dot sight. As the pic shows, no chance of co-witness but the irons are useable if you pop off the fastfire QD mount.
Made it to the range this weekend and this thing is awesome. First pulled the bolt (love the 336 for that) and did a little Kentucky bore sighting. Got the dot roughly on center of the target at 25 yards then fired two shots. Holes were touching at an inch high and a couple inched right. Some adjustment and fired another two. They also were touching and just off center. Moved the target out to 50 yards and fired three rounds. Group opened up to about 3/4" and again just off the center mark. Left it there to finish up at 100 yards another day.
I always liked the concept of a "tactical" lever gun and this project has proofed that for me. Very comfortable to shoot, compact as all get out and a useful, flexible caliber. If Indiana ever allows this caliber for deer season it will see some woods action. For now this will serve as a great take along rifle for woods, truck or travel gun or whenever I want something more than a pistol but don’t need an AK.
Only things left to do are possibly painting the wood with bed liner for a black, textured finish and definitely attaching a cartridge pouch to the stock for 12 extra rounds.
The rifle started life as a Marlin 336 waffle top .30-30 manufactured in 1949. I picked it up at an auction 10-15 years ago. The wood was average, mechanically excellent with a very smooth lever action and crisp light trigger, but the finish was very worn. No pitting or rust, just little of the original blue left. First thing I had done was have the barrel cut back to 16.5" and the stock shortened about 1½". This was easy as the five shot tube was the older version which was not full length. I then shipped it off to Birdsong in Arkansas where it was coated in Birdsong Teflon Green with black accents. Excellent indestructible finish.
It sat for a long time and I finally had the receiver drilled and tapped and added Skinner winged tactical sights - blade front, peep rear. Shot it briefly a couple weeks ago at the 100 yard gong and the iron sights were right on. At least right on for an 18" gong offhand. Eventually I settled on a Burris Fastfire III in a winged mount for a dot sight. As the pic shows, no chance of co-witness but the irons are useable if you pop off the fastfire QD mount.
Made it to the range this weekend and this thing is awesome. First pulled the bolt (love the 336 for that) and did a little Kentucky bore sighting. Got the dot roughly on center of the target at 25 yards then fired two shots. Holes were touching at an inch high and a couple inched right. Some adjustment and fired another two. They also were touching and just off center. Moved the target out to 50 yards and fired three rounds. Group opened up to about 3/4" and again just off the center mark. Left it there to finish up at 100 yards another day.
I always liked the concept of a "tactical" lever gun and this project has proofed that for me. Very comfortable to shoot, compact as all get out and a useful, flexible caliber. If Indiana ever allows this caliber for deer season it will see some woods action. For now this will serve as a great take along rifle for woods, truck or travel gun or whenever I want something more than a pistol but don’t need an AK.
Only things left to do are possibly painting the wood with bed liner for a black, textured finish and definitely attaching a cartridge pouch to the stock for 12 extra rounds.
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Well done snorko! Very creative. You've demonstrated once again how varied and interesting the gun hobby can be. 
