Marlin 60 question

[sgt-spam]

I'm torn between a Marlin 60 and 60SN.

I like the black synthetic look, but I'm also drawn to the classic wood look. Current production 60's are a laminate, right? So this won't look quite as 'nice' as my dad's ~ 1965 Glenfield? I trust myself a little more with the synthetic - I'll want to baby the wood so it stays perfect. (I have a bit of OCD / perfectionism)

I'll want to put a scope on it. The 60SN appears to come with one.

I am still trying to determine local pricing and availability.


Would anyone care to chime in about one model or the other?

 

[avs11054]

I guess I have the Model 60, since it's got a wood stock. Either way, you can't go wrong.

 

[mooner]

Find a used model 60 with the wood stock and refinish it with Tru-Oil or some other similar product. The gun wil have more meaning because you refinished it, and if you ever bang it up badly you can just refinish it again. I don't mind synthetic stocks too much, but on cheap guns they usually feel pretty cheesy.

You could also buy the synthetic stock gun and buy a wood stock for it (used or new). That would give you the best of both worlds and you could change it's clothes as you see fit.

 

[sgt-spam]

Thanks for the feedback.

Any thoughts on a scope? I've read the Nikon ProStaff is decent, but I think that may cost almost as much as a rifle...

Planning on using at the range and down at my dad's farm for plinking...

 

[Tentwing]

You can still find them in a variety. The ones I have seen this year seem to go as follows
Synthetic stock in blued or stainless
Laminant stock in stainless ( ugly furniture... just my opinion )
Walnut (stained) in blued

I have a Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40 sitting on top of my 17HMR for 2 years now. Since sighting it in 2 years ago I have not had to touch it, and They can be had on sale now for much less than what I paid in 2008.

Enjoy your model 60.........Tentwing

 

[WNTFW]

Usually the scope on a package gun is not so great. You can get a decent scope without spending too much. Some scopes on the lower end I consider to be disposable. Not worth fixing if you have a problem.

Mueller is a pretty good value for a .22lr scope.

On a model 60 the scope rails have a bit of variance and some have been abused. I had 2 sets of good scope rings walk/slip. You may not have the issue. Just watch for it. A witness mark would be advisable.

I actually fixed 1 set of rings by adding a set screw that went into a recess on the receiver. I went to a picatinny rail. The advantage of a picatinny rail is the scope mounting is more universal. That is only a real advantage if you have other rifles with pic rails and the scopes fit the other rifle. Often the rings are not the right height. I do have some that interchange and the rings are always (potentially) usable on another setup.

The other option is to get mount that is easily removable so you can still us iron sights.

I have the SSBN - if I remember the SN correctly. It was given to me so I just lucked out. The wood is OK - nothing to look at. I have never handled the synthetic on a 60.

 

[Naybor]

I agree with what Mooner says. Get the wood stock and finish with Tru-Oil. Wal-Mart has a pretty good scope with A/O parallax adjustment for $69 plus change. I think it's a 3 x 9 power scope. Had mine for years with no problems. I used to trade in guns and the Marlin Model 60 is the most accurate I've ever owned. Also trouble free. When you find something that works, you don't trade it.

 

[thralldad]

Rimfire Central has a pretty good Marlin 60 forum.

 

[JoeMal]

I have a regular 60 and a Center Point 3-9x scope that seems to do just fine. I have heard about the problem with walking but the rings that came with the CP work just fine and I haven't had any problems with walking. I've thought about upgrading to a different scope someday but for now the CP works just fine. I usually shoot around 25-50 yards with it and it's fine for that

 

[22-rimfire]

I really like the look of the stainless Model 60 with black composite stock. The new ones have a hardwood stock as I recall even though they look similar to walnut. It would look great with a silver Weaver 2.5-7x rimfire scope!!

 

[dewalt-2]

Pick up a used 60 with a wood stock. The refinish is easy, and you can free float the barrel at the same time.
The new Marlins coming out are of questionable quality, lots of good old ones out there if you look.
The CenterPoint scope is a good choice as well. My refinished '94 60W with a CP 3-9X32 Walmart scope shoots dime size groups at 50 yards.

 

[clone]

You could also go with a Boyds. I bought two for my two Marlin 60's.

 

[WTBguns10kOK]

I own a synthetic 60 and have access to a regular wood 60. Though it may be coincidence, my synthetic is more picky on ammo, and overall is not as accurate as the wood model. Also, the balance was not nearly as good (front end heavy, so I threw some stuff in the stock) as the regular wood 60. I would advise going with the old standby, myself.

 

[Geno]

Dunhams still carries the Marlin M60, with a wooden stock. They sell new for $169.00.

Geno

 

[minutemen1776]

The Nikon Prostaff rimfire 4x is superb.