"Blue Light Special"

[Noah Zark]

I picked up this unfired 30TK "Blue Light Special" in 30-30 at a local firehall funshow recently:





Why "Blue Light Special?" Marlin made the 30TK for K-Mart in 1989.

It's a neat latter-day "sporting carbine," and a little sister to my 1972 B-prefix 1895 in 45-70.

At the funshow, I watched the seller as he was walking it around early Sat AM and the dealers were mostly ignoring him and the gun. When we met in an aisle I asked if he was selling and how much? There was no evidence of it having been fired -- no copper or lead on the rifling lands, no mark on the boltface, no mark on the mag tube follower. We settled on $300, and I thought that was fair for both parties.

When the rifle and $$$ exchanged hands, a few dealers took notice and asked me if I bought it, and how much I paid as I made my way to the car. I told them that the seller made me sign a non-disclosure agreement.

I fired it this past Sunday afternoon and hit claybirds standing on edge on the 100 yd berm, open sights, offhand. GTG.

Noah

[Borregos]

You certainly did well there, nice one

[piller]

That was a good buy. Sounds as if it is ready for deer season.

[Blaine]

Good find!

[bdhold]

beauty

[gamekeeper]

Excellent!..

[OldWin]

I really like that configuration. Was it hard to fire that first round? I bought an unfired, late 50's 94 carbine in 30-30 back in 1988 for 275.00. I've never been able to bring myself to shoot it haha.
That Marlin should make a great hunting rifle though. Super deal.

[madman4570]

As my Uncle would say up at the farm------------------------"ya done good boy"

[vancelw]

I picked up this unfired 30TK "Blue Light Special" in 30-30 at a local firehall funshow recently:
When the rifle and $$$ exchanged hands, a few dealers took notice and asked me if I bought it, and how much I paid as I made my way to the car. I told them that the seller made me sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Noah

I always tell them I gave $100 for it. They shoulda made an offer when they had the chance.

[2ndovc]

Nice!

I love mine, best shooting .30-30 I've ever owned.

jb

[Sixgun]

That's a nice one Rick. You don't see a lot of those.


The next time anyone asks you something that's none of their business, you say:

Him-----"Hey bud, how much you pay for that?

You-----"Can you keep a secret?"

Him-----"yea, sure"

You-----"So can I".


Or, another favorite of mine:

On being asked a stupid question, I respond, "nun ya"

Him----"huh?"

You----nun ya f--;$(8 business!


Or, how about this one?

Him---"how much you pay?"

You----Argo

Him---"huh?"

You----Argo f2@/ yourself.

[wm]

A really nice pick up......color me green with envy as I have been looking for one similar to that "A. K. Church" it into a trapper.

Wm

[Ysabel Kid]

Looks very nice!

[pneuby]

If the dealers ingored him, then asked me what I'd paid, I'd have to have some fun at their expense.

"I gave him a hundie. Did I do alright?"

[Boreman]

I have a 30TK,it is one of the best little 30-30's you will ever own. Mine is accurate, light and just plain fun to shoot. COGRATS !!!!! Great find................

[Pete44ru]

.

You did well - I especially like the 2/3's mag with the straight grip stock, too.

I'd be tempted to shorten the bbl to at least 16", or the end of the mag tube, whichever is best (& legal).



.

[horsesoldier03]

UNFORTUNATELY KMART no longer sells guns! I purchased my first gun (that I bought) a Marlin 336 30-30 from Kmart back around 1980. My mom had to fill out the paperwork (dad was at work) and I handed over $139 if I recall correctly. I think shells were running about $4.50 a box back then.

[PriseDeFer]

By the story and the photo of that exceptional piece you were obviously meant for each other. I envy you the nexus you walked into that day.

[hfcable]

i have one of those..... just may be the best 30/30 that i own !! good catch.

[Canuck Bob]

Nice gun and deal. That forend is my favourite Marlin forearm style and the rifle reminds me of a 444S with a straight stock. It shouls shoulder like lightening. It appears to be D&Ted by the factory for a receiver sight. I always wondered if the store brand Marlins were D&T like the Marlin brand. It really looks brand new, gotta love a $300 brand new pre-Rem Marlin!!!!