Featured Gun: Marlin model 25M

The Marlin model 25M is a bolt action rim fire rifle that uses a detachable box magazine.

The 25M is a more affordable version of the Marlin model 782. The stock is birch instead of walnut and the front sight is sans a hood. The butt plate is also missing the white line spacer.
model 782

Introduced in 1983, the 25M was chambered in .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, it is the up sized version of the model 25 (and 25N) which is chambered in .22 LR.
The action is a simple cock on opening rotating, locking bolt that is a descendant of Marlin rimfire bolt actions. 

The extractor was made from spring steel and snapped into a groove on the bolt

The magazines were typical detachable box type with guide rails at the rear which engaged a spring steel retainer.

The magazines were/are available in 15, 12, 7, & 4 round capacities.

The stock was made of birch wood and given a walnut looking finish known as "Mar-Shield". 

The trigger guard was made from anodized aluminum

The butt plate was the standard Marlin plastic unit with checkering for shoulder gription.

Most of the model 25s I have seen came equipped with the standard marlin sling swivels
 

The sights were standard Marlin rimfire issue, adjustable rear dovetailed leaf sight and ramp front held by a single screw

The barrels had Marlin's proprietary "Micro-Groove" Rifling

photo courtesy of Mcarbo

The safety was mounted to the right side and needs to be pulled back into the fire position with the shooters right thumb. 

Later in the production, Marlin revised the safety and reversed the positions for an easier push forward to fire.

Specs:
Caliber: .22 Magnum (.22 WMR)
Action: Repeating bolt action, cock on opening
Length: 41"
Weight: 5 lbs, 13 oz
Barrel Length: 22"
Length of Pull: 13.75"
Rifling: 1 in 16", RH, 16 Grooves, Mirco-Groove rifling
Magazine: Box Magazine
Magazine Capacity: 4 or 7 rounds
Material: Carbon Steel (barrel & receiver), aluminum (trigger guard)
Stock: Hardwood, Birch
Finish: Blued steel (barrel), walnut finish birch (stock), black anodizing (trigger guard) 
Build Dates: 1983 - 1988 (replaced by the 25MN)

Variants: 
Model 25MN was an updated version (the "N" meaning "new") with pressed checkering in the stock and a reversed safety
Model 25MB shortened version of the 25M, shorter forend and 16 1/4" barrel 

Model 25MNC a model 25MN with a synthetic stock finished in Mossy Oak Camo
Model 25MG was a smooth bore shotgun, also called the "Garden Gun", often used to dispatch small animals using 22 Magnum shotshells

The 25M retailed for around $100, here is an original, unfired one, the owner kept the sale ad from 1984 showing the sale price as $78.55. In the picture you can also see the box the rifles were shipped in along with the owner's manual.

I picked up this 25M at a dealer who was selling a bunch of guns from an estate. I paid a whopping $10 for it. It dates to 1986, 3rd year production, built in the North Haven plant.

So this is the start of another project. I'll call this one "Project Mini-Magnum"

Credits:
Custom Shop
Guns America
Armslist


Brophy, William S., 1989, Marlin Firearms: A History of the Guns and the Company That Made Them, Mechanicsburg, PA, Stackpole Books