APOD Firearms

Marlin 60 for First Rifle

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  • Dancing Heretik

    Active Member
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    Aug 8, 2018
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    There's a used Marlin 60 on sale for $99. I don't have any rifles yet. This would be my first.

    Opinions? Suggestions?

    Marlin-60.jpg
    Lynx Defense
     

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    sucker76

    Don't let the username fool you
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    Nov 15, 2015
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    That was my first rifle given to me in 1985. It still out shoots my 10/22. The Ruger 10/22 is in my mind the only other competitor to the Marlin 60. The actions are very similar. You have to ask yourself what you want. The Marlin is the most cost effective rifle. The Ruger has a myriad of options for you to pimp you rifle. Do you want a utilitarian, cheap, functional rifle? Do you want an equally utilitarian and functional rifle that you can customize to your heart's content? You also need to be comfortable with loading the tube magazine.
     

    Moonpie

    Omnipotent Potentate for hire.
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    Oct 4, 2013
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    Gunz are icky.
    The Marlin 60 is a fine beginner rifle.
    They are a bit of a chore to tear down for cleaning.
    There isn't a lot of aftermarket accessories for them.

    The Ruger 10/22 is a fine rifle also.
    There is an entire universe of aftermarket accessories for the 10/22.

    You might want to try a standard 10/22 against the Marlin 60.
    The buttstock may be a bit too long for you to comfortably reach everything on the Marlin.
     

    BuzzinSATX

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    Dec 20, 2013
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    I don't currently own a Marlin 60, but I used to have one. I probably put 30K rounds through that little rifle when I was stationing in Montana in the late 80's. I think we went out shooting "gophers" (Richardson Ground Squirrels) almost every other weekend in the Spring and Summer...and every trip involved shooting up at least one brick, usually two (500-1000 rounds) of the cheapest .22's I could buy on the way out of town. We'd find a field out in the middle of the boonies and just set up and shoot away. I put a cheap 4X Bushnell scope on mine, and I could pretty much hit those little rodents out to 100 yards easy.

    I really can't remember that gun ever misfiring, even though I abused the heck out of it and rarely cleaned it.
     

    majormadmax

    Úlfhéðnar
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    Aug 27, 2009
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    I have one, and it's a great rifle. The Ruger is more common, and has more accessories available as already noted; but you can't go wrong with the Marlin either!

    I also agree with Charlie, you'd be better off keeping in its original condition!
     

    zackmars

    Free 1911 refinishing
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    10/22. The marlin is nice and accurate, but the stock is not made for adults, amd it is mechanically complex for what it is. Mine was not all that reliable, and suffered a few breakages

    10/22's are simple, and have an astounding aftermarket. If there is ANYTHING you don't like, there are hundreds of options to pick from.

    The magazine system is also a lot nicer than the tube on the 60
     

    Texasjack

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    Jan 3, 2010
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    Look, for that kind of money, buy the Marlin. Even if you buy a fancier rifle in the future, you never know when that Model 60 might come in handy.

    I have a Model 60 and the Ruger 10/22. Honestly, they both shoot great. The 10/22 has more cool options with the stock and such, but trust me, the 60 is a wonderful .22.

    Everyone should have a .22 - not just as a starter, but it's a wonderful target rifle that is super cheap to shoot. It's tough to do a lot of practice with a .300 Weatherby Magnum, at $3 a round and a painful shoulder to look forward to. But you can shoot all day with a .22 and not even burn up all your lunch money. In order to get good at shooting, you have to do a lot of shooting and a .22 makes that easy and fun.
     

    baboon

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    Out here by the lake!
    Fiidqel.jpg
    Save your money & buy an AR-15 lower with a CMMG dedicated upper. Not a AR style .22, but a true AR15. This gives you more option down the road when you ready for a centerfire rifle. I have not even pull a .22 pistol or rifle out of the safe since assembling my dedicated .22 upper. Originally it was built for my M16, but I have since put together an AR pistol lower. Suppressed, 50 round drum & MRDS its fun as hell fuul auto or semi.
     

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    Dancing Heretik

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    A Ruger 10/22 is a better choice, but if the Marlin functions well, that sounds like a decent deal. Problem is those Marlins can be finicky.
    Finicky? I've watched a bunch of reviews. I didn't see anything about it being finicky. What do you mean?
    That was my first rifle given to me in 1985. It still out shoots my 10/22. The Ruger 10/22 is in my mind the only other competitor to the Marlin 60. The actions are very similar. You have to ask yourself what you want. The Marlin is the most cost effective rifle. The Ruger has a myriad of options for you to pimp you rifle. Do you want a utilitarian, cheap, functional rifle? Do you want an equally utilitarian and functional rifle that you can customize to your heart's content? You also need to be comfortable with loading the tube magazine.
    I like the idea of the tube magazine. Not good for quick tactical reloads. But, great for not having to carry a bunch of extra magazines. Just clean and simple.

    And, I don't care for customizing any more than necessary. I like authentic and original whenever possible. Maybe once I have a simple old-fashioned rifle, I might get the urge for something more fancy (and expensive).
    Buy it! At least make an offer. Shoot it, then stuff it away in closet for a few years. You'll be ahead of the game!
    Edit to add: If you buy it, keep it original.
    I think I will.
    The buttstock may be a bit too long for you to comfortably reach everything on the Marlin.
    I'll make sure to try it out first. Thanks.
     

    Dancing Heretik

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    3   0   0
    Aug 8, 2018
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    San Antonio, TX
    You know the year of make? The older models were very reliable. I have had my model 60 for 20+ yrs and had no problems and still accurate. For $99, it's a good buy none the less.
    I'll find out the year in just a few more hours.
    I don't currently own a Marlin 60, but I used to have one. I probably put 30K rounds through that little rifle when I was stationing in Montana in the late 80's. I think we went out shooting "gophers" (Richardson Ground Squirrels) almost every other weekend in the Spring and Summer...and every trip involved shooting up at least one brick, usually two (500-1000 rounds) of the cheapest .22's I could buy on the way out of town. We'd find a field out in the middle of the boonies and just set up and shoot away. I put a cheap 4X Bushnell scope on mine, and I could pretty much hit those little rodents out to 100 yards easy.

    I really can't remember that gun ever misfiring, even though I abused the heck out of it and rarely cleaned it.
    Ain't a thing wrong with the old Marlin 60. They're great shooters.
    When I looked at reviews, I was surprised. It seems this is the all American 22 rifle. Or it was, unitl the 10/22 came out.
     

    Dancing Heretik

    Active Member
    Rating - 100%
    3   0   0
    Aug 8, 2018
    640
    76
    San Antonio, TX
    10/22. The marlin is nice and accurate, but the stock is not made for adults, amd it is mechanically complex for what it is. Mine was not all that reliable, and suffered a few breakages

    10/22's are simple, and have an astounding aftermarket. If there is ANYTHING you don't like, there are hundreds of options to pick from.

    The magazine system is also a lot nicer than the tube on the 60
    Wait a minute! Not made for adults?
     

    Dancing Heretik

    Active Member
    Rating - 100%
    3   0   0
    Aug 8, 2018
    640
    76
    San Antonio, TX
    Look, for that kind of money, buy the Marlin. Even if you buy a fancier rifle in the future, you never know when that Model 60 might come in handy.

    I have a Model 60 and the Ruger 10/22. Honestly, they both shoot great. The 10/22 has more cool options with the stock and such, but trust me, the 60 is a wonderful .22.

    Everyone should have a .22 - not just as a starter, but it's a wonderful target rifle that is super cheap to shoot. It's tough to do a lot of practice with a .300 Weatherby Magnum, at $3 a round and a painful shoulder to look forward to. But you can shoot all day with a .22 and not even burn up all your lunch money. In order to get good at shooting, you have to do a lot of shooting and a .22 makes that easy and fun.
    Yup. It does seem to be a good way to 'dip my toe' into owning rifles.

    Now, I need to see if I can find GOOD 22 LR ammo that's even cheaper than mini mags.
     
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