Marlin XT22T (tube fed bolt rimfire)

[The Alaskan]

What do you guys know about the Marlin tube fed bolt action rimfire guns? How do they compare to the Model of 60, accuracy wise?

I have a Remington Nylon 66 (Actually, I think it's a Mohawk 10C/mag fed) that a friend gave me for my son to use because it's a lot lighter than my Marlin Model 60, which was my first gun. Anyway, like all those Nylons, it's a complete POS. No amount of anything can make it cycle and feed properly. I'm ready to dump it. It would have been nice to carry on a 4 wheeler etc but doesn't look like it will happen.

I'm thinking about selling it and using the money to buy a tube-fed bolt gun, which, to me, is the best option because a) it's manually operated so no more jamming, b) it's tube fed so no lost magazines or weak magazine latches that let the mags fall out of the gun (a problem I already fixed on this gun). To be honest, I've pretty much gotten to the point where I hate semi-auto guns. I'd like to sell my Model 60 too but my Dad bought that for me when I was 12.

So that's what I'm thinking: sell nylon and buy XT22TR or just sell Nylon and pocket cash.

Then again, the way rimfire ammo is these days, perhaps I shouldn't bother.

 

[HGM22]

Does your friend not want the Nylon 66 back?

I don't have a Marlin bolt gun but I have a semi-auto .22 and its a tack driver. I'm willing to bet their bolt guns are just as good, if not better.

As far as not liking semi-autos for jamming/loose mags, well for a .22 that makes some sense, though I think with better ammo it might not be such a problem. And a good .22 shouldn't have mag issues.

 

[TruthTellers]

I have a Marlin XT-22. Bought it for the same reasons you stated in not have to deal with magazines and less jamming. Ended up going with it over a lever gun because bolt guns are easier to shoot while prone. I can't say much to accuracy between it and a Model 60. I'm of the opinion that bolt guns are more accurate per se since there's less movement in the gun when the round goes off.

I can say that the trigger, which is adjustable, is one of the lightest I've ever shot; I feel like I could breathe on it and it would fire. This alone would help increase accuracy.

The only cons I have about the XT-22 are that the front sight downright sucks, I highly advise putting a scope on it, and it's very long making it feel heavy at the front. I'm not sure if the non-tube models feel the same as I've never handled one, but I wouldn't doubt if they feel lighter. I doubt the XT-22 is gonna be lighter than the Model 60, especially if you put a scope on it, so if you're looking for a light .22, this isn't it.

This isn't so much a con with the XT, but I've noticed that when loading the tube with the max advertised amount of .22 Shorts, they stagger up in the tube and causes the plastic follower to get caught on the side and not push the rounds out. To keep this from happening, I just limit it to 20 to 22 shorts and ease the tube down until locking it in place.

I have had no trouble with putting the full amount of .22 LR in.

Overall, I think the XT-22 series is great. It just needs a few minor improvements to make it flawless, especially at the prices they sell for. Even with the issues Marlin has had, I trust it as bolt guns have fewer issues in manufacturing and shooting than autoloaders.

 

[Crowcifier666]

I've pretty much gotten to the point where I hate semi-auto guns.

30-06. M1 Garand......The Hammer of Righteousness

 

[jmorris]

that a friend gave me for my son to use

I would contact your friend first as you didn't say "that a friend gave me so I could pocket the cash".

 

[Tenguns]

I did a lot of research between the XT22 and the 60 when I was shopping for a .22 for my dad for Christmas. Any feedback I could find from people who had experience with both definitely gave the nod to the XT for accuracy, although both are of course fine rifles. I ended up buying an XT22 online, and for the price, the quality exceeded my expectations. It just feels well put together. My dad reports great accuracy, and he is very happy with the absolute reliability and ease of maintenance of the bolt action. Recommend it unreservedly.

 

[The Alaskan]

Well thanks for the responses guys.

To answer a few questions: yeah I should contact the original owner, but she lives in FL and I'm in AK so it won't be easy to just return the gun. (FFL fees on both ends, outrageous shipping from AK, plus a NICS check and fees.)

As to someone's comment about my M1 Garand signature and my not liking semi-autos: a.) the M1 is an exceptional semi-auto and b.) I own it as an historical artifact; I don't actually use it.

I'm really thin ing hard as to selling both the Nylon and the Model 60 (I just replaced the side plate assy on the 60) and just having the one rimfire bolt gun only. Not sure I have a need for two rim fires. Kind of attached to the 60 because of my Dad.

 

[TruthTellers]

Keep the Model 60 dude. Why would you give up a proven rifle that's been in your possession so long for an unknown rifle?

 

[The Alaskan]

Well even that thing is kind of a jam-o-matic. It routinely, once every 20-50 rounds, will stove pipe a spent case on the way out. But yeah, I can't argue with your concept.

 

[mf-dif]

I find my XT to be extremely accurate. The adjustable trigger is fantastic. However I do have issues with occassional light primer strikes. Other owners have reported rough bolts and canted sights. It seems like a crap shoot with the XTs...it's a shame too. Could have been a great gun instead of a mediocre one.

 

[TruthTellers]

I find my XT to be extremely accurate. The adjustable trigger is fantastic. However I do have issues with occassional light primer strikes. Other owners have reported rough bolts and canted sights. It seems like a crap shoot with the XTs...it's a shame too. Could have been a great gun instead of a mediocre one.

Like I said, the sights really suck. The XT is really meant to be a scoped gun, like most bolt actions so using a scope eliminates having to rely on the sights.

 

[VoodooMountain]

I have an xt22 but it's mag fed. Very accurate little gun.

 

[The Alaskan]

I would contact your friend first as you didn't say "that a friend gave me so I could pocket the cash".

Done. She said sell it. I thought it was from her dad, but it's one she bought as an adult. She said "that gun is 27 yrs old. It has done its duty." She has some other guns, but she isn't like us. She bought my Garand from me in 1998. I bought it back from her in 2011 with all of my handloads I gave her; she had never fired it. I doubt it ever came out of the case.

 

[The Alaskan]

Like I said, the sights really suck. The XT is really meant to be a scoped gun, like most bolt actions so using a scope eliminates having to rely on the sights.

I really appreciate this feed back. That sealed it for me. I'm mostly an iron sights kind of guy. (Although, I have a 6x32 scope on my Model 60 so go figure.) If the iron sights are THAT bad, I'm probably not going to be real happy with it. You may have just saved me a whole bunch of time. I really don't need TWO rimfire rifles, and as truthteller noted, why would I sell a gun I've owned three decades.

 

[TruthTellers]

I really appreciate this feed back. That sealed it for me. I'm mostly an iron sights kind of guy. (Although, I have a 6x32 scope on my Model 60 so go figure.) If the iron sights are THAT bad, I'm probably not going to be real happy with it. You may have just saved me a whole bunch of time. I really don't need TWO rimfire rifles, and as truthteller noted, why would I sell a gun I've owned three decades.

The front sight isn't even iron, it's an orange plastic insert. If you're that committed to iron sights, then no, the XT-22 is not the rifle for you. For a scoped rimfire however, I don't think you can go wrong.

Glad to be of help.

 

[The Alaskan]

The front sight isn't even iron, it's an orange plastic insert. If you're that committed to iron sights, then no, the XT-22 is not the rifle for you. For a scoped rimfire however, I don't think you can go wrong.

Glad to be of help.

Well in theory I could swap the cscope over to the XT22. s someone noted, bolt guns are better suited to scopes anyway. I've always liked the iron sights on my Model 60.

 

[TruthTellers]

It's not that the sights are completely worthless, my complaint is they're not good and imo they should be. Since the barrel is so long, that front sight is out there quite ways. In well lit conditions you can shoot with it, but anything below well lit is not ideal.

It wouldn't be so bad if the insert has some sort of ability to pick up light, but because it's plastic you can't even paint it properly.

There is a company called Tech-Sights that makes a front and rear for the XT rifles. On there website the price is $75. It may be cheaper elsewhere online, but I don't know who would sell it.

 

[e rex]

Had a Marlin bolt .22 60 years ago when I was young. It was sold by Sears and was branded Sears. I grew up on a farm in Graham county, Kansas and we had jack rabbits, I just wore that gun out! Never had an issue with it and I'd expect the new ones would be better yet.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

it's manually operated so no more jamming

I own a Marlin tube fed bolt action from 1945 and have fixed several tube fed semi-autos and bolt actions for customers. The part that typically fails is the cartridge elevator system (that gets the round from the tube to inside the receiver). The elevator system is very similar between the semi and bolt guns. In my experience I have found that the elevators are made of a softer metal than the bolt and tend to wear down with use (stop feeding right). They need to be replaced if this happens.

That is not to say that tube fed guns are unreliable. It really depends on the quality of the materials used. If you want a truly reliable bolt gun I would get a magazine-fed version such as the Ruger American .22. That way you still have the high capacity option without the potential feed problems.

 

[The Alaskan]

If you want a truly reliable bolt gun I would get a magazine-fed version such as the Ruger American .22. That way you still have the high capacity option without the potential feed problems.

I looked at those, but I ruled out detachable box magazine fed guns from the get-go because I don't want the issue, or possible issue, of magazine latches allowing the magazines to fall out of the gun and/or lost magazines.

I shoot paper bullseyes, reactive metal (swinging type) targets, and grouse. I'm not paying for range time by the hour, so I don't need to preload magazines for convenience and I don't need to do quick reloads.

When I ruled out detachable box magazines, I ruled out pretty much every other gun on the market except the XT22's.

 

[shootniron]

We have an XT and a Model 60...our 60 wins hands-down. The trigger on the XT is terrible. Matter of fact, it is in the safe, has not been back to the range since it's initial trip...3yrs ago. I just have no patience with it nor time to mess with it.

 

[easy]

The Alaskan, please PM me.

 

[TruthTellers]

We have an XT and a Model 60...our 60 wins hands-down. The trigger on the XT is terrible. Matter of fact, it is in the safe, has not been back to the range since it's initial trip...3yrs ago. I just have no patience with it nor time to mess with it.

What's the issue with the trigger?

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Marlin also has the model 981TS that is a tube fed bolt gun. It is all stainless with a synthetic stock. It comes with their T-900 trigger system (not sure what that is but it looks adjustable). The stainless/synthetic gun would be all-weather and would do well on your 4 wheeler.

 

[The Alaskan]

Marlin also has the model 981TS that is a tube fed bolt gun. It is all stainless with a synthetic stock. It comes with their T-900 trigger system (not sure what that is but it looks adjustable). The stainless/synthetic gun would be all-weather and would do well on your 4 wheeler.

They no longer make that gun, so I would have to go to gun shows, pawn shops, and/or gunbroker to find one. I generally avoid all of those in recent years-especially gun shows and pawn shops.

There is an all stainless/synthetic version of the XT22's. IN fact, a wood stock is only available on the 22WMR version. You can't even get a wood stock on the 22LR version.