BoilerUP
Member
How does a tube magazine "wear out"?
Why is the 10/22 so popular?
- Thread starter sawdeanz
- Start date
- Status
JohnBT
Member
"The tube magazine on your Marlin will wear out "
The tube mag on my 1963 Marlin Mountie hasn't worn out yet.
The Mountie also explains why I wasn't impressed when the 10/22 came out in 1964.
John
The tube mag on my 1963 Marlin Mountie hasn't worn out yet.
The Mountie also explains why I wasn't impressed when the 10/22 came out in 1964.
John
chas08
Member
I'm curious as to how large this item is, I've never seen one. Can you stick it in your coat pocket for an afternoon squirrel hunt?
I sold my Glenfield shortly after buying my first Ruger and have not owned a tube fed 22lr since, so the need to stay abreast of the latest accessories for tube fed magazines has been non-existant for me.
As for the model 60 being ready to roll out of the box. I've always thought they both were. Both were squirrel head accurate at any reasonable distance. Or can/bottle accurate at 75-100yds, any thing more accurate than that would be lost on me. So, I guess it comes down to personal preference. And having owned both, I prefer the Ruger.
451 Detonics
Member
When I had my shop I saw at least one Marlin come in every couple of months with a mag tube so dented it was unusable, this is a problem with any tube fed 22. As for factory accuracy I have yet to see any factory Marlin that would out shoot a factory Ruger on a regular basis, they are about even in that department. Marlins are much more susceptible to jamming when dirty and much more difficult to work on, they are just more complicated actions. As a dealer I saw older Model 60's have more problems than Rugers with similar round counts. This again relates to the complexity of the Marlin's action.
Both have their fans and both types of fans will tell you their guns are best but the fact that there are so many Ruger aftermarket parts is because the Ruger is better liked, especially for competition. If the Marlin was the better gun then all those aftermarket parts would be made for them instead.
Why do you need 8 mags? Butler Creek mags are reliable to a fault and hold 30 rounds.
Both have their fans and both types of fans will tell you their guns are best but the fact that there are so many Ruger aftermarket parts is because the Ruger is better liked, especially for competition. If the Marlin was the better gun then all those aftermarket parts would be made for them instead.
Why do you need 8 mags? Butler Creek mags are reliable to a fault and hold 30 rounds.
shotgunjoel
Member
Ruger makes a model as you describe, look for the Compact. http://www.impactguns.com/store/736676011681.html
I owned a 10/22 before but I sold it. It wasn't really fun. It felt like shooting an electric BB gun. Just this Christmas , my wife bought me a GSG 522 - an MP5 look alike that shoots the 22LR. Boy, that made shooting 22LR more fun! But don't get me wrong, the Ruger 10//22 is an excellent gun and has tons and tons of accessories.
henschman
Member
If you are just looking for a good .22 to shoot, and don't care to turn it into a custom tack driver or something, then I would go with a Marlin 795. IMHO they are a better rifle than a 10/22 out of the box. They are great rifles and very inexpensive. I have seen many of them on the Appleseed firing line, and they all perform well. They are reliable, and mags cost about the same as with a Ruger. The trigger is much better than a factory Ruger one (which isn't really saying much), and they are more accurate out of the box. They also come with sling studs installed, unlike the Ruger. I don't know of any high cap mags currently available for them though, if you're into that sort of thing. They also use a regular stick mag, which I prefer to Ruger's rotary mag. Those rotarys start gumming up and jamming after a while and have to be taken apart and cleaned. Not the end of the world or anything, but Marlin mags don't have that problem. You can get a 795 at the big sporting goods stores for $130, and Marlin has a $25 mail-in rebate on their website.
If you want a project rifle to build on, the Ruger would be the best choice.
If you want a project rifle to build on, the Ruger would be the best choice.
I bought (my dad did) my first gun when I was 16. A brand new 10/22. Has shot great for me the past 14 years. I've taken game animal in Iowa with it. (before a flame war starts, yes it was poaching, I was a teenager, I'm sorry). I've cleaned it maybe twice. I've modded it out, and then took it all the way back to stock. My son is due in 3 weeks, and he will learn on it in a few years. The gun simply works. I like it. I recommend it to others. I guess that's why it is so popular. People love them, and recommend them to others, and the circle of life continues.....
Fastcast
Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2008
- Messages
- 874
Not really a good argument....IMO
The Marlin was out 4 years before the Ruger and certainly its lower purchase price skews those numbers. The cheaper Marlin could have well been the difference between a young man scratching up enough change to buy his first rifle or not.
The after market speaks volumes, to what these entrepreneurs felt was the better design, to invest in.....Wouldn't you think?
I've always found that the out of the box Marlins I've shot were simply more accurate than the out of the box Ruger 10/22's I've shot, but reliability of the Marlins were not on par with the Ruger. I own a 10/22...
For me the choice to go 10/22 was easy, it's the reliability, mag design (VERY reliable, easy to carry spares and flush fitting with the stock), and ability to easily customize it to get exactly what I want that tips the scales in favor of the 10/22.
I sold my original, purchased in the early 80's and deeply regretted the decision. So I bought a stainless steel version a few years back. All I wanted was a better trigger pull, better sights and a quieter action. So, I put in a Power Custom target hammer = instantly better trigger, Williams Peep sight and Recoil Buffer. Now I have exactly what I want in a field gun.
I don't think you will ever just have one 22 rifle, so why not get the 10/22 first. Believe me, you won't be sorry you did.
For me the choice to go 10/22 was easy, it's the reliability, mag design (VERY reliable, easy to carry spares and flush fitting with the stock), and ability to easily customize it to get exactly what I want that tips the scales in favor of the 10/22.
I sold my original, purchased in the early 80's and deeply regretted the decision. So I bought a stainless steel version a few years back. All I wanted was a better trigger pull, better sights and a quieter action. So, I put in a Power Custom target hammer = instantly better trigger, Williams Peep sight and Recoil Buffer. Now I have exactly what I want in a field gun.
I don't think you will ever just have one 22 rifle, so why not get the 10/22 first. Believe me, you won't be sorry you did.
Carl N. Brown
Member
IIRC, the Ruger 10/22 was intended as a rimfire companion to the Ruger .44 Magnum semi-auto carbine which was discontinued years ago. The Marlin 60 tends to attract people (like me) who are often satisified with the gun out-of-the-box, while Ruger appeals to people who like to customize their guns.
What I would find attractive about the Ruger is a detachable box magazine that holds ten rounds yet fits flush with no projections at the balance point. Yes, my Marlin tube magazine rifle has no projections at the one-hand carry balance point either, but I admit clearing a tube magazine gun is not as easy as removing a box mag and ejecting one round from the chamber.
What I would find attractive about the Ruger is a detachable box magazine that holds ten rounds yet fits flush with no projections at the balance point. Yes, my Marlin tube magazine rifle has no projections at the one-hand carry balance point either, but I admit clearing a tube magazine gun is not as easy as removing a box mag and ejecting one round from the chamber.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The Marlin is a great rifle.....for the money. It's cheap, accurate and reliable. However, it is a good value, not a steal. It is what it is and there is little that can be done to improve it.
The Ruger is also a great rifle.....for the money. It's still relatively cheap, accurate and dead reliable. It is also a better rifle than the Marlin. It is a simpler, more elegant design, made to higher quality standards and available in myriad configurations.
The biggest significant difference is that due to strong aftermarket support and the fact that the Ruger is imminently easier to work on for the average user, the 10/22 can be anything you want it to be. It can be built in any imaginable configuration and as accurate as you can afford. It can be built with common hand tools on the kitchen table to boot. Contrary to the rhetoric you hear from Marlin owners, a 10/22 with a premium barrel will ALWAYS be a vastly superior shooter. One should instantly doubt the credibility of anyone who suggests that a $100 rifle shoots better than a $200 rifle with a $200 premium barrel.
IMHO, the magazine topic is usually blown way out of proportion by those who prefer one over the other, usually because they have little experience with one over the other. Both have merit. A tubular magazine is easier to top off, usually holds more rounds and is more difficult to get separated from its rifle. Wearing one out is a non-issue. A detachable box magazine is indeed easier and quicker to change but they don't load themselves either.
The Ruger is also a great rifle.....for the money. It's still relatively cheap, accurate and dead reliable. It is also a better rifle than the Marlin. It is a simpler, more elegant design, made to higher quality standards and available in myriad configurations.
The biggest significant difference is that due to strong aftermarket support and the fact that the Ruger is imminently easier to work on for the average user, the 10/22 can be anything you want it to be. It can be built in any imaginable configuration and as accurate as you can afford. It can be built with common hand tools on the kitchen table to boot. Contrary to the rhetoric you hear from Marlin owners, a 10/22 with a premium barrel will ALWAYS be a vastly superior shooter. One should instantly doubt the credibility of anyone who suggests that a $100 rifle shoots better than a $200 rifle with a $200 premium barrel.
IMHO, the magazine topic is usually blown way out of proportion by those who prefer one over the other, usually because they have little experience with one over the other. Both have merit. A tubular magazine is easier to top off, usually holds more rounds and is more difficult to get separated from its rifle. Wearing one out is a non-issue. A detachable box magazine is indeed easier and quicker to change but they don't load themselves either.
JohnBT
Member
"If the Marlin was the better gun then all those aftermarket parts would be made for them instead."
I think you have that backwards. The Marlin is the better gun and does not need aftermarket parts.
Now I'm worried I'll dent the tube mag on my Mountie. After 48 years I must be overdue, don't you think?
I think you have that backwards. The Marlin is the better gun and does not need aftermarket parts.
Now I'm worried I'll dent the tube mag on my Mountie. After 48 years I must be overdue, don't you think?
Fastcast
Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2008
- Messages
- 874
The Ruger does not need after market parts either. Mine is stock, besides an extended mag release and is still a great shooter and looker also.
If you believe the after market chose to invest in a piss/poor design because the rifle is not worthy otherwise, you're mistaken!
After shooting 10/22s and the Marlin 60, I had to go with the Marlin. It handles very well, shoots beautifully, and is just a sleek design. Plus, I like the tube-fed design - no clips to fiddle with, and I'm not in that big a hurry, like BoilerUP said.
Depends on what you want it for - a real project gun, or something that just plain shoots.
Because believe me, my friend, the Marlin 60 shoots.
Depends on what you want it for - a real project gun, or something that just plain shoots.
Because believe me, my friend, the Marlin 60 shoots.
BADUNAME37
Member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2008
- Messages
- 4,434
I think it is because you can buy anything and everything for it, kind of like an AR-15!
It's the "Ken-version" of Barbie and Ken!
It's the "Ken-version" of Barbie and Ken!
Smaug
Member
I had one, didn't really care for it.
I liked the overall lines, and especially liked the rotary magazine that goes flush into the stock and also doesn't have a tubular magazine to worry about.
Mine wasn't a reliable feeder until it had been back to Ruger. Twice. It also was not super-accurate.
By the time I got it back working properly, I was pretty fed up with it and sold it off for $125. Probably shouldn't have.
But I put the money towards a used 77/22 in 22 LR (along with another $275 )
But the 77/22... that is one sweet gun! MoA accurate, and still has the sweet rotary magazine.
I think if I ever get another automatic 22 rifle, it will probably be a Marlin 60. It has great lines and a pretty big magazine. Savage and Marlin also make box magazine fed automatics, but I hate those magazines sticking out the bottom. They're always in the way when I want to rest it on something.
I liked the overall lines, and especially liked the rotary magazine that goes flush into the stock and also doesn't have a tubular magazine to worry about.
Mine wasn't a reliable feeder until it had been back to Ruger. Twice. It also was not super-accurate.
By the time I got it back working properly, I was pretty fed up with it and sold it off for $125. Probably shouldn't have.
But I put the money towards a used 77/22 in 22 LR (along with another $275
)But the 77/22... that is one sweet gun! MoA accurate, and still has the sweet rotary magazine.
I think if I ever get another automatic 22 rifle, it will probably be a Marlin 60. It has great lines and a pretty big magazine. Savage and Marlin also make box magazine fed automatics, but I hate those magazines sticking out the bottom. They're always in the way when I want to rest it on something.
JR47
Member
Actually, Marlin is supposed to have sold 6 million Model 60s as of 2010. Ruger has sold 4 million 10/22s.
Aftermarket parts exist because of a successful design, not the other way around. How many speed parts do you find for a Buick, when compared to a Chevy. It sure isn't because the Buick runs better.
The Ruger barrel mounting system makes it easy to switch barrels, and the barrels are relatively cheap. So, the aftermarket can make them up, and people buy them.
We own a pair of Marlin 795 rifles. We also own several 10/22 rifles. One was bought in 1970, and is still going strong. I also own a Marlin Model 60, a Model 99M1, a few Model 75s, and a 990. I like the Marlin rifles, obviously, but the 10/22 is usually my choice for a beater rifle. They just seem a little easier to shoot, repair, and clean.
You don't need to modify a 10/22 to have a nice rifle.
The magazine loader for the tube-fed Marlin is an ungainly piece to carry around with you while hunting, or just woods walking. On the other hand, a Ruger 10/22, and a couple of loaded spare mags in your coat pocket is much easier to use.
Then, for those who like optics, the 10/22 mounting system is much sturdier than the old tip-off set-up of the Marlin.
Aftermarket parts exist because of a successful design, not the other way around. How many speed parts do you find for a Buick, when compared to a Chevy. It sure isn't because the Buick runs better.
The Ruger barrel mounting system makes it easy to switch barrels, and the barrels are relatively cheap. So, the aftermarket can make them up, and people buy them.
We own a pair of Marlin 795 rifles. We also own several 10/22 rifles. One was bought in 1970, and is still going strong. I also own a Marlin Model 60, a Model 99M1, a few Model 75s, and a 990. I like the Marlin rifles, obviously, but the 10/22 is usually my choice for a beater rifle. They just seem a little easier to shoot, repair, and clean.
You don't need to modify a 10/22 to have a nice rifle.
The magazine loader for the tube-fed Marlin is an ungainly piece to carry around with you while hunting, or just woods walking. On the other hand, a Ruger 10/22, and a couple of loaded spare mags in your coat pocket is much easier to use.
Then, for those who like optics, the 10/22 mounting system is much sturdier than the old tip-off set-up of the Marlin.
Well I wasn't really considering the tube fed version (guess I should have clarified that), but rather the marlin 795 model series with magazine and last shot bolt hold open. This and the fact that it is cheaper is what has been attracting me to either the marlin, savage or mossberg offerings. Of course there is the appeal of tricking it out but the down side is then you are tempted to sink more money into it than you ever wanted and a slightly more expensive gun becomes that much more. Having the option to modify it in the future is attractive.
My purpose for getting one would be for cheap target practice and training that would transfer to the full sized rifles I wish to someday have, which is why I'm looking at semi automatic magazine fed options.
Thanks for all the input guys. I think it may come down to handling a few of them and seeing what I like.
If things like reliability, mag reliability, scope mount integrity, ease of cleaning/disassembly are legitimate concerns for one model over another, then I definitely want to know about that.
My purpose for getting one would be for cheap target practice and training that would transfer to the full sized rifles I wish to someday have, which is why I'm looking at semi automatic magazine fed options.
Thanks for all the input guys. I think it may come down to handling a few of them and seeing what I like.
If things like reliability, mag reliability, scope mount integrity, ease of cleaning/disassembly are legitimate concerns for one model over another, then I definitely want to know about that.
Average Joe
Member
Its like the old Volkswagen Beetle, you just can't kill em....and there is a million things you can do to make them your own.
Kayser Sose
Member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2011
- Messages
- 3
Just got a 10/22. Works real fine, with both mags; the one it came with back in the eighties and a new one, probably 2000 model year manufacture.
Accurate with iron sights, easy to clean, no problems, lots of options and spare parts out there should I need them. I couldn't say regarding the Marlin, but I would say a 10/22 wouldn't be a waste of money.
One additional thought; seems to me lots of people don't really clean their .22 rifles a whole lot, so have a good and close discerning look before you buy whatever you're looking to trade money for.
Accurate with iron sights, easy to clean, no problems, lots of options and spare parts out there should I need them. I couldn't say regarding the Marlin, but I would say a 10/22 wouldn't be a waste of money.
One additional thought; seems to me lots of people don't really clean their .22 rifles a whole lot, so have a good and close discerning look before you buy whatever you're looking to trade money for.
henschman
Member
You might consider the experience us Appleseeders have had with these rifles. There are several topics on the subject on the appleseed forum: www.appleseedinfo.org/smf.
Most of us instructors own several .22s. We buy after-market sights from Tech Sights to give them the same sight picture as a battle rifle, and we call them "Liberty Training Rifles." We use them as loaners for students who don't own a rifle or who can't afford to shoot a whole weekend class with a center fire. A lot of times shooters put together LTRs to bring to an event, because the money they save by not shooting their center fire the whole time pretty much pays for the .22. Appleseed LTR's usually see a pretty high round count, and are sometimes used in not-so-great conditions.
By far the most popular rifles for building LTR's are the Ruger 10/22 and the Marlin 795. The general consensus is that they are both fine rifles, and reliable. The Marlin is a little more accurate, but both are plenty accurate enough to shoot an Expert score on the Army Qual. Tests we shoot. Instructors who own Rugers generally do something about the horrible trigger, and frequently like to install an auto bolt release, since the factory bolt release is hard to manipulate for someone who is unfamiliar with the rifle. We also put slings on all our rifles, because teaching how to use the sling as a marksmanship aid is an important part of Appleseed. If you want to put a sling on a Ruger, you have to drill the stock out and install sling swivel studs. The Marlin comes with them already installed, so it is that much less work.
It used to be that just about all LTRs were Rugers, since it used to be the only rifle Tech Sights made sights for. Rugers are still the most common LTR, but lots of us are buying Marlins now that you can get Tech Sights for them, too. It is pretty much agreed upon that the Marlin is the cheapest, easiest way into a LTR, but plenty of guys are staying loyal to the Ruger. I have to say, having shot both, the Ruger feels more like a battle rifle, while with the Marlin, there is never any doubt you are shooting a .22.
They're both great rifles. I don't think you will be sorry with either one. But whichever one you get, you really owe it to yourself to slap a sling on it and bring it to an Appleseed. It is a good time, and you will learn a lot about rifle marksmanship and revolutionary war history, too.
Most of us instructors own several .22s. We buy after-market sights from Tech Sights to give them the same sight picture as a battle rifle, and we call them "Liberty Training Rifles." We use them as loaners for students who don't own a rifle or who can't afford to shoot a whole weekend class with a center fire. A lot of times shooters put together LTRs to bring to an event, because the money they save by not shooting their center fire the whole time pretty much pays for the .22. Appleseed LTR's usually see a pretty high round count, and are sometimes used in not-so-great conditions.
By far the most popular rifles for building LTR's are the Ruger 10/22 and the Marlin 795. The general consensus is that they are both fine rifles, and reliable. The Marlin is a little more accurate, but both are plenty accurate enough to shoot an Expert score on the Army Qual. Tests we shoot. Instructors who own Rugers generally do something about the horrible trigger, and frequently like to install an auto bolt release, since the factory bolt release is hard to manipulate for someone who is unfamiliar with the rifle. We also put slings on all our rifles, because teaching how to use the sling as a marksmanship aid is an important part of Appleseed. If you want to put a sling on a Ruger, you have to drill the stock out and install sling swivel studs. The Marlin comes with them already installed, so it is that much less work.
It used to be that just about all LTRs were Rugers, since it used to be the only rifle Tech Sights made sights for. Rugers are still the most common LTR, but lots of us are buying Marlins now that you can get Tech Sights for them, too. It is pretty much agreed upon that the Marlin is the cheapest, easiest way into a LTR, but plenty of guys are staying loyal to the Ruger. I have to say, having shot both, the Ruger feels more like a battle rifle, while with the Marlin, there is never any doubt you are shooting a .22.
They're both great rifles. I don't think you will be sorry with either one. But whichever one you get, you really owe it to yourself to slap a sling on it and bring it to an Appleseed. It is a good time, and you will learn a lot about rifle marksmanship and revolutionary war history, too.
For years we have tossed one in the truck when we go to party at hunting camp in the summer and the only thing I do is run a wet patch down the muzzle, a dry patch, and a bore snake with a little oil and it keeps going and going. VERY accurate and user friendly, cheap to shoot, and even folks who don't shoot seem to be able to pick one up and nail targets with iron sights at 50 yards like they have been doing it their whole lives. We have this one steel target we call the "bagel", the hole in the bagle is about the size of a tennis ball and we put another steel target behind it, the idea being to drop the target in back without hitting the bagel... I'm stunned at how many people can make that shot with AUTHORITY almost every time at 30-40 yards - even on Sunday morning still reeking of Saturday night.
The 10/22 is part of many of our fun memories because it ALWAYS joins us for our outings- sure I take my .223 or 1911 but it's a lot more of a hassle to clean them and a lot more expensive to shoot so no other gun gets to make the trip EVERY time with us. I suspect that many folks, like me, have fond memories of all the places that little Ruger sat around a campfire with us : )
The 10/22 is part of many of our fun memories because it ALWAYS joins us for our outings- sure I take my .223 or 1911 but it's a lot more of a hassle to clean them and a lot more expensive to shoot so no other gun gets to make the trip EVERY time with us. I suspect that many folks, like me, have fond memories of all the places that little Ruger sat around a campfire with us : )
chas08
Member
That is the crust of it all. Be mindful also, that the bolt hold open feature on a lot of non military designed rifles are magazine dependent. In other words. The magazine is what holds the bolt open when it's empty. When you remove it the bolt slams shut anyway.
Last edited:
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
