Help me to use that Marlin 80 that's been sitting unused for 43 years!

[Frandy]

This Marlin 80 was my dad's. I suspect it's as old as the late 30s/early 40s. It's a basic 80. When I was 14 back in 1962, I stripped off the varnish with steel wool and added a few coats of boiled linseed oil. I used to shoot it in the backyard and in upstate NY on my grandfather's property. All these years later, I decided to work the stock a bit. I used some steel wool on it and then rubbed in 4 coats of raw Tung oil. I then rubbed in 6 coats of MinWax hand poly in satin to see if I liked it. I like it.

Now, bring it to my smith for drilling and tapping for a scope. The scope...that will be a fun purchase. I'm thinking Simmons or Weaver, Bushnell or Burris. Nothing expensive. Say $45-60. Maybe 3-9X. Any suggestions?

 

[Dienekes]

That looks an awful lot like my 1954 Model 80C that I got for Christmas that year except that mine is grooved for tip-off Weaver mounts. Can't tell from the photo but it looks magazine fed. The stock looks the same as my rifle.


Brophy's book on Marlins states that the Model 80 was made from 1941-71. The newer style extractor which you have and the plastic trigger guard were introduced in 1952 so I would think that pretty well dates it to between 1952 and 1954.

Follow-ons to the 80 were the 780 and 880, still in production.

After 52 years it is still a fine rifle. I currently have a Bushnell 3-9X on it but frankly a nice little 4X is enough.

 

[Frandy]

I saw a list on rimfire central that showed 80s beig made earlier, the late 30s, but I know nothing. My experience is that my dad definitely had it in 1949/50, however, because my sister aimed it at him (unloaded) when she was 4 going on 5. Hmmm... And yes, magazine fed.

 

[rangerruck]

i mihgt would find out over on the firearms forum.com how much that thing is worth first, it looks so beautiful, i would be afraid to alter it.

 

[hoghunting]

Try the Simmons

Frandy,
I put the Simmons 3-9x32 on a Ruger 10/22 and it has been going strong for the last two years. Haven't had any problems and the optics are suprisingly clear. Highly recommend the Simmons for that price range.

 

[asknight]

I just recently inherited my Great-Grandfather's early Model 80. I was told that he bought it for $5.00 in the late 30's. It isn't in quite as good of shape as Frandy's, but it's still wearing it's original finish everywhere. I recently cleaned it well and shot a couple boxes of shorts through it. It kept them on a dime at 25 yards with the super-fine front sight, from a sandbag. Mine appears to have a longer cocking piece on the back of the bolt, and threaded for some type of receiver peep sight on the rear left of the receiver. Is yours, Frandy?

 

[Frandy]

i mihgt would find out over on the firearms forum.com how much that thing is worth first, it looks so beautiful, i would be afraid to alter it.

Thanks. I will do so, though I can't imagine it's worth more than some quotes I've seen for some 80 or 80c models. $60? $80? Of course, I would never sell it and scoping it would only make it more practical for me with these mid-life eyes of mine. Shoots great as it is, as I recall from my teens.

I put the Simmons 3-9x32 on a Ruger 10/22 and it has been going strong for the last two years. Haven't had any problems and the optics are suprisingly clear. Highly recommend the Simmons for that price range.

Thanks for the recommendation. The Simmons is my first choice right now.

I was told that he bought it for $5.00 in the late 30's...Mine appears to have a longer cocking piece on the back of the bolt, and threaded for some type of receiver peep sight on the rear left of the receiver. Is yours, Frandy?

As I said, I know little, but I also think my dad had this Marlin earlier than 1952. I need to look into this further. And no, there's no threading of any kind for a peep sight.

Thanks!

 

[LAK]

Nice vintage rifle; find a nice old Weaver, Leupold, Burris, Redfield etc low fixed power, max 4x, to match it.

------------------------------------------
http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

 

[Big_R]

I agree with LAK. I think the most fun I've had with my firearms collection is finding good condition period scopes to mount on them (if they're set up for scope mounting). It's surprising the quality of vintage Weaver, Lyman, etc. scopes. They're pretty affordable too, if you look around.

Ryan

 

[Frandy]

Big R and LAK, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[SwampWolf]

I love LAK and Big R's suggestions. Smaller (compact) scopes look better on .22s IMO. As far as affecting any resale value by "fixing it up", your rifle will never fetch any significant collector's interest in terms of monetary worth in your lifetime; certainly not enough to ever offset the family history and fond memories it has for you and yours alone.

 

[ulflyer]

Frandy, shucks, I'd give you $75 for it. Cut the barrel down to 18', saw the butt off.............. Naw, I like it ..did a nice job on the stock. Wish I had my old Remington single from when I was a kid...pre-war; WWII that is. It too, was a tack driver and in those days I could shoot.

 

[Sistema1927]

Now, bring it to my smith for drilling and tapping for a scope. The scope...t

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Marlin wanted that rifle to have a scope, they would have provided for one.

Seems a shame to wreck a classic.

 

[Frandy]

Well, you might be right. Perhaps it's better to just keep it unscoped as intended. I think I'll do a bit of shootin' it at the range and enjoy it as it is.

Oh, and as for dates. I found this on a Marlin enthusiast site.

Model 65 - single shot 1935-1937
65E - same with better sights
100 - single-shot '35 - '59
80 - magazine repeater '35-'59
80E - same with better sights
100S - Tom Mix special 37 - 38
81 - tube mag 1939
81E - better sights 1939
80B 1940
80BE 1940
81B 1940
81BE 1940
101 - single shot 1941 - 1977
101DL - 1941-1945
80C - 1941 - 1971
80DL - 1941 - 1964
81C - 1941 - 1971
81DL - 41 - 64
80CSB - smooth bore 41 only
100SB - same
101 'Crown Prince' - -59 only
122 single shot 62 - 65
980 - magazine rifle 66 - 71
780 - same - 71 - 88
781 - tube mag
782 - vertical mag
783 - tube mag
880 - magazine rifle
881 - tube mag
882 - magazine
883 -tube mag