Ok. So I have an old Marlin Model 80 rifle. I do not have a magazine for it. This is supposed to have a seven shot magazine. Anyways, as I do not have the magazine, I am thinking of making a 'plug' and just using this as a single shot rifle. It is not in pristine condition or such, but I just wanted a 22 bolt action shooter. Is there anything in particular to making a plug to fill the hole that I should know about? Is there any particular material that should be used? I know I could just use it as is, but just thought I would have it solid and or plugged below the action. Thank you.
Converting Repeater To Single Shot
- Thread starter neos
- Start date
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
I can take pictures of the receiver/open bolt of my Savage MKIGY single shot. I'll try my best to take good pics of the cartrige "track" or "guide". If you think that might help you, PM me your text number or email address.
You likely could use a block of wood, or fashion a tray for the round to sit on.
I like the 81 (n'er had an 80...tube vs box) Marlins, and a few have passed through here. One other thing to consider:
ht tps://www.canadabrass.ca/products/marlin-rimfire-bolt-action-magazines
ht tps://www.cabelas.ca/product/3772/marlin-rimfire-rifle-magazines
I like the 81 (n'er had an 80...tube vs box) Marlins, and a few have passed through here. One other thing to consider:
ht tps://www.canadabrass.ca/products/marlin-rimfire-bolt-action-magazines
ht tps://www.cabelas.ca/product/3772/marlin-rimfire-rifle-magazines
My kid's Marlin XT-22 came with a single shot adapter. It's just a piece of plastic that fits in the magazine well:
Such a thing could be made with hand tools. Would just require careful fitting until you got it to fit into the mag well.
If I were making one, I would probably first try with MDF just to confirm that I could do it. MDF is easy to work so it would be good practice and proof-of-concept.
If I were to make the final thing out of wood, I'd use maple or maybe bamboo (cheap bamboo cutting boards are a great material). You want something that's dense and hard and stable.
If I were to make the final thing out of plastic, I'd use UHMW polyethylene (the white slippery stuff used for tool jigs and commercial cutting surfaces). You can get the stuff from Lee Valley and home centers; you can also salvage it or something similar from cutting boards. Hard, stable, relatively easy to work.
If I were to make the final thing out of metal, I'd use brass or aluminum if I could find stock of a suitable thickness. Harder to work but might be the longest lived option overall. If I had a lot of time to kill I might try steel, but I think that requires more skill than the softer materials listed above. Could be done with careful filing though.
3D printing might be an option, but I don't like the look of home-printed stuff.
camster might actually have your best option: get a new magazine if you can find one.
Such a thing could be made with hand tools. Would just require careful fitting until you got it to fit into the mag well.
If I were making one, I would probably first try with MDF just to confirm that I could do it. MDF is easy to work so it would be good practice and proof-of-concept.
If I were to make the final thing out of wood, I'd use maple or maybe bamboo (cheap bamboo cutting boards are a great material). You want something that's dense and hard and stable.
If I were to make the final thing out of plastic, I'd use UHMW polyethylene (the white slippery stuff used for tool jigs and commercial cutting surfaces). You can get the stuff from Lee Valley and home centers; you can also salvage it or something similar from cutting boards. Hard, stable, relatively easy to work.
If I were to make the final thing out of metal, I'd use brass or aluminum if I could find stock of a suitable thickness. Harder to work but might be the longest lived option overall. If I had a lot of time to kill I might try steel, but I think that requires more skill than the softer materials listed above. Could be done with careful filing though.
3D printing might be an option, but I don't like the look of home-printed stuff.
camster might actually have your best option: get a new magazine if you can find one.
Looks like a hardwood one is in my future. I am not opposed to buying a magazine, it is just that I bought this as a basket case in need of repairs, making parts, and refinishing. I have not given it a range day yet to check the functionality and make sure all is well. Once it checks out, I will probably buy a magazine for it. Also, as this will be a camp gun, for pest control, a single shot is a all that is really required, as the one this is replacing was a single shot. Thanks for the advice.
Ok. So, I had a few minutes today. I took a piece of foam and cut and fit it. I then transfered the template to a piece of hardwood. Cut it out and sanded it to shape so that it filled the magwell completely. It is also slightly larger than the magazine opening on the lower plate so it is really held in place well. I then used a black marker and colored it black followed by a couple of coats of oil. I then reassembled the rifle as it should be and cycled a shell a few times to make sure all was working correctly. I am happy overall with my results.
