Why is the 10/22 so popular?

[Jeff56]

Actually, Marlin is supposed to have sold 6 million Model 60s as of 2010. Ruger has sold 4 million 10/22s.

I sure don't know where you got that info. I've seen the numbers I quoted many times in many places. Actually most of the quotes are the last released numbers by both companies which are 11 million 60's and 5 million 10/22's. But I've heard those numbers have increased since they were first released.

Here's a few places I found those numbers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlin_Model_60

Quote - "Number built over 11 million, 1960 - present"

I could quote Chucky here but he's off limits I believe.

http://www.marlin60.com/

Quote - "...the best selling .22 LR in history with over 11 Million rifles sold."

http://www.guns.com/reviews/marlin-model-60.html

Quote - "Marlin has sold more than 11 million M60s..."

http://www.riflenotes.com/marlin-60.html

Quote - "Sales of the semi auto rifle have now surpassed 11 million."

http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com/2009/03/marlin-model-60.html

Quote - "Marlin has made over 11 million of them."

Now for the Ruger quotes:

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-1022.htm

Quote - "...Ruger has sold over 5.7 million of the little jewels (10/22's)."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_10/22

Quote - "Number built over 5 million, 1964-present"

http://drfrankenruger.com/ruger_1022_parts

Quote - "With over six million Ruger 10/22 rifles sold...(shows more up to date info)"

http://www.heguns.com/gunsmith-tips-from-agi-rugar-10-22-c-14_15

Quote - "...the Ruger 10/22 - with over 5 million manufactured so far..."

I think this is enough data to prove my point. Here's some more useful info. Marlins are NOT hard to disassemble. They go back together very easily. They are very reliable. They do not wear out easier. They are not inferior rifles compared to the Rugers. And to all the other myths and half truths floating around I say horse hockey. I've been shooting the 60 almost since it came out. Someone actually seems to think that 4 more years makes all the difference in sales figures. Horse hockey. There is no big aftermarket for Marlins because there is no need for one. Marlins shoot exceptionally well right out of the box. I just posted a groups that was well under MOA at 90 yards. I can shoot half inch groups at 50 yards with my 60SS all day long. I used to shoot the entire bullseye out of a Shoot N See target with about 15 rounds a couple of months after I bought that rifle. That's knocking out every piece of orange on the target. Try it sometime. I have cut weeds in two at 50 yards with it. I used to shoot bats flying with my old one.

I'm not new to shooting. I'm not new to Marlin 60's. Like I said before I grew up shooting a 60 and it never failed to work or shoot accurate that I knew about. I was shooting one by 1966 when I was 10 years old. I don't think there' been more than 5 years in all that time that I didn't have access to one between my dad's rifle and my brother. I think I might have learned a few things about them in all that time.

 

[Hoth206]

I think it may be helpful to consider the term "popular"

The 10/22 is popular to modify and popular to talk about modifying it, not necessarily more popular in terms of sales.

Not so with the Marlin m60 etc.

"What barrel should I use on my newest 10/22 build?"
"What kind of high-cap magazines for 10/22?"
"Just finished the stock for my 10/22 build"

vs.

"I loaded the marlin today and shot it"

The 10/22's barrel mounting system is a tinkerer's dream (just like Savage's barrel nut), which I think was the origins of the aftermarket support being so high for the 10/22. I will also say that the scope mounting for the ruger seems superior.

That said...the first firearm I ever fired was a marlin m60...and that's still my choice.

 

[CraigC]

Sales figures are relatively meaningless to me. The Marlin costs much, much less than the Ruger and that is reason enough for the difference.

I also grew up with a Marlin 60, so I speak from experience. I spent a lot of years with the rifle, killed a truckload of game and became very well acquainted with it. Like I said before, they are good guns for the money, accurate and reliable. The Ruger is just better and has much more potential. I didn't get a 10/22 until much, much later and it took me a while to warm up to it.

From experience, not regurgitated internet lore, the Ruger is much easier to disassemble for the average user. This is quantifiable fact. Bill Ruger was a great designer and it shows in the 10/22's simplicity. The Marlin is much more complicated. The Ruger is easier to completely break down to its basic pieces. This is fact. The aftermarket does not exist for the Ruger because it "needs it". Any more than it exists for the AR-15, 1911, Glock, small block Chevy or anything else. Seriously, do you really think people would spend hundreds of dollars on a junk platform that didn't work and needed all those parts just to function??? It exists because the platform has far greater potential than its basic form. It exists because a kitchen table gunsmith can take a $200 carbine that shoots 1" groups and turn it into a tack driving race gun that shoots ¼" groups with only a screwdriver and a couple allen wrenches. Something you simply cannot do with the Marlin. Unfortunately for you Marlin shooters and your egoes, the Marlin is as good as it will ever be right out of the box, while the Ruger's potential lies much further up the road.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

the Ruger is much easier to disassemble for the average user. This is quantifiable fact.

OK show me the data.......sorry friend, but this is subjective, hardly quantifiable.

Unfortunately for you Marlin shooters and your egoes, the Marlin is as good as it will ever be right out of the box, while the Ruger's potential lies much further up the road.

Well, my ego has nothing to do with anything. I am not one to be brand loyal. Rugers certainly have the potential for better accuracy than the Marlin no doubt....it takes cash to do so though. If supertuned accuracy is the goal, I would consider a CZ, or even a nice Anschutz over a similarly priced, tricked out Ruger. BTW egos is spelled egos, sorry if this hurts your ego.

The length of pull is too short for most adult, the triggers are poor, but they are reliable. Decent accuracy can be obtained by dumping a couple hundred dollars into them.
I prefer the Marlin Model 60 for accuracy, ergonomics, and reliability is on par with the Ruger when using good quality (non-remington) rimfire ammo.

 

[BoilerUP]

My drag-racing father, who built more than one stout small block, often said that you get 90% of your horsepower for 10% of your money, and 10% of your horsepower for 90% of your money.

Given the Ruger v. Marlin debate and the statement folks have made in this thread, I'd say that's a pretty accurate parallel.

 

[JFtheGR8]

I like my Marlin 60 just fine. I would take a 10/22 too if someone wanted to give it to me. The 10/22 was not my first choice though and this forum was the deciding factor for me choosing the Model 60.

 

[CraigC]

OK show me the data.......

Set the two on your work bench and take them down to their basic parts, including the barrel, then put it all back together, then get back to us. Yes, it is a quantifiable fact that the Marlin is much more complicated.

BTW egos is spelled egos, sorry if this hurts your ego.

Nope, fortunately my ego is not tied to my guns or my ability to type precisely.

The length of pull is too short for most adult

Really??? Because the LOP is the same for near about every other Ruger rifle, including all the centerfire 77's. Perhaps you're referring to the short compact model?

Decent accuracy can be obtained by dumping a couple hundred dollars into them.

Gilt-edged accuracy can be obtained with a $200 barrel. A properly built 10/22 with a good barrel will shoot with any good boltgun that is not an Anschutz or Cooper. Do a price check on those before a comparison.

If supertuned accuracy is the goal, I would consider a CZ, or even a nice Anschutz over a similarly priced, tricked out Ruger.

CZ and Anschutz build autoloaders??? CZ markets one but it won't run with a tricked out Ruger.

I prefer the Marlin Model 60 for accuracy, ergonomics, and reliability is on par with the Ruger when using good quality (non-remington) rimfire ammo.

Really? All I feed one 10/22 is Remington GB's and I plan on using them with another for my next Appleseed event because they are more reliable than Federals. My little CZ 452FS shoots them into a half inch at 50yds with boring regularity.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Set the two on your work bench and take them down to their basic parts, including the barrel, then put it all back together, then get back to us. Yes, it is a quantifiable fact that the Marlin is much more complicated

Again, you haven't quatified anything as you claimed.

Really??? Because the LOP is the same for near about every other Ruger rifle, including all the centerfire 77's. Perhaps you're referring to the short compact model?

Nope, wrong again, there is a 1/4" difference in LOP from the 60 to the 10/22, and any experienced rifleman will tell you that .25" makes a huge difference in lop.

Quote:
Decent accuracy can be obtained by dumping a couple hundred dollars into them.

There's no reason to get the panties into a bunch about something as rediculous as bantering about rifles. The weekend's coming chillax a bit.

Gilt-edged accuracy can be obtained with a $200 barrel. A properly built 10/22 with a good barrel will shoot with any good boltgun that is not an Anschutz or Cooper. Do a price check on those before a comparison.

OK, you said a $200 barrel and I said a couple hundred dollars--I thinks thats the same thing.

CZ and Anschutz build autoloaders??? CZ markets one but it won't run with a tricked out Ruger.

.22's in general, If I were after extreme accuracy I would pass over an auto. Just my opinion.

Really? All I feed one 10/22 is Remington GB's and I plan on using them with another for my next Appleseed event because they are more reliable than Federals. My little CZ 452FS shoots them into a half inch at 50yds with boring regularity

That does sound boring. Chillax man the weekends coming, grab a beer and enjoy it!

 

[JR47]

I sure don't know where you got that info.

I used a quote from calguns.net.

The Marlin Model 60 cannot have the barrel removed without a fixture. That, right there adds to the complexity of a complete tear-down.

 

[mr.trooper]

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.

Agreed.

People go over-board with the upgrades. IMO the 10/22 'Sporter' is one of the best stock .22s out there, and certainly the best value. I wish the trigger were a bit lighter, but its still serviceable with minute-o-bottle cap accuracy.

 

[CraigC]

Nope, wrong again, there is a 1/4" difference in LOP from the 60 to the 10/22, and any experienced rifleman will tell you that .25" makes a huge difference in lop.

Get some numbers. I didn't say anything about the Marlin's LOP. I said that the Ruger's LOP is 13.5", which is the same as their centerfire 77's. Which is very similar to all my other rifles. I'm 6' 1" and have never felt cramped on a 10/22.

OK, you said a $200 barrel and I said a couple hundred dollars--I thinks thats the same thing.

No, you said "decent", I said "gilt edged". Marlin true-believers like to say that it takes an aftermarket barrel to shoot "just as good". I'm saying that a "good" barrel (~$200) will outshoot the Marlin by a wide margin. Nothing "decent" about 1/4" - 3/8" groups at 50yds.

I'm not here to chillax, I'm here to have a serious discussion about guns and shooting.

 

[snake284]

I love mine. But there are several reasons they're so popular. For one, there are so many after market parts available for them. And another reason is they are just well designed and dependable. They are well balanced and accurate. What is there not to love?
Edited to Add: One thing about a Ruger I know and I don't about the M-60 is that the bolt release on the Ruger 10-22 sucks from the factory. They make an aftermarket one for about $17. Also, the trigger sucks. Some people have modified them by grinding and such, but I bought what's called the Target Hammer. First I took my Dremmel tool and a polishing wheel and jewler's rouge and polished the trigger and sear mating surfaces. Then I installed it. Now I have a 2-2.5 pound trigger instead of a 7 pound trigger it came with. These two mods make it a pleasure to shoot for right at $50. You may say why should I have to spend even $50 to make it shoot? Well go buy another factory rifle and tell me about the trigger. The truth is, lawyer triggers rule these days. And as for the bolt release, the factory one is a bugger to operate. The aftermarket one is very smooth. There are more mods you can do, but these are almost essential.

I bought mine ot shoot in Appleseed shoots. There the Ruger is king. It's better than a Model 60 because it has a rotary box magazine whereas the Model 60 has a tube. Now a tube is easier to load in my experience. But it is not as Appleseed friendly.

 

[natman]

"Why is the 10/22 so popular?"

I have no idea. I didn't like them when they came out and I still don't. Oh well. They must not feel clunky and shoot poorly for other people. I hear if you replace every part on a 10/22 it's a really nice gun.

John

There is a HUGE following of people who replace 10/22 parts. The more parts you replace, the better it gets. Finally, with enough work and $$$ you can build an Ultimate 10/22 that contains no Ruger parts at all!

 

[eaglevista]

I have a 10/22 that I bought in '77 that shoots a 2" group at 50 yds with a fixed, 4x scope, has taken uncountable numbers of squirrel in the head and has never had a misfire no matter what kind of ammo I've fed it. I just bought a second one to rig up as a Liberty Training Rifle with tech sights to take to an Appleseed event next month. The new ones have an extended mag release which is nice. It'll be nice to have two guns to take with me that are virtually interchangeable as far as mags go. If one does have a problem I just have to pick up the other gun and can keep on shootin'.

On a side note however, I had picked up a little used, Henry lever action a while ago. Smooth as silk action and also shoots shorts which are super quiet. Accurate and fun to shoot. I like both the Ruger and the Henry. Have a Marlin .22 mag but not a .22 lr so I can't compare the Marlin to the Ruger. The thing about a 10/22 is just that they're so reliable.

 

[oldfool]

Marlin 60s are made to shoot
Ruger 10/22s are made to rebuild and/or "mall ninja dress up"
do your own thing

PS
I own neither, but have shot plenty of both, never once met a stock Marlin 60 that did not out shoot a stock 10/22
I own neither because I own a Browning SA-22
for fun, buy a Marlin 60
for tinkering, buy a 10/22
for shooting buy a SA-22 Browning
for target shooting buy a hummer 17 and accessorize with one small sandbag

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Get some numbers. I didn't say anything about the Marlin's LOP. I said that the Ruger's LOP is 13.5", which is the same as their centerfire 77's. Which is very similar to all my other rifles. I'm 6' 1" and have never felt cramped on a 10/22.

Well it's simple math really, 13.5 + .25= 13.75 The marlin has a 13.75" lop per data from their site. I'm not saying this is "better" just that it may suit larger framed shooters better. The 10/22 feels small for me and I'm not a huge dude...I'm a 6'0" 170 lb. marathon runner and cyclist.

I'm not here to chillax, I'm here to have a serious discussion about guns and shooting.

It's is possible to do both..my comments are not an attack on your manhood so don't take it that way.

 

[HKGuns]

I thought this was about Ruger 10/22's not Marlins? Love how all the Marlin fan boys show up to promote their "opinions".

The 10/22 is so popular because it is a great design, shoots very well and is extremely reliable.

You can keep your tube fed Marlins.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

^ hilarious dude,

The 10/22 is so popular because it is a great design, shoots very well and is extremely reliable.

Love how all of the Ruger fanboys show up to voice their opinions.

 

[MrWesson]

Had a modified 10/22 and traded a cheap rangefinder for a marlin model 60.

The marlin was beat up but outshot my modified 10/22(trigger work, bedded stock, stock barrel)

10/22 is gone and model 60 replaced it.

Couple reasons why
The model 60 tube fed magazine is a dream to load(no more butler creek loader or bleeding fingers) and accuracy out of the box. that was enough to ditch my 10/22.

I get the appeal to the 10/22 to customize it and make it your own but I am not a big fan of spending $600 on a $200 10/22(you will never get the money back either).

 

[Snowblind]

I've had my father's 10/22 on, err... extended loan... and it's real nice to shoot. It weighs almost nothing, and is reliable as clockwork. Pop's had it for over 20 years (of thorough use) before he lent it to me, and I've never had any issues with the mechanism or anything else. It's also got virtually limitless aftermarket options, including for a last-shot hold-open (which was among OP's mentioned concerns).

 

[CraigC]

Love how all of the Ruger fanboys show up to voice their opinions.

Well, it IS a Ruger thread.

I love how the Marlin fanboys talk so much about how accurate their rifles are compared to Rugers but you never see the results of any comprehensive testing. If your rifle can't produce the accuracy you claim in five consecutive five-shot groups, it's just hot air and wishful thinking. I've seen some mighty lofty claims about a $100 rifle with a barrel that can't be floated because it has an attached under-barrel magazine tube. There's nothing magical about them, all the same rules apply. You need a free floated barrel with a smooth, consistent bore (which doesn't come on a hundred dollar rifle), a relatively tight, concentric chamber, properly cut crown and a light, crisp trigger. If you really think your budget priced, open-sighted Marlin with a 5lb trigger can shoot with a Ruger sporting a premium barrel, bedding and 14oz trigger, put your money where your mouth is and show us all how we're doing it wrong.

 

[BoilerUP]

I think the whole point the "Marlin fanboys" are making is that out of the box, a stock M60 will outshoot a stock 10/22.

Of course one can make a 10/22 outshoot a Marlin with "premium barrel, bedding, and 14oz trigger" - I'm not sure many would dispute that - but isn't that kinda like saying a GA Precision rifle will outshoot a stock Stevens 200?

Wouldn't we all expect a rifle with components that price it at least 300% above an unmodified competitor to outshoot said unmodified competitor?

 

[JR47]

My old 10/2 consistently out-shot my friends Marlin Model 60. Plain and simple. Different people need and use different guns.

Why the Marlin seem to think that every Ruger 10/22 needs a bunch of parts to "equal" their gun is beyond common sense.

Does anyone actually have access to a side-by-side comparison of a Marlin Model 60 and a Ruger 10/22? If not, then we're talking opinions here, not facts.

Very similar to the one poster who thinks that a Browning is the end-all and be-all of .22 rifles. Opinion, with zero fact to back it up.

The thread is about the why the 10/22 is so popular. It has nothing to do with Brownings, CZs, or Marlins. If you like them better, good for you. However, it adds nothing to the question, or the thread.

It would appear that any thread here, that seems to be garnering a good opinion of a gun, will be beset by those who wish to proclaim their own personal opinion about why it "isn't true". Like Marlin? Start a thread about them. It's silly to show up on another, unrelated, thread and bash away.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

If you really think your budget priced, open-sighted Marlin with a 5lb trigger can shoot with a Ruger sporting a premium barrel, bedding and 14oz trigger, put your money where your mouth is and show us all how we're doing it wrong

Again Craig, this isn't an attack on your manhood, I'm not a Marlin Fanboy,and no one thinks you are doing anything wrong. Countering an argument is not a direct attack on you, your beliefs, your ideas, or you validity as a human.

Here's my stance: I prefer the feel of the Mod. 60 to the 10/22. I have owned both and Marlin's micro groove bbl gave better accuracy than the 10/22's I have owned over the years. I like a tube mag vs, loading the rotary mag. These are not proclaimations I intend for you to follow, merely opinions.

t would appear that any thread here, that seems to be garnering a good opinion of a gun, will be beset by those who wish to proclaim their own personal opinion about why it "isn't true"

That is, in part, the point of a discussion board

 

[CraigC]

Again Craig, this isn't an attack on your manhood, I'm not a Marlin Fanboy,and no one thinks you are doing anything wrong. Countering an argument is not a direct attack on you, your beliefs, your ideas, or you validity as a human.

Again, how you infer that a discussion about guns has anything to do with my manhood is beyond me. I am passionate about guns and shooting but they are still just inanimate objects and are in no way tied to my ego, manhood or personality. Apparently, however, it is difficult for some to look at these things objectively.

I am simply pointing out that Marlin shooters like to think they have one up on the rest but you never see the results of any comprehensive testing put forth. Just anecdotal evidence that goes something like, "my Marlin shoots better than Joe Bob's Ruger because I could hit a beer can at 50yds more often rested off a fence post than Joe Bob shooting from a sapling". At best we see someone posting that they shot a tiny group on one occasion. Never do we see any numbers that can actually be used to draw any clear conclusion.

Wouldn't we all expect a rifle with components that price it at least 300% above an unmodified competitor to outshoot said unmodified competitor?

We should but there is never a shortage of boasts from Marlin true-believers that Rugers "need" a match barrel and $300 trigger to shoot as good as a stock Marlin.