Oddly, and to my surprise, I have had exactly 3 Marlin type 60s (one was a more recent version, the Mdl 990) and all three did the exact same thing: they jammed when cycling. Every time.
The first one I had in my shop I simply cleaned. It was quite dirty inside, and that was all it took.
The second one, quite old (about 40 yrs!) was internally dirty as well, but the owner had also taken a liking to the hot hi-velocity 22 stuff, like 22 Vipers and the like . All of this that older rifle did not like. I talked the guy into staying away from it, noting that the hot-shot .22s also often did not perform as accurately with their lighter bullets and hot powder charges.
The third one, the 990, a near-pristine Ducks Unlimited Commemorative, can't seem to work properly. I've replaced the extractor, the ejector and the main recoil spring. I also, of course, cleaned the heck out of it and polished anything that looked a bit rough. Still, no go. It jams every time. I tried to wend it in to Marlin: no go!
Marlin, (we gunnies call them Remlins or Marlingtons...) the newest iteration of that once-reliable company, is now owned by Remington. They won't work on these older models any more (it's like trying to have your Electrolux vacuum cleaner fixed by Dyson; the new Marlin feels they are not responsible for the old Marlin's product. Different company they say. Plus, the 60s and 990 are, according to them, old and ou of date.)
So I've sent it in to Ahlmen's in MN. They are teh official Msrlin autoloading 22 repair center. I"ve asked them to tell me just exactly what is is/was that is causing this problem, since I can't see any issues.
My point? The Marlin autoloaders may have lost some of their charm for me. I recommend the Ruger 10/22. I just picked one up at a regional hardware chain store here in WA St (Bi-Mart), where they had them on dale on Black Friday for (wait for it!) $169! THis is lower than my cost from a distributor, and I'd also then have to pay freight.
You can then enjoy yourself with a load of aftermarket improved parts. Fact is, you can make a Ruger 10/22 entirely out of non-Ruger parts! Literally
everything on the originals can be upgraded. The most common upgrades are an improved trigger (for the basic the factory one, if it isn't the Target model...) is quite creepy. Next most popular upgrades are stocks, followed by better barrels. Try
these guys, though they do mostly high-end and very custom stuff. But their rep and quality is the best:
https://www.volquartsen.com/
Bottom line: some of the 10/22 versions are fairly inexpensive but also a highly reliable option. It's nifty rotary 10 round clip is nice, and you can also get a 20 round banana clip for it! There's even a kit that makes your 10/22 into an imitation Thompson Sub-machine gun (semi-auto only of course...)!
I also have a lovely Marlin Mdl 39 take-down lever gun, in true western lever gun style, but those are now, I believe, a bit spendy. Not sure if anyone now makes a single shot bolt gun new any more.
Beware of gun show autoloading Marlins IMHO. They might well be there because they have taken to jamming frequently. If a guy or a gun shop at a show is selling one "as is", you should perhaps be suspicious. If you can get a trial test-fire period with it, then OK. Test it out!
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