Tube fed .22's

[Fireguy]

I've never fired a tube fed .22, any tips on how to make sure is empty and any other safety tips?

[Turo]

I've never fired a tube fed .22, any tips on how to make sure is empty and any other safety tips?

Usually if you pull the bolt all the way back, you can see the follower in the magazine tube through the ejection port.

With my Marlin 60, I rack the bolt a few times, pull it all the way back, look for the follower, and then look into the chamber. In that order.

[IntoForever]

Mine had a bright red plastic plug that was easy to see. Turo said it best.

[Izzy43]

I've never fired a tube fed .22, any tips on how to make sure is empty and any other safety tips?

Load the last round with a .22 short, you will hear the difference in the sound and know it was the last round.

[Spirit 1]

I blew a chunk out of the fireplace when I was a kid so I can relate to this question! This was after tapping the muzzle on the carpeted floor.

A cleaning rod pushed down the magazine tube will shove any hangers to the end of tube. Also agree on the follower tip, should be visible.

[Ogre8472]

I agree with the guys above. The majority of my rifles have heen tube magazine.

[REPR]

Load the last round with a .22 short, you will hear the difference in the sound and know it was the last round.

That's a handy tip right there.

[bckline]

That's a handy tip right there.

Well, only if your rifle is equipped to fire both .22LR and .22 short. Loading a quiet / subsonic round that's still .22LR seems like a safer bet if you choose to go this route.

Also, some modern .22s (such as the Marlin 60) have a last shot bolt-hold-open feature that will hold the chamber half open if there are no more rounds in the magazine. This makes it easy to tell when the mag is empty. Of course, even if you have a gun with this feature it's always prudent to verify visually that there aren't any more rounds in there.

[Fireguy]

I know this was a dumb question, I've been shooting for 50 years and just fired my first tube fed .22 last week. I grew up shooting bolt action .22's in a junior NRA program as an adult I went to the 10/22.

The question was prompted by a recent incident at the range with a guy and his kid shooting winchester model 62 pump, built in the 30's. THe guy fired his last round and racked it a couple of times then pulled the trigger to let the hammer down and the empty gun went off. The rifle was pointed down range so it was an non issue. But it scared the hell out of the guy and changed my thinking about getting a tube fed .22.

[Ogre8472]

It just dawned on me the easiest solution to that problem. Count your shots! 10 rounds in 10 shots out. Simple. Unless you have the magical gun that adds a round every time you load it.

[bckline]

I know this was a dumb question, I've been shooting for 50 years and just fired my first tube fed .22 last week. I grew up shooting bolt action .22's in a junior NRA program as an adult I went to the 10/22.

The question was prompted by a recent incident at the range with a guy and his kid shooting winchester model 62 pump, built in the 30's. THe guy fired his last round and racked it a couple of times then pulled the trigger to let the hammer down and the empty gun went off. The rifle was pointed down range so it was an non issue. But it scared the hell out of the guy and changed my thinking about getting a tube fed .22.

That's a pretty good reason to be a little scared, but I don't think you should let it scare you away from buying a tube-fed .22. They're fun little guns, and it's nice that tube mags are still allowed to hold >10 rounds.

It does sound like the incident was still your buddy's fault -- he didn't check his rifle thoroughly enough. If you can see the follower in the magazine and you can see that the chamber is empty, there's nowhere else for a round to come from when the chamber closes. Either way, I guess this is a prime example of why we're always taught to treat every gun as though it's loaded.

[joepamjohn]

Just look for the follower. if it's not already a bright color put a dab or two of red nail polish or paint on it and you will easily see it.

[JNunez23]

I'm strongly considering picking up a Marlin 60 through Turners tomorrow.

This will be my first tube fed, anything I need to know now? Easy to maintain?

Also, what's the range these rifles will shoot in yardage?

[llamatrnr]

Great rifles, imo. Get yourself a "Spee-D-Loader" for $20 or so; handy as a pocket on a shirt!

[Mssr. Eleganté]

It just dawned on me the easiest solution to that problem. Count your shots! 10 rounds in 10 shots out. Simple. Unless you have the magical gun that adds a round every time you load it.

But some of mine hold 16 rounds. I can't count that high without taking off both shoes.

Luckily, all of my tube fed .22s have bright red, orange or yellow followers. Even the ones from the 1920's and 30's.