Fun with Marlin 795

[BullRunBear]

Well, the temperature finally got above freezing and the winds dropped below thirty knots so I took the new Marlin 795 to the range. This is a fun little rifle. Using Super-X 22LRs I had no problem keeping 2” groups at 25 yards off hand, sometimes smaller. This is good for me. A decent marksman could do much better. It was dead on for elevation but shot to the left, which is something I usually do. I didn’t bring anything to adjust the windage but will next time. No feed problems after 200 rounds.

I’m impressed with the 795. It feels like a toy at about 4 pounds but does its job. This is the first semi auto 22 rifle I’ve shot in decades. It will make a great companion to my Marlin 39A.

Something I had forgotten was the aroma of just fired 22s. The vast majority of my rimfire shooting is with handguns where the chamber is at arms length. Not so with this little rifle. It’s the same scent I remember from Boy Scout camp, circa 1960. We had single shot 22 rifles there and that scent has stayed with me ever since. It combines so well with the aroma of Hoppe’s.

Now to start experimenting with different brands of ammo. I also want to look into a replacement rear sight (perhaps Tech-Sight). The extra sighting length would help with aging eyes. Then start shooting at longer ranges. This will be fun.

Happy New Year to all!

Jeff

 

[bigfatdave]

Good to hear, rimfire is the best way to enjoy an afternoon at the range, as far as I'm concerned.

Tech-Sights are great on the 10/22, I don't see why they wouldn't be good on a 795. Get the barrel/tubular style adjustment tool when you order, the wrench type one is only good for the rear elevation adjustment, it isn't so hot for windage. Or get both tools, they're cheaper than a box of nice ammo.

Try out some CCI, I'd start with minimags, myself.

Even shooting nice ammo like minimags, you're talking about <$0.10 per round, far more fun per dollar than centerfire, in my opinion!

 

[high country]

I love my 795, it is a great little gun!

I can highly reccommend the tech sights. The other modification I can't recommend strongly enough is a wood stock from Numrich. Not very expensive, and it takes the gun from feeling like a toy to feeling like a nice marlin .22.

 

[G27RR]

Tech Sights work great on a 795.

 

[BullRunBear]

Thanks for the advice about the Tech-Sights and ammo. I'll stay with the synthetic stock since the light weight is part of its appeal. My wife is tiny and has bouts of arthritis and the 795 is her gun (at least in theory). The low weight can help. I actually considered one of those tiny Chipmunk guns but the 795 fit her comfortably. And it only cost a hundred bucks with the sale and rebate. (The price appealed to both of us.)

I'll pick up a couple of spare magazines from Midway soon (Marlin manufacture).

Our gun club recently put in a rimfire only plinking range wih plates, spinners, etc. Between the new rifle, the Model 39A and my handguns, we're going to have a lot of inexpensive fun with it.

Jeff

 

[115grfmj]

I love mine too! It's bone stock except a BSA 3x9IR Sweet 22, and it does 2inches at 100yds with federal lightnings....the best part is I didn't motgage the house to get it to shoot like that.

 

[bigfatdave]

Our gun club recently put in a rimfire only plinking range wih plates, spinners, etc.

I want that, but at my club some Fudd would come through with his hunting gun and trash it in a few days.

 

[spyder1911]

Just got done shooting my marlin 795 today with a new Simmons .22mag 3-9x scope. Haven't shot in a while but a couple ~1" 10 round groups at 50 yards really show this was a great deal.

I also have a USGI M14 style sling on it which helps enormously with off hand shooting.

 

[BullRunBear]

Dave,

We hope to avoid that. Our club isn't open to the public except for guests and when holding competitions. Members know they will be thrown out if they trash the facilities so vandalism is rare. The club isn't exclusive in a snooty way but member numbers are limited so the facilities aren't overtaxed. It's a wonderful place to teach newcomers and kids the basics of safety and shooting.

Spyder,

Thanks for mentioning the sling. Won't use it on the 795 because I want to keep it as light as practical. But this little rifle has reawakened my interest in modern rifle shooting and a sling would help with the Marlin 39A, Swedish Mauser, .303 SMLE and Garand. Something else to learn about and enjoy. I was taught how to use one when I qualified with the Garand but that was so long ago I've lost the knowledge.

Jeff

 

[spyder1911]

I know what you mean, my rifle even with a sling and scope is so light I think it is a pellet gun or a toy.


If you are interested in rifle shooting, look into the Appleseed Project http://www.appleseedinfo.org/

They will teach you how shoot better and I think it is free for veterans.