Marlin Bullseye

[Gene L]

I've got a nice Model 39, made in 61. The bullseye is missing. Ive got a section for replacement but it's long enough for 5 or 6 bullseyes. Anyone got any experience in cutting a section off and contour the b.e. to fit the stock?

 

[CH4]

I've got a nice Model 39, made in 61. The bullseye is missing. Ive got a section for replacement but it's long enough for 5 or 6 bullseyes. Anyone got any experience in cutting a section off and contour the b.e. to fit the stock?

Yes, it's easy. Just replaced one.
1) Cut so just a little stands proud of the wood - first picture is before I cut and glued it
2)put a little wood glue in the hole and seat the bullseye with a plastic hammer
3) mask around the hole to cover the wood
4) file smooth with small files, following the contour of the stock.

I am far from being a wood working wonder, but it turned out nice

 

[Gene L]

Thanks.. How did you cut the material? I'm thinking a knife, roll cutting the thing, but is there a better method? Is it even possible to cut it with a knife?

 

[damienph]

Where did either of you get the material? I have two Marlins that previous owners put sling swivel screws through the bullseyes.
Thanks!

 

[CH4]

Thanks.. How did you cut the material? I'm thinking a knife, roll cutting the thing, but is there a better method? Is it even possible to cut it with a knife?

Small hacksaw, but I am sure there are better ways. It would be pretty hard to cut with a knife, but it's easy to file. I cut it before gluing it. A dremel with a cut off wheel would work too

 

[merl67]

If memory serves me right I used a hack saw. A dremel would work but be careful not to get it too hot and melt it. I either got my piece at Gun Parts corporation or Marlin

 

[VaTom]

Yes, it's easy. Just replaced one.
1) Cut so just a little stands proud of the wood - first picture is before I cut and glued it
2)put a little wood glue in the hole and seat the bullseye with a plastic hammer
3) mask around the hole to cover the wood
4) file smooth with small files, following the contour of the stock.

I am far from being a wood working wonder, but it turned out nice

Excellent process. Did the same for mine several years ago.

 

[Gene L]

I got the material from Brownells, IIRC. The section isn't much over a quarter of an inch, making hacksawing a chore, unless you have something to hold it in place while sawing. Dremel? I'll keep you posted.

 

[armorer951]

Actually, a coping saw (or jeweler's saw) does a much better job with this particular cut. Very thin, sharp, controllable blade, available in different tpi's for different kinds of material.

 

[diyj98]

Where did either of you get the material? I have two Marlins that previous owners put sling swivel screws through the bullseyes.
Thanks!

It's amazing how many people used to think that's what the bullseyes were for. Those that had the screw pull out of the soft plastic found out better

 

[Gene L]

I worked it out...duh on me. I locked to roll of material in my bench vise with the target depth above the jaws and used a small hacksaw and sawed across with the blade flat against the jaws as a guide.

Waiting on some masking tape and then I'll contour it w/out messing up my stock.

 

[Eric300]

Where did either of you get the material? I have two Marlins that previous owners put sling swivel screws through the bullseyes.
Thanks!

I can't believe all the people that do that!

 

[Imissedagain]

Saw blades without an off-set, or as little as possible, can be found at most hardware/hobby shops.

 

[Gene L]

Got her done. After taping the stock and seating the insert (not all the way) and filing it to shape, I tapped it down with a plastic hammer so it fits flush.

 

[Puller]

I can't believe all the people that do that!

I've had old timers tell me that the purpose of the bulleye was so you'd know where to put the sling hole.

 

[CH4]

From what I understand, the purpose of bullseye was/is as a marketing tool. When a Marlin is placed in a gun store rack, the bullseye makes it easily distinguishable from all the other rifles.

And I am one of the naïve individuals who thought the bullseye denoted the placement for the rear sling swivel stud; fortunately I never had the need to install one.

 

[Gene L]

Mine has sling swivels, behind the bullseye. They screw in with a machine thread, I guess there's a fixture inside the stock.

 

[CH4]

Where did either of you get the material? I have two Marlins that previous owners put sling swivel screws through the bullseyes.
Thanks!

Marlin Bullseyes For Sale | Marlin Firearms Forum

 

[2152hq]

The Bullseye was a Trade Marked marketing gimmick. Came out earlier than most think. Somewhere around 1910 IIRC.
Marlin used it on stationary, and all sorts of paperwork included with the guns and accessorys.

Those little plastic plugs used to be all over the place on the floor in the 'wood room' and the assembly floor as well at Marlin.
Drop one, or a bunch,,don't bother picking it up, just grab another and keep going.

The aisle sweeps came through everywhere in the factory 4 or 5 times a day and picked up everything that was dropped.
Then dumped it all in the trash.
More efficient than picking it up , sorting it back out and restocking it.
Modern factorys at work.

 

[Eric300]

I've had old timers tell me that the purpose of the bulleye was so you'd know where to put the sling hole.

Just goes to show ya, even 'old timers' can be wrong!