Any reason to get a Winchester 63 (Taurus' copy) vice a Marlin 60?

[MatthewVanitas]

Greetings. I have no .22LR rifle, which needs immediate remedying.

-- I'd like to go with a tube mag for capacity, prone fire, and retro-coolness.
-- I'd like semi-auto, because it's the only caliber where I can afford beaucoup ammo
-- affordable but good quality would be great.

The two options that spring to mind are Taurus' new copy of the Winchester 63:

Pros:
-- older, classic JMB design
-- looks cooler
-- easily fitted with Taurus' tangent sight
-- takedown model
Cons:
-- relatively more expensive than Marlin ($230 vs $130 at local shop)
-- somewhat longer and heavier than Marlin
-- I'd have to relearn some of my technique, as tangent sight bumps against my thumb

The other obvious choice is the Marlin 60.

Pros:
-- affordable but respectable
-- higher capacity?
-- common spare parts
Cons:
-- no specific aperture sights, takes general "grooved receiver" sights
-- no takedown feature (nor 10/22 type folding stocks)
-- less exotic/retro than the 63


I'm just thinking out loud right now, but I'd appreciate input from those who own one or the other. My gut says "take the cheap/easy way and get the classic 60", but that 63 is awfully slick. -MV

 

[chaim]

I have a Marlin 60 and I love it. Very accurate. It is ammo sensitive, but with the right ammo (just about any but the cheapest stuff) it is reliable. Best $100 I ever spent.

I am also a big fan of Taurus, I think they make a quality product at a good price. I find the 63 very interesting. I was thinking about it, but I don't shoot .22lr rifles enough to make it worth my while since I have the Marlin (don't really have much use for a second .22lr semi-auto). If I was to do it again I'd probably get the Taurus.

Here are some Taurus rifles I probably will be buying:
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=M62LAR&category=Rifle

http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=C357SSR&category=Rifle

 

[RoyG]

easily fitted with Taurus' tangent sight

According to their website tangent sight only works with the model 62 not the 63.

TANG SIGHT

 

[RoyG]

no specific aperture sights, takes general "grooved receiver" sights

You can order peep type sight from Brownell.com.

RIMFIRE RECEIVER SIGHT

no takedown feature (nor 10/22 type folding stocks)

And iirc ATI made a folding stock for the Marlin 60

This one isn't a folder but if you can't live with the wood stock...

Marlin Semi-Auto Fiberforce Stock

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Roy G: perhaps the website has not been updated? I was at McBride's in Austin yesterday, and handled a new Taurus 63 semiauto with Taurus tang sight on it. Maybe they just didn't update their compatibility chart.

It's kind of a cool-looking tang sight, but it does get in the way of my hand a little. I'd probably be just as happy with the Brownell's sight.

IRT folding stock: I checked ATI's website, and they just have the Dragunovesque stock. I'd just stick with the wood. It's not so much that I need a folding stock, just jealous of Taurus' takedown feature.

 

[RoyG]

I looked on Brownells and they list the tang sight as fitting both the 62 and the 63...

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Townsend Whelen said, "Only accurate rifles are interesting." If I had a chance, I'd shoot these two rifles and compare them for accuracy -- I have a hunch the scoped Marlin would win out.

On the other hand, if the Taurus is adequate in the accuracy department, I'd think the takedown feature and the tang sight are advantages over the Marlin.

 

[P95Carry]

My Marlin 60 after countless thousands of rounds still pleases me - a lot!!

 

[RoyG]

I have several verisons of the 60. Glenfield and Marlin. Also have a Marlin 7000 that I like a lot. I keep looking in all the gun shops for model 60,75,and 99s. Most can be had for less then a c-note with a scope.

A Model 60 is the best fun you can get out of a $100 bill and keep your clothes on.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

A Model 60 is the best fun you can get out of a $100 bill and keep your clothes on.

The girls only charge $100 where you come from?

 

[Aguila Blanca]

The Taurus Model 63 takes the optional tang sight, but you don't need it. It comes with standard open sights. My grandfather had one of the originals, a Winchester Model 03. That's what I learned to shoot on. There is no nicer, easier to shoot, more fun rifle that I can think of. Given a choice between the Model 63 and the Marlin 60 ... I'd say there's no choice. I would HAVE to take the Model 63.

I don't know how you can call the Marlin 60 a "classic" and not call the Model 63 a classic. It's a heckuva lot more "classic" than any Marlin.

 

[Sistema1927]

The Winchester 63 is not a John Browning design. The designer was Thomas C. Johnson.

I have both a Browning auto-.22 as well as a Taurus 63. The Taurus is every bit as nice a rifle as the Browning.