Whatchya all think?

[roushstage2]

I bought a new Marlin 60 to turn it into a LTR-setup, not actually realizing that it didn't have swivel studs until I went to put the sling swivels on. Why Marlin, why? Anyways, being a new model, Marlin is giving them a real walnut hardwood stock now. I don't have the proper tools to inlet the stock to install the front stud, so it's either find a good gunsmith to install the studs or buy a Boyd's Rimfire Hunter stock in Forest Camo. I really like the look of the factory stock, but I think with the extra labor and work needed to properly install the front stud, it might almost be a wash (just guessing; I have no idea what something like this would run) and should just get a new stock and save the original. I don't want to use those clamp-on studs either, that clamp onto the magazine tube. I'd rather not be pulling on that with the sling. So, what do you all think?

Here's a picture (not mine) of how they come from Marlin now:


The Boyd's Rimfire Hunter Forest Camo stock:

[TANK]

get the boyds stock. i have a few of the marlins all configured differently and the boyds just feel good and have the stud like your looking for

[Whitefang]

Boyd stock ftw

[Tom-ADC]

Marlin really did the model 60 well, I like the stock on that but if a sling was in the works for me I'd spring for the Boyd's .
Don't have a 60 may have to add one.

[SB1964]

I'd do whatever's cheapest. I put sling studs on my 10/22 raptor stock, it came out nice.

[majtom94]

furniture

Man that is nice furniture, both table and rifle stock. Probably will never be a collectors item but stock is more valuable if it were.

[redcliff]

Uncle Mikes Quick Detachable Sling Swivel studs are real easy to install, I'd keep the factory wood personally. There are youtube video's showing how.

[pisarski]

keep the one that came on the gun

[roushstage2]

I'd do whatever's cheapest. I put sling studs on my 10/22 raptor stock, it came out nice.

I didn't think too much about that at first, but it's looking like a new stock is going to be cheaper, now that I try to even find a good gunsmith nearby. Between what's looking like a 3 hour round trip, minimum, two times on top of the parts and labor...I think spending $110 on a new stock shipped is going to win out.

Man that is nice furniture, both table and rifle stock. Probably will never be a collectors item but stock is more valuable if it were.

Not worried about the collectibility as much as messing up a good looking stock.

Uncle Mikes Quick Detachable Sling Swivel studs are real easy to install, I'd keep the factory wood personally. There are youtube video's showing how.

With the tube magazine, there's more to the installation than just drilling two holes for some wood screws. I've installed studs on "detachable magazine" fed rifle stocks and they are indeed easy to install...when an essential rifle part isn't getting in the way.

[redcliff]

With the tube magazine, there's more to the installation than just drilling two holes for some wood screws. I've installed studs on "detachable magazine" fed rifle stocks and they are indeed easy to install...when an essential rifle part isn't getting in the way.

Do whatever you feel you're up for, but heres a video of installing sling studs on a Marlin model 60. It pretty much is just drilling holes for two wood screws, you just need the right length studs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSha9lGQ4qM

[Dattebayo]

That wood on that Marlin looks great. You won the wood lottery with that for sure. I'd keep the stock.

[JNunez23]

Like that stock on it now. Might pick myself up one.

[Tom-ADC]

I'm going to swap my Savage 93R17 FV synthetic stock out for a Boyds, one problem with the Fv stock is it needs a raiser to fit well.

[roushstage2]

Do whatever you feel you're up for, but heres a video of installing sling studs on a Marlin model 60. It pretty much is just drilling holes for two wood screws, you just need the right length studs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSha9lGQ4qM

I watched that video a few days ago. That's part of the reason I'm torn. I've seen videos like that, but then I read threads all over forums online that say the screw hits the magazine tube so the screw needs to be cut down and/or a nut needs to be used inside the stock (which requires a countersink in the stock). I just don't want to ruin the factory stock on what to me seems like a 50/50 proposition since I can't find a definitive yes. If I do find a definitive yes, I'd just do it myself.

That wood on that Marlin looks great. You won the wood lottery with that for sure. I'd keep the stock.

Yeah, I was surprised when I saw it on my XT-22M! The display had the old, plain brown stock and when I pulled it out of the box, bam! Same with the Marlin 60!

Like that stock on it now. Might pick myself up one.

I've bought two new Marlin rifles recently, and both have this same stock. Seems like they are all getting it now if they are newer rifles! I've never really liked wood stocks because a lot are "faux" wood. These stocks are rather sexy, heh.

[roushstage2]

I measured from the bottom of the stock to the bottom of the magazine tube and it's between 1/4" and 1/2" (so roughly 3/8"). All stud kits have a 1/2" front screw at minimum. There has to be countersinking involved, unless there is something I'm misunderstanding while looking at the measurements? I suppose if I could find one of those short ~3/8" Marlin front studs...