Thread: The WORST Firearm You Ever Owned

Marlin 60 microgroove entered production 1960, and Sturm Ruger first produced 10/22 about 1964. Marlin 60 biggest selling 22 of any kind in history with 13m sold. Ruger 10/22 has sold 6 million. Someone in NZ had import licensing for the Ruger in the 60s/70s, but other better semis like the Marlin 60, Remington 552 and some of the Euros simply weren't imported. Very hard to get licencing in the old days.

As a rimfire hobbist have bench and field tested dozens of makes and models over the decades. We had about six 10/22s over time - nice little unit but consistently let down by poor accuracy. All 10/22s tested between 1-2" for repeatable groups at 50m, averaging around 1.5". That is the least accurate 22 overall that I have tested. Best Ruger 10/22 (looking at my records) at 50m averaged 1.04" for four best groups. Note you never rely on single best groups shot last whenever - they never tell a rifle's story. Pulling the 10/22s down, inaccuracies principally due to one or more of: loose chambering, poor barrel connections, poor rifling. Slugging the barrel in some rugers (pushing a 22 slug down barrel) showed rifling very uneven and bullet almost fell down some sections before engaging tight rifling at end. Ruger would not handle any and all ammos - good with some, poor with other brands as with all semiautos, and mags would clog with blowback debris under heavy use.

Best wee Ruger 22 tested was the model 96 lever action. Same style and mag, but very quick lever, and surprisingly accurate at 0.7s at 50m. Absolute jewel - cracker of a wee hunter. No weaknesses.

Marlin semis broke my own 30 year prejudice against semiautomatics!! I first bought a model 60, and it was so accurate I thought it must be an oddity. I then proceeded to buy and test about twelve model 60s, 70s, 75, 795s, a 7000, and 990s etc and a couple of 925 bolts. Marlin microgroove 22s very accurate - in fact from over 100 sporter rimfires of all makes and models, two Marlin 60s hold the record with me for 5 shot group averages at 50m. Both model 60s - a 1998 and a recent 2012 60DLX shot 1/4" groups at best at 50m, and one rifle averaged 0.29" for 4 groups, while the other averaged 0.39". Stunning performance from standard barrel sporter. Very basic rifles with good barrels. All of the Marlin semis averaged well under 1", with almost all sub 0.5" at best except the two model 70s. Could not accurize them - some production issue with that odd model. Marlin very reliable if you do three things - run them clean, run them nearly dry (just one drop of oil on bolt only), and with all CCI ammos. Fat little CCI round engages Microgroove rifling well.

Both Marlin and Ruger triggers heavy as required ex-factory for US market. Ruger trigger easier to work on than Marlin but either can be adjusted with not too much time/cost. Mcarbo produce a spring and trigger blade set for the marlins which has triggers running beautifully. Various other options also - lots with ruger.

My 70s ruger 10/22 alot better made than recent ones. In earlier times (local gunsmith mate advises me) Ruger were outsourcing barrels and some they bought were good makes eg Shilen - which made for occasional more accurate 10/22s out there. With marlin also the pre 2009 New Haven Ct models were better made than the Kentucky ones after Remington purchased company. Initial quality issues with Rem production apparently are now being resolved.

The difference between them is accuracy. I would not expect anyone to have to immediately rebarrel any sporter 22 to achieve consistently grouping, and I would not recommend 10/22 for any new shooter, or any field shooter prizing accuracy. We did also have an aftermarket highly modded 10/22 with Green mountain/VQ components etc (someone had spent over $1200) but only the original trigger blade remained - it was no longer a ruger.

Did a comparison of common semiauto 22s for a hunting magazine a while back - ammo testing them, then group tests off the bench at 50m. The rifles included Toz 99, Ruger 10/22, Marlins 60 and 795. In short the marlins were vastly better on the range - was a relief coming back to them after shooting the others. Model 60 averaged 0.29", and model 795 about 0.57" . And to my surprise the two marlins proved also most reliable in test.

As stock rifles a Marlin 60 if available or a 795/795SS is easily the better rifle - precise, accurate 100m shooters. Be cautious about old 60s off trademe - may need a new spring set from Mcarbo. If you do see a 10/22 that has had a Whistlepig (nice barrels) etc done to it, it could be worth buying at the right price.