ReGaL yes would be a good thing :top:

 

I picked up a Marlin 81-DL at an auction over the weekend. It is my first bolt action rimfire rifle.
It has a tube magazine and I was wondering if I should lubricate the rod with anything? I was
thinking just a little oil on the outside of the rod and nothing on the inside where the bullets go.
Am I correct in that assumption?

Thanks for any info.

I have never oiled a tube rod. Never had one not do it's job either unless it was damaged.
Just remember with oil and firearms that you can over-oil. oils are often collectors of dirt. Just use sparingly and it's always best to keep it off the ammo as much as you can.
When you get oil in your tube, it becomes a collector of dust and dirt. Eventually, that can cause problems.
Just be carefull.

 

I just use the same oily rag I wipe everything with before they go into the safe.

 

The tubes need cleaning periodically, if you oil them, they'll pick up more crap. Use a paste wax and wax them inside and out. Birchwood Casey's stock wax does for both wood and metal. If you've got a used gun, it's worth knocking out the small pin on the knob end of the inner tube and cleaning both tube and spring, needs doing every 20-50 years or so. Mark the knob and tube so you can get them back together the same way, sometimes they're drilled and pinned together and they only go together one way round. It's a VERY tiny pin.

Stan S.

 

I have a model 1921 savage pump my grand dad bought new in 1921. I have had it since 1964 and have never oiled the tube. I have put a tad on the plunger so make sure it did not stick and then very lightly with a rag. I have had it in my care for over 58 years and it has never failed me.

In answer to your question NO.

Enjoy the Journey
444GS2

 

I have seen old rifles were the mag tubes and springs are rusted on the inside. The mag tubes tend to get neglected and over time rust can start inside the tube. Brass tube is not an issue, but the spring and blue tube parts are a problem. Moisture can condense inside the tube. With fall and winter hunting here in Minnesota and guns going from inside heated trucks and heated cabins to outside freezing temps and then back in again can lead to condensation. I like to use synthetic oil or as mentioned by stans4 the gun wax. More and more I like to use the wax, it is great for long term storage and will not soak in or damage the wood edges. So I would inspect mag springs and tubes, oil lightly or wax.

David

 

Thanks for all of the replies. I think I will try to give the tube and rod a good cleaning and maybe apply a little of the gun wax.
I'm really enjoying this rifle.

 

That's a great looking Marlin. Bolt action rimfires are lots of fun, I like to zero 22lr for 59 yards. That will make it 1/4" low at 25 and 1/4" high at 75 and good for my hunting needs for the 22lr cartridge. With ammunition expensive and hard to find, the bolt action .22lr is a great choice for trigger time.

Best Wishes, David

 

I lube the tubes lightly.

 

I suppose you could use a dry-release agent like PTFE, but I would NOT use oil or grease on a magazine tube.