A few days ago I experienced what must truly be a revelation. At least it was to me. For the first time in my life I experienced the Marlin 336SS!

A week ago, on my way home from work, I picked up the canvas case from the post office. I had bought the gun used for $500 which is a reasonable price here in Norway where I live. Upon arriving home I found that my wife had already gone to bed, so I put the gun case aside and went on to say good night and all the other stuff you really should say to your wife before she goes to bed. I was actually quite proud that I managed to put the case away without even opening it before I attended to her.

However, as soon as I finished my husband duties I went straight for the gun case. I asked my dear wife if she would like to see it as well and, even though she's not exactly thrilled by guns and everything that goes with them, she agreed to have a look at it. I put the canvas case on my side of the bed and slowly opened it. As I've already said, my wife wasn't overly interested, but the look on my face when I opened the gun case caught her attention. "You must be kidding me," I whispered, and to be honest I was quite in awe of the stainless steel and walnut beauty before me.

Before I go on I'll have to tell you that I only own one other gun. A plastic fantastic Winchester M70 Super Shadow chambered in .308 Winchester and although I like it and think it looks kind of cool, I'll be the first to admit that it's not really a work of art. Well, this gun I had before me now was. I stared at it a long time, so surprised by the beautiful curves and shapes that I didn't really knew what to do or say. (I'm still referring to the gun, not my wife.) When I lifted it up and held it in my hands for the first time, it really felt good. I was in love, no doubt about it.

Now, some of you might think that buying a gun without ever having even seen a similar one, much less the one you're actually buying, is quite stupid. I agree with that, but these guns are rare here in Scandinavia and I had no possibility to see it before I bought it, so I took a chance, and I have to say that this time I got lucky. Apparently the gun hadn't been cleaned too thoroughly, so I took my time taking it apart, cleaning and oiling it carefully.

Then it was time for the second revelation of the Marlin. A few days later when I had a day off work, I took the rifle out to the farm where I hunt. I went out into the fields and loaded it for the first time. It felt almost like a sacred moment when I shouldered the Marlin for my first ever shot of .30-30.

I pointed the gun at a huge pile of snow and pulled the trigger. It easily surpassed all my expectations. It felt just wonderful. I couldn't help laughing out loud in pure joy while I worked the lever and fired another 170 grains of lead into the snow. Boom, the snow went flying all over the place and I felt like I had just experienced Christmas as a four year old and my wedding night 20 years later in one moment! It was pure, concentrated joy and excitement! It just felt right. The way the gun came to my shoulder perfectly. The way it hit just were I wanted it to and the way I could just quickly work the lever and fire another shot, time and time again.

I turned and blasted a shot into another big pile of snow. It felt like the gun was an extension of my own limbs, like my arm could shoot. It felt like a part of me. In the afternoon I went back home with a bucket of empty brass and a huge grin from ear to ear. I am in love with a rifle!

Note: A full review of the Marlin Model 336SS can be found on the Product Reviews page.