The Marlin Model 81 Still Gets the Job Done

By  Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

I love my Marlin model 81 bolt-action .22 rimfire rifle.  Manufactured in years 1937-1940, it still produces some startling accuracy – especially with anything in the sub-sonic category.

Marlin model 81 rimfire shoots shorts, longs and long rifle ammo

Mine has been relegated to garage duty and it’s an important niche for this small game getter and takes out pesky red squirrels near the home front.  Like many vintage rifles, the trigger was creepy and heavy, but a professional gunsmith at Williams Gun Sight in Michigan massaged it to a degree suited for accuracy.

Atop the barrel sits a Hawke HD, 3×9 power optic with adjustable parallax – a good match for the closer shots, where most of my shots are taken.  Since the scope allows for adjustments down to 30 feet, it provides the necessary parallax adjustment for anything close to far away.

Some 35 years ago, I planted 2,000 conifer seedlings that have grown to harbor all kinds of perching birds and way too many damaging red squirrels.  While working at endless projects in the garage, I keep an eye to the back window for the troublemakers and the Marlin is always ready to answer the call.

Two reds fall
victim to the 87 year-old Marlin

The super slow CCI Quiet .22 rimfire ammo is propelled at a breath-taking speed of 710 feet-per-second from the muzzle making about as much noise as snapping fingers, but the 40-grain bullets supply all the energy necessary for ethical kills.

CCI Quiet .22 Rimfire Ammo

CCI also offers a 45-grain bullet with a bit more velocity of 835 fps, but it’s not necessary – and, makes more noise.  Both of these offerings are quite a bit slower than any other sub-sonic ammo available in the 1,000+ fps range but are much quieter.

Recently, I had been using some CCI CBs, which are 29-grain solid shorts but ran out and had to switch to the CCI Quiet fodder.  Much to my surprise, the Quiet ammo shot to the same point of impact at 25 yards with absolutely no scope adjustments necessary.  However, after using the short 29-grain ammo for a long time, I found the longer Quiet ammo would not chamber and would get stuck in the chamber when closing the bolt.  It took a good scrubbing with Hoppe’s gun cleaner and that was all the prep it needed.

I’d have to estimate the number of red squirrels taken this year at dozens.  I recycle them at a particular site in the back 40 by placing them on a stump for the vultures, hawks, and crows or whatever else enjoys them.

Ammunition, Firearms, Hunting

Yamaha Marine Announces ‘Cruise Thru Summer’ Sales Event

Yamaha Marine announces a new promotion just in time for the final days of summer. Available from July 18 through August 30, 2024, the “Cruise Thru Summer” sales event gives customers who purchase new, select, eligible Yamaha four-stroke outboards several options to add value depending on horsepower range.

Through the “Cruise Thru Summer” sales event, customers who purchase eligible, new Yamaha outboards in the 30-to-350 horsepower models have an opportunity to add two years Y.E.S. coverage+ to three years of Yamaha Limited Warranty coverage to receive five years of total coverage protection. For the 425 and 450 models, customers can add two years of Y.E.S. coverage+ to five years of Yamaha Limited Warranty coverage for seven years of total coverage protection.

In addition, customers who purchase eligible, new Yamaha outboards in the 2.5-25 horsepower range can receive up to $250 in dealer credit toward the purchase of goods and/or services purchased, depending on the model. Read more

Fishing

NWTF, Partners Allocate Nearly $6 Million to Wild Turkey Research Projects for 2024

(The above visual highlights where the NWTF has funded projects through its National Wild Turkey Request for Proposals program since 2022. The visual does not include the many research projects being funded by NWTF state chapters at a local level.)

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Via its largest single annual investment in wild turkey research, the NWTF recently distributed $655,447 to nine wild turkey research projects for the organization’s 2024 allocation. Between NWTF funding and partner support, about $6 million will support the nine wild turkey research projects.

“Thanks to our volunteers, partners and staff, our National RFP program has become a powerhouse for energizing wild turkey research and infusing needed funding into projects with practical management applications,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “This third investment in just over two years represents the NWTF’s commitment to ensuring wild turkey managers and policymakers are using the best available science to manage and guide the sustainability of our beloved bird, while also increasing our understanding of wild turkey ecology in an ever-changing world.”

The boosted funding has brought the NWTF’s investment in wild turkey ecology research — in just over two years — to $1,597,821 through its National Wild Turkey Request for Proposals program.

Funding for this year’s RFP investment was made possible thanks to significant contributions from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Mossy Oak and NWTF state chapters. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

ZeroTech Optics: How Multi-Reticle Red Dot Sights Transform Your Shooting

In the dynamic world of shooting sports, having the right optic can significantly influence your performance. Multi-reticle red dot sights offer a versatile solution, allowing shooters to adapt quickly to different scenarios by switching between reticle patterns. ZeroTech’s multi-reticle systems exemplify this flexibility, providing users with options that cater to diverse preferences and requirements.

Understanding Multi-Reticle Options

Multi-reticle red dot sights come equipped with various patterns, typically including a standard 2-3 MOA dot for precision, a larger 32-40 MOA circle for rapid target acquisition, and a combination of both for enhanced versatility. This feature allows shooters to tailor their sighting experience to the specific demands of their environment, ensuring optimal performance whether in competition, hunting, law enforcement or military applications.

For instance, the THRIVE HD Red Dot Reflex Sight Multi Reticle is now enhanced with three optional reticle patterns for tailored targeting and multiple brightness settings for optimal visibility. Read more

Optics

Auto-Ordnance and Outlaw Ordnance Limited Edition ‘Black Sheep’ 1911

Auto-Ordnance introduces the special edition Air Aces Series “Black Sheep” GI 1911 pistol! This commemorative firearm soars in honor of the fearless fighter pilots who dominated the skies of the Pacific theater in World War II.

A Tribute to American Heroes

The “Black Sheep” GI 1911 is a stunning tribute to these brave men and their iconic Vought F4U Corsair aircraft. The pistol features custom engraving and finish work by Outlaw Ordnance depicting the Corsair’s artwork, along with a bold red, white, and blue Cerakote finish that embodies the American spirit.

Features and Design Read more

Firearms

SAF Files Memo Supporting Summary Judgment Motion in NY Parks Carry Case

BELLEVUE, Wash. —— Attorneys representing New York resident Brett Christian have filed a memorandum of law with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, opposing a motion by the defendants for a summary judgment, and supporting their cross-motion for summary judgment in a case supported by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Firearms Policy Coalition.

The case, known as Christian v. Chiumento, challenges New York state’s continuing prohibition on lawful concealed carry in public parks and all private property open to the public. Christian is represented by attorneys David H. Thompson and Peter A. Patterson at Cooper & Kirk in Washington, D.C. and Nicolas J. Rotsko at FLUET in Tyson’s, Virginia.

“New York has been trying to dance around the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen ruling in what amounts to a painful exercise in legal acrobatics,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “This case, which has been dragging along for a couple of years, illustrates the ridiculous lengths to which New York state has been going in order to keep its laws active which are clearly is not allowed under Bruen, which rejected ‘interest balancing’ in tests of Second Amendment restrictions.” Read more

Gun Control

NSSF Rebukes Massachusetts Legislation Denigrating Second Amendment Rights to State Privilege

NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, rebukes legislation proposed by Massachusetts House and Senate lawmakers that would denigrate the Second Amendment to a state-granted privilege and do nothing to hold criminals accountable for the criminal misuse of firearms.

State lawmakers negotiated a compromise through a closed-door conference committee and no input from the firearm industry, releasing the bill with just two weeks left in the session. However, this bill is anything but a compromise. It runs roughshod over the fundamental rights to keep and bear arms by creating unconstitutional age-based gun bans, magazine bans and subjects lawful firearm owners to onerous licensing requirements and searchable databases that compromise privacy.

“After nearly a year, in the state where the American Revolution began, Massachusetts legislators are seeking to rush through a 111-page bill that will do nothing to stem violence in the Commonwealth and will only create a bloated bureaucratic mess that impacts law-abiding gun-owners,” said Jake McGuigan, NSSF’s Government Relations – State Affairs Managing Director. “The legislature had the opportunity to do something truly special with a strong bill to address violence. Instead, the bill aims to suppress the exercise of the Second Amendment by implementing onerous training requirements just to purchase a firearm, bans all of the most commonly-used guns in America and implements a draconian gun registration scheme that criminals will ignore. It even makes it illegal for a 15-year-old Boy Scout to use a .22 caliber rifle to earn a merit badge. Judges continue to set free criminals in the Commonwealth while the legislature makes law abiding citizens immediate felons.”

The negotiated legislation now includes, among other restrictions: Read more

Gun Control

WSF Congratulates 2025 Conklin Award Winner

The Wild Sheep Foundation congratulates WSF Life Member Deron Millman as the recipient of the 2025 Conklin Award.

Deron Millman is the 23rd winner of this “Tough Man” award, named after the late Dr. James Conklin, a Weatherby Award winner who liked to pursue challenging animals worldwide.

The Conklin Award was created to honor the memory of James E. Conklin, M.D., a superb hunter and stalwart conservationist. In his extensive hunting career, Dr. Conklin exhibited the highest degree of ethics and demonstrated a strong commitment to wildlife conservation.

Millman is the 23rd winner of this “Tough Man” award. He started hunting with his grandfather at age 10. He has taken 37 different Ovis species and 39 different Capra species and has been to Asia more than 36 times. Deron has been married to his wife Patricia for 33 years. They reside in North Canton, Ohio. They have twin children, Anthony and Taylor, and a granddaughter, Bailey. At age 28, Deron started and developed one of North America’s largest commercial land survey companies. Read more

Hunting

Traditions Firearms New Pro Series Now Shipping

Traditions® Performance Firearms is thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated Pro Series is now officially shipping! Models are available in the industry-leading NitroFire® series, the popular and affordable Pursuit™ XT series, and the performance-driven centerfire Outfitter G3 line.

The Pro Series is ideal for hunters and shooters seeking a customizable firearm. With an adjustable cheek piece that can be easily raised or lowered by turning a screw on the stock and a length of pull that can be modified by adding or removing spacers from the buttstock, these features ensure a tailored fit for enhanced comfort while shooting.

All Pro Series models come equipped with a threaded barrel, allowing for the use of a muzzle brake. The Pro Series Muzzle Brake, compatible with NitroFire® and Pursuit™ XT models, can be purchased separately and significantly reduces recoil while enabling shooters to maintain sight of their target, thanks to side-porting that diverts smoke. The Outfitter G3 Pro Series includes a muzzle brake as a standard feature.

The Pro Series is available at distributors, independent retailers, and mass merchants nationwide with the MSRP ranging from $469.95 to $749.95

For more information about the Pro Series, visit www.traditionsfirearms.com.

Firearms

PARD Optics to Release Ocelot and Pantera Thermal Scopes

PARD Optics, a leader in digital Thermal & Night Vision is preparing to release its most technically advanced line of thermal scopes to date – Ocelot and Pantera.

PARD is excited to announce NEW product introductions and product upgrades that will be launched July/August 2024. In an effort to constantly provide cutting edge technical performance for our retail partners and the industry’s highest value proposition to the end consumer, PARD has committed to introducing a brand new line of 480×360/20mK thermal scopes under the new Ocelot and Pantera families. This 480×360/20mK line of thermal scopes is not currently offered by any other brand in the industry.

FACTORY#: OC4-35/LRF

UPC: 850050408697

DESCRIPTION: Ocelot 480 35mm lens Thermal Imaging Scope w/LRF

2024 MAP: $2,499.00 Read more

Optics
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