Remington Speedmaster vs. Marlin 60

[briang2ad]

Saw a used Speedmaster the other day which was in pretty good condition. Some finish missing, no dings on the crown. (Something was blocking the bore, so I couldn't inspect - if its messed up - no dice, but lets assume a bright bore for arguments sake). It was $150. What are the advantages and disadvantages compared to a new Marlin 60? Thanks.

 

[Yellowfin]

I can say for certain that a Marlin 60 will go and go and go seemingly forever. I have no info on that Remington's track record, but I own a few other Remingtons I like quite a lot. I'd have to have a specific reason to go with something other than the Marlin- the price, handling, and durability can't be beat.

 

[ArmedBear]

I love my Marlin .22's, including a Marlin 60.

However, if I were you, I'd get the Remington.

The Speedmaster is a high-class gun. $150 is a great deal for a great gun that I haven't ever seen on used racks much, and that costs three times that, new.

You can go out right now and get a brand-new Marlin 60 for $150, or less. Mine's accurate and reliable (sold my 10/22 because it was neither, and I never used it once I got the Marlin and put a scope on it). But it's a low-priced plinker, whereas the Speedmaster is high-end, with higher-end design and construction.

You'll be able to get a Marlin 60, new, for around that price in 6 months, too. The Speedmaster, not so likely.

Since we're not talking about 5 figures here, I'd say get both. But get the Remington now, assuming it's truly in good condition.

 

[tribbles]

On the flip side, I don't own a Model 60, but my 552 Speedmaster runs like the Energizer bunny, and has for the last 25 years. I don't think you could go wrong with either rifle.

 

[jdh]

Speedmaster can shoot shorts. That is the major advantage in my book.

 

[Shawnee]

Remington.

 

[BigBuckMaster]

remington

 

[briang2ad]

Thanks guys

What should I look for. What would kill the deal? I've never been in the hunt for one of these before. It looks to have an Aluminum reciever and trigger guard - right? Thanks again. BTW - I'm sure its the "lower end" version - no checkering on the stock, etc.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

For the price, I'd definitely grab that Remington. They will shoot about the same, although the Marlin will likely be a tad more accurate.

The advantage of the Speedmaster is that it will cycle shorts and longs - the Marlin may or may not (usually won't). That makes the Speedmaster kinda neat in my book - I have a vague desire for one.

 

[Carl Levitian]

I've had a speedmaster for close to 20 years. I bought it because a co-worker had one that he had for 30 years, with no problems under lots of use. In the 20 years I've had mine, its outlasted a Marlin model 60, a Ruger 10/22, a Marlin Papoose. Its been ultra reliable, easy to take down and clean from the breach end, simple action, and very, very accurite with a Tasco scope.

My friend Wayne and I shoot EVERY Saturday morning, no matter what the weather. We use up a bulk box of Federals every morning, shooting a bit, talking a bit, shooting some more. One winter day just after the holidays, we deceided to see how much we could shoot our rifles in the cold without cleaning. By mid Fedruary both our speedmasters were loaded with this black sticky gunk. But they still functioned flawlessly. The Marlin 60 and Ruger 10/22 were giving alot of FTF and FTE's. They were defeated by the gunk and cold.

The Remington is a weird action when you take it apart and look at it. The bolt is pulled shut by a long coil spring, instead of being pushed shut. And its so very simple, not alot of stuff in the receiver. Plus the entire trigger group drops out with two pins pushed like on a Remmy 870 shotgun. Weird in a good way, very neat. I'm 67 years old, and I've owned alot of gun in my life. But the 550 speedmaster is the most reliable, accurite, easy to maintain .22 rifle I've ever had, exept for my Marlin 39 lever action, the only other rimfire rifle I kept for the long run. All the others came and went.

My main rifle is my speedmaster. If I had to head for the hills this afternoon its the rifle I'll grab.

Get the Remington, you won't be sorry.

 

[CRITGIT]

I love my Marlin .22's, including a Marlin 60.

However, if I were you, I'd get the Remington.

The Speedmaster is a high-class gun. $150 is a great deal for a great gun that I haven't ever seen on used racks much, and that costs three times that, new.

Of all my many rimfires semi's including the marlin 60 ans stock 1022's, the Rem 552 Speedmaster is clearly the finest.
It shoots shorts, longs and LR's equally well. A quality firearm in every way!

CRITGIT

 

[22-rimfire]

Remington any day of the week. It shoots shorts. longs, and long rifle.

 

[briang2ad]

Thanks

Again - anything to look for at this weapon? Anything other than a bad crown?

 

[rangerruck]

okay, i have both, and have shot both extensively. Get the remmy, they will only go up in value, first. Secondly, the are the only rifle ever made, including remmy's 550, that will handle all 22 ammo, in semi automatic, due to it's floating chamber, and will do so, all within the same loaded tube!!!! you could load a short, a lr, a long, and a short, all together, and it will shoot them all.
now then, a mod 60 will be a bit more accurate, but not enough to really matter, unless you are shooting benchrest matches.
another thing the remmy will do, that no other factory rifle will do? Reliably shoot the massive Aguila sniper sss round, 60 grainer. most other rifles are either so innacurate as to be usless, or they keyhole downrange , after about 20 yds. not so with the speedmaster, made excellent small holes and groups, at 50 yds with mine.

 

[kansas45]

I bought a 522 Speedmaster new in 1972 (I think). Anyway, it still shoots very well.

 

[CajunBass]

I have been tempted several times to buy a Speedmaster. I still might one of these days.

The Marlin just doesnt interest me at all for some reason.

 

[briang2ad]

Came home with the Remmy

It has some nicks in the metal finish, a few small ones on the barrel, but overall looks better than many on-line auctions. Stock has no cracks - forend is a little loose. Barrel looks great inside, and the old plastic butt plate is fine. No serial number - just a PE on the side of the barrel. I guess $150 ain't bad. It looks more classic than the Marlin, and has a bit of American nostalgia to it.

Guess it was made in '58:http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=296138

That was a few months before I was born.

 

[TCB in TN]

Good for you. I love my Marlins, and I really believe that they are typically the best bang for the buck in the rim fire world, but would have scooped up the Remmy for that price as well. You can always go and find a good used Marlin 60 at a pawn shop for $75 or so and you can have the best of both worlds.

 

[briang2ad]

Folks

I have the on-line manual on detail stripping, but how does one clean through the breach end doing the LEAST amount of take-down??? Thanks.

 

[Girodin]

I dont have a marlin, I've only hear good things about them but I love my speedmaster. My father has one that is going strong after at least the 26 yrs I can remember him having it and I think its been much longer than that.

 

[Heck]

I love my speedmaster. very accurate and reliable and is gorgeous to boot.

 

[CRITGIT]

My 1972 performs flawlessly and provides a big rifle feel.
One of the VERY best rimfires I ever acquired.

CRITGIT

 

[rangerruck]

do not worry about the foreend; that is quite common.as far as cleaning goes, It just isn't easy! if you are going to use solvents, I would take off the front wood anyway, and that is not easy, but it will keep the solvent from eating it up.