so who has a marlin model 60 22 rifle and your thoughts about it?

[cdb1]

I’ve had my Model 60 for a while. From my experience they are more accurate out of the box than a 10/22. I have a thing about triggers and the Model 60 trigger is a stinker, as are most Rimfire rifle triggers. There is a guy named ArrowDodger on Rimfire Central that makes triggers for the Model 60. I got one from him and it was money well spent.

 

[Elkins45]

I had a Glenfield bought in the late 70’s that was stolen in the early 90’s. Very accurate, trigger was a little stiff, needed the action hosed out ever so often. I wish I still had it.

 

[Charlie98]

I've got what is an early '80's Model 60 I bought almost NIB last year... I think this thing only had a box or two put through it. Very accurate with the right ammo, always reliable. I'm fixing to put a Williams receiver peep on mine (I have one on my Model 15 already) which should make it far more handy and useful. I would probably look for an older JM Model 60 at the shows rather than buying one of the new ones, I just don't think they compare with the older Marlin-built ones.

I also have an older Ruger 10/22, a 5-digit SN that I bought used and abused from an Army buddy who needed drinking money. While that rifle has proven both accurate and reliable as well, I have issues with the Ruger magazines for some reason. I actually gave that rifle to my daughter. The upside to the Ruger is it is fully upgradeable, to include triggers and barrels... the Marlin isn't, but I like the looks of the Marlin, and it's already an excellent rifle for what it is. EVERYONE it seems has a 10/22, I like things that aren't so mainstream... I have 4 Marlin .22's... the 60, the single-shot 15 (my first firearm I bought when I was 18,) and 2 Marlin 99M1's.

 

[Risky buisness]

I own several, plus the 70 series of the rifle too. I liked the tube mag for capacity, but got involved heavily involved instructing Appleseed and for a more user friendly ( for that program ) modified 2 of them with tech sights and converted them to use magazines, best of both worlds. The rifles I own are more accurate than the Ruger examples I have, and I like the longer sight radius and the usability out of the box In comparison to Rugers product. I haven't payed much attention lately, but did Ruger ever fix that stupid bolt release? That gave hundreds of people problems and was close to making a safety concern on the firing line in some cases.

 

[cdb1]

While that rifle has proven both accurate and reliable as well, I have issues with the Ruger magazines for some reason.

I think your experience is the exception to the rule. To me the 10/22 magazine is the best feature of the rifle. If the Model 795 took 10/22 magazines I’d get one.

 

[cdb1]

I own several, plus the 70 series of the rifle too. I liked the tube mag for capacity, but got involved heavily involved instructing Appleseed and for a more user friendly ( for that program ) modified 2 of them with tech sights and converted them to use magazines, best of both worlds. The rifles I own are more accurate than the Ruger examples I have, and I like the longer sight radius and the usability out of the box In comparison to Rugers product. I haven't payed much attention lately, but did Ruger ever fix that stupid bolt release? That gave hundreds of people problems and was close to making a safety concern on the firing line in some cases.

I’d forgotten how much I hate that bolt release until you mentioned it.

 

[Charlie98]

I think your experience is the exception to the rule. To me the 10/22 magazine is the best feature of the rifle. If the Model 795 took 10/22 magazines I’d get one.

..and I understand what you are saying. I've tried everything, I've rebuilt them, I've bought new... I just can't get away from magazine jams.

 

[Risky buisness]

F

I’d forgotten how much I hate that bolt release until you mentioned it.

For that fact alone, I didnt buy any Ruger 1022s untill I could find a way around the bolt release. I suppose like everything else, their are pro and con with either rifle, I found that the Marlin functioned perfectly, and met all my needs. My Rugers eventually did too, but, it took some money and fooling around to get to the point where I actually liked them. Still, my go to 22 is my modified Marlin

 

[CraigC]

Got one at 10yrs old, now 33yrs ago. Killed a truckload of small game with it. Who knows how many thousands of rounds went through it. It was worn out 20yrs ago and has been shot very little since. It's a good, accurate entry level rifle and I have fond memories of my adventures with it but the Ruger is simply a better rifle. It's more user-friendly and user-serviceable. Not to mention the infinite aftermarket potential. I've had my first carbine for 26yrs and it's in its 3rd configuration. Seen untold tens of thousands of rounds, has killed more critters than the plague and still going strong. I have six of them total, including three Chargers.

This one started life as a stainless laminate carbine in 1992.

 

[doubleh]

With the Model 60 you are pretty much stuck with what comes out of the box. I've only owned one and found it to be a little more accurate than the two 10/22s I have. The great thing about the 10/22 is the ease with which it can be turned into a very accurate rifle with some work if you are handy and of course some dollars and both of mine have been heavily modified. I really don't like either in factory mode.

If you shoot the Model 60 the bolt buffer with have to be replaced eventually. The Ruger won't but you will hear it go "clack" with every shot. The bolt stop is an easy and cheap fix.

 

[Risky buisness]

Having used both the Marlin and Ruger for purposes other than slaying megathousands of critters, it's apparent to me that either rifle will preform adequately for a given task, how each does it, is markedly different. To characterize one as an entry level, and not the other, is in my opinion unfounded. Of the literally thousands of Ruger 1022s I had the opportunity to see fired, the failure rate of that product out of the box, was moderately substantial, so given that scenario it would appear that the Unmodified Ruger carbine would also be an entry level rifle. As people found that the deficiencies of the rifle could be corrected, they did so. As I alluded to earlier, the bolt release thing being, again in my opinion a defect, plus the barrel band that in some cases inhibited the accuracy of the rifle, the barrel attachment method as well is , while useable unique. So while opining that one is 'better" than the other is of course subjective. As one product differs from the other, it all comes down to the end users thoughts.

 

[CraigC]

The 10/22 carbine as issued may also be considered an entry level rifle but it's also a significant step up in quality and the HUGE difference is its capability to become anything you want it to be. The Marlin will never be anything more than what it is out of the box. Quality is not subjective.

Any complaining about the bolt release is just silly. The fact that people do not know how to operate it is irrelevant. It may not operate like you want it to but to characterize it as a "defect" is unfounded. Takes five minutes with a file to fix it or it is easily replaced.

The barrel attachment method is part of the beauty of its design and allows the end user to replace the barrel with nothing but an allen key.

 

[Risky buisness]

So here we are, if one looks back to the previous posts, it's apparent that 1, the Marlin is more accurate than the unmodified Ruger, and from reading them it's also apparent that lots of folks modify the Ruger, perhaps it's because they don't like the rifle in it's original state, and want something better. All aside the average guy, is probably not going to modify the bolt release, and no it's not silly to bemoan the ridiculous thing, as it's a flaw, and a potential safety hazard. To not recognize or admit that the Ruger usually need modification in order to suit the end user, is of it's self, silly.

 

[CraigC]

Popular misconception and usually comes from Marlin fans. We don't modify the Ruger because it's crap out of the box. We do it because we can. Because not everyone wants the same thing. If there was a boltgun we could do the same thing with, we would. The aftermarket does not exist so we can fix crap. It exists because the design lends itself well to modification with basic hand tools. I have six 10/22's and I did not change a thing on a single one of them to fix something that was wrong. Sorry but that is just absurd.

It is silly to complain about something that is easily learned or easily modified. How is it possibly a safety hazard???

 

[cdb1]

The 10/22 carbine as issued may also be considered an entry level rifle but it's also a significant step up in quality and the HUGE difference is its capability to become anything you want it to be. The Marlin will never be anything more than what it is out of the box. Quality is not subjective.

Any complaining about the bolt release is just silly. The fact that people do not know how to operate it is irrelevant. It may not operate like you want it to but to characterize it as a "defect" is unfounded. Takes five minutes with a file to fix it or it is easily replaced.

The barrel attachment method is part of the beauty of its design and allows the end user to replace the barrel with nothing but an allen key.

It’s strictly your opinion that the 10/22 is a significant step up in quality over a Model 60. Many, maybe as many as 50% or more users will disagree with you.

If I were going to buy a .22 then modify it I’d definitely get a 10/22. But I didn’t and most people that buy semi-auto .22’s don’t either. The bolt release on the 10/22 is a royal pain, say what you will. I have very thick fingers and the bolt release gives me fits. I’m certainly not taking offense but you are calling me silly just as you are everyone who has trouble with the bolt release. If anything I believe your statement was silly.

My belief is if you want a good semi out of the box with no mods then get a Model 60. If you want a nice precision semi then get a 10/22, mod it out and the end result is you have a nicer to very much nicer rifle than a Model 60, at considerably more cost.

 

[_N4Z_]

I have a Marlin 60 I bought about a year ago. It is stock and with the irons can hit golf balls out to around 100 yards with good ammo. Grandson uses it to good effect in what we call golf ball racing. It's a keeper.
Be advised, inspect the sights for alignment prior to purchase. I bought this at a big box store, and the first one I looked at had a canted barrel, sights not at 12 oclock. Had them hand me another and that was the one I left with. It has worked like a charm, no complaints.

 

[Swifty Morgan]

I got a call about my Model 60 today. Bought it new this year, and it gave me 5" groups at 50 feet. The trigger was not great, either. The retailer sent it back to Remington, and Remington gave up on it and replaced it. I hope the second one works correctly.

I am told I shouldn't use CCI Stingers in it. I have a 40-year-old Nylon 66 that will shoot anything, and on Saturday I bought a Smith & Wesson Victory that will shoot anything. Somehow Remington can't make a 2018 gun as sturdy as one that was designed 60 years ago.

I don't like the magazine, which puts my fingers in front of the barrel when I install and remove it, and the "extra bullet" feature is scary.

If I were doing it all over again (I probably will), I would get a Ruger. If the Nylon could be scoped reliably, I wouldn't have the Marlin.

 

[Risky buisness]

Popular misconception? That's nice, as usual inaccurate. Ruger users end up modifying their rifles because they can, agreed, some modify them because certain features suck. In so far a the definition of a safety hazard, it's pretty easy to see, now pay attention, as the shooter tries to move the bolt into battery, using the bolt release, the manipulation of that little lever is usually difficult, causing , in some cases the shooter to wave the muzzle tilt the rifle and generally become unaware of the safe direction of which the rifle is pointed, this usually occurs in the standing position, but is common in all others. That help?
In another post you mentioned that it was irrelevant if someone couldn't operate the controls, would you liken that to, say the brake system on a vehicle?
If it's not readily useable, other than in a modified state then it's defective. You go on to mention that quality is not subjective, well good, but then mention that all the modifications exist to not fix crap, but what? To augment it? Hey glad your a Ruger fan boy, I own them too, just like Marlins better. End of story

 

[someguy2800]

There are at least a dozen 10-22's in my family. They are all accurate, they are all reliable, they all have decent triggers, and with the exception of one my dad built on a magnum research receiver, they are all completely stock. I do not recall any of us ever having a problem with the bolt release or waving a gun around like and idiot because of it. The marlin is a neat gun and I do like it but there is just no comparison in build quality to a 10-22.

 

[cc-hangfire]

I woulden't take a 60 apart unless I absolutely had to...

I’m the exact opposite. I like to tinker, and clean, & polish moving parts - especially on older guns that need some attention. The Marlin 60 design is simple enough for a tinkerer to work on and complicated enough to make it interesting.

I have 3: one western model that has the 18 round capacity, an older Glenfield that needed cleaning & a new magazine rod, and an older Model 70 (removable magazine fed) that’s living in a bullpup stock. If you like to do simple work to fix or improve guns, these could be addictive.

 

[Bushpilot]

I woulden't take a 60 apart unless I absolutely had to. To clean just remove the stock and use spray cleaners,and light oil to lube. They all run great when clean, very accurate. hdbiker

Yep.. If it was really dirty I might take the lower action assembly off the receiver and drop the bolt out to clean it but I wouldn't suggest taking the lower assembly apart unless you're very familiar with it, handy and patient, just spray it and brush it with an old tooth brush, then spray again to rinse off. I've put a fair number of 60's back together after the owners gave up on putting the lower assembly back together....

I've never had any problems with various Marlin tube magazines over the years, I actually prefer them over Marlin's cartridge magazines. For the price, a Model 60 is hard to beat even if it's a Remlin. You'll have an accurate gun that'll last a very long time. Just keep it clean, a Marlin will start to hiccup from dirty .22 ammo before a Ruger 10/22 will.

Ditto....

A model 60 was my first 22. It was given to me for my 13th birthday. My Dad took me to the store and let me pick the one I wanted... I liked the way the 60 looked, it was sleek and trim and I liked the squirrel, oak leaves and gold trigger. What can I say, I was 13 and liked to hunt. The standard 10-22 cost a little more and looked a little quasi-military by comparison. I liked that it held 18 rounds (more then the 10-22's 10rd mag) and the 60 felt the best to me... I still have it and it still works, although I rarely shoot it anymore these days, I've pretty much retired it. (replaced by a mannlicher stocked 10-22) About 25 or 30 years ago I loss track of the number of rounds I shot thru it but at that time it was about 30,000... I did have to replace the feed throat in it once. Not surprising because back then I shot a lot of CCI Stingers and Remington Yellow Jackets through it.

I've shot lots of other model 60's but only one or two Remlin 60's a couple years ago, they seemed alright at the time, although plainer and cheapened a bit. I like that the model 60 is trimmer/thinner then 10-22's, I think the 10/22 is a little less complicated and works better when dirty then the model 60. I've found the accuracy between the standard 10/22 and the model 60 to be similar.

 

[CraigC]

It's baffling that no one uses the vast aftermarket support to indict the small block Chevy V8 or the AR-15 but somehow, it's evidence that the 10/22 is crap? It defies logic and reason.

It’s strictly your opinion that the 10/22 is a significant step up in quality over a Model 60. Many, maybe as many as 50% or more users will disagree with you.

If I were going to buy a .22 then modify it I’d definitely get a 10/22. But I didn’t and most people that buy semi-auto .22’s don’t either. The bolt release on the 10/22 is a royal pain, say what you will. I have very thick fingers and the bolt release gives me fits. I’m certainly not taking offense but you are calling me silly just as you are everyone who has trouble with the bolt release. If anything I believe your statement was silly.

My belief is if you want a good semi out of the box with no mods then get a Model 60. If you want a nice precision semi then get a 10/22, mod it out and the end result is you have a nicer to very much nicer rifle than a Model 60, at considerably more cost.

Quality is not subjective. That the Ruger design is more user-serviceable is not subjective. The fact that the Ruger is investment cast aluminum and the Marlin is soft diecast crap is not subjective. The fact that the Marlin's trigger housing is cheap ABS plastic is not subjective. The fact that I wore out a Marlin but my Rugers are still going strong with a substantially higher round count is not subjective. The Ruger is a better rifle or folks wouldn't be pouring so much into them. Nobody spends $1000 to fix a crap rifle. Is it perfect? No. Is it a Cooper or Anschutz? Absolutely not but it is a better rifle than Marlin 60 or 795. Actually my Appleseed events were the first I'd seen a 795 up close in years and I was shocked at what a cheap rifle they are. Which is fine, they are what they are meant to be and for that, they are a good value. Not to mention that you can get the Ruger with a real walnut stock, in some cases French or Circassian walnut.

Sorry but the idea that millions of people are buying 10/22's to completely rebuild them is absurd. Those are but a fraction of the 10/22's in existence.

No, read my comments again. I did NOT say anyone was silly. I said it was silly to complain about the bolt release. Why? I'll say it again, because it's all too easy to either learn how to use it, modify the part or replace it. I don't like the way it operates, so I fix it and move on with my life. It took longer to type this response than it would to fix it.

Popular misconception? That's nice, as usual inaccurate. Ruger users end up modifying their rifles because they can, agreed, some modify them because certain features suck. In so far a the definition of a safety hazard, it's pretty easy to see, now pay attention, as the shooter tries to move the bolt into battery, using the bolt release, the manipulation of that little lever is usually difficult, causing , in some cases the shooter to wave the muzzle tilt the rifle and generally become unaware of the safe direction of which the rifle is pointed, this usually occurs in the standing position, but is common in all others. That help?
In another post you mentioned that it was irrelevant if someone couldn't operate the controls, would you liken that to, say the brake system on a vehicle?
If it's not readily useable, other than in a modified state then it's defective. You go on to mention that quality is not subjective, well good, but then mention that all the modifications exist to not fix crap, but what? To augment it? Hey glad your a Ruger fan boy, I own them too, just like Marlins better. End of story

What features "suck", besides the bolt hold open lever?

Sorry but the 10/22 is imminently usable in its factory form. The fact that 'some' seem to have to much trouble with the bolt release is interesting. As I said, I've been using BOTH the Marlin and Ruger for 33yrs and 26yrs respectively. The Ruger's bolt release is not the easiest to use, certainly not as easy as it is when modified but it is easy. If you can't do it and keep your rifle pointed in a safe direction, I have to question whether you should be handling a firearm at all. The idea that it's a safety hazard is completely unfounded. In your seemingly blind hatred, do you forget that these rifles have been in constant production since 1964 and were produced for decades before Clark Custom Guns created the aftermarket for them in the `90's?

Not Ruger "fanboy" at all and my opinions will not be disregarded as those of a blind, Kool Aid drinking "fanboy". They're good rifles with great potential. The Marlin is what it is and if it's enough for you, there's nothing wrong with that. I love old Mossberg .22 rifles and the fact that they're usually cheap is a big plus. I don't have to convince myself that they're "just as good" as a Kimber to enjoy them.

No, we don't modify them to "augment crap". It might be to find a better fitting stock. It might be to achieve a certain appearance. It might be to make it more suitable for a particular purpose. It might be simply to make it as accurate as possible. Any of which might be just minor tweaks and it might be a complete overhaul. The point here is not that it needs those things but that the potential exists with the Ruger and none exists with the Marlin. I don't know why you Marlin true believers are so insecure about your choice?

 

[doubleh]

I have never found the factory Ruger bolt release to be a problem. Of all the modifications I've done to my two 1022s the bolt release isn't one. Both are still factory because I know how to use them. I'm not exceptionally gifted in this department either. It's not rocket science by any means, just like the safety on the Ruger SR22 that people complain about.

 

[kBob]

I have much enjoyed playin with the ruger 10-22 but have decided to try something else! so I am looking at the marlin model 60 22 rifle at Walmart for $157+ tax. in which looks to be a nice rifle in the blued/wood configuration, so what you guys think? or experiences you have or had with them??

So once again a simple question of how a specific NEW rifle preforms degrades into a nya-nya arguenment about rifles built in earlier times.

Folks, he wants to know about issues and pluses with a specific model and brand of NEW rifle, not how your 30 year old model of that or some other model and make works compared to one another.

Midland Man,

I am sorry to say I have no experience with new manufactured Marlin 60s as sold by Wal Mart. I will say that $158 is a couple of meals out and maybe one matinee for my family. If you can afford that then go for it and tell us what you find out.

I have been considering adding a Marlin 60 series of some type to the stable, just because. I do like to tinker though so I might be more tempted to troop through a few pawn shops, LGS, and even yard sales in no particular hurry for a used one at a lower price........keeping in mind that doing so mean I might be buying someone else's problems and that fixing them MIGHT end up costing me more than buying the new gun you are looking at.

I do like to tinker. Ran into a Model 60 a few years ago at the kid's tumbling class. Another Dad was sitting in the parking lot and we got to talking through open car windows. I turned to face him to "hear him" better (so I could see his lips, really should have used hearing protection in my youth) and got s look at Marlin 60 sort of stuffed between the front seats. It was a beater. One thing I noticed right away was that the rear sight was snapped off and had been swan off semi neatly past were the elevator notch was with only miner scratching of the barrel by the hacksaw. He told be his baby brother had used the rifle while he was away in the USAF and done the damage, twisting up the sight leaf on a fence post somehow. He briefly tried a scope, but hated the lack of field of view and loss of light in the cheap ."22" scope he had used. He bent a flat little bit of steel into a 90 degree or so "L" and used on of those "Aluminium welding rods" you some times see at gun and boat shows to attach it to the top of the receiver close to the rear. He drilled a "peep" into the upright about where he thought, then bent the sight slightly forward to lower his sight picture and had been using it that way 12 or 13 years by the time I saw it.

Knew a guy when I was younger that had a Glenfield from way back. When it began to have feeding issues after many years he "Bent that thingee inside" and it worked for years.

I do not know about plastic parts on current Model 60s or how they might effect operation or maintanence.

I will admit to being a Ruger 10/22 fan......and from where I sit I can also see a Savage Click Clack, a Remington Nylon 66, and a PSA AR kit with an .22 adaptor dropped in it. I like .22s to much to spend a lot of time putting any one down. Really would not mind a Browning take down or Remington 552 or even one of the old slab sided crackle finished Winchesters. Lordy I would LOVE a Colt Stage Coach! ...and you should hear the ugly things some folks say about them! They are all good, different, but good.

Go buy your Model 60 at Walmart and the best ammo they have and go shoot it safely and tell us about it.

-kBob

 

[Risky buisness]

Thanx kbob, nice to see this thread going back to it's first form without a 1000 word tirade. In general things are all subjective, if one likes this, another that, it's the spark for conversation. I applogize to our readers for being drawn in a conversation of something unrelated to the origional topic.