Marlin Model 60 .22 LR
Model: 70620
Marlin Model 60 .22 LR
Model: 70620
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
More than 11 million Marlin Model 60s have been produced since 1960, making it one of the best-selling rimfire rifles ever made. The tube magazine holds 14 rounds of .22 LR — 4 more than the 10/22's standard BX-1 magazine — and feeds through a 19" blued steel barrel with a Monte Carlo hardwood stock. The Micro-Groove rifling system, with 16 grooves versus the typical 6, is documented as improving accuracy with standard lead-bullet ammunition. The 5.3 lb single-stage trigger is widely reported as cleaner from the factory than the 10/22's stock trigger.
Production status on the Model 60 is the open question for any new buyer. Ruger acquired the Marlin brand in 2020 from the Remington bankruptcy and has prioritized relaunching the lever-action lineup. As of Ruger's January 2022 statement, there were no plans to resume Model 60 production, and the model is not currently listed on marlinfirearms.com — check the site for current production status before assuming new stock is available. The installed base is enormous, which means parts, gunsmith support, and aftermarket components remain widely available regardless of current production. The tube magazine is slower to reload than a detachable box; loading 14 rounds individually takes time that swapping a BX-25 into a 10/22 does not. That is the main practical trade-off. The Model 60 has no magazine to lose, fits in a scabbard as easily as any lever gun, and runs on bulk .22 LR without complaint.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- 5.3 lb single-stage trigger is widely reported as cleaner and more predictable from the factory than the 10/22's stock trigger — no immediate upgrade required for most owners
- 14-round tube magazine holds 4 more rounds than the 10/22's standard BX-1, and there is no magazine to lose, leave at the range, or buy extras of
- The Micro-Groove 16-groove rifling is documented as producing tighter groups with standard lead-bullet .22 LR loads compared to conventional 6-groove barrels
- Reloading the tube magazine is slow — each round must be inserted individually through the loading port, which is a real disadvantage compared to swapping a BX-25 into a 10/22
- The aftermarket for the Model 60 is a fraction of the 10/22's — replacement stocks, triggers, and accessories exist but are far fewer in number and harder to find
Where to Buy
No prices available at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable is the Marlin Model 60, and what wears out first?
The Model 60's reputation for reliability over decades of production is well-established — owners routinely report guns running into the tens of thousands of rounds with nothing more than basic cleaning. The feed throat and the recoil buffer are the most commonly discussed wear items; the buffer (a small rubber piece at the rear of the receiver) dries out and crumbles over time. It is an inexpensive part and a five-minute fix. Beyond that, the simple blowback action has very few parts that fail under normal use.
Is the Marlin Model 60 currently in production?
Ruger acquired the Marlin brand after Remington's 2020 bankruptcy and has prioritized restoring the lever-action lineup. As of Ruger's January 2022 statement, there were no plans to resume Model 60 production, and the model is not listed on marlinfirearms.com — check the site for the latest status before assuming new stock is available. The huge installed base means parts and gunsmith support remain widely available regardless of current production. Used Model 60s are easy to find on the secondary market in any condition tier.
Can the Marlin Model 60 use .22 LR +P or hyper-velocity ammunition?
The Model 60 is rated for standard .22 LR loads including standard-velocity, high-velocity, and most hyper-velocity ammunition like CCI Stingers. The blowback action is not sensitive to velocity variation the way bolt-action rifles can be. Marlin's owner documentation recommends avoiding .22 Short or .22 Long — the rifle is chambered for .22 LR only, and shorter cartridges can cause feeding issues or carbon buildup at the chamber shoulder.
