It's a marlin model 56 lever action .22LR. clip fed.It's a lever version of a model 60.

Now you've got me confused. Is it clip-fed, or is it tube-fed like a model 60?

I've never heard of a clip-fed lever action. Or a Marlin model 56.

 

I should have been more clear.It is a clip fed,lever action.The action is quite similar to the model 70 clip fed.same style bolt,action is held in the same as a model 70 or model 60 with 2 screws in front and the post in the rear.I've seen this model in price guides and the gun parts catalog,but this is the first one I've had in person.

 

ken w. - Your Marlin Model 56 was part of the "Levermatic" series that was introduced in the mid 50's and (depending on the model) made until the late 60's. This series was noteworthy because the lever action movement needed to open and close the action was only 2" compared to the 6" normally needed on Marlin's other lever-action rifles. With that small amount of movement the shooters had could stay in place on the stock and he/she could operate the action with only "flicking" their fingers.

There were 4 models made in the Levermatic series and one special edition made only one year. The Model 56 was a box magazine fed .22LR version made from 1955 through 1964. The Model 57 was a tube fed .22LR made from 1957-1965. The Model 57M was chambered for the .22 Win. magnum cartridge and was made from 1961-1969. The Model 62 was a center fire rifle chambered in .256 and .30 carbine cartridge and was made from 1964-1969. There was a Model 56DL "Clipper King" made in 1958 only. There were several features that differentiated it from the Model 56 as it came from the factory. A few of these features included a 4 power Micro-Vue scope, a red buttplate instead of the black one, a 12 shot magazine instead of the standard 7 shot and a dove-tailed post front sight instead of the hooded ramp style held on with screws. This rifle came in a gun case style box along with an assortment of additional paper goods (targets, manuals, a map, etc.) and maintenance items not normally included. There were only 152 of this special model produced and are collectable due to the low volume.

Hope this helps

Tom

 

The Marlin M56 was mfg'd from 1955-64. First two years it had a steel receiver, after 1956 receiver was aluminum/alloy. The steel receiver (and probably some aluminum also) had an abrupt drop at rear, reminiscent of the Browning shotgun or the Marlin .45 camp carbines. Later models and the M57 (a tube feed model of the M56) had the sloped receiver like the M60, 70, etc. Marlin mfg'd approx 35,500 M56's between 1955-64, and around 34,000 of the 57's between 1959-65. There was also a 57M in 22WMR mfg'd 1959-69, total around 65,000. Marlin also mfg'd these rifles for Sears, and Western Auto as their house brands. The steel receiver M56's are probably a little more desireable but I don't believe they were grooved for scope whereas some of the later aluminum receivers were so grooved.

 

This is a cool gun.I already have a 256.I was wondering if anybody has a 56 and what they thought of it as a shooter.I'm not too impressed with the .256 yet.It's good at close range but not much farther than 125 yards.Woodchucks are not fond of this .256.

 

The "flinger flicker" marlins were actually based on the earlier Kessler lever action shotgun design from the early fifties. Kessler went out of business and Numrich Arms (GunParts) bought out their remaining inventory and sold complete kessler guns and parts for awhile. Marlin bought the rights to this short throw lever action design.
I have one of the "steel" receiver Marlin M56s with the squared off rear shoulder. These did not come with grooved receivers, however they did come drilled and tapped for an accessory scope rail, which I do not have, but was on my gun at some time in its' past history based on some minor finish wear.

 

how would you rate your 56 as a shooter ?

 

I haven't put a scope on it, and I haven't had it out to the a range to document its' accuracy, but it is very quick and smooth when out plinking. Its' similar to the speed and smoothness of a toggle action on the IZH Biathlon.

 

M56

I have 2 56's ,2 57's, 2 57M's , 2 62's in 30 carbine and 1 in 256. Love them all!

 

sounds like a fun one ill have to keep my eye out for one- TC-

 

20 years ago my brother had a 56. Great shooting little rifle. Unfortuantely it was stolen or I'm sure he'd still have it.

 

Ken: Congrats on your 56. Lusted for one badly when I was a kid, but never owned one (yet).

As finding any sort of factory replacement for your oil-soaked original might be difficult, I'd suggest buying a can of whiting from Brownell's (if you don't already have some). I've used it successfully on several projects to salvage original wood. It's well worth the modest cost in time and effort.

You mix it with mineral spirits or acetone and apply it to the affected area with a brush. It'll draw out the oil as it dries. Several applications may be necessary in severe cases, but it's the best way I know of to save a stock.

 

Have just bought one too.

I'm chasing an owners manual, can anyone help please ?

(I'm in Australia so a .pdf copy would be fine).

 

The 56 is a fine shooter

I inherited a 56 last year. It was my uncles. The gun came with a 6 & 12 roung mag.s and iron sights.
I couldn't get my cheek low enough to achieve a good sight picture so scoped it. Steel reciever, drilled and taped, Weaver base & rings and an old Weaver K4. At 50 yds a typical 10 shot group would be covered with a quarter.
I shot Aquila Target ammo. More duds than from my bolt action. I think the fireing pin or spring might need replacing.

 

I have a Marlin Model 56 (.22lr) marked J.C. Higgins (Sears store brand IIRC)
Aluminum receiver. Good shooter.

 

I inherited a 56 last year. It was my uncles. The gun came with a 6 & 12 roung mag.s and iron sights.
I couldn't get my cheek low enough to achieve a good sight picture so scoped it. Steel reciever, drilled and taped, Weaver base & rings and an old Weaver K4. At 50 yds a typical 10 shot group would be covered with a quarter.
I shot Aquila Target ammo. More duds than from my bolt action. I think the fireing pin or spring might need replacing.

I took mine to the range for the first time the other day and it was misfiring (ie not firing) at least 1/2 the time. Not happy. The gfroups I did get, however, were very nice.

Then the next day a few hares had a very lucky escape when 6 rounds in a row failed. Obviously it's the gun not the ammo.

So I took the rifle back to the dealer for warranty work. I rang yesterday and they told me there were "several pretty major things wrong with it". You'd have hoped they'd have picked those up before they sold it to me but anyway...

The gunsmith himself was crook so they'll talk to him tomorrow and I'll find out exactly what was wrong. Apparently they've fixed it. They'd better have.

Aside the the fact it wasn't working... I love it. When I get it working I'll love it all the more !

 

o.k. tal 35 , now i'm jealous. I love the mod 56's because the action stays so clean the way the bolt lock up just shuts completely flat up.