“The guns performed solid, as in Texas-brushpopper-bouncing-through-the-sage-in-a-UTV solid,” reports Editor Brent T. Wheat in March GUNS’ cover story. “Compared to the old days, the new Ruger/Marlin Model 336 appears a bit tighter, the finishes smoother and the action silkier.”

Afield with the lever gun, Wheat noted some of the good things happening on the “new” Marlin are the tight wood-to-metal fit, the clean checkering and the flawless finish on the tight-grain walnut stock. It received high marks in the accuracy department by repeatedly hitting nickel-sized three-shot groups. “Marlin and Ruger are a match made in heaven, and I predict a long, successful marriage. Unless you happen to be a deer,” he concludes.

As Will Dabbs, MD contends, one of the biggest reasons for the AR-15’s enduring popularity is its unrivaled modularity. In “Tactical Transformer,” Dabbs explains how Panzers Arms’ AR-57 transforms any standard AR-15 lower receiver assembly into a “radical 5.7x28mm hotrod.”

A Weihrauch Windicator from EAA Corp. tops the March GUNS Firearms Package Giveaway. Chambered in 357. Mag., the pistol has a six-round capacity, 4" barrel and weighs 1.8 lbs. A Skyweight Utility Pack from 5.11 Tactical, Hatch from Kershaw Knives, Breech To Muzzle Cleaning Kit from Otis Technology and Loaded/Unloaded Barrel Flags from MuzlStik round out the prizes included in the package. Valued at $703.17, readers are encouraged to enter the free drawing by visiting GunsMagazine.com/giveaways.

Other points of interest in March include Ken Campbell’s tips for “Getting Your Mind Right — It’s More Than Movie Dialog” when it comes to emergency preparedness in the Everyday Carry column. When Massad Ayoob noticed the quality of his shooting was heading south, the process of elimination revealed what needed correction. He shares his steps to “Diagnosing Deteriorating Handgun Marksmanship” in the Handguns installment. And in the Rifles column, Dave Anderson explains why the .300 Savage was a classic ahead of its time — at least, to all of the “old-timers” out there.

Discover more content at GunsMagazine.com. Purchase the March issue of GUNS or order a subscription at fmgpubs.com. Digital versions are also available.