22LR confession

[Kentucky-roughrider]

I am guilty of being one of those people who said "22LR was for kids and I had no use for them" or at least I thought it if I didn't say it. However a friend of mine reintroduced me to the fun of shooting one, and since I no olonger own a 22 that I trust. What would be a good one, and remmeber I am a lever gun addict?

 

[tmrami]

Well, I have a .22 Henry lever action that I absolutely love! If I remember correctly it was around $250 at Walmart.

 

[greyling22]

Henry makes a nice one, cheapest of the elver 22's too. Browning makes good one too, very short lever though takes a bit of getting used to though. But most folks seem to think the marlin is the best of the lever 22's. It's a big heavy gun compared to the other 2. Think rifle as compared to a carbine.

In a semi auto, ruger and marlin both make good guns. I've never been impressed with the remington semi's.

 

[TCB in TN]

I love my lever guns to. My favorite is the Marlin 39a/39m. They are wonderful rifles. Solid, well made, accurate, and beautiful IMHO. Hard to beat them. I do like the Henry, they are a nice little gun, but don't have the look or feel of the marlin, of course they don't cost as much either.

 

[cmat]

Winchester or Taurus model 62, I like levers too but the pump makes for a very fun and fast action.

 

[Abel]

I would search for a Marlin 39 used. As in, pre-2008. Or a Henry.

 

[BrocLuno]

Winchester 9422. Marlin 39A. Both at the top of the game in 22 levers. Classics in their own right. Couple of sears branded "hammerless" levers around in the used market.

I'd spend a bit of time on GunBroker and AuctionArms with searches on .22 & lever as key words and see what you see? You'll get a taste for what's out there. Go try a few at the store and see what fits your shoulder and build. You will find a comfortable one and that'll be the one to get

 

[Geno]

Marlin 39A
Henry
Win 94/22 (no longer made)

Geno

 

[CraigC]

Marlins can still be had at decent prices. Winchester 94/22's are my favorite but are demanding collector/speculator prices these days.

 

[hogcowboy]

I happen to like the feel of the Marlin over the Henry.

 

[Naybor]

Yeah, the Marlin 39A.

 

[PX15]

Greyling22:

Think of Marlin 39A's as a "big heavy gun", unless you you get a "Mountie" (or CL like mine).

My Marlin Model 39 (Century Limited) is actually smaller than my Browning SA22 (ATD)...

Jesse

 

[T.R.]

I prefer an accurate and reliable semi-auto rifle for plinking.

- Savage 64 or Stevens 62

- Squire Bingham 20

- Marlin / Glenfield 60

TR

 

[bigfatdave]

.22 isn't for kids ... .22 is for shooting a whole lot for cheap.

I own and enjoy a Henry lever carbine (shorter barrel, big loop lever for my big hands) and ordered a Mare's Leg yesterday to match it. Henry makes a whole bunch of lever-gun models, and they're pretty affordable.

There are others, and they might be a bit tougher ... but for a .22lr Henry is making a gun that is still overbuilt for the pressures it sees. They make .22wmr and .17hmr models, too.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Marlin fan here, an older 39A is a classy tack driver.

For a semi auto a Marlin 60 will let you off easy and give you much more than your money's worth.

One of each is a corner full of grins.

 

[CaliCoastie]

well i love levers also, most of mine are marlin. I have a 39a, shop around and you can find them around 300 used. i also have a 57m in 22mag, made back in the 60's with tubular mag and short throw(2in). really steer you twords the 39a/m/d, american steel, american black walnut, and take down.

 

[CoastieShep]

Another vote for the Marlin.
Most accurate thing I've ever shot.

 

[Furncliff]

I have a Marlin 39M, and I gave my wife a Browning BL22 for Valentines Day some years back. The Browning is lighter, and the ladies in my family favor it, it might be more accurate than my Marlin. Most of the ones you will see for sale are made in Japan, which shouldn't dissuade you, they are nicely made and the wood and metal finish is excellent. Those made in Belgium are a bit harder to find.

The Marlin is heavier and larger, it's built as if it where meant to live a 100 years. And they have a reputation for accuracy.

 

[jpwilly]

I use to feel the same way for years my 22lr didn't leave the corner of the closet. I grew up with this Winchester rifle and shot quite a few bricks of ammo through it as a young man.

Then one day I took it back out to dust it off and relive the glory days and realized that shooting 22lr was as much fun, if not more fun, than some of the centerfires I had given up 22lrs for.

Now I have 4 22lr rifles, 3 22lr handguns, and a 22lr drop in conversion kit for my AR-15's...generally shooting 1/2 to a full brick at the range almost every time. It's help me become a much better centerfire shooter too.

 

[caribou]

The Power of .22 LR is AWSOME!!!

Its a universal caliber, quiet nd not over power'd for small game. Good self defense round as well.....mega "lots" can be carried all the do da day, maby a years supply if you lump it ....

Invest in .22lr, it very well may be the currency of the future.....

 

[az_imuth]

I have several of the .22 lever guns and have a tough time disliking any of them. I think the Winchester, Marlin or Henry would be a good rifle for the majority of folks out there. I haven't used a Browning yet, but they do look to be a good, quality rifle and I intend to get one eventually.

Best of luck in whatever you decide to get!

 

[SwampWolf]

Either the Marlin 39 or the Winchester 9422 are the ones I'd recommend. Another good choice is the Browning BL-22.

 

[ilove2shoot]

hmmm, tough choice between the Marlin and Henry. I have at one time or another owned both and have enjoyed both. I would take either in my humber opinion.

 

[toivo]

I have a boatload of .22 rifles. The only levers are two Winchester 9422's that I bought before they were discontinued and got stupid expensive. They are great rifles, but I wouldn't buy one at today's prices. I would probably go for a Marlin 39 instead.

I have no personal experience with the Henry, but I've seen a few at the range. People seem to like theirs.

If you want a semi-auto, the Marlin 60 is a great deal for the money. If you want a tinkering/project rifle, go for a Ruger 10/22 because of all the aftermarket goodies you can get. Otherwise, you'll get just as good a rifle for less money with the Marlin.

Savage and Marlin both make great bolt rifles for reasonable prices. If you want to spend a little more cash and move up one notch in "class," go for a CZ: either the old model 452 (my preference) or the new 455 that lets you swap barrels to let you use .22WMR or .17 if you want.

And then there's pumps. Older Remington 572 would be my choice (I have one), but the Henry pumps are popular too.

 

[Snowdog]

I just received a nice "full-size" Mossberg M146B-A bolt action .22 S/L/LR that was C&R eligible (1954) and inexpensive. It's tube magazine holds 30 .22shorts or 20 LRs.

It's my 3rd .22LR rifle, but possibly my favorite already. It's great when you know the new-to-you firearm you've just received will be dirt cheap to feed.