New Marlin 60

[JLaw]

Well I couldn't resist the temptation any longer. Been wanting a .22 rifle for many years now and finally decided it was time to invest in something fun.

Cashed in some pocket change that was saved up over the last 12 months or so, and picked up a Marlin Model 60 from Carter's Country this afternoon.

Haven't scoped it yet, but probably will after realizing my eyesight is not as good as it once was. But I was able to get the iron sights to impact in 2" groups, 1 1/2" high and 1 1/2" left of POA at 50 yards. Minute-of-squirell, if you will. The rear sight was drifted pretty far left of center out of the box, so I'll drift it on the next range visit. Trigger's not the greatest, a little stiff, and the action is a bit gritty, but every round fed and fired without fail.

The Marlin brought a new element of fun back into going to the range. Every trip is fun, but a simple .22 rifle brought a new element into play.

JLaw

[mr surveyor]

fun little guns for such a small price. I really love mine, and it's totally replaced my need for my former 10/22.

One suggestion is to detail strip it and thoroughly clean every nook and cranny, and pay particular attention to keeping the receiving notches for the extractors (on each side of the chamber) free of carbon and crud, Give it a very light lube job, rather than excessive oil/grease to keep from building up the massive amounts of carbon/powder/lube goo that tends to build up... particularly after a few hundred rounds of inexpensive .22 caliber fun.

Which model designation of the 60 did you get? Just my guess, but all of the internals are pretty much identical, the rest is personal choice of appearance (or external durability).


surv

[JLaw]

Which model designation of the 60 did you get?
surv

From best I can tell the plain jane 60. Blued finish, plain stock with no checkering. This one here...http://marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/SelfLoading/60.asp

Thanks for sharing the info about the detail strip, I was wondering about that. Seems to be pretty simple to strip according to the manual.

JLaw

[Oldgringo]

Look here for oodles of information on your various .22's. I didn't know how much I didn't know about .22 LR stuff.

Through this site, I've found a new love. I'd never heard of CZ rifles and now I have five CZ 452's and love 'em all.

[PeteCamp]

Look here for oodles of information on your various .22's. I didn't know how much I didn't know about .22 LR stuff.

Through this site, I've found a new love. I'd never heard of CZ rifles and now I have five CZ 452's and love 'em all.

Arrrrgh....Oldgringo, you sir are a devil. FIVE CZ 452's??? But I truly understand your enthusiasm. I have a 452 Varmit with the trigger kit, picatinny rail, and a nice Nikon 4.5-14 scope. Simply amazing rifle. Worth every penny - even though they cost several.

[Oldgringo]

Look here for oodles of information on your various .22's. I didn't know how much I didn't know about .22 LR stuff.

Through this site, I've found a new love. I'd never heard of CZ rifles and now I have five CZ 452's and love 'em all.

Arrrrgh....Oldgringo, you sir are a devil. FIVE CZ 452's??? But I truly understand your enthusiasm. I have a 452 Varmit with the trigger kit, picatinny rail, and a nice Nikon 4.5-14 scope. Simply amazing rifle. Worth every penny - even though they cost several.

I have two Americans, a Special, a FS and an Ultra Lux. I think I paid for the first one, We're fortunate to have a really good dealer here in the ACE of PAWNS (who's also a CHL and NRA instructor) and was able to trade unused guns for three. Through a fishing forum, I was able to trade unused fishing poles for one of my scoped Americans. My favorite is my FS; however, I got an Ultra Lux last week and it, too, is a joy with that 28" barrell. I may leave it for open sights.

Yes, mine all have JnP striker springs and action screws and Yo Dave trigger kits. If you don't have one, there is a guy on e-bay selling used S-R torque drivers for $25 (+/-). It's amazing what a couple of in-pounds tension, one way or another, will do with the accuracy using different brands of .22 ammo. I have to shoot the cheapest I can find because...er, uh I have to. I did luck into 5 bricks of CCI Blazer that was delivered to the house last week for <$80.

I don't have a Varmint but I do have two Americans.....hmmm?

[mr surveyor]

JLaw

Have you decided in a scope yet? Be sure and use the Marlin mounts, and I would suggest using the shortest that your scope tube will allow.

Have you stripped it down yet?

Anyway, congratulations again on a good addition

surv

[Oldgringo]

JLaw

Have you decided in a scope yet? Be sure and use the Marlin mounts, and I would suggest using the shortest that your scope tube will allow.

Have you stripped it down yet?

Anyway, congratulations again on a good addition

surv

Butting in...

I suggest that y'all take a look at SI 3-9x32 and Weaver RV7 2.5-7x28. These are two good .22 scopes and both are on sale at Midway and/or Opticsplanet. Simmons .22 Mag 3-9x32 AO is less expensive PLUS Simmons has a 25% rebate going through year's end. FWIW, I have and use all three scopes.

Butting out...

[JLaw]

I will definitely scope the rifle. Probably won't be for at least another week or so, so I've got time to research what I want to top it with.

Thanks for the information from both of you on scopes and mounts, one question that I'm pretty sure I know the answer to...

mr surveyor, by using the "shortest" mounts you do mean shortest in height, right? Just making sure. What is the advantage of this? (I'm pretty uneducated on scopes and anything scope related)

Thanks for the tip on using Marlin mounts, I didn't know that Marlin made mounts so I'll be looking for those soon.

I have not detail stripped it yet. That probably won't happen until next Monday. Got to move my brother in the DFW area Fri-Sat-Sun, then go shoot some more Monday, then do a detail strip.

JLaw

[Oldgringo]

I will definitely scope the rifle. Probably won't be for at least another week or so, so I've got time to research what I want to top it with.

Thanks for the information from both of you on scopes and mounts, one question that I'm pretty sure I know the answer to...

mr surveyor, by using the "shortest" mounts you do mean shortest in height, right? Just making sure. What is the advantage of this? (I'm pretty uneducated on scopes and anything scope related)

Thanks for the tip on using Marlin mounts, I didn't know that Marlin made mounts so I'll be looking for those soon.

I have not detail stripped it yet. That probably won't happen until next Monday. Got to move my brother in the DFW area Fri-Sat-Sun, then go shoot some more Monday, then do a detail strip.

JLaw

There is all of the information y'all need on your Marlins on http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/[abbreviated profanity deleted] ... y.php?f=20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. It's a great site. Check it out.

[mr surveyor]

I will definitely scope the rifle. Probably won't be for at least another week or so, so I've got time to research what I want to top it with.

Thanks for the information from both of you on scopes and mounts, one question that I'm pretty sure I know the answer to...

mr surveyor, by using the "shortest" mounts you do mean shortest in height, right? Just making sure. What is the advantage of this? (I'm pretty uneducated on scopes and anything scope related)

Thanks for the tip on using Marlin mounts, I didn't know that Marlin made mounts so I'll be looking for those soon.

I have not detail stripped it yet. That probably won't happen until next Monday. Got to move my brother in the DFW area Fri-Sat-Sun, then go shoot some more Monday, then do a detail strip.

JLaw

yes, by "shorter" I did mean in the vertical dimension. This keeps the scope closer to the bore and gives you a bit wider range of distances that the low powered 22 lr will be somewhat accurate (concerning elevation). The higher the scope on low powered rifles the more paralax comes into play... the paralax is caused by the axis of the optics being "X" distance from the axis of the barrel, and having them appear to cross at whatever distance (allowing for drop) that you intend to sight in. Considering most uses of the .22 are between 10 yards and 100 yards, the taller mounts tend to add unnecessary factors into the equation. That's just from my experience, I'm sure someone can easily prove me wrong.

The detail strip is really pretty easy, but getting the bolt assembly back in with the ejector (the end of a spring) properly lined up) can be troublesome, until you get the hang of it. The trigger does leave a lot to be desired, and unfortunately has no factory upgrade, but you will get used to it. The best part is the Marlin rifling... I love the accuracy from these barrels. You just don't find many good quality, inexpensive barrels on the market that can beat the Marlin.


surv

[JLaw]

Thanks for the info mr surveyor, I just learned something new there.

Thank you for the link, Oldgringo, looks like a good place.

JLaw

[JLaw]

Had the rifle out for the second time. So much fun! Detail stripped it and cleaned it all up, and realized I really should have done that before firing it the first time, the gritty feel to the action was mostly because of all the crud in there! I guess they don't clean the action very well before shipping it out, the action was pretty gritty right out of the box but a detail strip took care of most of that problem.

Photo below, and second photo is the best 50 yard group of the day using CCI MiniMag FMJ round nose solids.

JLaw




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[Oldgringo]

Very nice, JLaw. An AO scope for a .22 on that beauty might really heighten your shooting enjoyment? All .22's seem to have an ammo preference. Which brand does your M60 prefer?

[JLaw]

Thank you.

The only ammo I've run through it so far is CCI MiniMag, only because it's what shoots best in my son's Henry so there is an adequate supply of that here. I'll be scoping the rifle soon, and after it wears a descent optic I'll start trying different ammunition to find it's favorite flavor.

JLaw