The Ruger 10/22 and Marlin 795 are rifles from the same category. Both are among some of the best selling rifles of all time. Perhaps when a person goes to buy a .22LR, these two rifles shine as the best choices.
The choice between a Marlin 795 and Ruger 10/22 is an extremely debated and sometimes confusing topic. So here, we will try to compare both these weapons and try to figure out the pros and cons of each. This article will also address some general and heated-up questions to give you deep insights on this topic.
We’ve also reviewed a Marlin 795 and Ruger 10/22 toward the end of this article, in case you need to buy one. So keep your eyes pinned and your fingers scrolling.
What is a Marlin 795?
The Marlin 795 is a .22LR American Rimfire rifle manufactured by Remington Arms of Mayfield, Kentucky. This rifle type was formerly owned and manufactured by Marlin Firearms Company of North Havens, Connecticut.
It is an inexpensive and widely popular .22 rifle used for hunting and practice. The Marlin 795 was introduced to the American firearms market in 1997 and is similar to the Marlin 60 with slight barrel and action differences due to different magazine configurations.
The Marlin 795 is quite popular among the masses due to its low price and some extra functions compared to the other .22LRs on the market. The Marlin 795 can be seen as an advanced version of Marlin 60, which is the best selling Rimfire rifle of all time (over 11 million sold). The Marlin 795 is a pretty basic rifle and is quite reliable. You can even use it to teach amateurs the basics of shooting.
The rifle has an auto bolt release and a last-shot-bolt-open capability. Plus, the double extractor is almost flawless with extracting spent cases. The Marlin 795 rifle is also quite lightweight at 4.5 pounds, to be exact. So you can definitely use it for hunting small game across your farm or ranch.
What is a Ruger 10/22?
Ruger 10/22 is the "toddler’s toy" in the firearms industry. Most shooters start learning shooting skills with a Ruger 10/22 rifle. In fact, it is the most popular and best selling .22LR since its introduction in 1964 by Sturm, Ruger and Co.
The rifle was designed by William B. Ruger and Harry H. Sefried and styled reminiscent to the U.S. Military 30 Caliber M1 Carbine. The rifle became extremely popular among the masses upon its release. It’s low weight, simple operation, and low maintenance capabilities made it the most admirable and used rifle, especially among young adults, hunters, and ranch owners.
Today, the rifle is available in more than ten different variants. Each has been designed for different and specific uses. The patented ten-round rotary magazine of the 10/22 is an amazing feature of the rifle, because of its flawless loading capabilities and non-interference with handling the rifle.
Due to its popularity, a lot of manufacturers started churning out different aftermarket accessories for the 10/22. When it comes to customization, the Ruger 10/22 can easily be compared to an AR-15. The market is overcrowded with Ruger 10/22 after parts, which lets you customize the rifle the way you want. Its aftermarket options are so prolific that you can build an entire 10/22 without using any Ruger manufactured parts.
Review of the Marlin 795
The Marlin 795 was introduced on the market in 1997 and was intended to be an inexpensive and worthy competitor to most .22 long rifles out there, particularly the Ruger 10/22. The Marlin 795 is still a respectable gun and serves remarkably well as a young person’s early/first rifle. This gun is quite accurate, especially at a close range. The trigger pull is light and the bolt release lever works with a simple push.
Plus, it has an auto bolt release and a last-shot-bolt-hold-open function, if you are interested in those features. The dual extractor is flawless and removes spent cases, even if the chamber is dirty. Plus, the magazine disconnect mechanism doesn’t allow you to dry fire the rifle, preventing the weapon from shooting unless a magazine is in place.
Pros
- Extremely Inexpensive Compared to other .22 Long Rifles
- Dead-on Accurate at Close Range (<50 Yards)
- Auto Bolt Release and Last-Shot-Bolt-Hold-Open Function
- Dual Extractor is Undoubtedly Flawless in Ejecting Spent Cases
Cons
- Gets Dirtier Since Magazine Well is a Part of the Action Assembly
- Limited Aftermarket Customization Options
- Requires Time and Skill to Assemble the Minor Parts
Marlin 795 with Accessories (Source)
Ideal Uses
The Marlin 795 is a very low-priced rifle. Plus the .22LR ammo is the cheapest among all calibers. This makes the Marlin 795 an exceptional practice rifle, especially for amateur shooters. Other than that, the rifle is also good for varminting and hunting small game.
Caliber
The Marlin 795 shoots .22LR bullets from a straight ten-round stick magazine. Magazines of different capacities are also available for this rifle, with the maximum being 25 rounds, as of now.
Best Accessories/Modification
Below are the best Marlin 795 mods:
Rail and Scope Mount
The Marlin 795 features a ⅜” groove on the receiver, which is not very appropriate or easy for mounting optics. Adding a good rail and scope mount will help you with mounting optics
Scope
Following the above-mentioned modification, you need to have a good scope on your Marlin 795. This not only improves your range, but also the accuracy of your rifle.
Peep Sight
This is quite an unconventional addition to your rifle. But since .22 long rifles are mostly used at a close range, a scope might not always be effective. So using a peep/aperture sight will be your best bet.
Review of the Ruger 10/22
The Ruger 10/22 is the best selling and most popular .22LR Rimfire rifle on the market today. It is accurate, aesthetically pleasing, and more customizable than a ball of clay. The rifle uses a patented, ten-round rotary magazine and is available in more than ten different models. Using the Ruger 10/22 is simple and it is available in a wide range of prices.
The rotary magazine fits flush inside the rifle and makes it more comfortable to handle. Each different model of Ruger 10/22 is special in some respect and ideal for a specific purpose. The Ruger 10/22 is a popular rifle in the firearms community and you shouldn’t be surprised to see one in the gun safe of every firearm owner you meet.
The rifle was introduced back in 1964 and has been the first rifle of most shooters since then. The best part of using a 10/22 is its customizability. There are more aftermarket parts available for the 10/22 than you can count. This has made the 10/22 fit the needs of every individual firearm owner. Not only is the 10/22 is reliable and customizable, but it is also extremely accurate even at the maximum range of a .22 bullet.
Pros
- Reliable and Easily Scoped
- Highly Customizable With a Lot of Aftermarket Parts
- Exceptionally Accurate Over All Ranges
- Easy to Disassemble and Clean
- Lightweight and Durable Design
- Reliable Rotary Magazine Fits Flush and Can Be Kept Loaded for Long Durations
Cons
- Trigger Is Not Very Good and Often Needs an Upgrade
- Bolt Catch and Absence of Last-Shot-Bolt-Hold Can be Tricky for Some Shooters
Ruger 10/22 with Accessories (Source)
Ideal Uses
The simple mechanism, easy disassembly, accuracy, multiple variants, and availability of aftermarket upgrades make the Ruger 10/22 ideal for every possible use you can think for a .22LR Rimfire rifle. The Ruger 10/22 can be used for practice, competitions, hunting, and even self-defense in some situations.
Caliber
The Ruger 10/22 fires .22LR Rimfire cartridges. However, a couple of different models were occasionally manufactured for .22WM and .17HMR cartridges, but they were discontinued after some time. Different variants of the 10/22 feature a mix of barrels, triggers, stocks, and other components, but regardless, the caliber is always the same.
Best Accessories/Modification
Below are the best Ruger 10/22 mods:
Optics
Adding optics to your Ruger 10/22 greatly improves its range and hence, the overall accuracy. Both variable and fixed power scopes can be used for this rifle, depending upon your intended use and preferences.
Stock
Ruger 10/22 has some of the most amazing and outstanding stocks available on the aftermarket. Since the Ruger 10/22 is widely used for hunting and competitions, adding a good stock with multiple features improves the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the rifle.
Trigger
The factory-installed trigger of the Ruger 10/22 might not meet the expectations of the shooter every time. So upgrading to a better trigger is always a wise decision, unless you only use the rifle for plinking.
Marlin 795 vs. Ruger 10/22 - Similarities and Differences
Since we know by now that both these rifles are fairly similar and the best rifles in the .22LR category, let us now outline some similarities and differences between them. This will let you understand the comparison better and eventually help you to make a buying decision.
Marlin 795 vs. Ruger 10/22 (Source)
Accuracy
Both these rifles are quite accurate for a .22LR, especially at a range of 100 yards. However, individual preferences may differ. Many people have problems using the original 10/22 trigger which might interfere with accuracy. However, on the contrary, the 10/22 has a ton of aftermarket upgrades for improving the overall performance of the weapon.
In simple terms, if you want a simple and inexpensive rifle out-of-the-box with dead-on accuracy, go for the Marlin 795. However, if you are more concerned about upgrades and improving the performance of your rifle in the future, choose a Ruger 10/22.
Price
The Marlin 795 is the clear winner by miles when the price of these rifles is compared. A good Ruger 10/22 will cost you upwards from $300, not to mention the high-end models (generally used ones) which can cost more than that. On the other hand, a Marlin 795 is marked at what you may call "a peasant's price". A Marlin 795 will cost you around $150 and possibly less if you can find a good deal.
However, with the Ruger 10/22, the price can be justified with its quality, finish, and the possibilities of customization.
After Market Upgrades
A Marlin 795 cannot beat a Ruger 10/22 when it comes to aftermarket upgrades. The Ruger 10/22 is the AR-15 of .22LR Rimfire rifles. The aftermarket parts and upgrades are so excessive, you don’t even need Ruger parts to assemble a full 10/22. Marlin 795 has very limited aftermarket upgrades available for it.
Those we could find are scope mounts, scopes, rails, slings, and carry cases, to be exact. If you are in favor of transforming and upgrading your rifle in the future, probably in-line with your improving shooting skills, a Ruger 10/22 will be good for you. On the other hand, a Marlin 795 is a simple and inexpensive rifle good for plinking, practice, and varminting.
Top Pick Between Marlin 795 vs. Ruger 10/22
Based on the above-mentioned factors, and applications of a .22LR rifle, we will try to outline the top pick between these two rifles.
Target Practice
The Marlin 795 is ideal for target practice., especially if the user is a novice shooter. The Ruger 10/22 also works well for this purpose, and if you are preparing for a competition, it will be a better choice (the right model, of course).
Marlin 795 used in target practice. (Source)
Factors like price and upgrades are also a viable consideration when deciding the top pick, although in our opinion, Marlin 795 is better in this area.
Hunting
The .22LR is not a very powerful round and is generally used for varminting and hunting small game at close-range. If you generally hunt at a range inwards of 75 yards, a Marlin 795 can be of use to you. However, for better performance and accuracy, you need to have upgrades like bipods, scopes, tactical stocks, etc. and the Ruger 10/22 is a more versatile and effective option for hunting small to the mid-sized game.
Self Defense
Perhaps the .22LR is not a very desirable self-defense round. but it still is quite deadly at close-range and better than having nothing. We’ll declare 10/22 as the winner here because of its tactical upgrade possibilities.
Conclusion
The Ruger 10/22 is older than the Marlin 795, but it has a long product line with a lot of different models. The Marlin 795 is an inexpensive and reliable .22LR fit for practice and varminting. However, the lack of upgrades prevents it from being an all-purpose rifle. The Ruger 10/22, on the other hand, is both well-built and customizable and can be used for almost every other application imaginable with a .22LR rifle.
