I have an old Model 60 (Glenfield) which will not function reliably with Standard Velocity .22 Long Rifle ammo. Is there any modification or adjustment that will allow use of Std. Vel. ammo, and still be safe with High Speed ammo?,Also, my Model 60 has NO bolt Hold Open Position. Is there an update or solution that would allow my bolt to be locked open.
Marlin Model 60-Standard Velocity Ammo
- Thread starter Frank D
- Start date
g.willikers
New member
Since it's a blowback operation, the things that affect the cycling are the recoil spring, how clean and well lubed the moving parts are and, of course, the ammunition.
Try the cleaning first.
.22 ammo is kind of dirty and, if the gun hasn't been thoroughly cleaned and lubed lately, that might help.
Excess friction will definitely hinder cycling.
As for the recoil spring, you could buy a couple of extras and experiment with cutting coils, to see it things improve.
Maybe try a lighter hammer/main spring, too.
It also has an effect on cycling.
Shoots better that way, too.
Worth a try and not expensive or difficult.
Try the cleaning first.
.22 ammo is kind of dirty and, if the gun hasn't been thoroughly cleaned and lubed lately, that might help.
Excess friction will definitely hinder cycling.
As for the recoil spring, you could buy a couple of extras and experiment with cutting coils, to see it things improve.
Maybe try a lighter hammer/main spring, too.
It also has an effect on cycling.
Shoots better that way, too.
Worth a try and not expensive or difficult.
I have a similar old rifle. Model 70 (mag fed instead of tube). I couldn't find a manual at first so I did not realize that the bolt handle is the hold open mechanism. If you pull back the bolt and push in on the bolt handle it locks open. Yours may be similar. It does not lock open on the last round.
I've had no problem shooting Win 555's or other Walmart bulk ammo. I shoot the cheapest stuff I can find pretty much for .22. It does tend to stove pipe if I let it get really dirty. But If I hose the action out with spray solvent and scrub it with a toothbrush then oil it up lightly it works fine again
I've had no problem shooting Win 555's or other Walmart bulk ammo. I shoot the cheapest stuff I can find pretty much for .22. It does tend to stove pipe if I let it get really dirty. But If I hose the action out with spray solvent and scrub it with a toothbrush then oil it up lightly it works fine again
Thanks guys--I have tried the cleaning (Including a slight polishing) and it didn't seem to improve, so maybe clipping the recoil spring would be a good idea. I replaced the recoil spring with a new one a little while ago, since the old one seemed bent (Kinked). If I can find the old one, maybe I can use it when trying to shorten it so as not to damage the New one.--On my rifle the bolt handle will not depress, and therefore cannot be locked back.--Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Interesting. I used to have the carbine model 60 and it had the bolt hold open. The rifle I have now also does. Both where the Glenfield. Is there a white arrow on the back of the bolt handle, pointing towards the bolt? That arrow (I presume) is to let you know to push in to lock bolt back.
Goatwhiskers
New member
Guns with the bolt lock open feature have an arrow on top pointing inward, a small lug on the inner end of the bolt handle, and a small depression on the inside of the receiver to accept the lug when the bolt handle is pushed inward with the bolt retracted. I have worked on many old ones that do not have this feature. Not sure without seeing yours why you have ammo probs but please don't cut the action spring, that is definitely not the cause. Goatwhiskers the Elder
Goatwhiskers---In your response you said "please don't cut the mainspring"--
I'm interested in what you think some of the other causes could be for the failure to function properly with Standard Velocity Ammo. My rifle seems to operate properly with High Speed ammo. I would like to know what would restrict the operation other than mainspring tension, and what would be the bad result of weakening the mainspring. I would like to be able to use both High Speed and Standard Velocity ammo.
I'm interested in what you think some of the other causes could be for the failure to function properly with Standard Velocity Ammo. My rifle seems to operate properly with High Speed ammo. I would like to know what would restrict the operation other than mainspring tension, and what would be the bad result of weakening the mainspring. I would like to be able to use both High Speed and Standard Velocity ammo.
Frank, did you try a little lube after cleaning? I assume so.
The manual for the 60 says it was designed to work with HV ammo, so it is not a surprise.
Other things to try:
- SV ammo with 40 gr. bullets.
- Subsonic ammo with 60 gr. bullets. (Aquila makes one, midway sells it, and it is out of stock, so it seems pretty popular)
Having a heavier bullet will give more recoil. Some folks with finnicky 22 auto pistols say that 40 gr. bullets cycle them fine, but 36 and 38 gr. hollow points don't.
If you're talking about the last shot bolt hold open, the older 60s don't have it. But I believe they all have the manual bolt hold-open. You pull the bolt all the way back, then push it in firmly. Yours doesn't do that either? The last shot bolt hold-open on mine only holds it open with the bolt about half way back.
On the other side, the older 60s had full capacity tubular magazines, I believe 19 rounds. Mine only holds 14.
The manual for the 60 says it was designed to work with HV ammo, so it is not a surprise.
Other things to try:
- SV ammo with 40 gr. bullets.
- Subsonic ammo with 60 gr. bullets. (Aquila makes one, midway sells it, and it is out of stock, so it seems pretty popular)
Having a heavier bullet will give more recoil. Some folks with finnicky 22 auto pistols say that 40 gr. bullets cycle them fine, but 36 and 38 gr. hollow points don't.
If you're talking about the last shot bolt hold open, the older 60s don't have it. But I believe they all have the manual bolt hold-open. You pull the bolt all the way back, then push it in firmly. Yours doesn't do that either? The last shot bolt hold-open on mine only holds it open with the bolt about half way back.
On the other side, the older 60s had full capacity tubular magazines, I believe 19 rounds. Mine only holds 14.
My rifle has no facility for bolt hold open.
My High Standard Model B pistol will not function with anything less than 40 grain High Speed ammo, so I understand the need for the heavier bullet.
I have a fair quantity of Standard Velocity ammo, and I appreciate the accuracy of target type ammo. I do no hunting now, only target shooting.
If no reasonable solution presents itself for using the Marlin with Standard Velocity, I will use the Std.Vel. ammo in a Bolt Action Rifle. No big deal. It's just that I would like to have the target accuracy with the semi-auto as well.
Thanks for your thoughts.
My High Standard Model B pistol will not function with anything less than 40 grain High Speed ammo, so I understand the need for the heavier bullet.
I have a fair quantity of Standard Velocity ammo, and I appreciate the accuracy of target type ammo. I do no hunting now, only target shooting.
If no reasonable solution presents itself for using the Marlin with Standard Velocity, I will use the Std.Vel. ammo in a Bolt Action Rifle. No big deal. It's just that I would like to have the target accuracy with the semi-auto as well.
Thanks for your thoughts.
You are wasting your time worrying about std velocity vs high velocity accuracy in a Glenfield 60. Out to 50 yards the HV will still be supersonic and because it has a "sporter" chamber accuracy is not really in the cards anyway. Enjoy your rifle for what it is, a pig cannot be taught to sing.