Ruger 10/22 vs Marlin 60

[Kent Detective]

Two of THE most popular .22LR rimfire rifles in the world today.

I'd prefer the Marlin 60 to a Ruger 10/22 any day but it's all about taste mainly. They are both pretty good budget rifles and both are capable of awesome accuracy once you have spent money to improve them. The Ruger 10/22 has a very very basic trigger that can't be adjusted easily.

These two rifles have outsold everything else worldwide in the past 30 years + by a factor of 10 or more! I think the Marlin 60 has been around for 40 years + which is truly amazing.

Then again I'd prefer a CZ or a quality Brit made rifle over a Marlin.

Pity that there aren't any British made options out there any more.... (R.I.P Webley & Scott, BSA etc). I am a Brit afterall....

[Toolmanroberts]

I own both. They are both great guns. I do think that the Marlin has the edge when it comes to accuracy, at least the stock version.

[rvehock]

Own both and like them equally, purchased my 10/22 for $89 brand new way back in the day. Picked up two Marlin 60's for my boys at Kmart for $90 each which included a nice camo case and a scope.

[Sandman]

I own a Marlin 60. I have never sold a gun in my life, but have given serious though to selling that one many times. Only reason that I don't is that I don't think I can get enough to make it worthwhile. I couldn't sell it for much and keep a clear conscience. Maybe mine is just a lemon, but I won't give them a second chance. I don't own a 10/22, but own lots of other Rugers. I would take a Ruger over the model 60 in a heartbeat.

[thomas44]

I just talked to a guy today at the range who was/is struggling with his Marlin 60, but he admitted that he only has problems with certain ammo but certain other ammo functions flawlessly. Seems like a simple solution to me. ?? .22's can be finicky about ammo, so I guess you have to experiment and stick with what works, which is fun in and of itself.

[Tinmancr1]

Ruger all the way you can do anything with them yeah they cost more but they are worth it.
Personally mine is tacced out and set for fast 100yd sub moa shooting, or home defense.
I must say mine was my first rifle and has killed so much small game I lost count, it has taken 50,000+rds and still is moa original barrel.
I have yet to shoot marlin but don't like the way it looks or the design.
however the marlin sells like no other but costs about half as much.
both are great manufacturers I use only Marlin levers, I have owned 6 Rugers of all types and still have most of them.
look em over feel them and weigh the odds personal preference is a funny thing.

[group17]

The Ruger is all about the options.
If you don't want the options get the Marlin and save some money.

[lawsonej]

First weapon: Marlin model 60....22" barrel, 18 round tube, auto-open when last round is fired. Mom and dad bought it around 85 for 60-somthin bucks. Well i adopted it, added some tech sights, and has been the very best rifle i have ever owned...how many rifles and shotguns, but this is the only gun i would NEVER sell. Rugers are awesome. But i'd be glad to shoot head to head with any ruger straight out of the box. Marlin made a great firearm. Varmits and pop cans fear me....

[woolleyworm]

Originally Posted by lawsonej

First weapon: Marlin model 60....22" barrel, 18 round tube, auto-open when last round is fired. Mom and dad bought it around 85 for 60-somthin bucks. Well i adopted it, added some tech sights, and has been the very best rifle i have ever owned...how many rifles and shotguns, but this is the only gun i would NEVER sell. Rugers are awesome. But i'd be glad to shoot head to head with any ruger straight out of the box. Marlin made a great firearm. Varmits and pop cans fear me....

Welcome to TFF and great intro! You'll find plenty of mod 60 fans around here, 10/22 fans too.

[Big Shrek]

Ya want Marlin options...google "Big Shrek 60/795 accessories", you'll find 7 pages of Marlin accessories at my second home forum
Stocks, trigger kits, etc...plenty of toys.

Not to mention that any Ruger 1022 stock can be modded to accept the Marlin 60 or 795...
Does help if you are handy with wood/plastic modifications...

Heck, if you can slip a Marlin 795 into an M1 stock...you can stick one into dang near anything!!

Out of the box...with nothing but a cleaning, the 60 will eat the 1022-T's lunch 99 times outta 100.
There's a reason over 13 million Marlin 60's have sold since 1960...
and only 7.3 Million 1022's since 1963...
Precision for lower cost rules.
Its also nice that the Marlin need NOTHING to shoot one-hole groups at 50 yards...
except maybe a little trigger/sear polishing...and good quality ammo.

[fuzebox40]

Originally Posted by Slabsides

Both are proven designs with rabid followers. Really comes down to personal preference. A weakness of one is balanced by an advantage it has in another area over the other.

Me, I've shot and liked several examples of both but own a Marlin 60. Why? I just liked it better on the "test drive".

My feelings exactly. I would only add that with the Marlin you get your choice of tube or box-mag feed and at roughly 30 percent less it's the better bargain for my needs but still it's personal preference. The 10-22 is more upgradeable if that's important. I like them both but then I rarely meet a gun I can't get along with.

[popgun]

Originally Posted by dianalv

I'd say the 10/22, hands down. More reliable. More accurate, in my opinion, straight from the box. I have both. Not caring that much for the Marlin. I've had good Marlins, though.. Had a .22 mag I sold my dad that was a great little gun. I think the older Marlins are better. I don't think they are putting that much effort into workmanship on the new ones.

+1` i agree 100%

[Chinook]

Yeah. I own at couple 10/22's in dead stock form all the way up to near match grade ragged hole shooter @ 100 yds. My single Marlin model 60 is dead stock. I love all of 'em way to much to decide, but I 'spose I am already leaning on the Ruger end of the spectrum...

[aardvarkrh]

Have continued shoot both for over 40 yrs. without a favorite! Luv em both! Both serve indentical masters..., too bad! The Ruger, is much like a Glock & the Marlin more S&W like to me (best way I can describe it). Yet both are like Timex ("keep a lickin & keep on tickin")! the Marlin to me, sems a bit more refined (more smaller parts), while the Ruger (the idiots 22lr), bumps and grinds it's continued serviceability with unlimited options!!! Both are great! you decide!

[ozo]

Not this again....
tell me it ain't so.
Probably ANY gun forum has had THIS question....
hashed out a million times.......
Please......search and read first.....then ask.
Sorry to be so brutal.....but so boring, again and again.

[ozo]

Throw this one in the mix....
Hi, what is the best caliber for SD ?
Or this.....
Hi, what is the best carry gun ?
READ what is already on the discussion boards.....
there is a wealth of information.....already there for your pleasure.
Put out a little effort.......search ON YOUR OWN for the info.....
and read some of the knowledge that many ALREADY have taken
the time to grace us all with....on ANY gun forum of your liking......
bet you, the answer you seek is most likely already there.
Then, maybe, all you will have left...is to say 'thanks'.....

[ozo]

{I know it's an OLD thread......
but as you see, they do pop back up}
Just sayin'.......
for any later passer-by's.....

[ozo]

Oh....forgot my suggestion.....
by a slingshot

[Zane71464]

Originally Posted by ozo

Oh....forgot my suggestion.....
by a slingshot

OZO, you Marlin hater you!!!

[CCHolderinMaine]

10/22 hands down.

[Ledslnger]

Just because there are more Marlins out there doesn't mean they are better. Under that assumption we can assume Chevy Chevettes are better than a Ford GT40 or Pintos are better than Teslas.

My whole family hunts and while you will find a high diversity of gun types in the hands of various uncles and cousins you won't find a Marlin. That is one .22 that I have never seen in the hands of my relatives or mine. Like buying beer in that white can with the label in big black letters that says BEER. Not good stuff.

The reason their aren't many aftermarket stuff for Marlins....same reason their aren't a ton of aftermarket stuff for Pintos.

[Albtraum]

Originally Posted by Ledslnger

The reason their aren't many aftermarket stuff for Marlins....same reason their aren't a ton of aftermarket stuff for Pintos.

I'll let your poor car analogies slide, but not this. In factory out-of-the-box form, the Marlin is a better performer. The reason for the vast aftermarket for the Ruger is because they NEED an improved barrel/trigger/stock, or a modified magazine release... The Marlin already comes with a great barrel, a stock with a nice fit and finish, and a decent trigger, and the 795 has a proper mag release. No need to upgrade anything. The Ruger would be the Honda Civic Si. Not much of a performer, but once you start the modifications and adding bells and whistles, THEN you have something surprisingly quick. Whereas the Marlin could be something along the lines of a Mustang, or any cheap sports car that does well straight from the factory, which doesn't need upgrades.

I have both, shoot both, and love both. But the Ruger is a money pit, with a barrel and stock that cost more than the actual gun.

[3/2 STA SS]

My 60 would beat my 10/22 any day but the 10/22 looks cooler so it's a trade.

[ozo]

Originally Posted by Zane71464

OZO, you Marlin hater you!!!

I know Zane........I am, But I am also in the 12 step program,
and I believe I am making progress.....

My 39D [bottom pic] is what I judge ALL other .22lr rifles/carbines
by for a stock-out-of-the-box shooter.......

I guess I am just weak, 'cause I can't decide between most guns
which is the best......so I just like almost all of them.

[Ledslnger]

Originally Posted by Albtraum

I'll let your poor car analogies slide, but not this. In factory out-of-the-box form, the Marlin is a better performer. The reason for the vast aftermarket for the Ruger is because they NEED an improved barrel/trigger/stock, or a modified magazine release... The Marlin already comes with a great barrel, a stock with a nice fit and finish, and a decent trigger, and the 795 has a proper mag release. No need to upgrade anything. The Ruger would be the Honda Civic Si. Not much of a performer, but once you start the modifications and adding bells and whistles, THEN you have something surprisingly quick. Whereas the Marlin could be something along the lines of a Mustang, or any cheap sports car that does well straight from the factory, which doesn't need upgrades.

I have both, shoot both, and love both. But the Ruger is a money pit, with a barrel and stock that cost more than the actual gun.

I think the Mustang has as many aftermarket parts as the Civic, so your analogy sucks. The Civic was never really supposed to be or marketed as a sports car for Honda, it was supposed to be economical. You want to compare apples to oranges. The Honda S2K is one of their sports cars and it will eat a Mustang for lunch unless you are talking Super Snake or something. My dad and I have had two stock 10/22s since the mid 70s and have done nothing to them because they rock. They don't need anything done to them. Fit and finish is great and magazine release is fine. Good accuracy with bulk ammo and the trigger is fine with practice. Couldn't even count the tree rats and rabbits taken with them, let alone blackbirds and starlings. The marlin stock looks like dog crap IMO. Personally, I don't like tube magazines either, they look like crap too. I have an old Mossy that is tube fed, BUT it is the M model and has the full stock so you don't see the dorky tube. If something doesn't look appealing it normally isn't and the Marlin's look like crap unless you are talking lever actions. The one upgrade you can go for with Marlins is a different stock......cause they look like crap.