Marlin Model 81 DL

Next up we have the Marlin Model 81 DL made in 1952 by our estimate. It's a tube magazine fed bolt action .22 rimfire chambered deluxe model complete with aperture sight, sling swivels, and select walnut stock.
The Marlin Model 81 was made in three different versions from 1939 to 1971 with slight variations in versions as new patent designs came along with new Marlin innovations. This particular 1952 (?) rifle is what I believe to be, after my research. a "Second Variation" as it has the newly designed extractor released in 1952 but not the newly designed rifling (Micro-Groove) added to the line in 1953. Again, this is just research and I am open to discussion in the comments about any of your research which might shine a light on its origins and history.
Come along and explore this rifle with me on what happens to be.....MY BIRTHDAY! Thanks for tuning in, it's an honor to have you here.
Here is the Milsurp Garage video on the Marlin Model 80, the box magazine fed sister rifle we have explored in the past which is interesting to compare as it is what I believe to be a "Third Version" of this design.
Marlin Model 80 C
• Marlin Model 80 C

[@rhare7353]

very good video a bit long, I have two model 80 rifles one is pre war Ballard riffling and my newer one with micro groove refiling. The old one has a 8 round mag the newer one holds 7. I installed a bipod and a tasco 4x16x40 scope it shoots very well dime size groups at 50 yards, it will open up a bit at 100 yards but not uncommon to get a half dollar size Groupe. it is my favorite rifle. Second favorite is my Marlin 60 and rounding out the top3 is my belly button gun ( everybody has one ) a Ruger 10/22 they both have bipods and 4x9x40 scopes and shoot very well.

[@MilsurpGarage]

Nice collection. Yes, my videos go long. Can’t help it, too much info to cover. So many 3 minute videos out there!!

[@bunnzai]

"It worked fine with drywall anchors" hahahahaha...awesome. I love the commentary.

[@AA-gj3kt]

Make mine a Marlin! 👍😄👍

[@mikeofmanymikes2630]

I have a few model 81's...the 81e (oldest), 81, and the 81dl. All 3 shoot really well and work perfectly.

[@MilsurpGarage]

Nice! Thanks for tuning in.

[@thetoneknob4493]

my model 80 is a old one no serial number no safety and came with a peep sight on the cocking peace and a med heavy barrel . have you seen what a magazine goes for on feebay? its insane! mine is def a first version. i made a target stock for it and gave the original stock to my buddy. he had a model 80 with a cracked stock but i kept the trigger guard and bottom metal. it was made between 1935-1937 for sure. i asked the lgs owner for the best shooting 22 he had in the shop..and after about 90 min of inspecting rifled he handed me ranger mod 36 aka the marlin mod 80 and proceeded to hunt threw a big box of lose random 22lr mags and located the magazine. wen i asked how much do i owe you he grabbed a calculator fidgeted with it and said a hundred bucks sound good? hell yeah it sounds good! he also promised i would be happy with the accuracy. and he was correct! ive put about 3-4k rounds threw it in the last 20 odd yrs and im always amazed how well it shoots cheap ammo. it grouped rem golden bullet just as well as cci green tag..

[@MilsurpGarage]

Amazing that he had the mag! Sounds like a cool gun. Enjoy it and thanks for tuning in and sharing with us.

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

MSG, your eye naturally centers the front bead. Your eye when looking through a hole it does it automatically. The military utilizes that type of sights on 99% of their infantry personnel.👍✌🏻🇺🇸🙏🏽🍻

[@MilsurpGarage]

Yeah, it does kind of feel automatic!

[@1957Shep]

Good info as always.

[@MilsurpGarage]

Thanks Shep.

[@mqa1963]

i have one marked sears mod. 43 DL it has a chrome plated trigger bolt and trigger guard and a beautiful walnut stock . i have never tried to look up the year .. Great old tack driver ..

[@bbtbmb]

I have one too i got from my father that had got it for his birthday in 1955

[@itsmemckee2110]

Im a new subscriber. Im loving the many different firearms you get into.

[@MilsurpGarage]

Welcome! Glad to have you.

[@mikeofmanymikes2630]

That arc peepsight part is the easiest to come by though. That front sight hood on the other hand is harder to find than the peep sight.

[@MilsurpGarage]

And I can tell why, it was falling off the rifle and almost got lost on the way home. Sight not hard to find but would pay more than I paid for the rifle for one. I’ll deal with the missing part!

[@chrischiampo7647]

Ahhhhh The Marlin Rabbit Hole I’m Loving It 😊😀😇

[@dougalmcalpine6804]

Missing your videos, hope all is well.

[@MilsurpGarage]

Yes, all good! Editing a video as we speak for weekend release. KZbin every now and then puts the magnifying glass on guntube channels and it’s better to lay low during those periods while things get ironed out and settle down. Usually it’s some live streamed firearm incident that causes the issue. The dust has settled and I’m back in action. Tune in tonight! Appreciate the concern.

[@dougalmcalpine6804]

@@MilsurpGarage that's good to hear.

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

MSG, if your rifle is ( like you say ) a 1962 and it is a change year these gun companies are not going to throw away old stock ( trigger guard ) when the part can be utilized to achieve the desired result. My two cents only.

[@MilsurpGarage]

Hi CM! It’s what I believe to be a 1952 and since the different “parts” go on completely different versions they are not interchangeable. I believe that very little can be shared between versions, so much so that parts suppliers list the different versions separately as if different guns. For this reason (and the non serial numbered receivers), how these rifles are outfitted is basically the only way to date them but turns out to be very accurate if you have the correct info on the update timeline.

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

@@MilsurpGarage sorry my mistake. Like you, I was trying to follow along and ended up confused as Marlin had all those different designs.