THINKING IT WOULD BE fun to get involved in Cowboy Action Shooting, and maybe do a little hunting with lever guns, I started on a quest for the appropriate hardware. For me, the commonly available calibers were too boring.

The first Remington Number 5 bears no resemblance to the new Remington Model 5. The two rifles differ as much as cats and dogs do. The old Number 5 was a rolling-block sporting and target rifle adapted to use smokeless powder ammunition. It was introduced in 1898, initially chambered for .30-30 Winchester, 7mm Mauser, .30-40 Krag, with .303 British added a few years later. The rifle flopped. Only 198 were sold before it went out of production in 1903. That was too bad for Remington but a good deal for anyone who owns a Number 5, as it would be a mighty nice collector’s piece today. I don’t think the new Remington Model 5 will suffer the same fate as the old Number 5. Right now, it’s a clip-fed bolt-action available in .22 LR and .22 WMR. I have few doubts that in the future it will be able to handle one or more of the .17-caliber rounds gaining popularity. While it wears “Remington” on its box and at the rear of the receiver, you’ll find “Zastava-Serbia” above and forward of the magazine housing. Zastava is the town; Serbia a former kingdom of the Balkans and presently part of Yugoslavia.

The Second Amendment Foundation believes that the nomination of Eric Holder for the post of attorney general of the United States sends an “alarming signal” to gun owners about how the Barack Obama administration will view individual gun rights.

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- The New Jersey Assembly is poised to vote on a new gun control measure that could criminalize ownership of the very guns that secured this nation's independence, and outlaw possession of expensive safari-class hunting rifles, according to the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA).

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Marlin Model 60 22LR

Ray Ordorica/Gun Tests

We liked the classic styling, reliable functioning, easy loading, high capacity and great feel of the Marlin Model 60. Along with its low price were its great iron sights and fine accuracy.

We immediately took to this wood-stocked little rifle, which we found selling for $143 retail. The feel was solid, and we liked the thought of shooting a relatively warm-stocked hardwood stock in cold weather. Our suspicions were correct. This was the most comfortable stock on our shooter's faces. Our first surprise was that this rifle held 14 rounds, and you could get 15 into it if you wanted.

The stock was birch, slab-sawn, with a walnut-like finish. Birch is an excellent choice for gun stocks, and can have attractive grain. This one was fairly plain. The wood finish was impeccable, smooth and slick and offering excellent protection against nicks and dings. There was no checkering. The styling was classic, with the addition of a hump on the butt to get your face higher if you wanted to use a scope. The iron sights presented a really good sight picture. The front blade was flat on top and the rear, though a U notch, had a wide, flat top so elevation was not a question. The width of the U notch was just right for the size of the front sight. The rear was adjustable via the ancient spring-and-wedge system for elevation, and by drifting for windage. We had to make slight adjustments to both, for our eyes. The flat-topped front blade had a square whitish insert that caught the light and provided a much better picture than if it had been simply plain black.

The steel barrel was polished well and blued without excess glare. It plugged into a black-matte, alloy receiver that had grooves on top for a scope, but was not drilled. The trigger guard was polymer with a matte black finish. The magazine tube was blued steel, with a brass inner tube for the cartridges. A twist opened it, and as in days of old, you poured your fresh rounds into the

The bolt locked itself halfway open after the last shot. There were no problems with this rifle whatsoever.

The rifle's safety was a cross bolt behind the trigger, in the back of the guard. We don't like these, but there you have it. It worked well enough. After the last shot the bolt stays partly open, and we liked that. A bolt stop permits closing it if desired, or you can lock the bolt open any time you want by pressing forward on the bolt-stop lever.

On the range we found loading the rifle very easy. All operations worked to perfection, and the rifle performed flawlessly throughout our test shooting. The trigger pull was consistent and clean at 5.6 pounds. We thought it was the best trigger of the trio. Our groups were all between 1.5 and 2 inches, with occasional bursts of brilliance that we believe would easily justify a scope.

We saw many groups with four of the five shots well under an inch, at 50 yards, with a fifth spoiling it. We suspect this was our fault, not the rifle's. This rifle was the only one that tolerated the extremely high velocity of the Aguila ammo, making several groups well under 2 inches. Velocity was 1450 fps out of this rifle, which is stepping right along.

Reader Comments

What optics would you recommend for this rifle? How does it compare to the Ruger 10/22?

Comment by: TCole | August 6, 2008

We've owned one of these for over 10 years and it may be the most satisfying gun purchase, of any kind, I've ever made.

It's inexpensive, shoots remarkably accurately and functions dependably. Interestingly, because the gun is long and slender, it feels very comfortable at the shoulder and seems to "point" well.

Its price gives it an advantage over all other respectable brands. For plinking, or squirrel hunting, I would buy no other .22.

Comment by: WGPu | August 7, 2008

I have a "real purdy" Marlin 983S in .22WMR and an excellent "ranch gun" 1894C in .357 and I couldn't be more pleased with them both. I've been contemplating getting a Model 60 for some time now and I do believe y'all just "sold me" on going ahead with it. Thanks. I'm looking forward to yet another fine shooter from Marlin.

Comment by: ED B | August 7, 2008

I bought one of these in 1968 and regularly shot it at 100 yds (on paper) using a 10x scope. It shot excellently, was reliable, and a joy in all aspects. Sold it a few years ago and have regretted it ever since. May well grab another one of these days.

Comment by: JIM L | August 7, 2008

WGPu-- I don't know how you went all these years without the Model 60 as part of your line-up. You won't be disappointed. It's such a nice rifle to have. It's very accurate, which along with the low price, makes it a true bargain. Add a good quality scope and it's a tack driver. I bought a nice BSA scope years ago (4-9 power) for about 40 bucks and it really transformed the rifle into a very accurate small game rifle.

Comment by: DAVID S | August 7, 2008

DAVID S, I think your helpful comment was more likely intended for ED B. I have a Mod. 60 for over a decade. Thanks.

Comment by: WGPu | August 7, 2008

I have owned a Model 60 whe it had the name 'Glenfield'. This is oneof the finest small caliber rifles I have ever owned.Easy to clean and care for. I left home w/25rnds came w/24 rabbits and one rnd left over,w/iron sights. If I were to forced to sell all my guns today this one would 'NOT' be sold. former gunsmith/retail sales. GLM

Comment by: George M | August 7, 2008

BTW, for the more "progressive" among us, this gun also comes (working from memory here) in a SS/Synthetic version, also.

Comment by: WGPu | August 7, 2008

I have a model 60 I bought as a teenager in 1977. I have shot untold 1000's of rounds through it. It is so-so accurate.2" @ 50yds is not accurate in my book. The trigger pull was closer to 10lbs. I took it apart just recently and many hours later got it in the 6lb range. I will never do that again... surprisingly complex and difficult to work on. I can take any 10/22 fix the trigger for $8, recrown it and have a real tack driver. The model 60 is great for kids, but it is not a serious adult .22 rifle.

Comment by: Markbo | August 7, 2008

And the 10/22 in birch is $236 while the Mod. 60 is $160 at www.budsgunshop.com .

Comment by: WGPu | August 7, 2008

Fine little rifle, but has a tendancy to stovepipe in cold weather.

Comment by: Ken L | August 7, 2008

Oops yeah my comment was for ED B. Sorry about that.

Markbo's comments about his Model60 makes me wonder if he got one that was not up to par (made on a Monday morning). Mine has always shot like a tack driver (with a scope) but only when shooting certain brands of ammo. My trigger pull was measured at 6 lbs years ago, and I always thought it was on the high side too. My friend has a nice 10-22 but we both shoot about the same size groups.

I'll say one thing- with the stock sights, the Model 60 is a good shooter. With a good scope it's great. I've yet to miss a squirrel with the thing. I'm sure there are some Model 60 that don't measure up to some people's standards, but I still think it's a highly underrated rimfire rifle.

Comment by: DAVID S | August 7, 2008

HAVE A MODEL 60, LUV IT ..my 15yo grand son took his father shooting , a joy to see

Comment by: piffle502@bellsouth,net | August 12, 2008

Thanks for the input y'all. Our local gun show is coming up in a couple of weeks and I'll seek one out (I usually see a few).

Aside from my 983S Marlin (in .22WMR), I have a 10/22 (SS/Synth) and an old gallery-gun replica from Rossi that was my first ever. This is the extent of my .22 rifle collection so far. I've heard a few comments - all good - about the Model 60 for many years and I'm glad it was reviewed here. I did have a chance many years ago to shoot one and the one I tried was an excellent shooter.

Like I said before, "I'm sold!"

Thanks guys.

Ed

Comment by: ED B | August 14, 2008