I replaced the bullseye on a newly acquired 39A. I decided to take pictures of the process to help others replace the bullseye. Thanks to Don Fenton :bthumb: for his sandpaper idea.
Here is a picture of the existing bullseye hole that I taped up to protect the stock. Luckily the hole did not have any chips, and i wanted to keep it that way.
I glued sandpaper of various grits onto the popsicle sticks with super glue. A few drops along the stick did the trick.
When I inserted the new plastic bullseye, it was a very tight fit. I tried to tap it in, but I was afraid of chipping out the hole. Instead, I sanded the the bullseye around it's diameter so it would be a snug fit.
I used wood glue on a toothpick to put into the bottom of the hole.
After a few easy taps with a wood mallet, I took a hack saw blade and cut the excess plastic sticking above the hole. It was now ready for sanding.
I started out with course sandpaper to remove material fast, and progressed to the finer stuff. I decided to add another layer of tape to protect the stock, but removed the extra layer toward the end of the polishing.
As good as new. I may end up replacing the white line spacers too, because of the not so perfect fit.
Great Job :bthumb:
Two questions for you.
1. How did you remove the old bullseye?
2. Does someone sell replacement bullseyes, if so who?
Once again nice work, I love watching the great restorations.
FWIW, replacement white line spacers are easily cut from the side of a large/empty/CLEAN/white household bleach or detergent plastic bottle.
I slice the donor bottle in half, flatten out one side and use the BP to trace an outline on the white plastic with a pencil.
I then cut out the outline - AT LEAST 1/4" OUTSIDE THE LINE.
Since I also used the pencil to mark the BP screw holes on the plastic, it's a simple matter to punch the two holes with an empty .22 cartridge case ( and a hammer )
After the replacement white line spacer's secured to the buttstock via the BP & screws, it's a snap to carefully pare off the excess material with a small/SHARP penknife blade.
Wow, great posts! When I was young and first getting into guns, I saw a Marlin and thought that the bullseye was was the spot where you were supposed to screw in the bottom sling swivel! Fortunately I never had one to do that! I wonder if other people thought that also?
Wow, great posts! When I was young and first getting into guns, I saw a Marlin and thought that the bullseye was was the spot where you were supposed to screw in the bottom sling swivel! Fortunately I never had one to do that! I wonder if other people thought that also?
I never grasped the "bullseye" concept and mounted several rear swivels there. I was surprised that the new 39A had both a bullseye and a factory swivel.
I'd prefer that my rifles didn't have the bullseye; it's just a way of putting advertising on guns, like logo pistol grip caps. Never liked it on my guns, never will.
I never grasped the "bullseye" concept and mounted several rear swivels there. I was surprised that the new 39A had both a bullseye and a factory swivel.
I'd prefer that my rifles didn't have the bullseye; it's just a way of putting advertising on guns, like logo pistol grip caps. Never liked it on my guns, never will.
I think the bullseye just looks cool. I know a lot of folks who hate white line spacers, but they are what they are and period correct. Even my Mannlicher Schoenauers have them, and I be darned if I would ruin the "factory" configuration because of white line spacers.
My understanding is that when Marlin started putting the bullseye in it was so if you were looking at a rack of rifles you could pick the Marlins out quickly and easily. Still works well at Gun Shows. It does not seem any different than the pistol manufactures putting their logos in the grips on the medallions. Another hint is to use a white 5-gallon bucket like dry wall mud comes in for the butt plate spacer, as they are thicker, about the same thickness as the originals.
Yes, they are. I called and got one two weeks ago. I actually asked for two and they sent me two. I'm glad I did. I read where one bullseye would make two, if you cut them in half. I did that, applied my glue and pounded it in with a plastic faced hammer. The rear of the bullseye is slightly below the stock. I went ahead and finished it up, but I know that I'll drill and pick it out. I'm glad I have the second one to work with. When I do, I'll follow Sakoluvr's directions explicitly.
While I agree that big, tacky advertisement on a gun looks bad, I'm feeling differently about the Marlin Bull's eye.
With the Marlin, it's a matter of tradition.
I have a Model 39 that's 60 years old this year. It would be like desecration of a shrine to remove the bull's eye from that old girl.
It was made by Marlin to be that way, and has endured all these years to still be a wonderful shooter for me today with the bull's eye there in the stock. Not only would it reduce the rifle's value to remove it, but it would just be wrong in my eyes. That rifle has clearly earned the right to be what it is.
I also have a Model 39 that was made in this century.
It is very clearly the younger sister, and looks almost identical to the old one... right down to the bull's eye in the stock.
That rifle too is steeped in tradition and removing the trademark would be equally wrong and insulting to both rifles.
If I loose one of those bull's eye marks, I WILL replace it.
Excellent idea with the wash basin. The material used will be flat and heavy duty too. I will have to try it that way. Hmmmm.......can also go for custom colors I suppose. Pink for the ladies?
I bought two new Marlin rifles in 2005 neither one had the bullseye in the stock. One was a Model 60 with the laminate, the other was a 917V with a solid wood stock, both were walnut-finished hardwood. They just don't say what hard-wood it is.
I just looked through a Brownells catalog and they have the white line spacers in 1/8" or 1/4". I think I will just order a couple from them the next time I place another order. They have the bullseye in stock too, in case you can't get them from Marlin.
If you guys don't have a Brownells catalog, get one. I have been dealing with them for years, and their service is top notch. Also, if 1 of the items in your order is out of stock and back ordered, they won't charge shipping again when it comes in.
Top notch company that has been around a LONG time.
I'm not mechanically inclined by any means, but I replaced the bullseye in my Marlin 81 DL stock following the instructions provided by Sakoluvr. I used a few different "things" found around the house but basically they performed the same functions. It only took about 45 minutes and that included going to the store for some super glue. I was lucky, my local gunshop had the bullseye in stock. If I can do it, anyone can. :bthumb: This should definitely be a sticky. :t
Thanks for posting this !I lost the Bulls-eye from my treasured 1965 39A, and of course I be wanting to replace it -but it seemed that nobody else on this forum knew how .
A quick note regarding the discussions about replacing the butt plate spacer. WARNING - Be very carfull when removing the plate. This black plastic/bakelite material is very easy to chip, especially when it has some age on it. I found out the hard way when I did this repair to my 336. I found that the head of the screws were somewhat "captured" in the recesses of the plate. When I pushed them out to clean up the plate and screws, the edges of the screw hole chipped out on one hole . Guess the plate material had maybe shrunk around the screw head just enough to grab as I poped out the screw, pulling a piece of that plastic off with it. So watch out there and go EASY pulling out the screws from the plate.
for replacing the spacers, some grocery stores that have bakery's get their icing in 2 1/2 gallon square buckets. would work nicely as they are thick
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