Saw used Marlin 60. Should I nab it?

[GigaBuist]

I was at the local Gander Mountain today just looking around at what they had and I saw a used Marlin 60 in the racks for $90.

I don't know diddly about the rifles other than what I've seen on here and they seem to be reliable and fairly accurate. I really do need to get a .22LR rifle and was thinking about a CZ 452 but this is pretty tempting.

Problem is, I have no idea if it's a reasonable deal or not. Seems OK as they go NIB for around $130 or so on gunbroker.com.

I didn't look at it too much (was in a bit of a hurry to get moving) but IIRC Gander Mountain has a gunsmith check out all their used stuff before it goes on the racks. It should be at least in working condition.

Yes? No? Maybe?

 

[Moparmike]

Dunno. Personally, I wouldn't recomend Marlin 60's, but that is only because of my stepdad's rifle which wont go a tube without jamming at least once even after a very thourough cleaning.

 

[Mulliga]

I like Marlins, so I may be a bit biased. If it looks like it's in good condition (and I do mean good - not beat up in any way) - it's well worth the $90.

I have a Marlin 795SS (basically a stanless-steel, synthetic-stocked, detachable box-mag fed version of the classic Model 60). It is an accurate rifle that is fun to shoot. Extremely reliable, too - can't recall a single fail-to-fire that was the gun's fault (the few I did have was with 25 year old Remington ammo), and ZERO fail-to-ejects or fail-to-feeds. The only shortcoming of the gun IMHO is the sights - and obviously that can be fixed.

 

[Dionysusigma]

Marlin 60s are good rifles--my first gun I ever bought is one. Accurate, reliable (with good ammo... mine likes Federal a lot but hates the Remington I have) and easy to maintain once you get used to disassembly. I paid ~$120 including sales tax for mine brand new.

The only things I don't really like about it is 1) it's a slim little thing (but light!), a little so for my tastes; and 2) the tube mag (I love detachable box mags--I would've got a 795, but I didn't know they existed at the time of purchase). Other than those two little nitpicks, I love it. Just enough recoil from the heavy bolt to let you know the bullet's on its way.

 

[WhiteKnight]

I think they go for only $100 new at Kmart.

 

[LiquidTension]

As an owner of two different Marlin 60s, I'd say go with a 10/22. There is a metric buttload of aftermarket addons available, and they aren't much more expensive than the Marlin. Neither one of my 60s is reliable even after a good cleaning. I did just replace the old style ejection system with the new one in one of the rifles, so maybe my opinion will change after I get out to the range with it, but I'm not holding my breath. I've fired a couple of 10/22s and the owners were 100% satisfied with them. I know there are a bunch of satisfied Marlin owners out there, but I'm not one of them. I'm also aware there are some unhappy 10/22 owners about, but you asked for opinions so there you have mine

 

[WonderNine]

I like Marlin 60's. I've had two of them. IME they are more accurate than a 10/22. However I much prefer the magazine loading of the 10/22 and the prospect of 50 round mags and loading them quickly with a loading tool.

I would not buy a used Marlin 60 for that price unless I knew who owned it and how many shots they fired through it. They can be had new for not much more.

 

[P95Carry]

Mine was not much over $100 from Wally World three or so years ago .. even a good one used I think might only really command, say - $75.

Great lil' rifle tho - IMO .. periodically clean out the .22 crud ....... to keep cycling reliable. I have had immense fun with mine .. too many rounds thru to count. many 1,000's let's say!!

For me ... as ''Chief Plinker'' ... it reigns supreme!

 

[RustyHammer]

To me, for the price, I'd rather roll the $90 into a NIB rifle. No questions about the rifle's history, function, etc. and you pick up the new warranty to boot.

Just my two cents.

/Rusty

 

[MrAcheson]

$90 is not a good price for a marlin 60. Walmart has them on sale for $100 new. Unless you are looking at the stainless & polymer gun, I'd pass.

 

[GigaBuist]

Bugger -- shoulda known it wouldn't be a good deal at Gander

Maybe I'll just make a trip to Wally World...

Thanks all.

 

[Thunderstick]

Depending on the condition, $90 may not be a bad price. I'd suggest paying a little more and buying a new one as has been suggested. I bought my son one a couple of years ago from Walmart for under $110.

 

[MAURICE]

I bought one several months ago, and its only had 4-5k rounds through it already with no cleaning ,and it is finally starting to malfunction. Im so dissapointed...Its only other malfunction was when I bought it. Had a jam that a pocket knife and a drop of oil fixed.

I would recommend it. Super accurate, my brother, new to shooting, shredded a target at 50 yards his first time out.