Inexpensive retro period scope for 1960's Marlin auto?

[MatthewVanitas]

Recently picked up a Marlin 75C (carbine sibling to the Marlin 60) for $59 at a pawnshop. Currently ferrous parts are soaking in WD40, but looks pretty sound overall.

I like this little rifle, but the comb is uncomfortably high for iron sights. Am I built weird, or did Marlin just assume that most folks would scope them?

I'd like to put a compact scope on it, just for fun and plinking, and want something that would be historically correct for a slightly beat little Marlin.

Any suggestions on a plinker scope that is:
a) semi-decent quality
b) reasonably affordable (hopefully cheaper than the rifle)
c) easily mounts to the little ridges on the Marlin receiver
d) compact
e) would commonly be seen on these rifles during the 1960s

Thanks for any info,

-MV

 

[hoghunting]

MV,
I'm not sure you want a scope that was correct for the '60s. Most of the
.22 scopes had 3/4" tubes and were far from being compact. There were also scopes that had 7/8" tubes, but none would compare to scopes today.

I suggest that an inexpensive, but good scope, you look at the Simmons
3-9x32 rimfire scope. It has the rings for the grooved mount, a 1" tube, but is not any longer than the older scopes.

 

[Terrierman]

I sent you an e-mail about an old Weaver K 1.5 that might work for you. Back in the day, the Weavers were pretty good scopes.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Those little Simmons scopes look pretty cool for $9.99! Are they halfway-decent scopes, for the money?

Checked on Gunbroker, but the shipping costs are about as much as the scope from most dealers; this might be a situation where it's better to buy from Academy Sporting Goods during my next Home Depot run.

I'm a little suspicious about the price, but if it's sufficient for plinking, that's good by me.

-MV

 

[Lupinus]

weaver k2.5 could be thhe ticket. Doesn't work to bad on my marlin 60 (going to be replaced soon for one with 3-9 magnification instead of 2.5, but it is a good scope none the less and other then wanting more it would be staying there)

Has a nice look to it and is a good reliable scope.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Will have to puzzle out on the Weaver, as I only spent $60 on the rifle itself.

Found out what not to get: bought a "Game Winner" generic scope at Academy for $7.40, and am really not impressed by it. Fortunately, I'm selling one of my Marlins tomorrow, so I'll toss the Game Winner onto that, hope it adds at least $7 to the value, and sell it to someone less discriminating than I am.

Are the Simmons like I linked to above pretty much the same scope with a different brand name stamped on, or does Simmons have better QC at their Chinese factory?

-MV

 

[glockcrazyjerry]

I have a really old 39A with a stamped Marlin scope. I have not gotten around to getting a better scope yet. I guess back in the day they must have had thier own scopes with thier name on it ?

 

[Art Eatman]

Browse at some gunshows and keep an eye out for an olde Weaver steel-tube K4. That's appropriate for the period, and they're darned good scopes.

Dunno if your rifle is drilled and tapped for bases, though. It's worth doing.

I just flat despise those so-called ".22 scopes".

Art

 

[rangerruck]

if you can fidn a use one at a gun show, get it and never sell it, i call it the bushnell "bullet scope". it is a 3x8 or 9 , it is about 6 in long it has it's own doevtail rail that fits on to yours, then the scope, you can sliiiiidddeeee it back or forward on it 's own rail. the front bell housing has a cool kind of bullet shape to it. i got one once for 10 bucks, and sold it sometime later, having sold the rifle it was on . what an idiot.

 

[SwampWolf]

You might want to troll the gun shows or the internet for the old "J" series Weaver. They were 3/4" tube scopes, specifically targeted for the .22 rimfire market and, if you're after an authentic sixties "retro" look, this is the scope you would find mounted on many .22s of that era.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Just reporting back on the issue:

Picked up a Weaver K4 in a larger pawnshop deal, have maybe $20 into it. Bought Millett 1" groove rings for $10 at SAXET.

Took it out shooting on my Marlin 75C: whoa baby! Huge improvement over the junker scopes I've taken off pawnshop rifles. Adjusts well, clear optics, seems very sturdy. Somehow feels like it has a huge field-of-view, but I know zero about optics.

Also have a Weaver J-2.5 on the way, got for $17 on eBay. Will compare the two.

Fortunately, I am in no danger of running out of Marlins to put them on. I see a Marlin 60/75/99 for $50, I buy it. Unfortunately, this occurs almost every time I visit a pawnshop. Someday I'll find the one true Marlin...

-MV