Scoping an old Marlin

peterf

peterf

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Wyevale, Ontario
A neighbor asked me today if it was possible to put a scope on an old flat top Marlin lever in 32 special that he has. I told him that I don't know if there is any way to do it except having it drilled and tapped which would affect the value of this very nice rifle. He wants to have his wife use it as a hunting rifle and since they are not getting any younger she likes a scope better than open sights.

I thought I would check here to see if there is any way that I don't know about.
 
Sounds like a waffle top. And drilling/tapping it would affect its value...

Hopefully he considers preserving its condition, and getting another rifle for his wife. I do understand that if $ is a concern, he would still choose to have it done.

Cheers
Jay
 
If it is a pristine rifle I would sell it to a collector... if it is used and shows some wear - drilling and tapping by a professional won't reduce it's value much if any. If he plans on keeping it scope it up...
 
If she isn't going to shoot any distance longer than 100 yrds or so a good quality "Red Dot" with a bit of magnification to it is doable for old levers without new drill& tap operations that downgrade the value.
These old lever guns ( I am assuming he has a 1893) all have holes already drilled in the tang and a simple aluminum frame can be sawed & drilled with ordinary hand tools to mount a Red Dot onto them. A red dot isn't as heavy as a conventional scope so and with the recoil a .32 sp generates, it would be completely adequate to the job. I have built 5 or 6 for my old lever guns, a couple in 45-90 (one a Marlin 1895, same tang as the 93, just a bit longer action) , a couple in 45-70 and 32-20. Edited: oh ya and a 38-55 and 38-56 so "more than 6" is more like it.

They look like a bit of a morfadite assembly.... and I can just hear the howls of derision from the "purist"...but they work
 
Is it at all possible that she could be interested in a receiver or peep sight? Would she have access to a such equipped gun to try, so many benefits to not D&T a classic Marlin especially in 32wcf.
Less cost, weight, bulk and retains value. Again model wasn't stated by OP but I've never been deterred by two small holes for a receiver sight.

If either the 36A-DL or the 1893 that I've spent my Covid time restocking (both 30-30s) had been D&T'd they wouldn't be here.

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I was thinking this, as most are drilled already on the side, I fellow could easily make a mount for a red dot.
But I love peep sights, don't get any better . I just hate holes drilled in these old guns.
That is a super job on that '93, I never got in to Win, but Marlins are where it is at.
 
isnt there a rail that uses the rear sight dovetail and just a couple pressure screws against the barrel and receiver?
Could mount an extended eye relief scop or red dot.
 
I have one, 1957 in 32 special. Has a side flip scope mount...the scope is hinged,...you flip it to the left, and you can uses the iron sights. Works good. Don’t know if it’s factory.
 
450yukon said:
!957 would've been factory D&T on top of receiver.
Click to expand...

Yep didn’t know...if it was, gun came from down east. Who ever did it, done a great job...threads and holes are straight, also has marble sights on it..front and back. It a keeper...shoot like a laser....for a rifle built in 1957.
Thanks.
B
 
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