Western Auto Revelation Rifle - 336 Lever Action 30-30 Marlin

This, uh, Western Auto Revelation Rifle was a branded Marlin. Marlin was hired by Western auto, and I think it was out of Kansas city, as one of these auto, not an auto car dealership, but parts. So they would hire Marlin to build them a rifle with their brand name on it. So Marlin would just stamp out another 336 lever action, 30-30 Marlin rifle.

But instead of saying Marlin on it, it said Western Auto Revelation. Gave it a model number and everything else. Now I would imagine that, um, they cut some corners to lower the price and made it a little extra special, or maybe they went the opposite direction and made an extra fancy one, whatever they would really order, I suppose.

But I would guess they would go with a Birch stock rather than Walnut and perfectly functional, just not quite as fancy. And maybe they would use a little bit, I don't know something different, but it was essentially a Marlin 336 lever action rifle.

Links:

Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion – the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me – from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.

Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[railroadstacker]

I have owned my western Auto 30-30 for 31 yrs now. Great gun thinking about using it again this year for deer.

[Gerald-doyg]

Good old Western Auto. Bought my first BB gun there, A Daisy MD. 179.!! Others also, plus ammo and cutlery!
Same with "Monkey" Wards "Western Field" and Sears and Roebuck "Ted Williams". Contract guns, built to sell at a reduced price. K-mart had them too, even before the merger with Sears!
Imagine millions of Americans have fond memories of starting their shooting/hunting "careers" at one of these old line "Dept. Stores". Thanks Mr. Ron. Blsgs, gg

[coltmmsecurity]

I have a Western Auto .30-30! Yes indeed, Birch wood stock and no checkering! Love it! It was a deer camp workhorse in the family when I was a kid.

[cornbreadburgess]

I do remember that store Lol, they sold all kinds of guns during their day.thanks Ron 👍

[elgato]

We who know adore you Ron. I mean that you are a true part of our heritage and experience. Keep it up!

[coltstrickland]

I have a Western Auto Revelation that I inherited from my grandpa. Great little gun

[Cruiser]

Oh yeah I remember them. There were all over the place in the 60 Early 70s Same thing that sears did.

[MrBowNaxe]

My dad had a Western Auto 30-30. My mom took a job there and it was the first gun they bought. Unfortunately it was stolen from their cabin in the '70s. My first deer was taken with a Marlin 30-30 my dad replaced the WA one with. I still have his Ted Williams (Sears Game Fisher) 4hp outboard.

[Gerald-doyg]

Was also fondly remembering the Ted Williams 94 Winchesters sold at Sears! Thanks for another good memory Ron, Blsgs, gg✝️🙏❤️🇺🇸🙋☝️

[chadrowlett]

Holy crap!!! Got my second gun at a western auto about 37 years ago. No paper work except a receipt. Good times, I was 14 years old. What has happened to the world?

[brianfloyd]

Stevens, Springfield and Wards Western Field all built the same semi auto.22 rifles also ! I had one of each !

[arthurbach]

They didn't just carry out a motor parts.They had the best made bicycles ever made in the United States and also got my first rifle there.Thanks, dad

[DanTheMailman]

I believe Marlin also made the Glenfield 22lr rifles exclusively for JCPenney's in the 60s through the 80s. The only difference seemed to be the birch stock and cheaper sights. Just throw a cheap 4x scope on it and go squirrel hunting

[donnieates]

I’ve got a Marlin 3079 passed down from my dad. Oklahoma Tire and Supply Company did the same thing. Love that gun.

[joelmcmahan]

The 336 in 30/30 and 35 have been a great tool for myself and many other bear and deer hunters for years. The lever action Marlin has been a dependable platform that has been good to many shooters on outdoors adventures. Plus comes in so many calibers for whatever a shooter needs. 🎥💯👍💪🏽

[theirishhammer]

The western auto building is still standing

[johnwilliamson]

I have a 336 Marlin .35 Remington lever action rifle that I bought new in 1979. It has harvested many whitetail deer 🦌 for me since then. 😊

[luckierthansmart]

That’s exactly how I scored a JC Higgins (and) a Glenfield.
Both, Marlins with micro grooved barrels. Both, heirloom quality and registered to my son.

[davidedward]

Glen field was another company that used a birch stock and slightly cheaper sights. The 336 from 1970 in 30/30 shoots 1.5 inches with factory ammo. Mine has the short magazine tube that some say aides in barrel harmonics to give it great accuracy. Love that gun.

[lawrencefranck]

I once owned a sears and robuck made by Winchester 30-06. Absolutely fine rifle.