Marlin Papoose?

[Chindo18Z]

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http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...ing/70PSS.aspx

Any owners' comments?

Accuracy/reliability (compared to similarly priced 10/22, standard Marlin 60, Savage, etc.)? Any quirks or nice-to-know pointers? Good enough to harvest rabbit, squirrel, etc.?

I'm looking for a backpackable takedown .22LR / truckgun.

I've already looked at the Henry Survival but ruled it out for having (IMHO) an enormously non-ergonomic buttstock and problematic feeding/magazine issues.

I've found many off-hand recommendations in favor of the Papoose, but very little actual detail about the rifle (even at RimfireCentral.com).

I'm not in love with the stainless finish and black stock, but I'd probably hit it with a can of Krylon anyhoo.

Thanks in advance...

 

[Diggers]

I have one that they don't seem to make any more. Wood with the metal coated with the black weather proof stuff. I got it about 10 or so years ago.

Its a fun gun but not super accurate, probably fine for what you want it for. Its a mid-range can plinker, not a gun your going to win a shooting match with. I used to take it to a 40 yard tin can range and would have a good time shooting soda cans.


One thing that is a problem is the sights on mine are pretty bad. It will shoot about 2 inches to the left at 25 yards so there is that. It may just be mine, I don't know.
Its also a pretty small gun, so if you are around 6 feet tall you will have to hunch up a little to shoot it.

Its reliable with all the ammo I've put through it, and I shoot mostly the cheap brick stuff. Probably no different then the other marlin .22s.

If you are looking for something you can break down and stash away in your truck, its probably a good choice.

 

[powermad]

I've had one for over 10 years. Great lil rifle.
I used mine for shooting nutria out of our pond.
The supplied scope leaves a lot to be desired. But with a different one I was able to shoot them in the head on a regular basis.

 

[bofe954]

Brother had one that had a wood stock and I thought a blued barrel, receiver. It was great. Worked fine with stock mags or cheapy 20 rounders. Way more accurate than you would guess for a rifle with a detachable barrel.

Front and rear sights were both on the barrel, so taking it on and off didn't goof anything up.

This was 15-20 years ago so i can't vouch for recent ones, but the one he had was great. The new one looks like it has a different front site than the old one had.

 

[rangerruck]

it si the mod 60 , as a break down. it will be just as accurate as well. If you can find one, they made once called the papoose 708 Hc, which just meant 'high capacity' , it came with a 25 round mag!!!! I suggest you get a hold of one of those mags, and go nuts...

 

[tommer]

The 70PSS is a good buy.

Accuracy isn't great, but it's what you'd expect out of a take-down .22 with a short barrel. The rear sight is dovetailed into the barrel, and at least on the one I've used, the dovetail was loose enough that the rear sight could be moved by hand and even came close to falling off a few times. You can keep it from falling off with a zip tie or a piece of wire.

Ergonomics are excellent. Bolt release, mag release, and safety are right there by your right hand. The bolt stays open after the last round. This will save some wear on the firing pin unless you're good at counting rounds.

The front sight is an orange piece of plastic dovetailed into a metal base which is held onto the barrel with a screw. Get some loctite on that screw before you lose it.

The included carry case is nice, with a sleeve for the barrel and velcro straps to hold the receiver in place. It's supposed to be able to float with the gun inside it, but I didn't try that. Also included is a wrench to tighten the barrel nut.

They say that every .22 rifle likes different ammo, but I don't think that you'll find a 70PSS that doesn't demand the hot stuff. Forget about subsonics. Use Vipers or Stingers if you want it to run consistently.

 

[JustsayMo]

I've found the accuracy to be on par with or even a little better than any stock 10/22 I've owned. Quarter sized groups @ 25 yards with most ammo and dime sized on stuff it likes if I was using a scope and I did my part.

With standard and above velocity ammo it functions perfectly. The Remington Subsonics cycled the action most of the time but the Aguila subsonics didn't. I have not tried hi cap mags only the 7 and 10 round factory mags. The newer mags are different from the older version.

It is small and handy. Weighs just a little more than a pistol and is nearly as portable. Fun little carbines.

http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/onepic.jsp?id=1080597

 

[Colt46]

Certainly isn't a beauty queen

Probably the ugliest firearm ever manufactured. It's light, handy, reasonably accurate and a great thing for backpacking, camping or canoeing. Love mine.

 

[Chindo18Z]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. These comments are exactly the sort of feedback I was looking for.

With portability being my primary concern, I just wanted to make sure that the rifle could deliver the mail when it came time to shoot it.

 

[dmazur]

You might consider the Browning .22 semi-auto. This rifle has been around for 40 years or more and has an excellent reputation. Not only is it a take-down, but there is provision for adjustment to keep the barrel-receiver fit tight. Low grade (Grade 1) is kind of hard to toss in the back of a truck, due to Browning's excellent fit and finish even on the low grade models, but I've heard they can take abuse. Accuracy is good. Action is unusual, but easy to operate. Possible to mount a scope, but you may not do this if you're packing it.

 

[Leadhead]

The trigger on the papoose is the only real draw back.
Quite heavy and hard to improve.

 

[VA27]

I've got one of the wood/blue ones with an old 4X Bushnell on it. More accurate than it has a right to be with most anything you'd care to feed it. (Keep the barrel tight!)