The Marlin 60 Mouse House

[pwsamiam]

25+ years in northern MN cabin garage rafters; unloved and unwanted. Shameful.
Should be an interesting project (for the garbage man?). From -30F to 90F for 25 years. Might need a bio-hazard suit.

 

[zippy06]

Be careful of the ammo. A friend shot some 30yr old stuff. Blew up his pistol. And the 9 in the mag. Mag got bulged. Would not believe if I didn't see it. Nice fireball. Even seeing it from behind. The 9 in the mag had 2 cracks top and bottom. So it was cascading....

 

[pwsamiam]

Be careful of the ammo. A friend shot some 30yr old stuff. Blew up his pistol. And the 9 in the mag. Mag got bulged. Would not believe if I didn't see it. Nice fireball. Even seeing it from behind. The 9 in the mag had 2 cracks top and bottom. So it was cascading....

Yes, that concerned me at first, but many, maybe mistakenly, on Rimfire Central think that the 22LR ammo will be OK and that I should shoot it on a chrono to see what the 25+ year old CCI and Remington does compared to new ammo for the sake of "science".

But I already told my relatives to dump the ammo in a bucket of water for a good long time.

Modern ammo will degrade in strength over time but still shoot or explode in your buddy's case or even cause a fire if it gets too hot etc.
Why mess with saving cheap junk ammo other than curiosity???

Hope I can save the stock, but lots of used parts out there. Really want to document the whole mess and restoration attempt. Wonder what a borescope will reveal??? I'd be happy if just the receiver and bolt group were intact.
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Are you saying that 9 other casings in the magazine cracked or partially ignited?? Does you buddy still have 2 hands??????

 

[zippy06]

Yes, that concerned me at first, but many, maybe mistakenly, on Rimfire Central think that the 22LR ammo will be OK and that I should shoot it on a chrono to see what the 25+ year old CCI and Remington does compared to new ammo for the sake of "science".

But I already told my relatives to dump the ammo in a bucket of water for a good long time.

Modern ammo will degrade in strength over time but still shoot or explode in your buddy's case or even cause a fire if it gets too hot etc.
Why mess with saving cheap junk ammo other than curiosity???

Hope I can save the stock, but lots of used parts out there. Really want to document the whole mess and restoration attempt. Wonder what a borescope will reveal??? I'd be happy if just the receiver and bolt group were intact.

bucket of water may not do it. I have seen a vid, where 1 guy had froze, stored in lake, stored in salt water, buried in wet sand. 100 days over the winter. A US made ak-47 variant. All mags had 20 rounds loaded. All shot first round. Some shot more....

 

[zippy06]

Yes, that concerned me at first, but many, maybe mistakenly, on Rimfire Central think that the 22LR ammo will be OK and that I should shoot it on a chrono to see what the 25+ year old CCI and Remington does compared to new ammo for the sake of "science".

But I already told my relatives to dump the ammo in a bucket of water for a good long time.

Modern ammo will degrade in strength over time but still shoot or explode in your buddy's case or even cause a fire if it gets too hot etc.
Why mess with saving cheap junk ammo other than curiosity???

Hope I can save the stock, but lots of used parts out there. Really want to document the whole mess and restoration attempt. Wonder what a borescope will reveal??? I'd be happy if just the receiver and bolt group were intact.
-------------
Are you saying that 9 other rounds in the magazine cracked or partially ignited?? Does you buddy still have 2 hands??????

Rem ammo is it in a white box?
I have read that 22 ammo gits more unstable with age. And I have seen it.

 

[pwsamiam]

C

Rem ammo is it in a white box?
I have read that 22 ammo gits more unstable with age. And I have seen it.

Not very concerned about it. Crappy CCI or Remington ammo (see clear case and green case in photos) that has been expanding in 90+ heat then contracting in -30F temps will not likely keep water out of the casing; i.e. think metal fatigue over 25 years. Even new cheap 22lr will have bullets that are loose and move vice quality stuff like Lapua, ELEY, SK etc

Some people more concerned about the ammo and others more worried about Hanta virus, both are very low risk in my circumstances.

This same post appears by me on Rimfire Central and Shooters Forum if you want more entertainment.

Will keep all sites updated on progress or failure of recovery.

 

[zippy06]

C

Not very concerned about it. Crappy CCI or Remington ammo (see clear case and green case in photos) that has been expanding in 90+ heat then contracting in -30F temps will not likely keep water out of the casing; i.e. think metal fatigue over 25 years. Even new cheap 22lr will have bullets that are loose and move vice quality stuff like Lapua, ELEY, SK etc

Some people more concerned about the ammo and others more worried about Hanta virus, both are very low risk in my circumstances.

This same post appears by me on Rimfire Central and Shooters Forum if you want more entertainment.

Will keep all sites updated on progress or failure of recovery.

Oh, that is newer stuff.
My pistols like CCI Blazer. I am just shooting plates and pins. Converted AR same. Very reliable ammo.
I have seen some guys shooting the expensive stuff and still get no fires.... I shoot about a case a year.

 

[pwsamiam]

Bought a very good condition pawn shop Marlin 60 for spare parts and practice stripping/cleaning/assembly. etc. Not all Marlin 60 parts work together, but most should between these 2 rifles. The PAWN SHOP Marlin 60 was fairly clean. Stock was not cracked, but had a long scratch the length of the forearm. Decided to completely strip it as the BIOHAZARD MOUSE HOUSE rifle stock will probably be either trash or need to be stripped too. PAWN SHOP rifle bore was very clean and will borescope it too. Pulled it from the receiver and can see micro-groves quite well. Receiver on the PAWN SHOP Marlin cleaned up so well, I might not even paint or coat it with anything. Maybe some type of clear coat vice Dura Coat Black or anodizing it.

Any suggestions on finishing the aluminum receiver?
The PAWN SHOP Marlin 60 stock is not completed with sanding etc. Might go with a chestnut or walnut stain.
Picking up the MOUSE HOUSE Marlin 60 in 3-4 weeks...

 

[GeneT]

Do some homework. If the receiver is, in fact, aluminum, then I'd anodize - it's pretty easy. I suspect though that it's actually some zinc alloy, in which case (attempted) anodizing may destroy it. In that case "paint it" - duracoat, et. al.

GsT

 

[pwsamiam]

Do some homework. If the receiver is, in fact, aluminum, then I'd anodize - it's pretty easy. I suspect though that it's actually some zinc alloy, in which case (attempted) anodizing may destroy it. In that case "paint it" - duracoat, et. al.

GsT

The PAWN SHOP Marlin 60 is definitely a 1988 model per Marlin's weird S/N system (2000-12=1988), so that is a start on my homework...