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Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:40 am
by tigweld
I have a Ranger Model 34A .22 semi-auto rifle. Top of the barrel reads:
RANGER 22 LONG RIFLE-MODEL 34A
---MADE IN USA ---

Left side of barrel near rear sight area reads:
22 LONG RIFLE ONLY-SMOKELESS GREASE

It has a 24" barrel,walnut stock,plain steel buttplate and is clip fed.
Sorry to say,has no clip,front sight,bolt handle or extractor.

I believe this rifle is a "Store Brand" rifle that was made by Marlin from
what I could find on the internet.

Could you please tell me some more info on this rifle and possible source
of repair parts?

Thanks! tigweld

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 12:34 pm
by Regnier (gunrunner)
Tigweld;

Since the barrel of your Ranger Model 34A has the .22 Long Rfle Only-Smokeless Greased, it is the Marlin Model 50 as no other Marlin has the particular barrel stamping. That is the good news that it is identified. The bad news is that parts for the Model 50 are nearly impossible to find. At best, try Numrich Gun Parts Corporation as they do show some parts in the catalog for the Model 50. (http://www.e-gunparts.com) They list the magazine, but different reports say they do not work in the old Model 50.
Good luck..................

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:33 pm
by tigweld
Thanks for your reply!! :D
If interested in seeing, I do have some photos. It is set-up a little different than the Marlin Model 50 that I found photos of on this site. The safety is located at the rear of the receiver and the takedown screw is located in front of the clip opening.
Do you happen to know the years of production for this rifle and total production?

Thanks, tigweld

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 4:07 pm
by RounderRick
Hello tigweld – I guess what you’ve got then is an A1. Sears did some funny things with their model numbers, but generally all the Ranger marked rifles were pre-WW2. With the safety you described, that would be an early (or 1st variation) of the A1. A poster on another board has mentioned the magazines are available from Numrich, but years ago when I tried they were hard to come by. If you get one and it works good, please let us know. GoodLuck - RounderRick

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:07 pm
by tigweld
Hi RounderRick
Thanks for the additional info. :D This site has been a very BIG help.
Wish I could find some part drawings/blueprints, I would be able to fabricate
some of the parts I need.

tigweld

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:54 am
by Regnier (gunrunner)
Tigweld;

I may be incorrect to say your rifle is the Marlin Model 50. The cross references I checked all said that the Ranger Model 34A was the Marlin Model 50. But, it is the A-1 that indeed does have that cartridge marking on the barrel.
Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:05 am
by tigweld
Gunrunner,

I have some photos now posted that might help out. If you go to
(http://www.pbase.com/tigweld/ranger34a_project) I have a gallery of five
photos with closeups of the rifle markings. Again ,Thanks for all
the help on this site.

tigweld

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:52 pm
by Regnier (gunrunner)
Tigweld;

Definitely the A-1.

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:59 pm
by tigweld
Gunrunner,

I just left four more photos at (http://www.pbase.com/tigweld/ranger34a_project) which might further help out with identification. A couple are of the barrel/action out of the
stock.
Do you happen to know how many rifles there were in the total production of
the A-1 series? The Model 50 series?
I did run across some photos of the Marlin Model 50 .22 on this site, and a guy
can see the differences between the A-1 and later Model 50.
Thanks again for all the help on this site :D

tigweld

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:11 pm
by Regnier (gunrunner)
Tigweld;

The Marlin Model 50 preceeded the Model A-1. The Model 50 was made from 1931 to 1935, and the A-1 came out in 1936. It was made in a couple of variations up to 1946. You have the first variation of the Model A-1.
There are no production records for many of the inexpensive Marlin's produced over the years. If you will look, you will see that your rifle has no serial number. It was not required for firearms to have serial numbers until after passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968.
I hope this helps.

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:56 pm
by tigweld
Gunrunner,

That clears up alot of my questions on this rifle. Sometime,with luck and a few parts
perhaps I can breathe life into the old Model A-1 alias Ranger Model 34A.

tigweld

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:14 pm
by Sure-Shot
http://www.gun-parts.com/marlin/ There are some parts here.

Ask on other parts.....scarce.................
================
Marlin A-1 Automatic .22
A-1 Firing Pin................................$35
A-1 Extractor................................$25
A-1 Bolt handle.............................$25
Peep Sight A-1..............................$45

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:15 pm
by Sure-Shot

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:15 pm
by tigweld
Sure-Shot,

Thanks! for the additional information on the A-1. It will really be a big help looking for parts.
In my area there will be a gun show in the end of February and I'll do some searching there for parts. If I do get it back in firing order,more photos to follow.

tigweld

Re: Marlin? Ranger Model 34A .22 Rifle

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:16 am
by tigweld
Well as promised,I'm posting an update on the 34A/A1. Thanks to Sure-Shot and the photo
he posted of the parts list for the A1,I was able to get an idea of what the bolt handle looked
like. With some rough dimensions and a little lathe work at the Tool & Die shop I work at, I made up a bolt handle. At (http://www.pbase.com/tigweld/ranger_34a_update) I posted some photos of the finished product. I'll order the rest of the parts I need in the next few weeks
and have the rifle back in firing order.
In case somebody wondered, I have over 30 years in the Tool & Die trade,15 years of that
welding full time. TIG,MIG,ARC,Oxy/Acetylene and Laser welding.

tigweld