Originally Posted by
Ithaca Gunner
Vintage American walnut and blue steel! Last two shows I went to I harvested four guns, a Winchester Model 70 in the grand old .30/06 made in 1953, which filled a slot in my collection and proved very satisfying at the range having fired a total of twelve shots.
True happiness and smiles like when I was a boy came with the other three guns I bought this year though, three vintage .22 rifles. Number of shots fired, doesn't matter, several hundred I imagine. First, a Marlin 39A built in 1969. This 19 shooter, (20 with one in the chamber, talk about loadi'n up on Sunday and shooti'n all week long!) may well be my choice for the most useful over-all .22 ever made. Accuracy is astounding from a bench with a scope mounted, carries like an extension of myself, is very well made, smooth as soft butter, and it just plain works! I confess though, it's not ALL American walnut and blue steel, there's the butplate and gripcap made of some kind of plastic, and the hammer extension, though factory JM is alloy, but close enough. Any post war kid would love to have one and treasure it as his/her prize possession!
This next one is a true American walnut and steel .22 rifle, a Remington 121 Fieldmaster made in 1940. No plastic-no alloy, just steel and walnut. When I bought it, I thought I might pass it along with a small profit. After-all, a Remington pump .22? It can't possibly match the accuracy of the Marlin? Nope, not off the bench, and to scope it would ruin it by drilling holes, however, it fits just right and has clearer sights than the Marlin, and out-shoots the Marlin every time off-hand! This old Remington ain't goi'n away! What a joy to plink with! Pieces of shale on the back-stop don't stand a chance with that Remington in hand!
The third .22 rifle, well it's a bit more modern with some plastic, butplate, magazine, and short barrel shroud including the rear sight. It's the engineering, design, accuracy, and strength of this little bolt action that paints a smile on my face when I shoot it. Made in 1975, sort of a mini Remington 788 centerfire rifle. The 581 certainly has enough going for it, I wonder why it's still not in production, (other than cost to build). Remington's 580 series stands as the base for not only the 541 series, but the heart and soul of the Remington 540X match rifle. I never had a .22 match rifle other than an old Remington 513T, but this little rifle with a Weaver 4X scope makes my brother sweat when shooting groups beside his beloved Winchester 52C with Redfield Olympic sights using the same ammo. It's yet to beat the 52C, but gives it something to worry about!
All in all, I've found a renewed love for the .22 rifle such as I had as a boy! I think one, and just one more .22 rifle will complete and satisfy my love for the .22rf. cartridge, another Remington 513T with the Redfield Olympic sights and maybe even a Unertl 16 or 20X scope. A Hi-Lux 20X...