Industry veterans will remember Glenfield as a lower-priced sub-brand under the larger Marlin Firearms banner. Glenfield produced rifles like the centerfire Model 35, chambered in 35 Rem., but was best known for their very reasonably priced and quite accurate rimfires. Top of that list would undoubtedly be the Glenfield Model 60 in .22 LR.

Now, Glenfield is back as a Strum, Ruger & Co. brand. Ruger, of course, acquired Marlin several years ago during the Remington Outdoor Company bankruptcy and selloff, and in doing so also procured the Glenfield brand. 

Dealers familiar with the Ruger line of rifles will recognize many similarities between the Model A and the Ruger American Rifle Gen I. Indeed, the Model A is built on the Gen I platform, though Ruger made various changes that allowed the Glenfield to sell for approximately $100 less suggested retail than the Gen I.

 The budget conscious deer hunter seems the prime target for the first offering in this re-launch, the Glenfield Model A. A three-lug bolt action featuring a user-adjustable trigger, the Model A boasts a 20-inch, cold hammer-forged barrel threaded for a suppressor, and a synthetic, moss-green splatter finished stock. Ruger also added a factory-installed Picatinny scope base atop the receiver. 

The Model As are available in .243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win., .308 Win., 30-06 Spring., 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster, with all chamberings listing for a very reasonable $499.00. Which should place them closer to $400 in-store and online. 

A good price to be sure, but just how well can a $400 bolt action really shoot?

About 1 MOA, it turns out.

Walkaround

To dive a bit deeper into the features, the Model A’s one-piece, three-lug bolt features a 70-degree throw.  That generous throw angle provided ample scope clearance when I used my scoped test rifle.

The Model A’s bolt worked rather stiffly. Lubrication and use smoothed out the bolt somewhat and I don’t doubt more shooting would improve the action, too.

The rifle’s patented Power Bedding integral bedding block system positively secured the receiver and free-floated the barrel. The splatter finished stock gave me excellent grip even when damp, while the soft rubber butt pad did a good job reducing recoil (with suppressor help, too). 

The rifle’s specs had the trigger as user adjustable between 3 and 5 pounds. But the trigger on my rifle broke at a fairly crisp 2 pounds, 3 ounces. I really didn’t expect a trigger this good on a rifle with this price point.

Good job, Glenfield/Ruger.

The two-position tang safety worked easily with minimal thumb pressure. The trigger also sports a bladed safety. 

Sling swivel studs are standard. The poly magazine fit flush into the bottom of the receiver. Most calibers sell with a four-round poly magazine, though the 350 Legend offering has a five-round mag, the 450 Bushmaster a three-rounder.

Test Setup

I received a Model A chambered in .308 Win. for testing and evaluation.  

To see what the rifle could do, I first mounted a Zero-Tech (zerotechoptics.com) Thrive HD 2.5-15x50mm scope. A second focal plane optic, the Thrive featured a robust 30mm tube, capped turrets and the company’s PHR II Illuminated Reticle with a floating center dot.  The high-definition glass provided sharp edged images. 

For suppression, I went to a Raptor 7.62 manufactured by AB Suppressor of New City, Kansas.  

Made from 100% Grade 5 titanium, my Raptor weighed in at 8 ounces and measured out at just 6.3 inches. It threaded directly onto the Glenfield barrel, and, as it did on other rifles I’ve used it with, the Raptor 7.62 muted the muzzle blast to the point that I needed no hearing protection. The Raptor blunted the recoil, too.

Good Groups

At my outdoor shooting range, I first zeroed the rifle at 50 yards using Beck Ammunition’s Controlled Chaos 145-grain rounds. I quickly got on the bullseye and then backed up another 50 yards for my accuracy testing.

The Thrive required a slight adjustment at this distance, as expected. I then shot three, three-shot groups with the Beck and they came in at .80, 1.1 and 1.2 inches.

Next up was Liberty Ammunition’s discontinued Animal Instinct launching a 100-grain bullet at approximately 3,300 feet per second. The best group was at 1.2 inches, with the other groups measuring at 1.4 and 1.6 inches.

Speaking of “discontinued,” I also found two boxes of Remington Hog Hammer on my ammo shelves, the rounds loaded with 168-grain Barne’s TSX all-copper bullets. My three-shot groups here pegged at 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 inches.

Sales Essentials

Prime customers for the Model A include first-time hunters, people who want a solid,  dependable rifle yet don’t want to invest too much into a sport they may not continue in past the initial attempts.

“The Glenfield Model A is a practical, affordable, American-made bolt-action rifle built on the proven Ruger American Gen I platform,” said Abbey Clary, Ruger’s director of media, advertising & public relations. “It offers the essentials hunters and new shooters care about: a smooth one-piece, three-lug bolt with a 70-degree throw, an adjustable 3- to 5-pound trigger, a threaded cold hammer-forged barrel, and a factory-installed Picatinny rail that makes mounting optics simple.”

She added that the Model A was designed as a reliable, value-driven option for first timers, the budget-conscious and those who need performance without paying for premium features or cosmetic upgrades.

Independent FFLs must purchase Glenfield rifles through Ruger’s network of authorized wholesale distributors as Ruger does not sell directly to retailers. Ruger distributors, which include Lipsey’s, Sports South, Davidson’s, RSR Group, Bill Hicks & Co., and most other national distributors, also carry and offer Glenfield rifles. 

An FFL can become a Ruger/Glenfield dealer by opening an account with any Ruger distributor. 

“Once their account is active, they can begin ordering Glenfield products right away and access marketing resources and product materials through Ruger’s retailer portal,” Clary noted. “Ruger traditionally provides its dealers with a strong suite of marketing support through its retailer portal. Dealers can typically expect access to digital product sheets, imagery, and launch collateral that can be printed or used in-store.”

Retailers can contact their Ruger regional sales manager to schedule product training.  They may also visit Glenfield.com for product information and spec sheets as well as product disassembly, reassembly, and function. 

“We do not currently offer a co-op program for specific products but if retailers are interested in promoting Glenfield products we can help,” she added.  “Simply contact your Ruger regional sales manager.”

The Model A has already begun receiving coverage from major firearm publications and several firearm news sites have reported on the brand’s relaunch. By the time this article sees print, the Model A should be the topic of numerous YouTube reviews and coverage by many digital hunting channels. 

“The key point is that the Glenfield relaunch is more than just a single-rifle release — it marks the return of a respected heritage brand known for providing well-made, accessible firearms,” Clary said. “The Model A reflects that philosophy by delivering practical, no-nonsense performance at a price point almost anyone can reach.”

While technically there is no warranty on Glenfield firearms (or Ruger’s for that matter), Glenfield/Ruger will replace any defective parts or firearms at customer request. 

Additionally, Glenfield accessories and sportswear are also available at ShopRuger.com under the Glenfield listing.

At this time, Clary noted that future Glenfield rifles are being considered internally, and 2026 could see an expansion of the Glenfield line.