Marlin Model 60 SB - The Firearms Forum

ngzcaz · 11-11-2005, 08:55 AM

If this had been covered recently. I apologize in advance
as I'm a new member. I recently purchased a new Model 60
put on a rifle scope and started having fun. I'm puzzled by the
reports of jamming with this gun. Federals seem to be flawless
so far. No malfunctions or misfires of any kind. As a retired
police officer, I cannot and will not tolerate any FTF or related
problems even though my life doesnt depend on a fun rifle. Its just
a pain in the butt to screw around with a gun when you should be
having a good time.
Havent had a bench to truly test accuracy but it seems to be
a good shooter. The one negative is the heavy trigger pull. Another
website listed a no cost trigger mod that I will try and post if
successful. If that works, this will be a great gun. If there are any
out there w/ this gun. I'd welcome comments on either side.

lead · 11-11-2005, 11:29 AM

Welcome to the forum!
Model 60's are great guns. That's why they have been Marlin's best sellers for years. I think the only time people have problems with them are, if they use standard velocity ammo that doesn't cycle the semi-auto action as well as high velocity, or after a couple years of shooting and never cleaning the gun. I used to work in a gun store and we would see semi-auto .22's come in regularly. The owner would say it's jamming and he wants to trade it. We'd find out that he had it for 5 years and never cleaned it.
Take care of it and the Marlin will never let you down.
I'm not familiar with aftermarket triggers for these, I'm sure someone will come on here with more advice.
Good luck.

ngzcaz · 11-11-2005, 11:54 AM

I'll post this w/ a disclaimer that I havent yet tried it and can't
verify its claim. Another forum's member stated the Model 60's
trigger can be eased up simply by taking out the trigger guard
and pulling the trigger, then reinstalling. It was also stated one
could further reduce the pull by a dab of moly or tetra grease
and/or cutting off a coil or two from the hammer spring.
As I stated previously, I'll post a result when I try it. It may
be interesting to note that I contacted a reputable gunsmith
about a trigger job for the Marlin and after a bit of hemming and
hawing, he declined to even mess with it. Just thought I'd add
that in case anyone other than me is stupid enough to do it
w/ a new weapon still under warrenty. The warrenty will probably
be void but thats ok, I'd rather have it the way I want it rather
than the way it is.

Shooter45 · 11-11-2005, 05:11 PM

Welcome to TFF and good luck with your project.

Keep that Mod 60 action clean and it will work forever.

PLINKER45 · 11-15-2005, 11:40 AM

I have a model 60 that i bought about 6 years ago. the only problem i have had is with standard velocity ammo. I usually use the federal box ammo from walmart and have never had a pproblem with it. Keep it clean and it will last forever.

pickenup · 11-15-2005, 04:18 PM

Great little guns.
Never had any problem with mine.....until they got dirty.
I have to agree with the rest, keep it clean, and you shouldn't have any other problems with it.

kingjoey · 11-16-2005, 03:01 AM

I have an old one that my dad got as a kid and the two halves of the loader assy had separated and was causing some feed problems. I've seen a few Marlin 60's since then that have had the same problem. Also the nylon bolt buffers will sometimes need replaced. Outside of that it is a very reliable setup

Shamrock · 11-17-2005, 02:16 PM

Anyone who tells you the Marlin Model 60 is prone to jamming is using the wrong ammo.

Or he works for Ruger or Remington.

Like "lead" says, the Mod 60 has been Marlin's bestselling .22 for years and years.

ken w. · 11-17-2005, 08:50 PM

Marlin model 60's are prone to jam because of a couple of things.The older marlins needed a feedthroat conversion kit to update the feedthroat and lifter and spring.This new style had a wire ejector instead of one molded to the feedthroat that tended to fail and prevent proper ejection.If the wire ejector isn't at the correct angle,it will eject poorly.The main reason is lack of cleaning and wrong lubricant.I would recommend a very light spray of Remoil after cleaning it well.Less lubricant is better.This is the most dependable autoloader for the money.

GrandpaJoe · 07-29-2011, 03:15 PM

I want to jump into the discussion about Marlin Model 60's. I agree, they are the best .22 semi-auto on the market for the money. The only other one that comes close is the Ruger 10-22 but more expensive. My comments are directed at the older model Mod.60 with the feed throat that had the ejector as an interegal part. The one I have had been worked on a lot and efforts had been made to keep it going. Finally it came to me as a parts gun. The July issue of American Gunsmith goes into much detail about the changes that have taken place in the Mod.60 including changing the feed throat with a conversion kit. I decided to try to fix the problem since I have more time than money and with nothing to lose. Since I had the parts, I changed both extractors and heavied up the spring on the left extractor, filed about .030" off of the flats in front of the ejector and squared up the ejector, actually did all of this in stages trying the operation after each change with multiple brands of ammo. The longest being Winchester hollow points, had to open the bullet end of the throat to allow this ammo to be elevated. Finally made it work, Just ran 100 rounds through it with no malfunction. Conclusion, the American Gunsmith was a fine guide and I would recomend that publication to all. The problem was made to go away on this particular gun, no guarantee that it will on others but works fine on mine, you might want to try it.

BETH · 07-29-2011, 03:52 PM

i have 2 marling 60's the tube fed i just got was jamming on any ammo i put in it sent it back to Marlin now it shoots all ammo except wolf love that gun totally love it

GrandpaJoe · 07-30-2011, 12:57 PM

Beth; please tell me how to get my message on the thread listing so that I can get input from other members. I am unfamillar with the system. Thanks for any help

Blackshirts · 07-30-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrandpaJoe

Beth; please tell me how to get my message on the thread listing so that I can get input from other members. I am unfamillar with the system. Thanks for any help

Above all the thread listing is a blue button that says "New Thread". Click it.

Blackshirts · 07-30-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

I contacted a reputable gunsmith
about a trigger job for the Marlin and after a bit of hemming and
hawing, he declined to even mess with it.

If that website is rimfirecentral most the tricks there won't void any warranties, polishing parts/replacing springs(cutting springs may, but if you never need to send it in just buy a factory spring and put it back in, they're cheap). It will also take about 10-15 minutes to do. Many people with zero gunsmith experience have done the mods just fine, including first time gun owners. I would find a gunsmith who doesn't fancy himself an elitist. I mean with 11 million+ Marlin 60s sold, and being a "reputable gunsmith" he has to have had one come across his counter before. It wasn't that he didn't know the rifle or that he was afraid of voiding a warranty, I believe he simply thought a trigger job on a stock .22lr was beneath him.

As others have said, keep it clean and your grandkids will be enjoying it(their grandkids if you already have them).

gunplumber · 07-31-2011, 01:44 PM

The Marlin 60 trigger system is a severly clunky system with twice or more parts used to make it work than most any other gun. It lends itself to SAFE modification very reluctantly and for these reasons, gunsmiths will not put their livlihood in jeopardy doing a trigger job on this or most other inexpensive guns like it. Most folks I have talked to (inc some smiths) don't really understand how the entire system works. One man (a self-made "smith" I hate to say) thought that a reduction of hammer spring coils would work and soon came to see that the hammer spring is part of the overall recoil reduction of the bolt travel and crushed the buffer on the second shot....(so much for cutting springs). Most in the gunsmithing field I am aware of (inc myself) think that trying to use factory parts to get a real nice trigger on 60 is kinda like inviting a dumptruck to LeMans. On the other hand, it IS possible with enough work by a man that is truly understanding of the system and is not so busy that he can take the time to mark, stone and fit, reassemble and test (repeat...repeat...repeat) until an acceptable pull is reached (and you have a customer willing to pay for his time). The view is quite different from the other side of the fence.

11-11-2005, 08:55 AM	#1
ngzcaz Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 6	Marlin Model 60 SB If this had been covered recently. I apologize in advance as I'm a new member. I recently purchased a new Model 60 put on a rifle scope and started having fun. I'm puzzled by the reports of jamming with this gun. Federals seem to be flawless so far. No malfunctions or misfires of any kind. As a retired police officer, I cannot and will not tolerate any FTF or related problems even though my life doesnt depend on a fun rifle. Its just a pain in the butt to screw around with a gun when you should be having a good time. Havent had a bench to truly test accuracy but it seems to be a good shooter. The one negative is the heavy trigger pull. Another website listed a no cost trigger mod that I will try and post if successful. If that works, this will be a great gun. If there are any out there w/ this gun. I'd welcome comments on either side. -->

11-11-2005, 11:29 AM	#2
lead Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,522	Re: Marlin Model 60 SB Welcome to the forum! Model 60's are great guns. That's why they have been Marlin's best sellers for years. I think the only time people have problems with them are, if they use standard velocity ammo that doesn't cycle the semi-auto action as well as high velocity, or after a couple years of shooting and never cleaning the gun. I used to work in a gun store and we would see semi-auto .22's come in regularly. The owner would say it's jamming and he wants to trade it. We'd find out that he had it for 5 years and never cleaned it. Take care of it and the Marlin will never let you down. I'm not familiar with aftermarket triggers for these, I'm sure someone will come on here with more advice. Good luck. __________________ The best things in life, are not things.

11-11-2005, 11:54 AM	#3
ngzcaz Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 6	Re: Marlin Model 60 SB I'll post this w/ a disclaimer that I havent yet tried it and can't verify its claim. Another forum's member stated the Model 60's trigger can be eased up simply by taking out the trigger guard and pulling the trigger, then reinstalling. It was also stated one could further reduce the pull by a dab of moly or tetra grease and/or cutting off a coil or two from the hammer spring. As I stated previously, I'll post a result when I try it. It may be interesting to note that I contacted a reputable gunsmith about a trigger job for the Marlin and after a bit of hemming and hawing, he declined to even mess with it. Just thought I'd add that in case anyone other than me is stupid enough to do it w/ a new weapon still under warrenty. The warrenty will probably be void but thats ok, I'd rather have it the way I want it rather than the way it is.

11-11-2005, 05:11 PM	#4
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,752	Re: Marlin Model 60 SB Welcome to TFF and good luck with your project. Keep that Mod 60 action clean and it will work forever.

11-15-2005, 11:40 AM	#5
PLINKER45 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 49	Re: Marlin Model 60 SB I have a model 60 that i bought about 6 years ago. the only problem i have had is with standard velocity ammo. I usually use the federal box ammo from walmart and have never had a pproblem with it. Keep it clean and it will last forever.

11-15-2005, 04:18 PM	#6
pickenup Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 6,837	Re: Marlin Model 60 SB Great little guns. Never had any problem with mine.....until they got dirty. I have to agree with the rest, keep it clean, and you shouldn't have any other problems with it. __________________ The gene pool needs chlorine

11-16-2005, 03:01 AM	#7
kingjoey V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: AZ Posts: 290	Re: Marlin Model 60 SB I have an old one that my dad got as a kid and the two halves of the loader assy had separated and was causing some feed problems. I've seen a few Marlin 60's since then that have had the same problem. Also the nylon bolt buffers will sometimes need replaced. Outside of that it is a very reliable setup

11-17-2005, 02:16 PM	#8
Shamrock Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northeast Posts: 24	Re: Marlin Model 60 SB Anyone who tells you the Marlin Model 60 is prone to jamming is using the wrong ammo. Or he works for Ruger or Remington. Like "lead" says, the Mod 60 has been Marlin's bestselling .22 for years and years.

11-17-2005, 08:50 PM	#9
ken w. V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Buffalo,New York Posts: 216	Re: Marlin Model 60 SB Marlin model 60's are prone to jam because of a couple of things.The older marlins needed a feedthroat conversion kit to update the feedthroat and lifter and spring.This new style had a wire ejector instead of one molded to the feedthroat that tended to fail and prevent proper ejection.If the wire ejector isn't at the correct angle,it will eject poorly.The main reason is lack of cleaning and wrong lubricant.I would recommend a very light spray of Remoil after cleaning it well.Less lubricant is better.This is the most dependable autoloader for the money.

07-29-2011, 03:15 PM	#10
GrandpaJoe Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4	Re: Marlin Model 60 SB I want to jump into the discussion about Marlin Model 60's. I agree, they are the best .22 semi-auto on the market for the money. The only other one that comes close is the Ruger 10-22 but more expensive. My comments are directed at the older model Mod.60 with the feed throat that had the ejector as an interegal part. The one I have had been worked on a lot and efforts had been made to keep it going. Finally it came to me as a parts gun. The July issue of American Gunsmith goes into much detail about the changes that have taken place in the Mod.60 including changing the feed throat with a conversion kit. I decided to try to fix the problem since I have more time than money and with nothing to lose. Since I had the parts, I changed both extractors and heavied up the spring on the left extractor, filed about .030" off of the flats in front of the ejector and squared up the ejector, actually did all of this in stages trying the operation after each change with multiple brands of ammo. The longest being Winchester hollow points, had to open the bullet end of the throat to allow this ammo to be elevated. Finally made it work, Just ran 100 rounds through it with no malfunction. Conclusion, the American Gunsmith was a fine guide and I would recomend that publication to all. The problem was made to go away on this particular gun, no guarantee that it will on others but works fine on mine, you might want to try it.

07-29-2011, 03:52 PM	#11
BETH Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: naugatuck,Ct. Contributor Posts: 6,670	Re: Marlin Model 60 SB i have 2 marling 60's the tube fed i just got was jamming on any ammo i put in it sent it back to Marlin now it shoots all ammo except wolf love that gun totally love it

07-30-2011, 12:57 PM	#12
GrandpaJoe Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4	Re: Marlin Model 60 SB Beth; please tell me how to get my message on the thread listing so that I can get input from other members. I am unfamillar with the system. Thanks for any help

07-31-2011, 01:44 PM	#15
gunplumber V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 370	Re: Marlin Model 60 SB The Marlin 60 trigger system is a severly clunky system with twice or more parts used to make it work than most any other gun. It lends itself to SAFE modification very reluctantly and for these reasons, gunsmiths will not put their livlihood in jeopardy doing a trigger job on this or most other inexpensive guns like it. Most folks I have talked to (inc some smiths) don't really understand how the entire system works. One man (a self-made "smith" I hate to say) thought that a reduction of hammer spring coils would work and soon came to see that the hammer spring is part of the overall recoil reduction of the bolt travel and crushed the buffer on the second shot....(so much for cutting springs). Most in the gunsmithing field I am aware of (inc myself) think that trying to use factory parts to get a real nice trigger on 60 is kinda like inviting a dumptruck to LeMans. On the other hand, it IS possible with enough work by a man that is truly understanding of the system and is not so busy that he can take the time to mark, stone and fit, reassemble and test (repeat...repeat...repeat) until an acceptable pull is reached (and you have a customer willing to pay for his time). The view is quite different from the other side of the fence.