Marlin model 50?

[jenqui2525]

I need some help to identify an old Marlin .22lr as there seems to be some conflicting information on the internet regarding this rifle.

I believe this is a Marlin Model 50 because of the lack of the safety behind the receiver, although the Model 50 I believe is supposed to have the safety on the left hand side of the receiver this on is on the right. Also, the trigger guard (although missing) appears to me a separate piece from the mag well (the 50 is supposed to be one piece?).

The condition of this rifle also makes me a little suspicious of it being a Model 50.

Anyway, any help in identifying it is much appreciated!
http://imgur.com/qEGid
http://imgur.com/xpFkZ
http://imgur.com/F6pKI
http://imgur.com/sxZz0
http://imgur.com/7k23u

[auburnhunter]

I'm pretty sure thats a A-1. A 50 fires from an open bolt.

[tigweld]

After looking at your photos, what you have there is the 2cd variation of the Marlin Model A1. Known as the A1C and the A1DL
it was made from 1940/41 to 1946. The A1C and A1DL are the same except that the A1DL had target sights and sling swivels.
The stock on this variation was "beefy" with an enlarged forearm,compared to the slender looking stock of the 1st variation Model A1. The A1C-A1DL safety is located on the right side of the receiver. All A1's have the barrel stamping:
22 LONG RIFLE ONLY - SMOKELESS GREASED

[tigweld]

The 2cd variation Marlin A1DL (http://www.pbase.com/tigweld/image/132331897) Receiver target sight for the A1DL
was the Marlin Model 12R.

[jenqui2525]

Thank you for the replies!

This rifle has been disassembled and in a gun cabinet For pretty much my entire life and I only rediscovered it when I bought my younger brother a used Marlin Model 60 that was made the same year he was born, at our families cabin in northern Minnesota.

Any advice on finding a magazine (as I understand they are EXTREMELY rare) or trigger guard. The trigger guard I may be able to have fabricated, and I read somewhere that there are other Marlin magazines that can be modified to work in these older rifles...

Should I even bother with trying to get it to fire again? Should I just keep it as a family heirloom? Although my phone take pretty terrible pictures, the condition of the rifle seems very good, other than the missing pieces. Anything I absolutely should not do to this rifle?

No one in my family seems to know anything about the rifle and I have permission from my Uncle to keep it.

Thanks again for all of your replies.

[jenqui2525]

Well I did my own poking around as I should have been doing from the get go and found this thread,

http://www.marlin-collectors.com/forum/ ... =15&t=7317

Would this mod work in my rifle?

Thanks in advance.

[Wyo Marlin Fan]

I don't know much about the A1 but did a little poking around at Numrich Gun Parts (www.gunpartscorp.com) for parts. It appears they have magazines and trigger guards in stock if they are correct items. Here's the link - http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Pro ... atid=11791. The magazine was part key #A1-26 and the magazine was key #A1-65.

Hope this helps.

WMF

[tigweld]

jenqui2525
Yes the magazine modification should work for your A1. Just have to pickup a magazine, do the mods, a trigger guard and your almost there. Wyo Marlin Fan gave you a good lead on the parts you need. I believe that you will able to bring your A1 back to firing condition. If you have any problems with the magazine modification let me know and I'll help out.

[jenqui2525]

Thanks to tig, wyo and auburn!

I had found Numrich thanks to this forum, but I for some reason didn't see the parts list below the schematic picture. Facepalm.

I ordered the trigger guard and magazine, hopefully over this weekend I'll be able to pick up the rifle this weekend and give it a good clean and light lube. What do you guys recommend for lubrication on these rifles? With the Model 60 I know it is very touchy about being too well oiled so I usually just rem-oil the bolt and keep the rest of the internals as dry as possible.

Any ammo consideration? Again my experience with the Model 60 is that mine wont cycle Remington bulk ammo at all, doesn't like Winchester wildcat, but does great with Winchester bulk 36gr hp, Federal 40gr and CCI standard. I have also heard that the hotter rounds can bend the ejector pin on the 60, any similar cautions for th A1?

I just can't stop saying thank you. You guys are a great resource and I will be sure to update this thread as soon as I can get out and shoot the rifle!

[tigweld]

Sounds like your well on your way to having a completed A1 ready for some plinking.

As far as lubrication Rem-Oil is an excellent choice. I also like G96 Complete Gun Treatment,and as you mentioned,don't over do.

Ammunition, I would have to say any standard/high velocity .22 LR except maybe for the "Hyper Velocity" ammo that is out there now. Just have to remember this rifle was designed back in the 1930's. As you know just have to try some different rounds and see what your A1 likes. I agree on the Remington Bulk pack.

Good luck on your project,keep us posted.

[jenqui2525]

Got the mag and trigger guard this last week. (thanks for the pictures of the mag mod. very easy with a dremel) Got out to my little range this weekend and I can report that this rifle is a shooter. Very accurate and less fussy about ammo than the model 60.

Only issues I had were a few fte's after light strikes, usually cleared by dropping the mag and charging/firing again and the mag didn't want to load HP's but I think this was due to my over zealous mag loading. I mainly attribute the light strikes to the rifle being a bit dirty and my inability to figure out how to remove the entire bolt as I could not figure out how to remove the charging handle.

I like how the trigger feels, much tighter than the Model 60. It's truly a pleasure to shoot.

I will get it cleaned today and hopefully get some better pictures.

[jenqui2525]

Ha, Tigweld, I really should just read all of your threads. The pictures of disassembly were great. I looked at them and realized the pin holding the charging handle was just seized. A little oil and some leverage and it popped right out.

[jenqui2525]

I thought I had posted an update a few days ago, but It might have not been submitted properly. Anyhow...

Had the rifle out for the past two weekends and it is definitely as accurate as I am. As I don't have much of a bench or rest these are all unsupported standing at around 50ft. (My friend Jody's shots are circled, mine are the strike-through marks) The magazine mod was very easy with a dremel.

http://i.imgur.com/RPmmH.jpg

Friend Jody
http://i.imgur.com/Hlzgz.jpg

The only thing I have noticed is that when loading the last round the bolt tends to hang up a bit on the magazine follower and not go fully into battery. When this happens the extractor also doesn't engage the rim, which isn't surprising. I don't think this is terribly dangerous in a rimfire but is there anything I can do to alleviate this? I had the idea of trimming the front of the follower but I tend to avoid modifying to much in a magazine as to not compromise loading. Possibly replacing the follower?

Better pictures of the rifle to come!

[auburnhunter]

Mine does the same thing, just load six rounds. Also, I usually hold the bolt all the bolt all the way open with my pointer finger and my thumb on the back of the action, load the magazine (easier to snap into place this way) and then let the bolt fly forward. This usually fully chambers the round without me having to give it the forward assist tap on the charging handle. Also, if I remember correctly, the charging handle just pulls out. Nothing but spring pressure is holding it in. As far as the light strikes go. Take it all the way apart and clean it.

[tigweld]

Perhaps this ad from 1937 will answer the question about problems with a 7th round in the magazine.
(http://www.pbase.com/tigweld/image/132313916) Auburnhunter is right about the 6 shots.

Problems with the bolt closing,sounds like it might be cleaning time. Also follow Auburnhunter's advise.

Also guys, be careful as the A1 can be habit forming. I just started building up another one from parts that I
gathered up. I'm a "A1-a-holic"

Look forward to seeing some more photos of your A1 project jenqui2525