The Marlin Model 60 was first manufactured in 1960, replacing the Model 99, and is still in production today. There have been a few functional changes over the last half century, but the rifle has basically remained unchanged. It is still considered an affordable, accurate starter gun with total sales in the millions. The wood stock has been replaced with a synthetic material and the barrel has been shortened by a few inches, but this little carbine has still kept it’s reputation for affordable reliability.
My father purchased this one new in 1965 when I was but a young lad. He allowed me to shoot it then and gave me my first lessons in gun safety and responsibility. Through internet research and personal interaction with other gun owners I have learned that I was far from being alone. It seems to be a common theme among shooters of any age group to have cut their teeth on this gun.
It is as reliable and popular today as it ever was. The light weight and simplicity of operation, combined with the small .22 caliber ammunition make it effortless to shoot, easing the first time jitters. It is an excellent target weapon to hone one’s skills with the inexpensive ammunition it utilizes and I have added a scope to this one for improved accuracy. The semi-automatic design means that once the first round is loaded into the firing chamber, one can shoot away without having to cock the rifle between shots. Up to eighteen rounds are loaded into the tube attached to the underside of the barrel, providing quality shooting time before having to reload, although models built since the mid 1980s have a reduced capacity of fourteen rounds.
It is also a conversation starter whenever I visit the range. The birch wood finish never fails to impress, especially in contrast to the black metal and plastic guns that are now all the rage. There is something comforting to me about holding a piece of American history built by a company that dates back to 1870 by craftsmen who poured their heart into their craft.
And though he has been gone for almost two decades, I can’t look at the rifle without being reminded of my late father. He was a sensible man, not one prone to make frivolous purchases. Perhaps growing up in the depression and going on to serve in World War II does that to people. He not only had an appreciation for life and freedom, but for things of quality, getting a value for one’s dollar. But more than that, I am reminded of the lessons he taught me and the guidance he offered.
I would recommend this rifle to anybody, whether they be a novice or an experienced marksman, or somewhere in between, like me. The sheer quantity produced has kept the prices down on used pieces, and a new one can still be had for under two hundred dollars. I contend that is a real value for a piece of history that will survive many generations of enjoyment.