Looked at a few this week on gunbroker and armslist. Not as many on the market as last year. Shops here are empty as well so no project guns for me.

 

Don't forget the 781, 782 and 783. I had the 781 - tube fed 22 LR, walnut stock and all - in the early 80s and it shot every bit as well as any of the other bolt guns in that era. Haven't seen one for sale in many years, though. Would probably buy one out of nostalgia if I saw one. Doubt the production numbers were all that high, in the first place.

 

around here, ya see em. gun shows. your LGS no problem.

 

I have a old Single sh
ot model 100. It was made before the 1950's I think. Never failed to fire in over 50 years I have been shooting it.

 

Picked up a Glenfield 20 (Marlin 80) about 3-4 years ago, after looking for a bolt action for a couple of years. It was a VERY beat up, sad looking Marlin that nobody would buy. The stock was scuffed and scraped everywhere, and the barrel had some rusty spots. The Pawn shop let it go for $100 out the door after it sat for a year with no takers at $125. Cleaned it up and refinished the stock. The internals looked almost new, hardly shot at all. After a trip to the range to get acquainted with it, it has turned out to be the most accurate .22LR I own. Will shoot a sub 1" group at 100 yards if I do my part. Almost boring to take it to the range. You can't miss with it. Not very picky about ammo brands either.

Still lusted for a tube feed bolt action .22, so the search continued for more than three years for a model 81,781,881, etc. Finally found a 81DL last fall for $139. Had ejection issues, but finally figured it out. Nice looking rifle with the walnut stock, but could not get it to shoot a decent grouping, until recently. Discovered that it only likes the expensive imported standard velocity stuff like Wolf Match Extra and SK Standard Plus. $60 to $80 a brick, it shoots a ragged hole a 50 yards with it. CCI SV and Aguila rifle match are OK, but only about an 1" group at 50 yards with those. Doesn't like HV at all. Everything else will get you a 1½" - 2½" group at 50 yards. Haven't had a chance to take it out to 100 yards yet.

At the same time I got the Model 81 DL, I found a Glenfield 25 for a $100. Had a bolt closing problem, but was in pretty good shape for a 1973 gun. Still a work in progress, I can't get it to shoot with any accuracy yet. All the barns sides are safe from this rifle. Never had a Marlin that would not shoot accurately until this one. Will do a ammo test with different brands and types when the weather gets better. We've set a record for rain the last 6 months, (Gee, it rains in the Pacific Northwest?!)
I really find this rifle puzzling. The Glenfield 20 and the Glenfield 25 are identical, except for the stocks. Both of mine were built within a year of each other. One shoots the lights out, and the other won't hit anything, and yes, I've already re-crowned it.
(Update - After testing the rifle with 20 different brands and types of ammo, it has been determined that it only likes one type of ammo, SK Standard Plus.)

So, they are out there, just have to be patient, and keep looking. It took me 4 years to find the 81 DL in a LGS.

 

Try your 81DL with as many different brands of standard velocity ammo as you can find. My 22s shoot standard velocity rounds into 3/8-3/4" at 50 yards and high velocity into 1.5-2.5". Except for two HV brands--PMC Sidewinder into 1" and CCI Auto Match into 3/4".

Reasonably accurate standard velocity for my rifles includes, CCI Green Tag, CCI Standard Velocity, Federal Gold Medal Match (not the Ultra Match unless you want to splurge), Wolf Match, and Aguilla Match.

These should be under 10.00 for a box of 50. Some much closer to 5.00. Premium Match ammo will go 22.00-27.00 for a box of 50. Too rich for my blood, and I don't have a mach Anschutz to shoot them in anyway.

I've got three bolt 22's that will all shoot under 1/2" at 50 yd. My Marlin 39a, Ruger 77/22 all weather, and a CZ 253. But they each like different ammo. I find that Green Tag, or certain lots of CCI Standard Velocity (which is the same as Green Tag, except it hasn't been tested and selected for accuracy as Green Tag has been), and the Fed Gold Medal Match (not the Premium) provide all the accuracy I want.

If you want to chase that last little bit of accuracy, mount at least a 12x scope (fixed or variable) on your .22 and shoot from a good rest and sandbags. You can't make that group 1/8" smaller if you can't hold to within 1/16" at your chosen distance. And you have to be able to see it to hold it.

 

I picked up this model 25 pre 1968 a year or two ago for $75, sighted the scope in with some CCI put together a respectable groups at both 50 and 100 yds. I have not tested it with any other ammo. I don't think it is as accurate as my model 56 buy I haven't taken them both out for a head to head competition.



Picked up it brother a model 25MN 22 Mag a week ago, have not shot it yet

 

I have a Marlin Model 81 DL, I think, that was made in December of 1963 and looks nearly brand new. It was sold by Western Auto as a Revelation Model 110. Traded a guy 1500 rounds of .22LR for the rifle, which belonged to his Father.

 

That was a good trade. You'll have the rifle long after his 22 are gone.

One day he will wish he had that rifle back. Take care of it for him and enjoy it in the mean time.

 

Been to several auctions recently and the old Glenfield/Marlins go for ridiculous prices, bidders have more money than brains! Did luck out and pickup a Glenfield 25 for under $100 so occasionally you can find one. LGS's around here think they are made of gold - good luck.

 

Have begun a beautiful relationship with a '60-ish 80DL found on the used rack at a local gun store for just over a "bill." I never actually looked for one, so I don't know how common they are out and about. Was going to buy a new .22 bolt action and saw the old one, which had some class and a REALLY good trigger. Still experimenting with ammo but it looks to be very accurate.

 

In the 70s I was on the ROTC Shooting Team (dropped out of ROTC when they told me I'd never fly because my vision wasn't 20-20). One of the benefits of being on the team was that we got to shoot a lot and we could take boxes of ammo for our own use - T-22 if I recall correctly, though we shot Ely at matches.

Having access to free ammo, I went down to the local sporting goods store and found a JC Higgins that I believe is a Model 80. Paid the princely sum of $20 for it. It always shot wonderfully even though it was well used when I got it. It still shoots well, when it goes off.

It needs work...

 

They're out there. Keep an eye on GB, and your local shops / shows. The good old bolt guns usually go pretty reasonable. I stay away from regular auctions, too many people with more money than sense.

 

Two of mine plus a model 88, it's an odd ball....fed through the rear of the stock.....others...model 80 and 81DL

 

i have a marlin 100 that was marketed by sears & roebuck as the model 103.18. i got it as a kid in OK in 1954/55 and still have and shoot it. parts are still available thru Numrich. i was able to research it and determine it was made in 1939

it is, by no means, a 'tack driver' but it is still accurate enuff to hit what i wish to within a 50-70 yard range.

i have rebuilt it recently (replaced all the springs and the trigger) and, incidently, is in the old 'Plum' finish.
it ain't going anywhere till i die.

 

I just got a Marlin Model 16YN, the youth rifle. I bought three of these for my nephews back when they were kids in the 90's. It was nice because they could shoot anything except magnums. The boys were all quite young and we could shoot shorts or CB caps safely out in the country without annoying the neighbors. They've all grown up now and all have upgraded to rifles and pistols fitting their adult size. I found one of the 16's in a closet and my brother just told me to take it home. It's fun to shoot even if it's a single shot and a bit small for me. One never knows, when the next generation comes along I'll be able to help their dads teach them to shoot. For me that remains one of the best reasons to shoot often.

Rick H.

 

I dunno, there's some pretty nice ones on GunBroker right now, 880 & 25Ns. I'm absolutely NOT involved in any way with any of them ..... just saying .....

 

I have a Marlin 80 DL that is possibly first year production (1941). picked it up last year at a pawn shop for $65 without the original rear sight and just cruddy nasty dirty, I found a correct one to put on, spent a few hrs. cleaning her, and she's a shooter! Standard velocity federals at 30 yds. produces a ragged hole that a dime can cover!
Planning a refinish on the stock, but i'll probably leave the original blueing alone, I kinda like the patina.

 

There are 148 marlin bolt action rifles on GunBroker.com today, many are 22 cal, keep looking for what you want and it will be there, hunting is half the fun, good luck friend...

 

I just picked this Glenfield up for $82 at an auction.

 

I have a 80DL with original Marlin peep that is in pristine condition.
It shoots clusters at 25yds.
I've owned several 80's and 81's. Had a sears ranger I sold to
another member.

 

Haven't shot them in a few years but they are shooters! 781 & 783 Mag.

 

Heck I forgot I had a 25M...
That rifle is incredibly accurate at 100yds.

 

Refinishing the stock on my 25 this weekend.

I got the rifle from my parents in the late '80s. Last one the shop had, the new 25N replaced it I believe. Mine is a S, L and LR gun, the replacement was an LR only gun if I remember correctly. Mine really likes the CCI Mini-Mag HP. Killed a ton of squirrels and ***** with this thing. Maybe more squirrels next weekend.

Pics to come after the finish has dried, maybe Monday.

 

I have an old glenfield model 20,with the original scope.It still shoots better than me.My ten year old brings out the best from it with his good eyes.He is out growing his cricket,so now he likes the glenfield and my .17v.Im going to get a bigger stock for his cricket,as he loves blowing through ammo,so the single shot keeps him making every shot count.He hasn't been allowed to use the model 60 yet,as he will put me in the poorhouse.Want ammo?
Do the dishes.

 

Greg, welcome I know how you feel about kids and semi-auto's I got my Grandson a 925 after he out grew his cricket then I screwed up and let him shoot my 10-22 did he burn the ammo!!! worse some knot head gave him one of 25 rd clips after he had to fill it it lost it's charm.