[celticpride2133]

So I am looking for my first gun, what gun would you recommend? Thanks for the Help!

[mrt8110]

I like Marlin firearms.I would choose the Marlin 60,then the 795. I also like the Savage 64. All excellent rifles. I would suggest that you handle them all, and choose which one fits the best.Any ?'s call 978-424-7024. Cliff

[Jeff56]

First off I would definitely choose a Marlin XT series rimfire rifle if you're looking at bolt action rifles. They have the much improve ProFire triggers on them which is like a carbon copy of the highly successful AccuTrigger that Savage has been putting on their bolt action rifles for years now. Marlin had to keep up or go out of the bolt action .22 business just to put it bluntly. At $200 for some models, they are a steal IMO.

As for the choice between a 795 and a 925 the main question is do you want a bolt action or a semi-auto. Both are fine rifles. But again I wouldn't choose the 925 because of the new trigger on the XT series rifles. My 925 cost the same amount as my XT-22TR which was $200.

I got my 795 much cheaper than the bolt action guns and it is a very fine rifle. I happen to think the quality of the 60 is better than the 795 but I'm sure some will argue that point. I just know all of the 60's I've owned over the years haven't had as many problems as my 795 did in the first year I owned it. Broken firing pins seem to be a common problem most likely being due to the LSHO not working consistently which means dry firing too often. Maybe if I had the LSHO fixed I wouldn't have the problems I've had with firing pins. Many people will knock the synthetic stocks on certain Marlins but I actually prefer them on guns that will see heavy use in rough conditions. It's hard to make plastic warp unless you leave it in the sun in a hot car and even then it won't likely warp. And of course it's lighter. So when I want to go squirrel hunting I take the 795.

All these rifles are excellent rifles though IMO. It's a matter of what features you like mostly. The best thing to do, as always, is to get both. You won't be happy until you do. In the meantime just buy the one that fits you well and has the features you like best.

Maybe if you told us what you intend to do with your rifle it would help us help you. As a general, all round gun I chose a 60 and basically used it all the time when I wanted a .22 for over 20 years. I had a Stevens 15 also but it was my dad's rifle and I didn't want to tear it up so it's been in my closet most of the years I've owned it. It's actually a gun that's designed to work from now till doomsday but I still want to be able to hand it down to my kids so I only shoot it sometimes. I have plenty of other choices currently and I don't need to shoot that rifle my dad owned.

I hate to go off on a tangent here and suggest a gun you didn't ask about but I'd say get a Model 60. They are rock solid, very accurate for what they are and what they cost, and will shoot about any ammo pretty well and some ammo very well. If I only had one rifle it would be a 60.

[celticpride2133]

Jeff- thank you for the response, what do you think about the ruger 10-22? Worth the higher price or no?

[lukeisme]

I suggest marlin model 60, not that the 10/22 isn't good, I just like the 60 better. They are rugged last forever with proper care and cleaning, no magazines to lose, very accurate for a semi-auto. If you want a 22lr that you can trick out and spend a ton of money on then go with the 10/22 there are as many mods for them as an AR. But if you want something to shoot for many years to come with out a ton of fuss then for sure the model 60. Just my two cents...

[axxe55]

Originally Posted by celticpride2133

Jeff- thank you for the response, what do you think about the ruger 10-22? Worth the higher price or no?

i have a 10/22 Ruger and a Marlin M60, and i prefer the M60 over the 10/22. just my personal preference. not that the 10/22 is bad, i just have a liking for my M60 over it. maybe the way it shoulders.

[big shrek]

My love of Marlins comes from their accuracy due to the Micro-groove barrels...whether XT22, 60, or 795

I'm all about the box-mag fed ones...I'm kind of getting bored with the tube mag...I've found a way to reload 'em as fast as
a box-mag rifle, but its far easier to optimize a box-mag rifle as opposed to a tube-mag...
bedding is simpler, getting the barrel channel opened up is easier, and far easier to tune...
Although Marlins don't need much, you can take a nice .30 or smaller group and take it to a one-hole-group shooter
by simply doing a trigger job, pillar bedding, and getting the barrel channel set right

I also enjoy having a few different mags set up for different purposes...like with my .22WMR Marlin 25MN
one with ratshot for those midnight adventures with critters in the attic/rooftop...
two mags with minimags...etc...etc...
and then one with Federal Gameshok 50-grain loads for 'yotes
a full selection to play with for whatever need arises...

[Jeff56]

I'm a Marlin guy but if you want to build a super accurate semi-auto you start with a Ruger 10/22. If you want a "tacticool" dress up gun that looks like something it isn't then you start with a 10/22. If you want to buy a rifle that will shoot great for 25 years right out of the box then buy a Marlin. I have a bunch of Marlins. I don't have any 10/22's. It's not that I dislike Ruger. I have a Ruger pistol. But for budget .22's in the semi-auto realm there's nothing better than a Marlin.

[big shrek]

Originally Posted by Jeff56

I'm a Marlin guy but if you want to build a super accurate semi-auto you start with a Ruger 10/22. If you want a "tacticool" dress up gun that looks like something it isn't then you start with a 10/22. If you want to buy a rifle that will shoot great for 25 years right out of the box then buy a Marlin. I have a bunch of Marlins. I don't have any 10/22's. It's not that I dislike Ruger. I have a Ruger pistol. But for budget .22's in the semi-auto realm there's nothing better than a Marlin.

One can dress up a 795 quite nicely
Boyd's has a selection of Eight stocks for the 795 now, (some not in stock at the moment...sold out FAST!!)
you no longer have to mod a 60 stock to enjoy wicked laminates...
and the Marlin 800/900 series stocks fit the XT22...drop in with minor fitting as with any stock change.
http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Replacement-Stocks-for-Marlin-Rifles-s/124.htm

Then there are the other options...any synthetic airsoft stock that fits the 1022 will fit the 795, as the 795 is 1/2" less wide...
which means some stocks that the 1022 were too wide for, (Well P-90) are perfect for the 795!!
Zet70 did this one!! (You have to manually cut the magwell hole out in the bottom of this one...)


Ramline used to make a model 70 stock (precursor of the 795) to which one needs to drill a hole for the LSHO lever to go thru...
still found occasionally on gun auction sites & fleabay...feel free to write a letter to Ramline asking them to start making them again!!
So other than the LSHO hole, its a Drop-In with minor fitting needed...as with any stock change...
And by tomorrow this one will be wearing a Simmons Black Diamond scope...decided to change it up a bit...


And Bullpupstocks.com carries the Muzzlelite Bullpup for $129...it may look big, but its real light!! (795 installed)



Just a small sampling of the available options...there's also a guy (Defcon) who is all over the 'net who is taking XT22's & 795's
and putting them in stocks nobody ever expected they would fit!!!
Google "Defcon Marlin stock" or check out his vids...here's a Tavor (Tar21) build that he did!!
He needs to file that ejection port a little finer, tho...and figure out a better mag release extension...hehehe...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOGaZ__PsLE