Best 22LR Semi-auto?

[gopackgo]

I've been looking into a 22LR semi-auto rifle for a little while now, and I've pretty much narrowed my choices down to a Marlin Model 60 vs. a Ruger 10/22, based on reviews and the fact that my first rifle when I was a kid was a 10/22. My needs are target, plinking, and my son's first rifle. He's 11, good sized for his age, and trained up decently in safety and marksmanship with a Daisy Model 25. Of course, I would be using the rifle a fair amount of the time too!

From the reviews, the biggest plus I have seen for the Marlin is excellent accuracy out of the box, due to microgrooves. The biggest minus is a "cheap feel". For the Ruger, the biggest plus seems to be quality, as well as aftermarket upgradability, with a drawback of less out of box accuracy and choosy about ammo. I must say that I shoot all of my current firearms stock, though I did add a high capacity banana magazine to that long ago 10/22, and I also remember that the old Ruger used to jam a lot, both with the stock and the aftermarket mag-probably was an ammo issue, as I knew little about such things back then.

I would appreciate any advice I can get.

 

[mshootnit]

do you think a scope is necessary? If not, I would look hard at the Winchester model 63.

 

[jhnrckr]

10/22 is the better of the two. If I had to buy a semi-auto 22 now I would go for an AR clone or Mp5 Clone by umarex/h&k

 

[gopackgo]

A scope may become an issue for me, not necessarily for my son. I've always used iron sights, but my eyesight isn't what it used to be, so I may have to give in to the inevitable at some point, probably sooner rather than later.

 

[HKGuns]

Every boy should have a Ruger 10/22. He should also learn to use those decent iron sights that are stock with the 10/22. Keep it simple to start him out, don't spoil him with a scope. Learning to shoot with irons when you are young is an important part of learning in my opinion.

 

[cfullgraf]

Every boy should have a Ruger 10/22.

And daughter!

 

[Geckgo]

I'm going to cite the generic answer because I agree with it. If you guys are tinkerers, get the ruger, if you want to leave it be, get the marlin, or warm up to other models that are out there. Plenty of nice 22s to pick from.

 

[mshootnit]

I have also had good luck with the kel-tec SU22

 

[Aiko492]

Several good choices. I picked up my first .22LR about 6 months ago to serve three purposes; help me improve my skills, have fun, and expose my children to their first rifle. I found a beautiful walnut stock 10/22 checkered dated to 1986, very good condition. Did nothing to it, shoots <2" groups @ 50 yds. A joy and good looking. My Ruger has eaten everything but really likes the mini-mag ammo.

 

[mac66]

Another option is the Marlin 795. Accurate as the 60, half a pound lighter and used detachable mags like the Ruger and they are really cheap.

On the other hand, I am an instructor at Appleseed and see dozens and dozens of 22s on the line every month. Most of them are basic 10/22s and most of them work all the time. In fact, I've kind of changed my mind about the 10/22. I always thought of it as just a fun plinker. Seeing them go through drill after drill and AQT (army qualification test) after AQT for two days straight hour after hour, for 400-500 rounds in all kinds of positions, rain or shine has given me a better appreciation of what they are.

I've not seen a 795 complete a course of fire at an Appleseed and that includes my own. Rugers do it time after time.

What it comes down to is a 10/22 is a rifle that a kid can keep for a lifetime and change to fit his/her need as they grow. The plinker you buy them today is the hunter of tomorrow, is the target shooter in a few years and the competitor of middle age.

BTW, buy them a rifle and then take them to an Appleseed to learn how to use it, great family activity. Last weekend we had a 13 year old girl show up who had never touched a gun before. By the end of the day she was shooting, standing, sitting and prone, doing transitions between those positions, with a loop and hasty sling. She was shooting a complete course of fire which included standing to sitting with a reload in 55 seconds and standing to prone transition with a reload in 65 seconds. She was also uber safe doing it. She shot a 147 out of 250. That is good for a first timer and we have many adults who can't do that there first time. We see that all the time BTW.

 

[frankenstein406]

Pm me where abouts you live.

I would choose the 795 over the 60. Neither marlin has a cheap feel. If you get the 60 get a speedy loader. The 795 has 25 round mags and 10. I like federal bulk or winchester sub sonics.

 

[BigBoreFan]

I'll also say that the 10/22 is a best of breed and accessories are the max for that platform. I've become a fan of the new cz 512. I'm also a fan of wood if thats any indication and have an unabashed bias for cz.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/972/products_id/71963

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-512/

 

[Bobson]

Every boy should have a Marlin Model 60. He should also learn to use those decent iron sights that are stock with the Marlin Model 60. Keep it simple to start him out, don't spoil him with a scope. Learning to shoot with irons when you are young is an important part of learning in my opinion.

Fixed this for you.

Seriously though. I learned on a Model 60, loved it, never had any problems with it, iron sights were stellar, rifle was very accurate, never (never, in what must have been a few thousand rounds) experienced a stovepipe/FTF/FTE/misc jam with it; can't say a single negative thing about it. Also, never noticed a cheap feel to any Model 60 (though I have in the 10/22s I've handled...). Twenty years later, it still performs exceptionally.

 

[22-rimfire]

From the reviews, the biggest plus I have seen for the Marlin is excellent accuracy out of the box, due to microgrooves. The biggest minus is a "cheap feel".

I handled a stainless Model 60 with hardwood stock the other day at Walmart. Nice rifle! The rifle did not feel cheap at all to me. This particular one comes with a smaller diameter rimfire scope. Price $207. I am considering it, but have no interest in the scope that comes with it. As I recall it did not have the fiber optic sights on it, but makes no difference if I scope it. Many feel the fiber optic sights are not very precise for aiming, but for older eyes, I think they work well.

I don't think the Ruger 10/22 feels "expensive". It is just kind of there for me. I have the Deluxe model with the walnut stock purchased in the late 1980's. It is still stock with a 4x scope mounted on it. I like it for plinking, and perhaps small game hunting like rabbits, but that is about it.

 

[Keb]

multi lug 3/8 scope mount on Marlins

I have been using 4 and six lug mounts on my varmint shooting Marlins.
Leapers makes them as well as someones $50 airgun mount. They really keep the scope properly tight.

 

[jchico28]

Since you haven't made up your mind...completely, may I suggest a Browning?
I bought one when I was in high school for $50 and have been forever pleased with it's reliability and accuracy.
It can easily be broken in two for use to take on various trips (wilderness survival etc.)
The only downside is that there are not cheap but something your kids will have their whole lives and still pass down to their kids.
Just my two cents

 

[Furncliff]

Marlin 60. I like mine I have two. I put a Boyds thumbhole stock on my stainless.

http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/

This rifle is surprisingly accurate and will shoot standard velocity target ammo with no problems. I have an expensive Nikon scope on it now, but I have in the past used Center Point Scopes (in the photo) I purchased at Walmart for about $70. They work ok and come with lens covers and mounts. It's a good idea to buy a scope with AO...Adjustable objective.

A good accessory in the Speed-loader, I have two and they're real handy.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/GNS120-1.html

I have a newer M60 with the short barrel. I've had some problems with the scope mounts slipping. It's a fiddly problem, nothing serious. I have the Tech sights on this one now, kind reminds me of a M1 carbine.

http://www.tech-sights.com/marlin.htm

I can't imagine you and your son would be unhappy with the Marlin. There are over ten million Marlin 60's out there.

 

[Get R Done Guns]

The Ruger 10/22 is extremely accurate out of the box. Mine will touch 10 shots at 50 yards every time. It is the 20" rifle not the carbine.

 

[click clack]

Realllllly? This? Againnnnnn? talk about beating a dead horse... more like horse skeleton

 

[Onmilo]

I own several.
This is the best.

 

[Aiko492]

Realllllly? This? Againnnnnn? talk about beating a dead horse... more like horse skeleton

People seem interested in discussing the topic

 

[Mr. T]

I know that Remington has cheapened up some of their other guns in the last few years, but the Remington 597 is a stone cold tack driver. I have consistently shot 17 and 18 out of 20 in small bore competitions shooting against guys with $3,000 guns that are usually only shooting 18 or 19 out of 20, with the occasional 20 out of 20. My point is my 597 cost $165 and that included the fixed power optic that came with it. For the money, the gun can't be beat. Yes, yes there were a few magazine issues when it first came out, but Remington has fixed that issue. Since I bought new magazines, I haven't had a single feed issue with the ammo. The gun is very accurate out to 75 yards and can hit consistently at 100 yards. My vote is for the Remington 597.

 

[Captaingyro]

I'm shopping for a .22 also. Went to WalMart the other day to look at their 10/22, since I already have an old Model 60, and I've heard so much acclaim for the 10/22. The lady handed me the Ruger, and it just felt cheap. Then I spied a Model 60 in the case and asked to look at it also. Side-by-side, the Marlin looked better and felt better. It was stainless, vs. the blue of the Ruger. It had the tubular magazine, which I tend to prefer. When I put each to my shoulder, the Model 60 felt better, and pointed more naturally. It was also better balanced. And it cost less that the 10/22.

Go out and see if you can see both rifles next to each other. Let your son shoulder each one. I think the choice will be obvious.

 

[gopackgo]

Thanks guys for all the advice.

So I went down to Gander Mountain & handled both rifles. The Model 60 did not feel cheap. It had good weight, balance, and length. The stock was fine and the butt felt good in my shoulder. The only handling issue was the forearm, which felt a little slim to me-I kept feeling like it wanted to roll around in my hand because it was too thin. I felt like I needed to grasp it in my fingers rather than balanced in my palm. I have a pretty wide palm so this is just personal preference. Also I thought that the sights weren't that great.

The Ruger was like I remembered it. It shouldered like a dream and felt like a rock in my forearm hand. And since my son appears to be growing into a very similar build to me, I think this will fit him well too. The leaf sight on the Ruger is superior in my opinion to the Marlin sight, though still leaving something to be desired-but here is the part where I leave myself open to "I told you so". I was looking at aftermarket parts for the 10/22, and out of the thousands available, I saw a few things, such as adjustable aperature sights, the Ruger BX-25 mag (the one I put on my youthful 10/22 was non-factory and an underperformer), and perhaps a custom trigger assembly with extnded magazine release, that would make this a superior range and plinking gun, although I'm not sure about hunting with the light pull on some of the custom triggers.

Anyhow, nothing against the Model 60, but I bought the 10 /22, partially on logic, partially on sentiment, and partially on the thought of how fun it would be to turn this into a finely tuned machine. This last part is a turnaround for me, but your never too old to change.

 

[TAG2501]

check out Thompson Center's 22LR semi-autos. well made, accurate, etc.