Hunting Tactical

The Marlin 60 .22 caliber rimfire rifle is apart of Americana. Millions have been manufactured and the rifle is considered a workmanlike design that provides yeoman service for hunters and plinkers. As for production I would have underestimated the Marlin 60 as my research revealed over eleven million have been made.

As for performance, not long ago Gun Tests magazine (Gun- Tests.com) found a Marlin 795 (an updated version of the Model 60 with a detachable magazine) was the most accurate rifle tested among four modern rifles. This Marlin is an underrated design in many regards and it doesn’t enjoy the same amount of aftermarket accessories as the Ruger 10/22 does but Hunting Tactical (HuntingTactical.com) has changed this. They offer a modern stock for the Marlin 60 and similar rifles such as the 795.

This stock offers surprising versatility, allowing for stock length adjustment with its AR-15type stock and adjustment of the pistol grip. Even the Picatinny rail mount intended for lights is adjustable. Made of modern, high-impact plastic, this is an interesting option. The stock is a tad more complicated then some and bears an overview. The following procedure outlines the assembly procedure for the rifle. I obtained a good condition but worn Marlin 60 and proofed it.

Two hundred Winchester Wildcat cartridges later I knew it was worth the investment of anew stock. Hunting Tactical’s stock is a little more complicated than some competing designs intended for the Ruger 10/22 due to the Marlin 22 rifle a modern appearance. 60 requiring different engineering. The assembly procedure isn’t terribly complicated but requires close attention to the instructions and to detail. The tools required are simple enough and you should have them on hand.

A 5/16" Allen wrench is included with the stock kit. You will also need a flat head screwdriver. An AR-type multi tool, spanner wrench or pliers are good to have as well. I used a Caspian multi tool intended for 1911s. Be certain your pliers are controllable, it is easy to scratch the stock with a pair of pliers that are difficult to handle. The package contains screws, fasteners, and stock parts. There are two short screws, seven hex head nuts, three long screws, and a flat washer as well as the Allen wrench.

Also included area locking pin, small roll pin, lock ring, castle nut, lock lever, a pistol grip mount with right and left index, and an adjustable buttstock with a telescoping tube. The stock and components are well made and provided a good fit for the Marlin 60 used in the test. The stock is adjustable and a good point in favor of it is the Picatinny rail that makes mounting optics or lasers easy. I assembled the stock assembly first. The buttstock and locking lever we laid on the bench.

First, remove the nut from the end of the locking pin. Watch the spring on the end of the pin. Hold the buttstock inverted and insert the locking pin into the hole on the top of the buttstock and into the tunnel/channel below the top of the stock. While it sounds simple enough I found that the buttstock needed to be rolled at an angle to drop the pin in. The pin is pushed through the buttstock so that the pin protrudes a bit from the bottom.

Maintain this angle on the lock pin as you place the locking lever over the pin. Next, the locking nut is threaded over the lock pin. This isn’t difficult but most of the time we purchase AR-15 stocks assembled without having to go to this trouble to assemble the stock. It isn’t any trouble provided you pay attention to detail and roll the stock to assemble the unit. Small nuts like these are easily cross threaded so be careful here.

The nut must go on far enough that the pin is lined up with the hole in the nut, as far it will go until you’re able to observe the hole in the pin. Don’t insert the small roll pin yet. The telescoping AR-15-type tube is assembled next. Those that have dealt with the AR-15 stock in the past—and that is most of us—will

No trimming was needed. find this pretty simple. The castle nut is threaded all of the way onto the tube so that the notches in the nut face the rear of the tube. The notches in the castle nut are facing the other end from the threaded end. The lock ring is then lined up on the telescoping tube with the prong on the lock ring. There is a tab on the lock ring and it should face away from the castle nut. If you are using a single point sling, put the sling adapters on the stock.

Again, no cross threading as you thread on the swivel. The swivel is tightened as you line up the tab on the lock ring with the notch located on the swivel. As The pistol grip is adjustable. the tube is threaded on as much as possible, back it off until the tab on the lock ring is lined up. The swivel now tightens up as you line up both notches and swivels. The castle nut is tightened using a spanner/AR tool. Next, three nuts go into the hexshaped pocket at the rear swivel end of the receiver.

Two are on one side and one on the other. When you are done these nuts just be flat flush and straight into the receiver. Loctite is a good bet to hold these screws in place. The slotted end of the swivel goes over the receiver and be certain that the receiver and swivel are aligned properly. Another nut goes on the left side of the swivel and along screw is added to the right side. Tighten the swivel but only hand tight. There must be some slack in order to allow a degree of movement.

If these items are not properly aligned there is a good chance the nut will be cross threaded. Easy and evenly is the rule. There are three positions for the stock. This makes adjusting the angle when aiming so much easier. You may wish to mount a scope, red dot, or make the rifle suitable for use by a youth. The adjustment is easy and makes for excellent all-around utility. The buttstock is slid over the telescoping tube. This is done by compressing the locking lever and allowing the stock to slide over the tube.

Moving to the stock, install three hex nuts in the forward section. This allows placing the adjustable Picatinny rail on the stock as a forearm. This rail must be installed with the angled end facing rearward. Note, there are three holes in the receiver and only two in the forearm. The line up depends on how the user feels comfortable. Fine tune and adjust the stock for comfortable use. Now to place the action into the stock. Remove the original Model

60 stock if you haven’t already done so. This is simple enough as there is a single large nut on the M60 stock. There are also screws in the trigger guard but be careful as the trigger guard is easily cracked, especially when they have some age on them. Install the magazine port plug, which slides up inside, and the front will fit in the bottom of the stock.

Insert the trigger assembly into the stock and tighten the small screw in front with a flat head However, there is a stock available as well for removable magazine versions. screwdriver. You will want to install the magazine port shroud as well, tightening the screw down. Be certain the trigger guard assembly is level and fully seated. Again, it is easy to crack the trigger guard so be careful! There is a small washer inserted into the front hole between the trigger assembly and the stock.

Inserting this washer prevents cracking the trigger guard. The final step is pistol grip installation. Lay the rifle on the left side, placing the left side mount in place. This is the side with the threaded insert. A tab inside is lined up in the mount with the groove in the mounting rail. There are actually three adjustment points that will determine how close to the trigger you want the grip.

If you are setting up a youth model rifle there is certainly enough room for adjustment in this set up as well as for a large adult, a feature I really like. The teeth in the grip mate to the grooves in the mount and allows an adjustment of the angle of the grip. Place the right sight of the mount on top as you line up the tab and groove with these holes. The last long screw is used to tighten the grip.

Caution, I would not recommend holding this rifle or any other with this type of stock solely by the pistol grip as I think there is a chance the leverage could break it off. The Hunting Tactical stock offers plenty of adjustable, seems well made of good material, and offers an option for the many owners of the Marlin 60. AG Far Simply loosen this grip and the pistol grip may be adjusted for each individual user; a good feature.