Here a while back I saw a 57M in the Classifieds, and my interest was piqued because I'd never heard of this model. I'd just started looking for a good .22WMR rifle, and had just about settled on a Henry as the best option. A few days later a 57M popped up on Armslist, and I decided to grab it although I hadn't had the time to research them thoroughly.
I'd rate the condition at about 90%, which isn't bad for a gun made back in 1966. Just a little wear on the wood and blue, and the bore is shiny and sharp. The action was kind of gummed up like someone had kept oiling without ever thoroughly cleaning it, and occasionally it would fail to smoothly eject and feed. I tore it down and cleaned a TON of goop out of the action, and after that it cycled like butter. The trigger isn't great, but the design doesn't lend itself to tweaking so I'm just going to leave well enough alone.
Marlin touted this model as the "Levermatic", since the action needs such a short throw to cycle. I can just slightly flick my fingers without coming off the target to take follow-up shots, which is great, but the tube holds 15 rounds so it's easy to burn through a lot of ammo.
The receiver was D&T and had a rail for tip-off rings, but I ordered a Weaver #58 mount which I used along with some low Burris Zee rings to mount an old Korean-made Bushnell Sportview 3-9x32. I had planned to buy a new AO scope, but the Bushnell is so clear and sharp that I may not have to.
Finally got to sight it in today, and all I can say is "Hot damn!" I was limited to 25 yards, so I can't speak to true "MOA" accuracy, but so far so good. The first shot was about a foot to the right and 3" low, and it took 4 rounds to get on the bullseye. After that I was very pleased with the results. The best 5 shot group (pic below) came from 40gr Fiocchi round nose rated at 1910 FPS. The POI was slightly off from the Armscor JHP I sighted in with, but not by much. I had one flier, but the other four shots made one ragged hole.
Overall I'd say that the 57M is an outstanding .22WMR platform, and they don't get the recognition that they deserve. Now I'm on the hunt for a .22lr Model 57 to add to the "portfolio".
I'd rate the condition at about 90%, which isn't bad for a gun made back in 1966. Just a little wear on the wood and blue, and the bore is shiny and sharp. The action was kind of gummed up like someone had kept oiling without ever thoroughly cleaning it, and occasionally it would fail to smoothly eject and feed. I tore it down and cleaned a TON of goop out of the action, and after that it cycled like butter. The trigger isn't great, but the design doesn't lend itself to tweaking so I'm just going to leave well enough alone.
Marlin touted this model as the "Levermatic", since the action needs such a short throw to cycle. I can just slightly flick my fingers without coming off the target to take follow-up shots, which is great, but the tube holds 15 rounds so it's easy to burn through a lot of ammo.
The receiver was D&T and had a rail for tip-off rings, but I ordered a Weaver #58 mount which I used along with some low Burris Zee rings to mount an old Korean-made Bushnell Sportview 3-9x32. I had planned to buy a new AO scope, but the Bushnell is so clear and sharp that I may not have to.
Finally got to sight it in today, and all I can say is "Hot damn!" I was limited to 25 yards, so I can't speak to true "MOA" accuracy, but so far so good. The first shot was about a foot to the right and 3" low, and it took 4 rounds to get on the bullseye. After that I was very pleased with the results. The best 5 shot group (pic below) came from 40gr Fiocchi round nose rated at 1910 FPS. The POI was slightly off from the Armscor JHP I sighted in with, but not by much. I had one flier, but the other four shots made one ragged hole.
Overall I'd say that the 57M is an outstanding .22WMR platform, and they don't get the recognition that they deserve. Now I'm on the hunt for a .22lr Model 57 to add to the "portfolio".
