Marlin 795 vs. Remington 597 .22lr

[MikePaiN]

I pretty much narrowed it down to two .22s as a plinker/practice rifle. I wanted to get some current opinions before I make my final decision. I was going to build a 10/22 to match my M1 Carbine from this: http://www.eabco.com/m1_carbine_ruger_1022_tribute.htm
After looking at it a while I realized the cost would be $450-500...it was just too high, especially when I can get a basic .22lr rifle that would serve the same purpose for hundreds less.
The Marlin 795 seems to be the best value, I can get one NIB for $130 after the $25 MIR from Marlin and Techsight makes a nice peep setup for the 795 for $60. I also, like the Remington 597, it is more expensive at ~$190, but I wont be adding any sights and for some reason I have 597 10r mag still in the package(I've had it for years...) so in the end the cost will be about the same.
I've read they are both accurate and reliable, but the Remy has a really nice trigger....
Any thoughts or opinions?
thanks

 

[saturno_v]

I love the "big rifle" feeling of the 597 and mien has been very reliable and accurate since day one.

 

[PigButtons]

This same question gets asked about once a month over on Rimfirecentral. Most of the time the Marlin wins out because of price and some early problems with the 597 feeding some types of ammo. I own a marlin 60SB with the tech-sights. Couldn't be happier. It allows me to shoot rapid fire 1" groups at 25 yards. With the stock sights it was hard to get a 1" group at all. If I really focus and shoot slow I can get 5/8" groups at worst and one ragged hole at best with it. The trigger group on the marlin is so simple to work on that it makes it easy to get a great trigger with minor effort (if you are mechanically inclined that is).

On the other hand, there aren't any high capacity mags for the Marlin if that is something you may want in the future.

Bottom line: you'll love either one. Go handle them both and make your choice and don't look back.

 

[MikePaiN]

How bad is the Marlin trigger? I'm hearing like 10-12lbs out of the box....I don't want a hair trigger, a little heavy is okay, as long as the break is crisp(like my M1).
I am leaning toward the Marlin because of the availability of the Techsights which give it a sight picture like the M1 Carbine

 

[SGW42]

I love my Marlin 795SS. It is really handy and short. I'm not sure it has ever jammed on me. It is really easy to take apart and work on.

I bought a factory laminated wood stock for 50 bucks shipped, changed the balance quite a bit but gives it a nicer feel.

The trigger is somewhat heavy. It feels more like a plastic rod breaking instead of a glass one. But it is very easy to get used to.

Overall it is quality American-made fun on the cheap.

 

[Schleprok62]

I have the Remington 597, and I love it. I'ts been a great gun from the day I brought it home. I gave it a once over out of the box cleaning, lube, and adjusting. Called Remington about the magazine issue, they sent me two brand spankin new extras...

To me, the trigger isn't great, but it isn't bad either... it's quite accurate for an out of the box 22 semi (in same league as any Marlin I've used) but I have these gorilla arms (as the wifey calls'em) so I like the previously mentioned full size feel of it... Mine, for some odd reason, up and changed its mind on me about ammo though... it used to love the Federals... now it seems to love the Remington bulk stuff best... go figure...


Cheers...

 

[Virg461]

597 is extremely accurate

I've had a Rem 597 for about two years now and wouldn't trade it. I was a little put off by the flak I heard over feeding problems, but with the new mags, Remington has worked it out. I took mine to an Appleseed this spring and ran about 500 rounds through it without a single FTF or jam. I used CCI MiniMags and it loves 'em. I too like the Tech-sights, and with a little filing to flatten the top of the Remington dovetail, the Tech-sights designed for the Marlin fit fine. Rock solid and accurate. With a scope on that rifle, I can shoot 1 MOA all day long.

Never shot the Marlin, but I know the model 60's were very accurate. I imagine the 795 is no slouch.

Either one will outshoot a Ruger (unless you're willing to sink a few hundred more into it on upgrades).

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Marlin M795 has been around for decades (earliest incarnations were the Marlin 99M2 and Marlin M70) so it is a well tried and proven design. Remington 597s have given good service to a lot of people but they are a newer design. I'm just biased toward the Marlin, and think that parts availability from Marlin factory and outfits like Numrich/Gun Parts Corp make it easier to keep shooting for decades.

 

[Tentwing]

I got my Marlin 795 from a pawn shop so I don't know if it had any trigger work done before I got it, but the trigger on mine doesn't seem heavy certainly not 10 to 12 pounds.

It is a fun little plinker very accurate at 50 yards. and chews through Blue box Federals ($14.95 at Walmart for 550 rounds of 22LR )

I am having trouble convincing my wife that it is mine and not hers

Oh well,.............Tentwing

 

[dagger dog]

Latest BassPro flyer has the 597 with 3X9 scope, composite stock on sale this week 199.99 bucks.

 

[MikePaiN]

Thanks for the feed back, I am going to get a Marlin 795 and deck it out with Techsights and a web sling.

 

[juniustaylor]

I'd probably give the Marlin a try. I did have a Remington 597 (.22 LR). I did not like it. I had a lot of jam issues with it. It wouldn't fully eject the spent cartridge (like the recoil wasn't enough). So, the empty would jam up inside the action and I'd have to clear it out. It did this with practically every .22 round other than the Federal Semi-Auto stuff. I had the aluminum magazines, but the magazines weren't the problem whether they'd have been plastic or metal since it was an ejection issue. I traded it + the difference for a Ruger 10/22. Have not looked back, I love that rifle.