Help me decide - Marlin or Ruger?

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Kunker

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I'm looking to pick up a semi-auto 22 for plinking at the range. Narrowed it down to either a Marlin 60, Marlin 795 or a Ruger 10/22.

Any recommendations from the CGN crowd on which way I should be leaning?

Thanks in advance!
Kevin
 
Depends on whether you want to be able to;
A customize endlessly (Ruger 10/22)
B possible hunting (Marlin 60, tube mag I think is preferable for this)
C save the most money (clip fed might be preferable at the range?)
 
Speaking in "out of the box" terms...

Marlin is more accurate by far
Ruger is more customizable by far
Both are about equally reliable as far as cycling ammunition.

Do you want accuracy or customizability?
 
At this point, just looking for accuracy. If I'm really looking to customize down the road, I can just pick up a 10/22 then.

In searching some other forums/google on this, there is mention of some feeding issues on the Marlin's with cheap ammo - anyone run into this here? There was also a comment that they are a bit on the complex side and should be taken to a gunsmith rather than playing around this - any truth to this as well?

Last question - shows my newbie-ness: what is the magazine limit for a 22? For some reason I thought it was 10 rounds, but since the Marlin 60 comes with a 14 magazine, I must be mistaken.
 
As far as I know, the Marlins only have their own 10 round mags, and they're pretty hard to find. Just about everyone carries Butler Creek steel lip 25 round mags for the Ruger. Ruger factory also makes quality higher capacity mags, 25 rounds and 50 rounds, but they are harder to find in Canada. And as far as accuracy goes, my 1022 is plenty accurate, I'd reccomend replacing the factory hammer spring with a lighter one from Volquartsen, and installing a bolt buffer. I agree that the Marlin is more "inherrantly accurate" out of the box, but c'mon 22lr is cheap, get out there and practice; before any mods, I had no problem picking off pop cans at 200 meters with a cheap 3-9 power scope and winchester bulk ammo.
 
Kunker said:
At this point, just looking for accuracy. If I'm really looking to customize down the road, I can just pick up a 10/22 then.

In searching some other forums/google on this, there is mention of some feeding issues on the Marlin's with cheap ammo - anyone run into this here? There was also a comment that they are a bit on the complex side and should be taken to a gunsmith rather than playing around this - any truth to this as well?

Last question - shows my newbie-ness: what is the magazine limit for a 22? For some reason I thought it was 10 rounds, but since the Marlin 60 comes with a 14 magazine, I must be mistaken.
Click to expand...

You are correct marlin model 60 comes with a 14 round tube mag, but you can get 15 rounds in it with the bolt closed.

All the marlins i've owned have run great with most all ammo, but i've read that some can be fussy with cheap stuff. but so can any other semi auto .22 including the 10/22.

As far as complexity goes, the marlins are likely not as easy to tinker with as a ruger, but really there is no need to tinker with them. The action is very easy to smooth up, but if you need to dismantle the lower assembly it can get complicated. 99.9% of the time however, it is NOT necessary to do so.
 
Marin for the field.

Ruger for the range.

I was at the same place as you 5 years ago. I joined a gun club and was looking for a semi auto to shoot there. I bought a marlin 795 I have since sold it and bought a 10/22 actually two of them now, one belongs to my wife.

Reliability i would have to say the marlin was better. I really never had a problem with it.
My 10/22s jam every now and then.
The marlin was more accurate than my cutomized 10/22 as well.

Yes the trigger unit is very different in each gun. The Ruger is meant to be taken apart with one screw and its all a very modular system with simple swappable components.
The marlin is more of a conventional rifle that isnt meant to me changed.

I got bored of the marlin as a range gun and wanted something i could customize for myself
One of them is a 12.5" Dlask/tapco tactical sniper thingy, and the other sort of an M1 carbine with fire sights and has a fun painted up short stock for my wife.

The Marlin i had sort of looked like a regular rifle really. Which was perfect for mounting a scope on creating a very light and accurate field gun.

I would suggest you find yourself a nice used marlin 60 stainless and keep it stock.
The one thing i prefer over the 10/22 versus the 795 is the internal mag on the ruger.

When you get bored of it dont sell it like i did you may want it to carry around some day unlike my 8 lb 10/22

They are both really great rifles.
 
Why is a CZ 452 or 453 not on your list?

Why?
Leagues more fun, regardless of how "fun" you think semi-auto is
Cheaper
More accurate
Etc...

Semi-auto is initially fun, but it costs much more to feed (even though it still is cheap in comparison), and you might just get sick of just pulling the trigger and banging off rounds. A bolt action adds a level of tactical precision that you get with a larger rifle like a .308 style precision rig, for example.

I have both and got sick of the semi-auto after a few sessions. Just seemed boring. The precision factor of my CZ 452 Varmint .22LR is unbeatable.
 
Well although this is your opinion and no one can tell you your wrong, some people really enjoy semi's. We're all different and like different things. The CZs are far more expensive which may be a problem for the OP at this time. Frankly some of the best fun Ive had was blasting away with hicap mags in my 10/22. To the OP, I love my ruger and wouldnt buy any other semi .22 unless its a non-restricted version of a prohib or very expensive black rifle. The laws regarding rimfire are a little more relaxed than centerfire so customizing can get really fun.

pazzo said:
Why is a CZ 452 or 453 not on your list?

Why?
Leagues more fun, regardless of how "fun" you think semi-auto is
Cheaper
More accurate
Etc...

Semi-auto is initially fun, but it costs much more to feed (even though it still is cheap in comparison), and you might just get sick of just pulling the trigger and banging off rounds. A bolt action adds a level of tactical precision that you get with a larger rifle like a .308 style precision rig, for example.

I have both and got sick of the semi-auto after a few sessions. Just seemed boring. The precision factor of my CZ 452 Varmint .22LR is unbeatable.
Click to expand...
 
Just got the new marlin model 60ss broken in and I'm very impressed. I don't miss the 3 1022s I sold anymore. I prefer the tube mag for plinking. Also I like the fact that it works well out of the box. So far it seems to like the 555s and hates the dynapoints and winchester HVs in the grey box. Haven't tried any CCI products in it yet. It feels good too.
 
aaron v said:
Just got the new marlin model 60ss broken in and I'm very impressed. I don't miss the 3 1022s I sold anymore. I prefer the tube mag for plinking. Also I like the fact that it works well out of the box. So far it seems to like the 555s and hates the dynapoints and winchester HVs in the grey box. Haven't tried any CCI products in it yet. It feels good too.
Click to expand...

Try CCI Standard velocity, you'll likely be very impressed!
 
pazzo said:
Why is a CZ 452 or 453 not on your list?

Why?
Leagues more fun, regardless of how "fun" you think semi-auto is
Cheaper
More accurate
Etc...

Semi-auto is initially fun, but it costs much more to feed (even though it still is cheap in comparison), and you might just get sick of just pulling the trigger and banging off rounds. A bolt action adds a level of tactical precision that you get with a larger rifle like a .308 style precision rig, for example.

I have both and got sick of the semi-auto after a few sessions. Just seemed boring. The precision factor of my CZ 452 Varmint .22LR is unbeatable.
Click to expand...

Actually, I already have a bolt action 22, and am looking to go SA, hence me asking about these particular models. If there is another inexpensive (but not cheap, if you know what I mean) SA 22 out there I should be considering, please let me know.
 
I just tried to buy new 795 this week and my local dealer was out of stock. I'm disappointed, and relieved at the same time. I have a love/hate relationship with semis, and don't currently own one. Had a little cash burning a hole in my pocket, thought some "buy-a-gun" therapy wouldn't be a bad thing. :)

Anyhow, this might be the most civilized "Marlin vs. Ruger" thread I've seen to date, some great points made. As for what I'd recommend?

If you like to tinker (and I don't, nor do I understand the appeal) then the 10/22 is probably the route to go. I had one for a while, worst trigger I've ever used. They're heavier, a little more traditional/full-sized rifle etc.

If you want no-nonsense, no-tinker, better accuracy...but ligher/toy-like dimensions, the Marlin 795 would be a better choice. I don't own one, but have shot one and my impression is that it has a slightly better (not by much) trigger, but is more accurate. Close to 1/2 the price of the Ruger too.

It's a small detail, but as reliable as Ruger's 10-round rotary mags are, their size forces Ruger to make their stocks unnecessarily bulky. Minor pet peeve, I've never heard anyone else complain about it. The Marlin 795's external/narrow box mag helps keep the rifle dimensions to a minimum...which I think I like for field carry.

My next .22 will likely be a CZ scout. :)
 
Ruger 10 22, then Marlin 60, IMO.

I agree with pazzo, I have had 3 ruger 10 22's, one there target model, and a marlin model 60, and a marlin papoos. The cz 452 is the only one that hasnt found its way to the choping block..... and it never will, it has always out shot any of the the other .22 guns i have ever had. its a keeper! But if you really want a semi auto i would go with the ruger
 
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