About this product
The Marlin 795 is a semi-automatic .22 Long Rifle rifle built on the same action as the classic Marlin 60, but feeding from a detachable box magazine instead of the 60's tube. It's a basic, affordable rimfire rifle aimed at plinking, small-game hunting, and training new shooters on a low-recoil, low-noise platform. Marlin discontinued production some years back, so most 795s in circulation today are used or older new-old-stock guns rather than current production.
What is the Marlin 795 used for?
It's a plinking and small-game rifle first - cheap .22 LR ammunition, minimal recoil, and simple blowback operation make it a common choice for backyard target practice, squirrel and rabbit hunting, and teaching new shooters fundamentals before moving to centerfire rifles. Its light weight and straightforward manual of arms also make it a popular truck or cabin gun.
How does it compare to the Marlin 60?
The two share the same basic action, but the Marlin 60 feeds from a tubular magazine holding well over a dozen rounds, while the 795 uses a detachable box magazine, typically holding 7 rounds. The tradeoff is capacity for convenience - the 795's box magazine reloads faster and lets you carry spares pre-loaded, while the 60's tube holds more rounds per loading but takes longer to top off.
What fits it?
The 795 uses its own dedicated detachable box magazine, not the Ruger 10/22's magazine, so aftermarket 10/22 mags will not work in it - look specifically for Marlin 795/60SS-compatible magazines. Standard .22 LR rimfire ammunition of any commonly available bullet weight runs fine in a blowback action like this one.
Who is this not for?
It's not the pick for someone who wants a high-capacity tube-fed .22 for extended range sessions without reloading - the box magazine holds fewer rounds per load than a tube gun like the Marlin 60. It's also not a defensive rifle; .22 LR is a training and small-game round, not a serious-purpose defense caliber.
Does it work in California?
Yes, without the complications that come with AR-platform rifles. The Marlin 795 is a basic sporting rifle without a pistol grip, flash hider, or other listed features, so it doesn't run into California's assault-weapon feature rules the way a modern semi-auto rifle can. As long as any magazine used holds 10 rounds or fewer, which the factory 795 magazine already does, there's nothing else to configure for California compliance. See our California gun laws page for how that compares to feature-restricted centerfire rifles like the Ruger SR-556.
FFL transfer required
This item is a firearm and ships only to a licensed FFL dealer, never to a home address. At checkout, enter your preferred dealer as the shipping address, or leave it blank and we will assign a licensed dealer near you at no extra cost. You complete the background check and paperwork with the dealer when you pick up.
California buyers: handguns must be on the California roster for delivery to a California FFL, a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) and DROS are handled at the dealer, and the 10-day waiting period applies. Out-of-state buyers receive the firearm through their own local FFL under their state's rules.
Pros & cons
What works
- Low-recoil, low-cost .22 LR plinking and training rifle
- No California feature restrictions to configure around
- Simple blowback action, easy to maintain
- Detachable box magazine reloads faster than a tube-fed .22
Trade-offs
- Discontinued - most units are used, not new production
- Box magazine holds fewer rounds than a tube-fed Marlin 60
- Not a defensive-caliber rifle
- Magazines are model-specific, not interchangeable with 10/22
Key attributes
| Transfer | Ships to your FFL dealer |
| Caliber | .22 Long Rifle |
| Action | Semi-automatic blowback |
| Feed | Detachable box magazine (typically 7 rounds) |
| Status | Discontinued - used/older stock |
Frequently asked questions
- How many rounds does the factory Marlin 795 magazine hold?
- The factory box magazine typically holds 7 rounds - confirm the exact magazine included with this listing before ordering.
- Are Ruger 10/22 magazines compatible?
- No - the 795 uses its own dedicated magazine design, not the 10/22 pattern.
- Is the Marlin 795 still in production?
- Marlin discontinued the 795 some years back, so most units available today are used or older stock rather than current production.
- Does the .22 LR ammunition shortage affect availability?
- .22 LR supply fluctuates with market demand; stock up when you find ammunition you trust rather than assuming it'll always be readily available.
- Is this rifle good for a first-time shooter?
- Yes - low recoil, low noise, and a simple manual of arms make it a common first rifle for new or younger shooters under proper supervision.