Knuckleduster
Plinker
I picked up a really nice pre 1975 Marlin 781 bolt action .22 the other day at a swap meet. The walnut stock needed some finish attention and the magazine tube had surface rust but other than that it is a very nice little rifle. I removed the stock and within an hour I was waiting for the oil finish to dry, I removed the magazine tube to ready it for a cold bluing, I stripped the factory blue and put it in the lathe for a "quick" spin to polish it before birchwood casey went to work.. (this is where it hit the fan).. The dowel rod that I chucked up on and centered in the tailstock to support the mag tube decided that it would be happier if it were in 2 pieces which essentially ruined the outer tube by twisting and bending the action end. So after watching it all go south I tried (and failed) to straighten it. My question is: What other marlin .22 uses a 21 & 5/8-11/16" magazine tube? I don't know if the older model 81's would swap or not. I am having a BEAR of a time finding one to replace it.