Marlin 60

[haveyourmile]

I'm looking into buying a Marlin 60 for a cheap plinking gun. I've heard they're pretty accurate out of the box too, which is what I'm looking for. I'm not wanting to spend a lot of money on making it tacticool but would like to get a cheap scope for it in the near future.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/41693

^ On that one, it has what looks like a pretty cheap scope. Could I easily remove the scope and have iron sights? Do I have to buy iron sights separately or is it like I take off the scope and the iron sights are already on? Sorry I'm a completely rifle n00b.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/41049

Of the links I posted, which is my best bet? If I got one without the scope on it, do I just need to buy a scope and put it on, or do I need to get a rail and a scope? Thanks

[Sinixstar]

Marlin does make an excellent .22
I have a 99 (precursor to the 60), and in the past had the 70P (take down "papoose" version of the 60). Have shot quite a few 60s over the years.
(also note that all of the above are based on roughly the same action, with minor revision over the last 50+ years)

The model 60 has an integrated rail along the top of the receiver for the scope.
All of them come with standard sights. Depending on the model (there's a few variations of the 60/70) the sights are of varying quality.

They are also incredibly accurate. that's why there's not as much aftermarket support for the 60 as there is for the 10/22. It's simply not needed. People spend hundreds of dollars building their 10/22 - and the result is something as accurate as the 60 is out of the box.

I think they're one of the best values in rimfire rifles on the market, by far. You will not be disappointed.

[Someguy925]

The rail is already on the rifle irc. You would just need to purchase the rings and a scope.

Also the irons are very spot on and you'll have no trouble plinking accurately.

[Devilinbp]

The rifle for 147.00 has a composite stock and possibly a scope; but no mention of the features or if it is even included in the description. I would call for more info there. The other rifle has a Birchwood stock, so there you have to choose.....wood or composite. Both rifles have a rail for a scope and iron sights. You can buy a scope and mounting rings(if the scope doesn't come with them)separately, that fit the rifle if neither rifle actually comes with one. With a 5 buck price difference you can't really go wrong either way.

[shrap]

The Marlin 60 has a dovetail, not a separate rail. Alas the dovetail doesn't seem to be very good quality either, scope rings have a habit of moving around.

My buddy has one of these Marlins, the scope isn't very good compared to even a cheap $50 scope. I would rather get a wood-stocked one and throw some Tech-Sights on it, the stock irons are ok but stress my eyes out after a hundred rounds.

[bigthaiboy]

If you look out for a pre-1984 Glenfield Marlin 60, they have a slightly longer barrel, but hold 18rds in the tube instead of 14rds. These are relatively common, as they literally made millions of them. You should be able to find one for $100, maybe slightly less.

[Baxter]

check out http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php, there is a forums for the model 60 and just about every rimfire out there. To address the scope moving on the dovetail, all you have to do is remove some paint in the dovetail and it will eliminate the walking.

[orangeusa]

Go for it. Maybe buy Marlin 60 AND 10/22

bigthaiboy nailed it - Yup - I bought an older one - 1979 almost unused last year. Is a Glenfield with squirrel, 17 rounder, longer barrel and has a leather sling. It is hellla accurate for a low cost gun. I prefer the 60 to the 795, just due to capacity and I've had almost no feeding issues with this gun. Remember - 22LR ammo fails about 1% in my experience. I.e. solid firing pin strike and ammo fails.. Weird. And seems to be true of most bulk - Federal and Remington. (Avoid the remington w/o jacket... it works poorly in almost any semi-auto (especially pistola) )

I removed the stock scope almost immediately (carefully saved it!!) and added an aftermarket scope - the only "funny thing" is that the dovetail is 3/8" and is the same as airsoft. So look for airsoft (or 22LR) in the descripgion of rings or scopes. Surprisingly - they are built more durable than the equivalent scope - airsoft has positive and negative recoil.

I bought a Barska 3-9x x 40mm and it's fine 3-6x, distorted above that. It KEEPS it's zero and was dirt cheap and rugged. So, not the greatest, but adequate for me. Simmons seems to have one of the most popular scopes for this gun. Scopes right now are so messed up - most scopes are re-branded Chinese products, so a Nikon is not a Nikon made in Japan.

As far as the gun goes - you can't go wrong, unless you want to modify - as mentioned above - then get a 10/22. But they are heavier, and shorter barrelled.

I love the Glenfield. Here's a picture.... And my friend and I both can shoot a ragged hole at 50 yards... No kidding. They are that good, surprisingly.

[haveyourmile]

Awesome! Thanks for all the great advice and help

[haveyourmile]

OrangeUSA - Thats a sexy lookin devil

[orangeusa]

Thanks - Yeah, my jaw dropped when the guy selling it pulled out of the gun case.

I paid almost double what a 795 costs ($180), but I grew up shooting a similiar gun and the 10/22 was heavier and I was already biased...And this one clearly had not been shot..

You can get plastic tubes for reloading - swoosh - 15 rounds just like that.

But - BUY BOTH!!

I see you're up North, or I'd let you shoot it...

[CalNRA]

if you are planning on putting a scope on a Marlin 60 or 795 be prepared to get a high quality set of rings that has lots of clamping force on the rail, it is not uncommon to see lesserly secured scopes walking on Marlins.

[MrPlutonium]

Just so you guys know I had a marlin 60ss for about a year and the trigger guard cracked in half. Then the trigger stopped resetting altogether so it's sitting unused in my cabinet. Definitely get one of the older ones. This was a tack driver until it broke.

[bigthaiboy]

This is my 1974 Glenfield Marlin 60. I paid $55 for it in a pawn shop less than 2 years ago. Holds 18+1 in the tube. Accurate and reliable. The laminated stock came directly from Marlin and cost more than the rifle. I probably have $230 invested in this rifle including sling, scope, rings, bolt jeweling, and DROS.

Definitely a keeper.

[orangeusa]

I still like my squirrel, but dang, that is nice.
Who says you can't modify them!!!

bigthaiboy - where did you find that awesome scope mount? I saw one like that on rimfirecentral, and never found a source!!!
Does it allow you to see iron sites? No scope is gonna move on that bugger... And while I'm on it - what kinda scope / model - Simmons??