Thoughts on Marlin Model 60

A

AaronL

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I’ve had I mind to pick up a Model 60 for some time now. Just developed an appreciation for the classic old rifle. It’s entirely possible I’ve just missed them, but I haven’t seen a single one pop up on the equipment exchange on CGN. Something I find surprising considering how many have been produced since 1960.
Any thoughts on why they’re hard to find? I know they are no longer in production since Rugers acquisition of Marlin.
Just curious on thoughts as to why they’re so elusive. Do people just love them so much they wont part with them? Or perhaps due to a potential for their value to increase in the future?
Cheers,
A
 
I have had many over the years. Only have one now. Love it though. It doesnt see much use these days because I have so many tube fed rimfires that it only comes out maybe once a year. These model 60's are my favorite semiauto .22 rifles. They are pretty reliable and "pass-downable" guns, so they dont come up for sale often. I dont think I ever sold one. Always gave them away to young shooters. I think they deserve a good accurate, reliable gun early right out of the gates.
 
I got one (all black version) that I bought about 10 years ago - shot it less than 50 rounds - have it in the safe. It's very nice just do not shoot it as much - if you can find one I would recommend it.
 
Good question. There were so many around at such low prices...they didn't draw much attention. Only one I came close to buying was the walnut-stocked version. I can't say as though I knew 100% that they weren't being produced, but I think once that becomes common knowledge....and threads like this generate some interest...owners may look to make a few bucks.

I've owned 3X Marlin 795s over the years, 2 blued and 1 stainless. Always preferred the mag-fed version of the rifle. (of every rifle) However, if I was walking in the woods looking for squirrels...a stainless 60 would be pretty nice.

MCARBO spring kits tame the trigger nicely.
 
Always liked and wanted the 60SS model but never got around to grabbing one. When I saw a 60SB with Tech Sights on the EE for a great deal I jumped on it fast. Very happy with it. I have plans to drop in mcarbo parts some day.
 
My guess is that they will come back into production eventually, maybe with changes in the finish. They are great rifles, and if they remain in that under $350 price range, they are absolutely worth it. The last shot hold open, and the bolt operation is nicer than what the Ruger 10/22 offers. It's on the smaller side, which I like, and very handy. They show up on the EE sometimes as well.
 
On my list to buy.
Maybe at the Loopy show.

Just picked up a Glenfield Model 20.
Dang thang makes me smile.
Ballard rifling and is surprisingly accurate.

Prefer the detach mag over the mag tube.

Old Marlins were a great secret.
 
They're very reliable and accurate, the thing that holds them back is the trigger.
If you don't mind putting in an MCarbo trigger kit they're a great alternative to the 10/22.

I owned one for a few years and had absolutely zero jams, misfires, fail to ejects, no problems at all in the time I owned it.

If you decide to scope it, don't cheap out on the rings. They clamp on the aluminum receiver. If they don't fit well you'll have problems with marring and slippage. Do some research as to what the dovetail size is for the rifle you get. I seem to remember that rifles built prior to 2005 are 3/8", post-2005 are 11mm. Maybe.

Unless I'm mistaken, the older versions did not hold the bolt open on the last shot, and also had longer barrels, 22" vs 19" on the new models. I could be wrong about barrel lengths, so take that with a grain of salt too.

There's some history on magazine capacity and barrel length of the Marlin 60, some were sold with a shorter magazine tube to meet a fleeting restriction on how many rounds could be loaded.

Lots of info on the rifle's history online if you want to look for it.
 
I had a Glenfield-60 back in the early 70's that I gave to my sister when I moved. Now I've got a 2014 in Laminate/Blue that I 'tuned' using Arrowdodger on RFC as a guide. I did the Floppy Spring, cut One coil off the Hammer spring and polished everything inside. I now have a 2.2# trigger and hit ca 3/4" at 50 with SK+, using a Tasco 4-12x40 AO scope. 2x Home-made Spee-d-loaders with 60-rounds make reloads less tedious.
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The Model 60 series is an excellent rifle. Worked on quite a number of them. The synthetic buffers would break on occasion, and sometimes a firing pin needed replacement.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Good question. There were so many around at such low prices...they didn't draw much attention. Only one I came close to buying was the walnut-stocked version. I can't say as though I knew 100% that they weren't being produced, but I think once that becomes common knowledge....and threads like this generate some interest...owners may look to make a few bucks.

I've owned 3X Marlin 795s over the years, 2 blued and 1 stainless. Always preferred the mag-fed version of the rifle. (of every rifle) However, if I was walking in the woods looking for squirrels...a stainless 60 would be pretty nice.

MCARBO spring kits tame the trigger nicely.
Click to expand...

Who has the mcarbo kits in stock these days?

Edit: I see CSC has them.
 
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B.C. - If you go on Rimfirecentral there are several Stickies from Arrowdodger that detail how to Maintain and or mod the rifle, mostly without buying extra springs. Unless you have broken ones, like need a recoil spring or ejector spring. The hardest thing about AD's mods is finding a 'Floppy Spring' unless you know an 'older IT nerd' :rolleyes: . DIY is Fun ;)
 
If I were buying a .22 semi; this would be the model. I love the look of the stainless ones in the grey laminate stocks.
 
B.C.Jay said:
Who has the mcarbo kits in stock these days?

Edit: I see CSC has them.
Click to expand...

Got my last ones (recently) from Bullseye North, and picked-up one of their polishing kits for the sear/trigger. Nice value, small tin of FLITZ, felts for your rotary tool, nitrile gloves and a clean rag. Messy job/great results.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Good question. There were so many around at such low prices...they didn't draw much attention. Only one I came close to buying was the walnut-stocked version. I can't say as though I knew 100% that they weren't being produced, but I think once that becomes common knowledge....and threads like this generate some interest...owners may look to make a few bucks.

I've owned 3X Marlin 795s over the years, 2 blued and 1 stainless. Always preferred the mag-fed version of the rifle. (of every rifle) However, if I was walking in the woods looking for squirrels...a stainless 60 would be pretty nice.

MCARBO spring kits tame the trigger nicely.
Click to expand...

I paid around $149.00 for mine on sale
 
When I was a kid my dad had one (still does) and he/it was incredibly accurate. I recall him sitting on the deck and consistently hitting a 1" piece of rebar that was our property marker. It was exactly 100 yards. He routinely did that. He also shot a model airplane out of the top of a tree on the first shot offhand. One of the best shooters I've ever seen. Especially for a "farmer marksmen" that had no training other than buying himself a box of 22lr every once in a while and shooting rats in the barns and silos.
 
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