Marlin 22?

[reerc]

This Marlin Marlin Model 795 advertises for about half of what Ruger wants for a 10/22. Is it that much a better value, or is it only half as good. I already have a 10/22, but have an itch for something in black. The black & stainless 10/22 is tempting, but ... why pay more?

Thanks all.

 

[canoeguy]

Looks like the Marlin 795 is based on the Marlin Model 60, of which millions have been made. I have had two of them, found them to have terrible triggers (affecting acccuracy) and to be not particularly reliable.

The owners manual says they should be totally dissassembled and cleaned every 200 rounds, pulling one apart is a pain. The Ruger 10/22 is a lot easier to clean, much more reliable, many aftermarket parts available to make them extremely accurate, I'd say the Ruger 10/22 is worth the extra money.

If you want another eye opener, check completed auction prices on used Marlin Model 60's, the seem to bring only $50-75 used, they have no value on the used market.

Also, since Marlin has been acquired by Remington, quality on thier rifles has suffered, the only Marlin I would buy of any variety would be a used one made in the New Haven, Ct. plant....

 

[Texas Star]

This Marlin Marlin Model 795 advertises for about half of what Ruger wants for a 10/22. Is it that much a better value, or is it only half as good. I already have a 10/22, but have an itch for something in black. The black & stainless 10/22 is tempting, but ... why pay more?

Thanks all.

I think it's a much better value. I bought one a few years ago (black and stainless) in preference to the Ruger, and have no cause for regret. It fits me better, too. And the stock- to- metal fit is better.

I have read that with very extensive firing, some parts may wear out sooner than on the Ruger. With Marlin's future in limbo, that might cause a repair issue. Just buy two and keep one in reserve. Most owners won't shoot enough to wear one out.

I did order a spare magazine from Marlin a few years ago. It was reasonable, and service was very prompt. But that was before Marlin was sold.

Some guy on a Ruger board said that he just bought a M-795 for about $110, with a rebate. Check your Marlin dealer.
That's probably the best deal going in a .22 rifle.

I prefer this box magazine model to the more common Model 60, with a tubular magazine.

I should note that I regard mine mainly as a survival/camping rifle to keep in a car if in wild areas. I seldom do much plinking. If you plink a lot, the Ruger might be more durable and easier to take down to clean. I use pipe cleaners with CLP on them to get into the nooks and haven't yet had to take mine apart.

If you can find a really clean used one, the Remington M-552 has a good rep. I am reluctant to buy anything new from Remington, including .22 ammo.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm 10/22 fan (I've got five), but the795 costs what? A hundred bucks? What have you got to lose? I don't care for the Marlin 60/795 but that's because I think they're ugly, not because I think they're bad guns.

Personally I don't buy any new 22's. If I want one, I just go poke around on the used gun rack at my favorite dealer and go from there. That's where you find the best deals.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Savage/Stevens also offers a black polymer stock .22LR semi auto that takes a box magazine. I can't remember the model number. I can recall them selling for as little as 120 dollars brand new with a scope. They are made in Canada.

For a bit more there's a slew of quasi tactical looking .22s on the market these days. If you want something er... blacker... that is.

If I remember right, there's a plastic buffer in the Marlin 60 and its descendants that needs to be changed out every now and again. Failure to do so, and failure to clean, may be part of the reason behing reliability issues.

I have an old 20th Anniv Woolco Model 75-20, sort of a Model 60 carbine. I traded an old crossbow for it.

 

[reerc]

Thanks for the replies, folks. I do value your experiences and opinions.

 

[Jellybean]

Personally, I think the 10/22 is the most over-rated rimfire rifle on the market. I always refer to it as the "Barbie Doll" rifle since it's popularity comes from the accessories available to dress it up in, but should you have to buy an after market barrel to get decent accuracy out of it?

I don't know about the "new" Marlins, but I do know the older ones I have are all tack drivers. (A little word of advice to anyone that wants to clean their Marlin auto, take the stock off, spray the action with WD-40, let it sit for a few minutes and blow it off with an air compressor.) I also have a Remington 597 that was extremely accurate out of the box, and is one smooth shooting rifle, although it is in .17 HMR caliber.

I have several other rimfires in both .22 and .22 mag, but the 10/22 (mines a deluxe model) comes in last.

 

[Rule3]

I do not know if the numbers are still correct, but used to be the Marlin 60 was they most popular/sold 22 semi auto. The Ruger may have surpassed it by now. As with most things the Ruger is not what it used to be, the trigger group housing is all plastic now.

I have several 10/22's and the standard barrel shoots very well.
It always amazed me also why folks bought a $200 rifle and turned it into a $1000 version. Sure they look nice and some performance enhancement but if you need that kind of accuracy get a CZ bolt action.

As mentioned, I would look at the racks of used guns. Lots of good ones out there.

 

[cowart]

The price difference is actually only about $70-$80.
If you plan to only use 10 round magazines, the 10-22 is handier, as it's magazine doesn't protrude from the rifle.
If you plan to use extended magazines, they are cheaper & easier to find for the Ruger. You can get Marlin extended magazines at shootersridge
Since you already have a 10-22, you could use the same extra magazines in both guns.
Both guns have so-so triggers, but the 10-22 is easier to fix.
The 10-22 would most likely have higher resale value.

 

[monet61]

Well, I have both the 10-22 and an old Model 60. I like them both but for different reasons. The 10-22 is fun to play "dress up" as someone said earlier. I enjoy it. It's easy to work on and accurate enough for me. My Model 60 was probably made in 95 and I've never had a problem with it. I like both of them a lot. I don't know about the newer Model 60.As far as accuracy, they are both more accurate than I am.
Here they are with a Mossberg. Got it for xmas.
The date on the picture is wrong as I never set it.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Marlin? 22? Model 39A.

 

[truckemup97]

If I remember right, there's a plastic buffer in the Marlin 60 and its descendants that needs to be changed out every now and again. Failure to do so, and failure to clean, may be part of the reason behing reliability issues.

I'm not sure about the plastic buffer, but.... I've had several 60s, all bought used and dirty, and when cleaned up, they function very well. However, I bought my nephew a new 60 for Christmas, and it fails to feed about once every tube (14 rounds). It's a little frustrating for a 42 year old, so you can imagine how a 10 year old feels.

I'll buy an old Marlin anytime, but I doubt I'll buy another new one.

 

[Fishslayer]

, but should you have to buy an after market barrel to get decent accuracy out of it?

Mine was easy. I forgot to put the barrel band back on one time. My next range trip I was astounded at the improvement in accuracy.

I would agree that it's overrated. Please. Silver paint on an aluminum receiver? Seriously?

 

[Jswiney9]

i had one of the marlins and couldnt shoot more than 3 rounds through it without it jamming, this was with any ammo. got sent back, came back a champ.

 

[mkk41]

Same action as the 989M2 carbine I've had since I was 15.

Very accurate , very reliable , even when filthy. The big diff is there's no aftermarket 'tacti-kool' accessories or hi-cap magazines for the Marlin.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Same action as the 989M2 carbine I've had since I was 15.

Very accurate , very reliable , even when filthy. The big diff is there's no aftermarket 'tacti-kool' accessories or hi-cap magazines for the Marlin.

Ohhhhhh.....I had one of those only with a tube magizine-it was my first .22 and I got it in the late 60's. Never a hiccup-I swapped it and $100 for a brand new 9422 back when they first came out-have no idea what happened to the 9422-swapped in a long forgotten trade
ANyway my little brother still has his model 60 (he got it the same time I got mine which makes it about 43 years old.) and it will shoot one hole groups at 25 yards with open sights. Looks like a Marlin-but it shoots like an Anchutz.

 

[mkk41]

Ohhhhhh.....I had one of those only with a tube magizine-it was my first .22 and I got it in the late 60's. Never a hiccup-I swapped it and $100 for a brand new 9422 back when they first came out-have no idea what happened to the 9422-swapped in a long forgotten trade
ANyway my little brother still has his model 60 (he got it the same time I got mine which makes it about 43 years old.) and it will shoot one hole groups at 25 yards with open sights. Looks like a Marlin-but it shoots like an Anchutz.

Yep , that was the 99M1. Mine was obviously made before 1968 as it doesn't have a ser.no. It was in great shape when Dad got it for my 15th Xmas present. Somewhere along the way , the claw broke off the left (inner) extractor. Obviously , it didn't matter. I was always tempted to take that silly Monte Carlo comb off and put a sling hole in the stock to really make it look like a USGI M1 Carbine. I did take out the white line spacer between the butt plate and stock.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Same action as the 989M2 carbine I've had since I was 15.

Very accurate , very reliable , even when filthy. The big diff is there's no aftermarket 'tacti-kool' accessories or hi-cap magazines for the Marlin.

This was my first rifle and I still have it. Couldn't tell you how many bricks of ammo have gone through it. I don't think it's ever been completely torn down for cleaning, just the bore mostly.

Don't remember where I got them, but I actually do have some 15 round mags for it.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I picked up a model 795 with 25 round mag & cheap 4 power scope at a yard sale several years back. $50 bucks, traded it in plus $100 bucks on a well used pre war S&W 22-32 Target. Still have the S&W & don't regret the Marlins passing.

 

[jframe]

I personally like the 10/22, even though I don't have one right now. Wally World sells the synthetic stock/stainless combo here in the Shoals area for $237.00. Not a bad deal to me, and I'm honestly not a good enough shot to appreciate the minute differences in accuracy. However, my gunsmith has been known to say that the best way to create a great 10/22, since everybody uses all that aftermarket stuff, was to start with something other than a 10/22.