Marlin's XT22M - Part 1

Reviewing a 22 rimfire firearm, especially a 22 WMR rifle, is always a treat… at least for me. No recoil, modest report, the potential for a high degree of accuracy, and lightweight rifles are always welcome. 22 Magnum rifles are not just for recreational target shooting and plinking. The magnum rimfire’s 2,250 fps of muzzle velocity and 337 ft.lbs of muzzle energy performance from a 24″ barrel is… significant. Kinetic energy is about the same as a 9mm Luger, but twice the velocity. It is a good round for small game and varmints out to 100 yards… or so.

The first, and not too dissimilar, Marlin magazine fed, bolt action rimfire repeater was the Model 80, which was introduced in 1935 and remained in production until 1959. The original retail price was $4.80. Other derivative models, peer and advanced to the Model 80, followed on and in many configurations.

Types of Marlin repeating rimfire rifle changes over the years:

1940 Sliding thumb safety Model 81B and 81BE
1941 Grooved receiver for tip off sights
1954 Micro-Groove button rifling with the Model 100
1962 22 WMR with the Model 980
1988 Forward to fire safety with Model 880 Series
2003 T900 preset trigger with Model 925
2011 Pro-Fire® adjustable safety trigger with XT introduction

My point is that Marlin’s initial products were so solid that changes have been modestly evolutionary. The XT22M is the newest in a long line of Marlin bolt action rimfire rifles, the first to be manufactured in Remington’s newest and very modern Mayfield, Kentucky facility.

The current XT-22 rimfire product line is… huge. Comprised of 7 models that shoot 22 short, long and long rifle ammunition, 3 XT-22M series rifles chambered for the 22 WMR and 9 XT-17 models chambered for the 17 HMR. For young shooters there are 4 XT-22Y youth models, all chambered to shoot 22 short, long and long rifle ammunition. The subject rifle –

The XT-22M was selected because it has no distracting, extra cost embellishments, but it is optimally configured right for the 22 WMR.

A long action 22 Mag?

The Model XT-22M is a bit of a long action in the world of 22 magnums. Checking models from CZ and Zastava, those action measure 6.5″ tang to front receiver ring, while the Marlin measures 7.5″. Combined with a full size rifle like 13.5″ length of pull and 22″ barrel, the result is a 41″ firearm which is consistent for all 22 Magnum XTs. At one time, some Marlin rimfire rifles had the bolt handle action opening and ejection port at a common location for a more compact firearm.

In regard to safety considerations, the XT-22M has a cocked indicator just ahead of the bolt shroud, a fire forward sliding thumb safety and a trigger release hinged through the face of the trigger that prevents discharge when a person’s finger is not present on the trigger face. The XT-22M is supplied with both a 4 and 7 round detachable magazine or, as Marlin refers to these assemblies, “clip magazines”. In addition to loading through magazines, the rifle may also be single loaded through its ejection port.

There are many… many fasteners securing things on the bottom of the XT… we’re friends now so I call it by its first name, but only two securing the stock to the barreled action, with the heavier fastener holding the barrel in place.

The barrel, like many rimfire rifles, is pinned rather than threaded to the receiver. The ejector is a simple wound spring that is anchored at the magazine release and protrudes into the bottom of the bolt. The trigger is a closed modular unit and is adjustable for pull, from 3 to 6 Lbs. The subject rifle was factory set to 3 lbs 8 Oz. When not depressed, the Pro-Fire trigger release is spring loaded to rest against a cross pin, which prevents the sear from being released.

Groovy…

The Marlin receiver is both grooved and drilled & tapped for scope mounting. Pictured, Weaver rings for the grooved application. The groove is a 3/8″ high crown like the Ruger American, versus the 11mm low profile found on most imported rifles… like CZ rimfire models. Alternatively, the rifle also accepts standard Weaver #12 bases for use with other ring types. I found it necessary to remove the plug screws when utilizing the groove mount. The crown of the screw heads rose above the crest of the receiver.

And?

I can get a little snobbish about rimfire rifles, particularly those in the $800-$1,000 range. The Marlin XT-22N is wood and blued steel, a good shooter and, performance wise, peer to those rifles that are 3 to 4 times more expensive. Accuracy and reliability will be addressed in Part 2.

Marlin’s XT22M 22 Win Mag Part 1
Marlin’s XT22M 22 Win Mag Part 2