Thoughts on Marlin .22 rifles?

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JeffDilla

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I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts, personal experience on Marlin .22 rifles, particularly the 915Y and 925 models? How are they compared to the old stand-by, the ruger 10/22?
 
I'm not familiiar with the two models you mentioned, but I usually see the Marlin 60 compared to the Ruger 10/22, them both being semi-autos.
In most of what i've read, the 60 takes the cake in out-of-the-box accuracy and might have a slight edge in reliability ( again, just going by what i've read).Yesterday,as most Sundays lately, I put several hundred rounds through my new stainless Marlin 60, never a problem, groups are getting better and better,we love this gun !!
 
I have a 15YN and 25N (both pre '9') and a few 10/22s.

The comparison is a bit off as the Marlins are bolts and the 10/22 is semi.

In terms of precision, the Marlin bolts, from my experience, are much better than the 10/22 out of the box. They will, however, have very stiff bolts from the start (which will eventually wear in) but otherwise function well. The chambers are a little tighter than the stock 10/22's. Modding them, however is limited. You can mod the 10/22 to equal or better the Marlins for precision but it will run up the cost. Finish-wise, although the 10/22 is a heavily mass produced gun, it's build quality is a little better than the base model 15s and 25s, IMO. That's not saying the 10/22's quality is top notch, far from it. For the price though, they are adequate in this area. (e.g., the checkering on my samples are pressed.)
 
Overall, Marlin rimfire rifles are good. I have only ever been interested in their 22WMR in terms of purchase.
 
(quote) "Their autoloaders are crappy" .

I've heard some minority opinions,but that one there rivals the proverbial lone voice in the wilderness.:confused:
 
Their autoloaders are crappy---their bolt actions are decent---their lever actions are fantastic.

As compared to what? I have owned and shot MANY different semis and bolts and for the price there is NOTHING I have seen that is close to them. They all typically shoot as well if not better than guns bringing twice as much! Occasionally you will find a dud but most of them are great!
 
Their autoloaders are crappy---their bolt actions are decent---their lever actions are fantastic

Well thats a very good opinion we should ignore.

I have two of them both are well over 20 and 30 years old. Older one is a marling 60. It has probably had well over 10000 rounds through it. Like other auto loaders. 22lr are finicky on ammo. The worst ammo i ever used was the winchester xp. Jammed all the time. most of the problems with this ammo is with the bullet tip itself they are loose and wiggle they jam up very easy. Same time i have out shot a lot of others with various types of autoloaders. The best though is my marlin 700 which is similar to the 900 series. Its an awesome rifle. i have 2 7round magazines and 3 15 round magazines. This rifle can take an abuse and is very very accurate. its so accurate its boring. i sit at the 100 yard bench and shoot at steel targets all day long. i have out shot a lot of other 22s. including bolt actions. A lot of how good your 22 works depends on how you take care of it. i have found throughout the years the gun does better with little to no oil. In fact i use graphite rather than oil. So with that said id invite anyone and challenge anyone to shooting sillouettes against my marlin. in fact i can pretty much give the rifle to someone else and have them do the shooting its that accurate and reliable.
 
No exprience with the ones you mention above but all of the Marlins I've owned have been nice rifles for the prices paid. Most likely you will be pleased with any Marlin you purchase.
 
i have a marlin 22 mag, i absoloutly love it. i fired 1 ruger 10-22, the trigger was so lousey, i haven't picked up another one since. as far as the youth models, i bought my son a cz 452 scout rifle because i could add a 5 round, or 10 round clip to it, while the marlin youth was strictly a single shot. he will be happier, longer, with a repeater.
 
I owned a Model 60 that was given to me because the owner could not get it to eject. I eventually gave it away for the same reason.

I had one given to me for the same reason. Took her apart, cleaned her up, and she worked like a charm! Have only seen one that just cleaning didn't fix. But then again some idgit had taken a screw driver to the action.
 
I have a Marlin 60 and a 1977 Golden 39A, my Dad has a 52 39A. Dollar for dollar I don't think there are better offerings out there.

.02
 
the mod 60 is the best overall, most accurate, most bang for the buck, most reliable auto for the money, you will ever get. never get a new one, get someone with experience, and get a used one, from a gunshop or a pawnshop.
the best years are from 85 to 88. these had two things no longer found; a 17 round feed tube, coupled with last shot bolt hold open lever.
before 85, no LSBHO. after 88, tube cut to 14 rounds.
for other great ones, look for any bolt 80 or 81 that is old; they have been made since 1937, are now called 981's, and they could shoot short, long, and long rifle. the dl models came with peep sites, which are just fab!!!!
for newer models, but still have to be found used, look for 7000, 2000, 880sq, even a 795. 989, 99, 99m1, 75, 75c. these are all fantastic, well built, walnut wood, super accurate types, especially the first 3 listed here.
 
there is only 2 reasons a mod 60/ or similar variant doesn't feed/ eject correctly. put back togethter wrong, while trying to clean, and ejector wire is in incorrectly. Or the weapon is not clean. the other reason is just age and wear, you have an older model, that has a worn out feed throat assy.
 
I learned how to shoot with a 15YN, the 915Y's predecessor. It is an inherently accurate rifle, and its added heft (compared to other youth .22s) will help junior get a longer period of use out of it. They are sturfy, simple, and affordable. Nothing really bad to say.

I have a Marlin Papoose. I don't have any experience with their tube fed semi-autos. Compared to, say a Ruger 10/22, the magazine latch is more apt to be problematic. Mine developed problems maintaining propper shape, and as a result, wouldn't hold the mag in place. I replaced the part, problem solved. Marlin customer service is decent- they mailed me the parts fast enough, and they charged less than Numrich. Again, the fit and finish are good, as is the accuracy.
 
Hes asking about the bolts.
My 25N is accurate, solid, and dependable. I love mine.
I eventually free floated the barrel, bedded the action, and slicked up the internals. It will give any match grade auto a good run. I love it.
 
I started with a 10/22. It took two trips to Ruger before it would function reliably. This is apparently the exception, not the rule.

Sold it, and found a used Ruger 77/22. What a nice rifle!

Marlin and Savage bolt action 22s feel chintsy compared to the Rugers, but probably shoot just as well.
 
Smaug, for a long time I wouldn't buy a bolt action 22 rifle that felt "chintsy". I avoided Mossbergs, Marlins, and Savages for that reason and purchased Remington 541's. Even the Anschutz rifles actions feel a little chintsy to me also. I looked at a Savage Mark II Classic about two weeks ago and while it does have a beautiful walnut stock, the action is still the same as the lesser priced models. I put it on layaway.

I'm glad you have a good shooting Ruger 77/22. The 10/22 just sours my entire view of Ruger rifles in general. It should be better than it is. And I own one.
 
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