Based on the advice of the members, I just picked up a new Marlin 795 semi-auto with a nickel plated 10 round magazine.
I paid $150 for it, and it came with an action cable lock and one spare mag.
I noticed that Ruger 10/22s are now going for $400 up here in Montreal now.
I own two, and never paid that. And mine have Aluminum trigger guards and barrel band.
I figured for the price of a pair of shoes for the Marlin, how can you go wrong.
I plan on using it as a drag everywhere firearm. Not to focus on shooting it that much, just to have to rely on when out hiking in the bush, and maybe spot a rabbit to have for lunch if you stumble into one.
Well, my first impressions are very good. Seems very solid for the price. I plan on keeping the iron sights on it and not scoping it. I am tired of lugging around a small carbine that you double it's size by putting a scope on it.
What I love about it head and tails over the Ruger 10/22 is the Marlin has very modern fire controls all accessible with your index finger.
It has last round bolt stop, which I find very convenient and cool. You insert a fresh mag and hit the bolt release with your index and you are good to go, no need to rack the slide. It is also safer as the gun clears itself for inspection when the mag runs dry.
The mags are very minimalist, so you can have 4 or 5 preloaded in a coat pocket and makes this gun a far better trainer for realistic reloads of military arms if you are into that sort of thing. Just note the mags don't drop free when the mag release button is pushed, they still have to be pulled out.
The gun has a heavy trigger... Must be at least 8 lbs. pull minimum but with no creep at all. It breaks like a glass rod, so I can still see that you can get used to it.
So I won't hold the trigger against it.
But features, controls, price... For $150.
If this thing doesn't jam much and I can at least hit a tin can at 100 yards with the open sights, I'd have to say this is a better gun than the 10/22 for the price.
Funny thing though, this gun is a Remington if that appeals to you. So it really is a decent cheap semi-auto.
And for people who mod a 10/22 for that military tactical feel... Well, the Marlin feels more military by far. And you don't have to struggle for bolt hold opens and releases with the Marlin.
So the Marlin wins in "tactical feel" right out of the box.
But I am not looking for that much anymore, I am looking for a decent little pack gun.
I'll take it out and post my shooting impressions in the next little while. So far, so good.
I paid $150 for it, and it came with an action cable lock and one spare mag.
I noticed that Ruger 10/22s are now going for $400 up here in Montreal now.
I own two, and never paid that. And mine have Aluminum trigger guards and barrel band.
I figured for the price of a pair of shoes for the Marlin, how can you go wrong.
I plan on using it as a drag everywhere firearm. Not to focus on shooting it that much, just to have to rely on when out hiking in the bush, and maybe spot a rabbit to have for lunch if you stumble into one.
Well, my first impressions are very good. Seems very solid for the price. I plan on keeping the iron sights on it and not scoping it. I am tired of lugging around a small carbine that you double it's size by putting a scope on it.
What I love about it head and tails over the Ruger 10/22 is the Marlin has very modern fire controls all accessible with your index finger.
It has last round bolt stop, which I find very convenient and cool. You insert a fresh mag and hit the bolt release with your index and you are good to go, no need to rack the slide. It is also safer as the gun clears itself for inspection when the mag runs dry.
The mags are very minimalist, so you can have 4 or 5 preloaded in a coat pocket and makes this gun a far better trainer for realistic reloads of military arms if you are into that sort of thing. Just note the mags don't drop free when the mag release button is pushed, they still have to be pulled out.
The gun has a heavy trigger... Must be at least 8 lbs. pull minimum but with no creep at all. It breaks like a glass rod, so I can still see that you can get used to it.
So I won't hold the trigger against it.
But features, controls, price... For $150.
If this thing doesn't jam much and I can at least hit a tin can at 100 yards with the open sights, I'd have to say this is a better gun than the 10/22 for the price.
Funny thing though, this gun is a Remington if that appeals to you. So it really is a decent cheap semi-auto.
And for people who mod a 10/22 for that military tactical feel... Well, the Marlin feels more military by far. And you don't have to struggle for bolt hold opens and releases with the Marlin.
So the Marlin wins in "tactical feel" right out of the box.
But I am not looking for that much anymore, I am looking for a decent little pack gun.
I'll take it out and post my shooting impressions in the next little while. So far, so good.