.22 Marlin bolt action info.

[CajunMan89]

I have recently acquired an old Marlin .22 bolt action. I am unable to find out any information since I don't see a model number stamped on the gun. The only writing is "The Marlin Firearms Corporation New Haven Conn. USA Patented .22 S, L & LR"

Perhaps if anyone can find a picture of a rifle like this one in better condition, I could make a comparison to identify the model?

I'd like to try to find out what the year of manufacture is and get a manual for it. For some reason, I believe the inside of the bolt is dirty or has a broken piece. It won't engage the firing pin.

I will attach a picture.

Any information is greatly appreciated.

 

[Cee Zee]

Could be a Marlin Ranger Model 34. It is a single shot with a pull knob to cock it, right? If that's what it is it's a pretty rare gun and finding parts for it might be a challenge. But it could be worth fixing too. Not many of those were made but I have no idea what they sell for. Marlin sold rifles under many brand names back when that rifle was built also. It could have been sold at Sears or some place like that. The 34 is also known as a 65 I believe. There are charts showing the various names for the same rifle.

We really need more info on the rifle you have. It wouldn't have an adjustable trigger would it? Is it a single shot? A close up view of the action might help too.

 

[CajunMan89]

Correct

It is a single shot. When I pull the bolt back, there is no resistance at all. However, to remove the bolt, I have to squeeze the trigger. How do I know if the trigger is adjustable? I will try to get a picture of the action posted ASAP.

If you have anymore questions, let me know.

 

[Cee Zee]

I'm not exactly sure on how the trigger adjusts. I just know that some of them did. It might help identify the rifle. If you're having a problem and you want it fixed my suggestion would be to take it to a gunsmith. Finding replacement parts would be hard even if you knew the exact model. Marlin made a lot of different rifles over the years. Sometimes parts will work from one rifle to another. And sometimes a good gunsmith will be able to fabricate a part to make something work especially on a bolt that should be simple like the one you have. It's going to be hard to figure out over the net how to fix it. It will be for me anyway.

You might try the rimfire board at rimfirecentral.com or the Marlin board at marlinowners.com. There's a guy who goes by Big Shrek on those boards who knows a lot about Marlins.

 

[CajunMan89]

Thanks!

Thank you for the tip! I will try posting on the Marlin forum.

Here are some more pictures of the rifle...

 

[CajunMan89]

More pictures

Here are a few more pics....

 

[Cee Zee]

Yeah I'm guessing Ranger M-34 / M-65. The good news is those are very simple guns. The bad news is finding parts might be tough. Again a really good gunsmith might be able to make parts to fix it. But I'd check those boards where people are experts on all things Marlin.

 

[CajunMan89]

Marlin forum

According to the members that replied to my post there, it is a Marlin model 100. The good thing is that I did some research on those and the rifle is not broken. It is a plunger type that must be pulled back in order to cock it. I dry fired it and it works fine! I can't wait to shoot it

Any idea where I can find a PDF download of the manual?

 

[Coyote3855]

Don't dry fire it too much. Most rimfire firearms, especially older ones, weren't meant to be dry fired. It can damage the firing pin or the edge of the chamber.

 

[CajunMan89]

I won't. I just wanted to see if it was functional, I didn't have any empty cases around I don't think dry firing is good for any gun...

 

[Cee Zee]

According to the members that replied to my post there, it is a Marlin model 100.

I looked at photos of the 100 before I brought up the Ranger. I thought your rifle didn't look exactly like the 100 but was more like the Ranger.

This is the 100:



Here's your rifle:

You can see there are differences there. The bolt is set back farther and the pull cock is thin on this 100. But I did some more looking and found 100's that looked very similar to your rifle too. Like this one:



Again there are things similar to your rifle but also things that are different. Like the shape of the trigger guard.

The bottom line is that Marlin made a lot of rifles that looked similar. That's why figuring out what it is from the net is going to be hard for me anyway. Other companies made rifles that are almost identical too. Stevens made a bunch of them. Winchester made some. It was a very common design. I have a Stevens that looks very much like your rifle but of course Stevens and Marlin were not made by the same people. They both made rifles for chain stores and gave them all sorts of names.

But the fact there are so many variations on this theme makes it good for you in one way. Many of the parts would work on different models. That's where a good gunsmtih comes in. If you can find one that's been around a while they likely will have worked on a bunch of those rifles. My gunsmith is about 80 years old. He did a lot of work for my dad many years ago not to mention my brothers and for me too. He is very reasonable too. And he just might have the part you need stuck in a box somewhere and he can likely find it too. That seems to be a big part of being a gunsmith or at least it is for mine. Just knowing where you put all the stuff you own. Heck I can't remember where I put all my stuff and I don't even work on guns.

 

[CajunMan89]

Thanks!

Thank you for the info! Since I've never owned one like this before, I wasn't aware that I had to pull the plunger back in order to fire it. It works fine! I can't wait to shoot it!!

 

[Cee Zee]

That rifle design is about as durable as any design could be. I was pretty shocked to hear it had a problem. Glad it was just a misunderstanding instead of a real problem. That rifle will probably outlast our grandchildren. If they can figure out how that old design works.