Glenfield M75 .22LR rifle

[MedWheeler]

Hi, all. I've been a Ruger "rimfire-rifleman" with the same 1022 since 1986. In 2011, I outfitted it with the Tapco stock/grip/sling, etc, and continue to enjoy it as much as the ammunition supply permits. I have heard the Ruger/Marlin debates, and just stayed out of them, as I've never owned a Marlin (had a Winchester M190 for a few months before the Ruger.)

A few days ago, I picked up a used Glenfield 75, which I believe is essentially a re-marked Marlin 991. The price wasn't spectacular but, since setting up the Ruger, I've kind of missed a wood-stocked rifle (I own no other repeating rifles, and no centerfire rifles.) This one has a polished aluminum Tasco 4x20 scope on it, which is not original by any means. The rest of the gun is probably in about 90-95 percent condition, with a few tiny nicks near the sling swivel loops and in the bluing near the muzzle. The wood also seems a bit drier than I'm used to; might need a good wood oil to soak in.

There is no serial number, so I assume this is a pre-'69 model.

I have not shot it yet, but I like the feel. It seems like an easily-carried pack or trail rifle, and I figure it should make a good plinker (despite limited opportunities here for such activity.) I had been keeping my eye out for an inexpensive rifle like this one to toss behind the seat of my truck when fishing or trail riding as well.

Are these any good? If so, what's the general consensus regarding the older ones versus newer samples? Anything else I should know? I'll look up takedown and cleaning later, but the LGS that sold it to me routinely does that before putting them out, and it does appear that they did this with this one.

 

[Scooter22]

Great rifles. Two things to looks for (1 cheack the buffer. The original ones were a cream colored nylon that get britle and break jamming up the action. Best thing is to get a new replacement from Numrich or Marlin. They are now a black rubbery material like a boot sole. (2 you may have the old style feed block. Look to see if there is a paper clip looking wire sticking out along the bolt when retracted. That would be the new style. The old style just has a raised notch along the inside rail whaere the bolt rides. This notch gets wond downd and causes poor ejection which causes jams. Empty case jammed with new round feeding. Clean it good and try it. They are really great classic .22s and acurate. Keep us posted. For more deatalied Marlin/Glenfield info check out that forum at http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php Good luck.

 

[SlowFuse]

The Glenfield 75 is pretty much a carbine version of the Marlin model 60. I have one and really enjoy it. Its a good plinker and cheap enough to bang around a little in the woods.

 

[MedWheeler]

Scooter22, I checked the Marlin section, and learned a little more. I'll share here.

In the late sixties, Marlin offered a .22 rifle styled to resemble the M1 carbine. It had sling swivel points, a walnut stock, hand guard, barrel band, and a shorter nine-round tube. It was dubbed the 99M1.

The Glenfield 75 was a promotional rifle based on this gun, but was more of an economy version of it. It had a birchwood stock instead of walnut, and lacked the hand guard. Like all Glenfields, the trigger was chrome silver instead of the gold that was used on the Marlins. The 75 retained the nine-round tube, barrel band, and the sling swivels. My gun has these features.
A later version, the 75C (using the Marlin name, as the Glenfield moniker had by then been discontinued), had the extended magazine, but lost the barrel band.

 

[Skylerbone]

I continue to be impressed with the accuracy of my Marlin and of other examples I've shot over the years. I purchased mine in '93 (under $90 new) after selling a Ruger 77/22 and that Marlin served as my go to sole rimfire rifle for nearly two decades. Even after adding a modest number of other rifles to my safe the Marlin continues to see more woods time than any other. They aren't the most refined but they've got it where it counts and I think you'll enjoy yours for years to come.

 

[JRH6856]

I have 2 .22 autos that I have had for over 30 years. A Ruger 10-22 and a Glenfield 75. The Glenfield is the most accurate by far. If the Ruger shoots 2" groups (not often), the Glenfield shoots 1" (quite often). It just takes longer to load.

 

[bluekouki86]

I've got a 75c that I got for free some years ago. It is by far my favorite .22 rifle, and it bang on accurate. Its one of my never sell guns.

 

[MedWheeler]

JRH6856, I agree that the Ruger is faster to load from a pre-loaded magazine, but one still has to load that magazine, right?

The tube on the Marlin/Glenfields can be speed-loaded using a stiff drinking straw or section of cut window curtain rod.

 

[Scooter22]

Aluminum arrow shafts and knitting needles have also been modded to use as speed loaders.

 

[JRH6856]

Yep, speedloaders can be crafted for anything. I used to speedload my Daisy 25 by getting a mouthfull of BBs and blowing them into the mag tube. Don't think I'll do that with .22s.

 

[d2wing]

I have a Marlin 75 with the box magazine I bought for my son when he was a little shaver. It not as accurate as my old Ruger 10/22. Both are about thirty years old but it is a handy woods gun.

 

[jakk280rem]

I have a Glenfield 75C. It's a great little rifle. Paid $99 for it a few years ago. Put a US made Weaver 4X on it at the same time I bought it. Accurate, light and handy. A definite keeper.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Solid rifle.

 

[MedWheeler]

I'm liking what I'm reading here, guys. Thanks for sharing. This was a spur-of-the-moment purchase, and I really don't wanna regret it. I'm thinking now that I won't.

I just wish I was where some of you are, and could just walk out back and try it out!

 

[Skylerbone]

You and me both, I made the 20 minute drive to the range today to run a few boxes through a new pistol, an oft neglected pistol and the CZ rifle that keeps following me everywhere.

Not to put it over the top but last year I replaced the 20 year old Bushnell with a modestly priced Nikon that really let that Marlin's accuracy shine. Another addition was a DIP rail to anchor everything down. If you're not familiar with DIP (Diversified Innovative Products) they produce a number of accessories that are well worth looking in to.

Good luck with your new rifle, had it showed up at my LGS I guarantee I would have been the guy posting about his new rifle.

 

[carbine85]

My Marlins will out shoot the my Ruger 1022 any day. The only other .22 that out shoots the Marlins is an old Savage Model 5 that belonged to my father.