981T Wood Stock How To

[ArrowDodger]

Originally Posted by 1894cfan

I may be all wet, but I think the 981 is .22LR and the 983 is .22WMR. 981 may not fit a 983 stock.

Here's a towel. 981t fits a 983 stock with minor fitting. Note the "highly coveted" Fleur-di-lis checkering... hehe

[samblam]

ArrowDodger, so that is a 981 in a 983 stock, and if so was it a direct bolt one thing???

[1894cfan]

Originally Posted by ArrowDodger

Here's a towel.

Time to get out of the bath tub? What scope do you have on that? I've got a Leupold 2X7 RF scope I'm thinking about getting a 983t for.

[ArrowDodger]

The 983 stock needs one or two easy modifications to fit the 981t.

1) A little free-hand Dremel work with a 1/4 burr-ball, inside the reciever pocket of the stock, to clear the lifter spring pins. Removing maybe 1/32 deep x 1/8 wide x 1/4 long both sides. You cannot see these from the outside.
An RFC member has a nice photo of this if you need to see a pic.

2) You need to order a trigger guard and screws from Marlin because the 981t has a molded in TG and the 983 has a separate metal TG. Tell them what you are doing so they send you screws (a little longer) for a wood stock.

3) Optional..The 983 stock has only one takedown screw. The 981t has two. Your choice if you want one or two. I recommend order the trigger guard with both screw styles from Marlin so you have a choice. The front TG screw is a wood screw on the 983 and a 10-32 machine screw for the 981t.

I just have a Simmons 4-12 on my 981t. It was less than $100. Man this gun shoots good. I like to shoot the CCI HP subs with it and watch the bullet fly to the bullseye.

[samblam]

thank you ArrowDodger, i know what you mean about it being an awesome rifle, i have a simmons .22 mag 4x32 on mine with the cheap rings that came with the scope and mine is a sweet shooter, it really likes cci mini mags, i enjoy shooting at 150yds or so and squeezing the trigger and then watching the targets spin.

thanks again
sam from kentucky

[baddarryl]

I was able to order a 781/783 stock last night from Numrich. Product #448390. Here is how it turned out. I had to modify as described. I got a trigger guard for a 25N and was able to use the stock screw, just had to bore out the opening of the guard for clearance of the screw head for it to reach. Here is how it has turned out with a Rifle Basix trigger added too.

[wpatrick]

I replaced my XT-22TR synthetic stock with a 883 walnut stock from Numrich. I took the same photos as Otis331 but never published anything. Anyway, I just wanted to tell those who care, Otis331's description of what he did is exactly the same for an XT-22TR stock replacement. However, I did have to do a little extra Dremel work on the trigger mechanism pocket sides with the 883 stock that he didn't mention in his post.
I will tell you that the screw you need for the front trigger guard bolt is a #10-32, 1 ½ in inch long, socket head, cap screw. (Also called "pan-head” or “button-head” bolt.) They are readily available at Lowes and Homedepot. They seem to only carry them in stainless, so I sanded and painted mine matte black to match the trigger guard.
The XT-22 with scope and synthetic stock weighted 8 lbs. 6 1/4 ozs., with the same scope and the walnut stock it weighted 8 lbs. 14 1/2 ozs.

[Otis311]

Thank you for the additional information wpatrick. Glad to see this thread is still helping people.

wpatrick, that's great that the walnut stock didn't add too much weight. It turned my 981T into a boat anchor.

[wpatrick]

Originally Posted by Otis311

Thank you for the additional information wpatrick. Glad to see this thread is still helping people.

wpatrick, that's great that the walnut stock didn't add too much weight. It turned my 981T into a boat anchor.

Better late than never I guess!
Actually, it turned out pretty good. As stated, the XT-22TR with plastic stock weighted 8 lbs. 6 1/4 ozs., with wood stock it weighs 8lbs. 14 1/2ozs. Since I mostly bench shoot weight wasn't a problem. It may have helped.
I have also replaced the Model 514 original 1948 stock with a new stock from Numrich. The rifle with the original stock weighed 6 lbs. 8 1/2 ozs and with the replacement it now weighs 6 lbs. 5 1/4 ozs. I'm quite pleased with both of rifle stocks.

[Jerryjj2]

Sorry to hijack this post but could t figure out my own. Just got a new marlin 80 for the kids and I want to refinish the stock but can't tell if it's birch or walnut? Can anyone help? Thanks!

[1894cfan]

jerryjj2, Looks like walnut to me. To be sure, pull the plastic shoulder pad off and look at the wood underneath. HTH

[Jerryjj2]

Thanks for the info. I'll pull it off and see. Will the grain be more pronounced or the wood just a different color? Thanks

[oldguy22]

fantastic article, love it. I will be a user of this info i'm sure thanks. Very complete and easy to follow. Rod