Help with Marlin Model 60

[Flynt]

I recently acquired a pawnshop treasure, a "vintage" Glenfield 60, which is the same as a Marlin 60. However, it seems to have light primer strikes, and I'm getting more than my share of failures to fire. Do I need to replace the hammer spring? Also, while I'm in there, are there any quick and dirty ways of improving trigger? Thanks.

 

[NCsmitty]

You may need new parts but I would bet a good cleaning would fix this problem. Years of residue build up is probably the main reason for light firing pin impacts.

NCsmitty

 

[jlbraun]

You can do a couple things. First, take the action out and clean it. Make sure the firing pin channel is clean.

Second, look at the primer strikes you're getting. If they're really wide, the pin has peened itself flat so, you can sharpen the firing pin. To remove the firing pin, you'll need a 1/16" punch.

Lastly, you can replace the hammer spring. Go to e-gunparts.com for a new one.

To improve the trigger, weaken (bend in the direction of travel) the disconnector spring and the trigger return spring. You can cut a coil off the hammer spring too.

Check this out:
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143780

 

[Flynt]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I'll look at the surface of the firing pin, but I can vouch for the cleanliness of the gun. I took her apart and scrubbed her within an inch of her life.

Happy 4th!

 

[CZguy]

jlbraun,

Excellent info, you beat me to it.

I have redone three pawnshop Marlin 60's using the info in the link that you posted.

It's just amazing what you can do with a $50 to $60 dollar pawnshop rifle.

 

[Flynt]

Update: After three trips to the range, I'm not going to mess with improving the trigger. Probably just try to sell the gun. It doesn't group worth a darn @ 50 yds. -- all over the paper, after trying iron sights and two different scopes. Oh well... Thanks again, guys.

 

[NCsmitty]

You said that you did clean the gun, including the barrel? Did you try more than one type of ammo? It's rare to see those M60's not shoot some load well.

NCsmitty

 

[Flynt]

Well, I ran a bore snake through the barrel. The bore is nice and shiny. Should I try and get serious about cleaning the bore?

I tried Remington Viper, Remington Gold, Federal bulk and Federal Game Shock.

 

[tpaw]

Check to see if the crown is damaged.

 

[Flynt]

I took a look at it, but I'm not sure if I'd recognize damage that wasn't really blatant. How do I make a good inspection? And if there is damage, is there anyway I can fix it short of taking it to a gunsmith? Thanks.

 

[jlbraun]

If the crown is damaged, the gun isn't going to group worth squat.

Look at the edge of the crown. Is it uneven? Are there chips? Look at the soot blow-by that's accumulated on the crown. Is it an even halo, or is it distorted? If yes to any of these, then it needs to be recrowned. Talk to a gunsmith.

Don't touch the bore, most .22s never need them cleaned and overcleaning can damage it.

 

[CZguy]

Don't touch the bore, most .22s never need them cleaned and overcleaning can damage it.

Unless the bore looks like one of my pawn shop Marlin's, and is so fouled that it's basically a smooth bore.

A couple of passes with a bore-snake cured this problem.

As a general rule I don't clean .22 bores. Unless I notice accuracy starting to fall of. I'm talking about target accuracy, I doubt that a dirty bore would ever affect plinking accuracy.