22 Semi-Auto Indecision

SkZuk

SkZuk

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I'd like to bounce some ideas off you guys if I may. I know its very similar to other current threads right now but I am just not convinced yet.

I want a 22 for practice, plinking, gophers, etc, but I don't want an expensive plinkster.

The way I see it then, I buy a new 10/22 ($250) and leave it factory. Maybe add a $50 Bushnell. This should put me into the ~$300 range, correct? I don't really want to mess around with aftermarket triggers, barrels, etc to get it shooting well.

I can buy a used (friend's younger brother) stainless/synthetic 10/22 with a Tasco scope for $250. Its used, Supposed to have a low round count, but the stock is pretty dinged up. Doesn't look well taken care of. Not an outstanding deal, but slightly cheaper than new.

Dry firing won't hurt the Ruger, so I don't care if the action stays open after the last round.

I can also buy a Marlin 795 for $140. Feels like a toy gun when you hold it, but I'd get over that I'm sure. I could also put the Bushnell on it. ~$190+tax.

Dry firing the Marlin may hurt it (?) and the action often doesn't stay open after the last round, from what I have read.

Another thing lots of people are recommending is tech-sites. They come highly recommended for the 10/22 and the Marlin 795 alike. Are there any dealers of Tech-Sites in Canada? Or other highly recommended sites that could be fitted? The Tech-Sites are $70 US, which is a lot when you think about a $140 rifle!

Coles notes: Tell me what to buy. The Ruger's superiour magazine is pulling me that way. The price and the better shooting out of the box, are drawing me to the Marlin. The Remington isn't really blowing my skirt up. Is there anything else I really need to consider? I'm partial to semi-auto.
 
Yeah...it's semi-fever on this forum of late. :)

Let me be the first to chime-in here..I'd say Marlin 795. I just got one, and it's been a flawless performer so far. Not 110% on this (only had it out a few times) but when I drop the mag out, and close the action, the firing pin isn't cocked=no dry fire at all. I feel like a skipping record saying this again, but it out-shoots any stock 10/22 I've ever shot, including the one I used to own~in spite of the fact that both guns have crappy triggers. As for mags~I actually like the 795 mags, have 3 already. Single-stack/narrow keeps the rifle's profile slimmer than the 10/22s, which I also prefer.

Side by side, even if they cost the same, I'd still pick the 795. More accurate, more compact/light, last-shot hold-open, charging handle 10x more comfortable to use, etc. I threw a used $50 Rex scope on mine, 3-9x, and the combination is a load of fun to shoot. I think the 795 vs. 10/22 debate will go on forever (don't care for 597s either) but to me, you're paying about 2x the cost for a 10/22 that doesn't shoot as well. I honestly think 1/2 (or more) of the people who pounce on them have customize-fever. My only complaint would be not having the option to get a wood stock
for the 795, but I'm on a bit of a synthetic kick these days anyway.

Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
I've seen the rem 597 for $160. It's another option. If they get rid of the stupid bullpup law, I'd buy a 597 and a center balance systems 597 kit in a heartbeat!!!!!!
 
I just got a new Remington 597 from Wholesale sports for $168 then sent a $25 mail in rebate coupon to Rem Canada. I mounted a Bushnell Banner Dusk and Dawn 4 X 12-40mm scope ($119) with set of Burris medium height rings ($35). The new style metal 10 round mags (spares are $12) that now come with the 597 work great and I bought a Remignton 30 round mag ($19) also that works great. I've cycled about 1000 rounds through it and after a few failure to eject rounds at first (first 100 rounds had 4 FTE's) it has worked flawlessly. It also shoots very well and will put up 1 inch groups at 50 yds. The only thing I don't like is the triggger pull is quite stiff but I have a Volquartsen hammer kit coming for it to solve that issue.

https://www.volquartsen.com/tags/4-action-trigger-components,29-remington-597

I don't think you can go wrong with this gun, it's a great deal.

Photo0024.jpg
 
Paid $265 for my Savage 64FSS (Black synthetic stock), and an additional $70 for my Tasco Rimfire 3-9x40 and a .22 bore snake. It shoots very well...stainless barrel. NEVER have I had a feed or ejection failure in 4000+ rounds.

The only complaints I have are that the mags are 10 rounds, the stock didn't come standard with sling studs, and the barrel must be separated from the receiver in order to remove the bolt (although so far this has not affected my zero).

Seen below is my 64FSS with scope, but with the camo stock (ordered direct from Savage for around $100 taxes and shipping in), and sling studs (available for like $1 each...and can be installed using a drill and some common sense in about 10 minutes).

So...about $350 for the basic setup...maybe $500 total for the extra stock, spare mag, sling studs for both... etc.

dsc04487gz.jpg


The price is reasonable. It's semi-auto with reliable feeding and extraction. Extra mags are available pretty much anywhere...the stock fits nicely...comes with weaver mounts on the receiver (and fibre optic "irons")....it's stainless...

and....



Best of all...it is made in Canada


so there.
 
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easyrider604 said:
10/22 for tinkering and spending money.

795/60 for accurate reliable shooting fun.
Click to expand...

X2... You cant beat the 60 (or 795) for accuracy and reliability out of the box, but you cant tinker with it much unless you really know what you are doing.

10/22 doesn't hold a candle to the 60/795 in terms of accuracy OTB, but it can be made to look like a volkswagen if you really want it to.

I cant say much about the 597 because i've never owned one. Although i've not heard many bad things other than the guide rails needing adjusting to function properly. But im happy enough with my marlins that i don't think i'll ever bother buying a different semi auto ever.
 
If you don't have a problem only being able to get 10 rnd mags then IMO the Savage 64 is the way to go. Simple to dis-assemble, accurate out of the box, cheaper then the Ruger and Canadian designed/build (not many rifles you can say that about). I've owned a couple and both were totally reliable. My older one needed to be cleaned every 500ish rounds but my new 64 TRR-SR has over 800 rounds through and is still working fine. The only issue I've ever had with 64's is they tend to have some feeding issues when using hollow point rounds.
 
I adore my 64's..I'm biased. My first (and still favourite) is a Cooey 64. Essentially the same rifle in production for 50+ years...that does mean something.

Playing fair, I only recently realized they cost more than a 597 or, 795...that's a bother.

My 597 has proven itself with function, form (full-sized) and, accuracy. I even have a few hi-cap mags too (don't tell anyone 'cause I'm a fudd).

I owned a Marlin 70HC and, it was a fine semi .22 and, takes it's place at the top of "sad I parted with" list.

One thing, not yet mentioned, are the very fine "no longer in production" semi .22's that deserve some serious respect. I've not fired the new plinkster , but any of the older Mossbergs I've fired are fantastic. Winchester has had some goodies. The Springfield/Savage 87A/6A (and a few other monikers) have some serious charm (gills!, bolt doesn't close until trigger is released, can be made to operate as a straight pull bolt action). Too many more to actually list.

Ultimately, you have to "stand behind" you decision. I'm down to about a dozen .22's and, really, there are sooooooo many I haven't even tried yet!
 
.22LRGUY said:
Yeah...it's semi-fever on this forum of late. :)

Let me be the first to chime-in here..I'd say Marlin 795. I just got one, and it's been a flawless performer so far. Not 110% on this (only had it out a few times) but when I drop the mag out, and close the action, the firing pin isn't cocked=no dry fire at all. I feel like a skipping record saying this again, but it out-shoots any stock 10/22 I've ever shot, including the one I used to own~in spite of the fact that both guns have crappy triggers. As for mags~I actually like the 795 mags, have 3 already. Single-stack/narrow keeps the rifle's profile slimmer than the 10/22s, which I also prefer.

Side by side, even if they cost the same, I'd still pick the 795. More accurate, more compact/light, last-shot hold-open, charging handle 10x more comfortable to use, etc. I threw a used $50 Rex scope on mine, 3-9x, and the combination is a load of fun to shoot. I think the 795 vs. 10/22 debate will go on forever (don't care for 597s either) but to me, you're paying about 2x the cost for a 10/22 that doesn't shoot as well. I honestly think 1/2 (or more) of the people who pounce on them have customize-fever. My only complaint would be not having the option to get a wood stock
for the 795, but I'm on a bit of a synthetic kick these days anyway.

Good luck with whatever you choose.
Click to expand...

you can get a wood stock from boyds when they have them. to the op i have a Marlin 60 (tube fed) and I really like it. when i was looking for a semi 22 i also looked hard at the 10/22 but bought the Marlin for the out of the box accuracy and the price as I have no interest in changing anything. bought a set of rings and slapped on a cheap bushnell 3x9. At 50yds I can put all 14 rounds into a jagged 1/2" hole. at 100 yards I like to shoot clay birds and have no issue in doing so.
 
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