Cooey 60/600 vs. Cooey 64 vs. everything else

TheCoachZed

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Hey guys,

I'm thinking about picking up a second .22 since I'm still trying to figure out my Rossi pump's issues. I may go purchase a new bolt action Mossberg 802 Plinkster or a Marlin 795, but I'm also considering a used Cooey.

What sort of things should I be looking for in a Cooey, and why are the 60/600s always more than the model 64s?

Are the 64s known for jamming?

How are the Cooeys, compared to each other for accuracy?

Can I still find parts for the Model 60/600?

How does a used Cooey stack up against, say, a used Savage or Marlin .22?
 
I've had a 64b for 25yrs. Not sure how many thousands of rounds through it, but lots. Super simple to take down and clean. Like every 22lr it will prefer some type of ammo. Mine works great with the Federal 525rd bulk packs (and a few others but I can't recall which as I've been using the 525rd packs for the last several years). Once in awhile I get tempted to part with it and get something newer, but then I remember it's simplicity and reliability - so it stays. Accuracy is on par with most all other 22lr semi's in its price category and I have no complaints. If you get a 64b, it will be a rifle that will stay as is, as there is no real aftermarket support for it - so 10rd factory mags is all you'll find for it. I have a 10/22 and Rem597 also. I find the 64b simpler to clean but equal to the 10/22 and 597 in accuracy (open sights - no scopes on my 22's yet).
 
If you get a 64b, it will be a rifle that will stay as is, as there is no real aftermarket support for it - so 10rd factory mags is all you'll find for it. (open sights - no scopes on my 22's yet).



That is just fine by me. I don't have reason or money to pimp a rifle out. All I want is something that doesn't jam often, if at all, and can shoot straighter than I can . . .. something like my old Springfield 87a.
 
A Cooey 64 is a .22 LR semi-automatic fed from a (detachable) magazines, whereas the 60/600 is a .22 S/L/LR bolt-action fed from a underbarrel tube magazine.....:yingyang:....I think that's why there are so many differences in pricing, right there (supply & demand for each "type" being what it is).

My recommendation? A nice old Remington (my preferrence) or Mossberg tube-fed bolt-action or semi-automatic.....:cool:....they are real sleepers in terms of people appreciating their real value (though Mossbergs have begun to go up in price on these boards, finally), and are solid-functioning, straight-shooting joys to own and, well, "operate".....:dancingbanana:

Side Note: on the whole, the Cooey 64 will usually (though not always) require a tad more tinkering than the Cooey 60/600....:redface:....and - for my part - there are more reliable "firing-pin-strikers" out there on older firearms than there are on the Cooeys (blasphemy, I know! :D )
 
You might consider a levergun. Usuallly more accurate and a lot more reliable. 64s tend to be sensitive to dirt and can slow down to a stop. My first rifle was a 64 and if I were going to have a semi it would likely be a Ruger 10/22. For fun they are great, for accuracy not so. Lots will tell you they are accurate and to a point they are but put them against a decent lever or bolt and see the difference. Its in the nature of the mechanism. The bullet is still in the barrel while the bolt is travelling backwards. Some will say thats BS but I suspect that comes from those that have not actually done the test. Eyeopener for me to say the least. Dont own any semis anymore- have to be kept clean and can be fussy about ammo and may not feed it. Bolts and levers-not usually ever. Had 3 levers and a bolt out yesterday and the bolt was chewing the bullseye out of a small target at 100m. That was a surprise even for me. Good gun (CZ) and good ammo (CCI). Leverguns can be both fast and accurate and usually come already with a 15 round mag.
 
Once I got my 600 working, it was a real treat. Never put a foot wrong so to speak. Just kept feeding it bulk pack ammo and it kept shooting. Was accurate enough to take gophers out to @ 75M or so. Only used a bore snake to clean, maybe some Ed's Red for the action.
Good luck!!
 
I had a Cooey 39 and currently still have a Winchester 67 for single action that both shoot extremely well. Just not keen on right hand single action guns-they are for training noobies that are right hand as most of my stuff is either leftie or leftie friendly as in lever. Even a cheap pos can be a tack driver with some practise. A friend once shot a crow out of a big tree at what had to be at least 150yds with one shot with a beat up Mossberg. Thats why they are so popular. A bit of care and oil can make quite a difference. Was not a really safe shot at the time but we were kids and under no supervision. I would not have taken the shot myself.
 
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A friend once shot a crow out of a big tree at what had to be at least 150yds with one shot with a beat up Mossberg. Thats why they are so popular.
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That crow had just completely ran out of luck!
The shot had nothing to do with the quality of the rifle.
 
If you want an inexpensive, lightweight semiauto .22 that you don't plan on modifying and you're happy with 10 round magazines, the Marlin 795 looks like a good choice. They have a good reputation for accuracy and reliability and the bolt stays open on the last shot, unlike many other .22 semis.

If you like tube magazines, the Model 60 is pretty much the same thing with a tube instead of a detachable magazine.
 
H4831-no doubt luck was part of it and I considered it an unsafe shot at the time but it was more to indicate that what people consider lower end stuff is still capable of decent shooting. Nothing more. Not a fan of either product line myself and have moved on to better things. We make our choices.
 
Mr Toymaker?...

I adore my '64's. One I've owned for 25 years the other, about 1 (for his n' her's shooting). I love 'em...for cost in and, fun out, I couldn't replace them! They are a simple, cheap semi.

The 60/600's are tube fed bolt actions (as stated). For what they are, again, cost versus fun, makes 'em fantastic. Later models are grooved for scope mounting.

I also love my laser-like single shots ('39 and, '75)...seriously accurate and, cheap to aquire shooters.

Top it off with the Canadiana that goes with ownership too
 
If you want an inexpensive, lightweight semiauto .22 that you don't plan on modifying and you're happy with 10 round magazines, the Marlin 795 looks like a good choice. They have a good reputation for accuracy and reliability and the bolt stays open on the last shot, unlike many other .22 semis.

If you like tube magazines, the Model 60 is pretty much the same thing with a tube instead of a detachable magazine.

Mine seems modifiable, don't know about you, but I free floated mine, Kryloned it, mounted a scope and am planning on having it bedded,installing a piccatiny rail, installing a new enlarger charging handle and modding the stock to a benchrest style. Modifiable enough for ya?:p
 
The cooey 600 is a great gun. The only drawback is getting a scope mount costs almost as much as the gun did.

All of the cooey 600 rifles I ever saw came with an integral dovetail on the receiver and a scope could be mounted without any alterations.

The model 60 had no dovetail and needed the receiver to be drilled and tapped to accomodate a weaver mount. Today that would cost as much as the rifle is worth.
 
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