Which gun is better? The Marlin 795 or the 60?
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This was another reason why I went with the 795 for a truck gun. In addition to being light, short, and inexpensive as well as keeping the gun safer around young children, it kept me compliant with a few states I frequent that allow for long guns to be transported as long as they are unloaded.
From a safety perspective, the 795 is the preferred format. Drop mag and open bolt and the rifle is unloaded. The tube requires more fiddling, some of which is in front of the muzzle. I am not sure if the M60 has an auto bolt open function, but the 795 does and that is a plus. Mag catch is rudimentary, but generally works OK and is not likely to be accidentally released.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
Meh.
Again, safety is as safety does.
Open the bolt, good to go. Load/unload appropriately.
Safety is relative, and what it REALLY depends upon is people's understanding of how their firearm is designed and how it works.
To me, this is like saying "the preferred format in revolvers is the cylinder release" over revolvers with a loading port, because you can flip out the cylinder and see all six chambers at once.
The preferred format is ALWAYS understanding how the firearm works and applying safe handling accordingly.
I will grant, however, a preference for certain functional characteristics on the individual level. But not in general.
WestKentucky
Member
I agree to a point. There is a very distinct difference in the way that the marlin guns work than with many semiauto 22s. The bolt handle on the 60 platform and similar rifles derived from the 60 serves a dual function in charging and locking open the bolt. Simple and effective, however this creates a safety issue. Not a concern, but a legit issue. Can be overcome, but it is NOT intuitive, even for gun experienced folks.
To unload a 60 and make it safe, you have 2 options. Put safety on and run every round through the chamber until it’s empty, or you put the safety on, remove the inner tube, dump remaining rounds into X (hand, hat, bowl) replace the inner tube, and eject the chambered round. The first way is time consuming, the second way is quicker but mentally you have confirmation of a safe unloaded gun because you cleared the mag, and you cleared the chamber, but you are mistaken. The way a 60 works is that rounds feed into the mechanism and stay there. You have at least 1 more if not 2 more rounds in the gun which will feed into the chamber when you eject the chambered round. Can you chalk this up to a design understanding and therefore it’s OK because you understand it... yeah probably so, but it is far more complicated and less intuitive than the 795 where you drop magazine and empty chamber with visual confirmation that all is clear in a single glance.
That actually surprised me the first time I unloaded a model 60. I started with a Nylon 66 and just assumed they operated the same. Droped the tube, and loose bullets pulled the handle back and it went forward again pulled it back and another shell popped out.
What I eventually started doing was retracting and locking the bolt which brings the lifter up, then dumping the mag which should clear the remaining shells, chambering and ejecting the shell on the lifter and checking that the action was clear again after putting the mag tube back in.
Chief, I will yield to your experience with humans using their mental ability to ensure safe operations.
I apologize, I did not initially intend to be an a-hole, but I found the laughing smiley and could not help myself.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
Chief, I will yield to your experience with humans using their mental ability to ensure safe operations.
I apologize, I did not initially intend to be an a-hole, but I found the laughing smiley and could not help myself.
No worries!
It's usually really apparent when people are REALLY intending to be offensive, and I realize that we all may be pretty adamant about some things in our own way.
Besides... most of us on this forum are fairly open to discussion with a level head.
Bill460
Member
I have a total of 3 Marlin Model 60's. A 1985 model, (18 round capacity), and a 50th Anniversary Model, (15 round capacity). And a Stainless Steel grey laminated stock model, (15 round capacity). All 3 run like scalded dogs, and are very accurate.
I think in general tubular magazine fed .22's are less prone to feeding issues and bullet deformation, (which degrades accuracy), than detachable magazine fed .22's are. The exception is the Ruger 10/22 with it's excellent 10 shot rotary magazine. Now there are even 25 round models available for the Ruger 10/22.
But I've come across a lot of detachable magazine .22's over the years that have had issues. Another thing is if the gun is discontinued. If you lose or damage the magazine, you're basically out of luck, and have a single shot rifle.
Back in 1985 I bought a beautiful Medallion Grade Browning A-Bolt .22. It is without question the most beautiful .22 I own. A few years after I bought it an outfit was having a closeout on A-Bolt .22 magazines. Both 5 round, and 15 round capacity models. I bought 6 of each. I really didn't want to spend the money at the time. But now I'm very glad I did, because they are all but impossible to find at ANY price.
While there is nothing "wrong" with detachable magazine fed .22's, I think a tubular magazine model is always preferable. I remember back in the 70's Weatherby made a beautiful high grade .22 semi auto in both tube feed, as well as detachable magazine feed. The tube fed models are more desirable, because again, finding magazines for the detachable magazine fed model is all but impossible. And expensive as hell if you do.
I think in general tubular magazine fed .22's are less prone to feeding issues and bullet deformation, (which degrades accuracy), than detachable magazine fed .22's are. The exception is the Ruger 10/22 with it's excellent 10 shot rotary magazine. Now there are even 25 round models available for the Ruger 10/22.
But I've come across a lot of detachable magazine .22's over the years that have had issues. Another thing is if the gun is discontinued. If you lose or damage the magazine, you're basically out of luck, and have a single shot rifle.
Back in 1985 I bought a beautiful Medallion Grade Browning A-Bolt .22. It is without question the most beautiful .22 I own. A few years after I bought it an outfit was having a closeout on A-Bolt .22 magazines. Both 5 round, and 15 round capacity models. I bought 6 of each. I really didn't want to spend the money at the time. But now I'm very glad I did, because they are all but impossible to find at ANY price.
While there is nothing "wrong" with detachable magazine fed .22's, I think a tubular magazine model is always preferable. I remember back in the 70's Weatherby made a beautiful high grade .22 semi auto in both tube feed, as well as detachable magazine feed. The tube fed models are more desirable, because again, finding magazines for the detachable magazine fed model is all but impossible. And expensive as hell if you do.
d2wing
Member
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I don't argue with that, but try to find a correct proper push tube and lifter parts for a rifle made in the 1940's. I have two of them.
entropy
Member
I just was given another Model 60. I might sell it to fund parts for the Springfield 'click-clack' I have sitting in my safe. A far better gun. (and I hate click-clacks, too.) Did I mention I don't like Model 60's?
Bill460
Member
Understood, and I agree that finding parts for ANY 80 year old .22 can be problematic. But at the same time you have to remember, how many 80 year old .22's are floating around out there with their original detachable box magazines?
Nice to see another that is not in love with the AR platform.
If you are so stupid as to not get around loading a tube magazine....you should look for another hobby....and not knitting as it has pointy things that might get you.
jmorris
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4:00 into this video.
And that guy has over 4 and a half million people as subscribers to him enjoying his hobby. Not exactly a new kid to firearms.
Vs, :50 into this one
What one do you think would be easier for “stupid” people to keep in a safe direction while loading?
Not knocking the rifle, I have had my Model 60 since they were $69 at Kmart as well as other semiautomatic, bolt, pump and lever action, tube fed rifles. Just making an observation from decades of owning tube fed rifles and watching people.
And that guy has over 4 and a half million people as subscribers to him enjoying his hobby. Not exactly a new kid to firearms.
Vs, :50 into this one
What one do you think would be easier for “stupid” people to keep in a safe direction while loading?
Not knocking the rifle, I have had my Model 60 since they were $69 at Kmart as well as other semiautomatic, bolt, pump and lever action, tube fed rifles. Just making an observation from decades of owning tube fed rifles and watching people.
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IndianaBoy
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Bill460
Member
Another good thing about tubular magazines, is they are exempt from the capacity limits that are being passed in many states.
Varminterror
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Thanks - I’d typed those out as 18, 15, and 10, but then went back to add the “+1” and forgot to reduce the “10”.
The count in the 99M1 is pretty important, as you aren’t able to as easily see when the mag tube is full, as you can with the “ported” tubes of the 60’s.
The 99M1 is actually my favorite rifle model of all. I’ve bought a few others over the years in FAR better condition, but as they say - This is my rifle; there are many like it, but this one is MINE. Grandpa bought it new in ‘64, gave it to my dad when he graduated HS in ‘77, who gave it to me in ‘89. My son started shooting it a bit in 2015, but has his own 60SS with a cropped stock to shoot until he grows into the LOP. She’s a long ways from “pretty,” and even further from “Like New,” but she’ll eat anything with nothing more than a squirt of Rem oil about every 500 rounds, and she hits where I point her (even sans sights). I’ve carried this rifle hundreds of miles and taken hundreds of coons over hounds with it, put down sick cows, killed a couple dozen coyotes and thousands of squirrels. It’s a little beefier than a 60, but with a shorter barrel and certainly a sexier aesthetic. I’ve wished for years Marlin would bring out a “retro” limited offering reproducing these with a finer finish and stock than the rack 60’s, but alas, I dream.
I knew hiccup's video was what was referred to. You need to know when someone is covering his and take it for what it is worth. Some easily swayed people tend to read too much into it
I bought my dad an older "squirrel stock" Marlin Model 60 with a 4x scope, and it's great.
I have a ten year old Model 60SS (stainless finish, laminate stock) which is very nice and quite accurate. It's a little heavier.
I used to have a 795. Compared to the two 60s, it was lighter and felt cheaper. It also had a canted front sight, which I did not notice until I got it home. I set it up as an Appleseed rifle and later sold it. The two Model 60s are staying.
I have a ten year old Model 60SS (stainless finish, laminate stock) which is very nice and quite accurate. It's a little heavier.
I used to have a 795. Compared to the two 60s, it was lighter and felt cheaper. It also had a canted front sight, which I did not notice until I got it home. I set it up as an Appleseed rifle and later sold it. The two Model 60s are staying.
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