Ok, we've narrowed down our two choices for my son's/my first .22 rifle to the Ruger 10/22 and the Marlin 60. I know alot of people love the Ruger because of all the modifications you can do, but we don't think we are going to want to drop a bunch of loot on modifications other than a scope. We want a gun that is good to go out of the box and is dependable and accurate. We have tried a friends Marlin and we liked it, but only used it one night indoors at 50ft and we were both had consistant half dollar size groupings. We don't know anyone with a Ruger to compare it. So we are looking for help from our fellow NESers for your opinions. Thanks
-
If you enjoy the forum please consider supporting it by signing up for a NES Membership The benefits pay for the membership many times over.
-
Be sure to enter the NES/Pioneer Valley Arms February Giveaway ***Smith & Wesson SD9VE 9MM***
Ruger 10/22 or Marlin 60?
- Thread starter 705squat
- Start date
BaldAssCat
NES Member
I got a marlin 60 for my son a few years back because it was only $70 used. It's ok, but that’s about all I can say about it. It does like to stove pipe a lot. I don't regret it but I'm going to get a 10/22 someday.
I can put 10 rounds from my 10/22 at 50 feet in one ragged hole. I think the Marlin is a good gun, but there are tons of replacement parts, magazines, etc. (not mods, just replacement parts) in plentiful supply for the Ruger. I am unsure if that is the case with the Marlin.
Until very recently, I'd have said the 10/22 hands down, because both my Marlin 60's would stovepipe like mad. I fixed that with a simple bending of the ejector spring, and shot around 300rds of cheap bulk pack ammo the last time out with no failures whatsoever.
Knob Creek
NES Member
I would go with the 10/22. It was my son's first gun. He's 30 now and still has it. If you consider Marlin's look at the Model 795. Same as the Model 60 but magazine feed instead of tube.
I have both. For your sons first I would go with the model 60.
strangenh
NES Member
The tube feed is the real advantage (but lever action is fun, too). If a tube-fed 22 is set up for it, you can shoot shorts, longs, long-rifles, CBs, and so on. With a model 60, it'll feed them and you can shoot them, but you'll have to manually cycle. The 10/22 really doesn't like to feed anything but 22LR, manual cycling or not (but the Remington CBee is a CB-type ammo that the 10/22 will feed, if you manually cycle).
I highly recommend a 10/22. They are the jeeps/VW bugs of the gun world. You can change it into almost anything you want. It can be a great plinker, a competition action rifle (Sportsman Challenge), plate rifle, small game hunter - just about anything you would want. The resale value is outstanding - just try looking for a used one - bet you have a hard time finding them..... I own 2 and will have a third in the near future. I have one set up as a liberty training rifle (military style sights etc), one for plate shooting, and want a third as a match rifle.
Will fire short, long, and LR. Capacity of 19 rds. with the 39-A....depending on round. Like the manual control....unlike a semi. Just me. Hell, have an old Rem. Nylon 66 that I will never part with....but things just are not made that way any more.
![[wink]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/002.gif "Wink [wink]")
Funny. My Marlin 60 stovepipes too. Hmm. It's a good starter rifle, though ... if you can get around the stovepipe problem. And it's affordable as all hell. Fun to shoot.
For a very first though, look at the bolt action Marlin 80. My boy likes that a lot more than the 60. Working that bolt is real shooting. Real fun plinker, that one.
Folks who have shot with me are generally impressed with my Ruger 10/22 - especially since I've had it forever, (since I was a kid) and that it still shoots great, even though it looks like a smoothbore...I scrubbed out the barrel the other day and my groups were all off...never doing that again...
Still, if I had my druthers, I'd have a Henry Lever Action .22 Every time I take one down off the rack I think: "What a perfect first rifle for a kid - or an adult"... I keep meaning to buy one and will soon. They're still made by the same family in the same way they always have been. They are a shootable piece of art. Ruger 10/22's and Marlin 60's come and go, but a Henry Lever Action would be something he'll hand down...
Side note: We have had several 795's come back to be shipped for repair. I don't think Remington has done Marlin any favors...
Still, if I had my druthers, I'd have a Henry Lever Action .22 Every time I take one down off the rack I think: "What a perfect first rifle for a kid - or an adult"... I keep meaning to buy one and will soon. They're still made by the same family in the same way they always have been. They are a shootable piece of art. Ruger 10/22's and Marlin 60's come and go, but a Henry Lever Action would be something he'll hand down...
Side note: We have had several 795's come back to be shipped for repair. I don't think Remington has done Marlin any favors...
x2. My 60 is a great shooter out of the box, my Dad still has his from about 20+ years ago. Only thing worth noting is they DO NOT like to run wet, keep the lube very light and you'll be good to go.
If you were going to upgrade, then the 10/22 is the obvious choice, but my 60 out shoots my 10/22 stock vs. stock.
Model 60 more steel less plastic 10-22 more plastic and alum less steel.. Mod 60 for me. Got one I've had so long I can't remember when I bought her. Been thru me and 2 boys that shot bricks of ammo like most folks do boxes of 50.. Ya want to blow money on the goodies go 10-22. If you just want a quality shooter Marlin 60
Guess what I got for my 11th birthday! Yup my first rifle, a Henry .22 lever action. You couldn't seperate me from that rifle.
I'm the same way with my 10/22, but think a Henry would have been more special. I think I'm going to buy one soon. We get a ProDeal at DSG on them, so I think one is in my future...
I'm a huge black rifle fan, but there's something about sitting out at my camp in the sunshine and autumn air with a box of 22's and some tin cans - it's so relaxing...I think the Henry will be like firearms valium...
Yup you've got that right on. The 10/22 is more for shooting paper, the Henry is the Red Ryder of .22's and was built for killing cans and putting a smile on kids faces.
Having had both a Marlin/Glenfield 60 and a Ruger 10/22, I sold the Marlin and kept the Ruger. I'm not knocking the Marlin, it shot great and had a nice trigger. The Ruger has more options for aftermarket parts, so thats a reason why I kept it. Another reason is I prefer the mags of the Ruger over the tube feed of the Marlin.
I got the Henry lever action as my first gun. I have 15,000+ rounds through it in the last 7 years and it's still going strong. I have never had a FTF or FTE.
I also have 2 10/22's and a 60. They are also very fun and accurate. They are fussy though and only shoot certain ammo. The 60 and stock 10/22 aren't quite as accurate as the henry either.
Whenever i take anyone to the range with me I usually bring the 10/22 and the henry. After a few shoots the 10/22 gets put down. Everyone I let shoot seems to enjoy plinking with the Henry much more. Plus- no particular ammo required.
I also have 2 10/22's and a 60. They are also very fun and accurate. They are fussy though and only shoot certain ammo. The 60 and stock 10/22 aren't quite as accurate as the henry either.
Whenever i take anyone to the range with me I usually bring the 10/22 and the henry. After a few shoots the 10/22 gets put down. Everyone I let shoot seems to enjoy plinking with the Henry much more. Plus- no particular ammo required.
Got to go with the 10/22. It is the VW bug of 22 rifles. you can build a tackdriver or a plinker
I've got both and the Ruger outshines the Marlin. Especially old, used Ruger 10/22's. They are a great buy and they're built like tanks... accurate, efficient little tanks.
I'm thinking that since me and my son are both going to be shooitng I may get one of each. They both sound good. Can never have too many guns.![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
That sounds like your best option.
![[laugh]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/012.gif "Laugh [laugh]")
