Originally Posted by gunmaker
I decided to give myself 3-4hrs this week after work to do a project for myself. The gun in particular was handed down through the family, not a high end piece compared to most of the stuff I do, but she see’s good use deer hunting on my property.

I’ve always been enamored by Joel Dorleacs stock shaping and style, a combination of traditional with an aggressive flair. Looking at antique Marlin Deluxe lever guns, I believe in inspiration from such. Specifically the line from the toe that runs up into the wrist and terminates on top of the wrist. I’m actually shaping up a .375 customer gun that is close, but still not as aggressive. So finally, on my own piece, I pushed my comfort zone from the subdued. I took the “deluxe” lines and pushed those boundaries.

I’ll plan to use this factory stock I’ve shaped and have it duplicated into a much nicer piece of wood, so I’m not going to bother with a fine oil finish or checkering. Maybe consider adding a cheakpiece before doing so. I’ve slimmed the forend a lot and plan to do an 1885 forend cap instead of the 336 forend band. Considering reducing mag tube length as well, engraving, and CCH.

The rather pudgy Marlin 336 stock followed by my shaped factory stock.

https://i.imgur.com/uBzzC6j.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/sNMwGdu.jpg

Nice! That's a dramatic improvement. Fat stocks are the bane of many production guns. The 1950s version of the M39-A was another. They were/are marvelous guns with great accuracy and reliability. For my money, the best repeating .22 rf ever built. .22 Lever gun matches tend to look like Marlin 39A family reunions. But they could lose some excess lumber. The butt isn't so bad and even nice to have a .22 with a meaty grip and some heft, but the fore end was atrocious. It was my first plunge into modifying guns to suit my tastes. I too about a pound of wood off, but could have taken another half.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

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BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan)
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[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]