Having been a fan of the US M1 30 Carbine all my life, I was surprised when I noticed for the first time the Marlin Model 99M1 carbine, in 22 Long Rifle. This is of course just one of the many inexpensive Marlin 22s using the model 60 action. Just dressed up like the above mentioned 30 Carbine. Came across it in a gun shop in Missoula a few weeks ago. Shouldered it, felt good. Still had it's original rear sight. Yep, had to have it. It was obviously the next one I had been unwittingly looking for.
Read several posts about the importance of keeping the 60's action clean. You know, avoiding the Jam-A-Matic symptom. On the way home, stopped along a river bank to try it out. Checked the bore for obstructions, and loaded it up. Yep, with a 9 rd magazine, at least one or two fails to eject. (But sure felt good when it went bang!)
Disassembled and cleaned well. (What a simple and easy action to work on.) Lubed ever so lightly. Applyed oil only with a saturated Q-Tip on wear marks of bolt. Mounted new 1 inch 22 rimfire scope. Out to the range. Put 100 rounds of various 22 LR thru it. (It seems to like the CCI MiniMags best of what I had on hand. Will try others as time allows.) Not one problem. What fun. At 25 yards, will keep the whole magazine in a 1 inch square.
Had forgotten how nice to be able to shoot for that long and only have eye fatigue, but no recoil pain in the old shoulder.
I learned several points:
1) Don't get so distracted with your centerfires/handloading that you miss the fun of rimfires. I did that for too many years.
2) What a wealth of knowledge is on the internet. I was able to research the history, value and care of the rifle before ever buying it.
3) You are never too old to start something new. Time to get my other long neglected rimfires cleaned and lubed.
Now I'm looking for the next one or two. And I already know they will be built on the model 60 action.
Wally
