[z_woodcock]

I was recently gifted a Marlin Model 60 .22 Long Rifle from my grandfather. This thing is old, but shoots well. The only problem I'm having is that, under certain conditions, the rifle jams. The rifle has a tubular magazine, and it fires fine for the first 5 or so rounds. However, once I get down to around 10 rounds almost every shot the gun jams. I'm not sure if this is a problem with the spring in the tubular magazine, as I've been told, or a more serious issue. I just thought I'd get a second opinion. Thanks all!

[Rick1967]

If you only put about 6 rounds in the tube does it do it right away? If so the spring is a good assumption. If not, you will need to look elsewhere.

[stalkingbear]

The 1st thing I'd recommend is a good cleaning & oiling. After a good cleaning try it. Let us know if it's still malfunctioning. Then we can go from there.

[lukeisme]

I have a marlin model 60 as well same issue, but after a deep cleaning 3 rounds and it jams. I have tried different ammo had it cleaned by a local gunsmith(I thought I was missing something). Still jamming!!!

[stalkingbear]

It's hard to diagnose problems without seeing exactly what they're doing-at least for me. It could be 1 of several things from a weak spring (magazine or lifter) to a worn or broken part. I'm cursed in that I have to actually see what it's doing before I can make a determination of exactly what is wrong. Try just loading 2-4 rounds in the mag and see what it does like the other poster said. If it's a inner mag tube spring that's an easy fix.

[KMO]

I inherited a Marlin 60 knock-off model a few years ago. The rifle had barely been fired, if at all. I lubricated it and when I took it out for the first time, it jammed & jammed. A local gunsmith advised me to give the action a good soak for a few days in mineral spirits. He thought that some of the old oil had probably hardened up & gotten sticky, so just putting fresh oil on top of the old wasn't working. I think he was right...it was an easy fix. A good mineral spirits bath & some brushing with a strong-bristle brush, followed by another oiling, and that rifle worked perfectly...didn't require any parts to be replaced at all.

[z_woodcock]

To Rick and Stalking Bear:

I cleaned and oiled the gun both before and after each firing. I still get the jam. But it only happens when I have between 5 and 12 rounds in the magazine, which leads me to believe it is a spring issue. That would really make me happy, because that's apparently very cheap and simple to fix.

To KMO:

Yeah, i thiught about that too. Only thing is, it's not a consistant jamming problem. Like I said before, it's only when I have between 5 and 12 rounds in the magazine that it jams up, and even then SOME of the rounds don't jam. I figured something like what you described would lead to it jamming on every shot.

[pandamonium]

My model 60 is finiky, as are most, you should try some different ammo's and see if one brand or load works better. mine loves federal champion target, it's not expensive either, that helps. I tried some brands( cant remember which) that would jam 3 or 4 times in one magazine! Mine is also old, from the mid
60's.

[robocop10mm]

It sounds like a mag tube issue, probably the spring. It may be gummed up. I would clean the mag tube inside and out, VERY WELL. If old oil has gotten gummed up inside the tube, it will hinder proper function. If that does not solve the issue get a new mag spring.

The VAST majority of the problems in .22 rimfires is directly related to fouling. Thorough cleaning solves most woes.

[doggone06]

Is there a dent in the tube itself? If the plunger hangs up in the same spot maybe there is a dent or a bend in the tube. When it jams what happens, does the spent round eject and the bolt closes with no round in the chamber?
If that is the case can you recharge the bolt and fire? The 4 Marlin 60's I have never have had that problem....