Lever action 22. choices.

[Grim Peeper]

Its turns out the marlin im looking at is a late 40s early 50s model looks like an 39a. I spoke to the shop keeper todays at the LGS for the second day in a row and he showed me where the first owner had actually insribed in SS number in the steel.. Its pretty rusty but very functional and if the guy who put it on consignment will let it go for 300 even i told him that i would buy it. I do want the marlin over the henry after fondleing them both but I dont want to loose my hat over an old 22. lol

 

[Loosenock]

The takedown feature of the Marlin 39's comes in handy at times. If your bakcbacking it's nice to be able to pack it. I pack the barrel section on one side and the other section on the other side to balance the pack. I dont know of any other lever 22 that breaks down.

My "Mountie"



'Loose

 

[bhk]

Find a used 9422. All steel and walnut, with a super slick action. I am an old fart and while I can get used to non-steel receivers on guns like ARs, I just can't get used to the non-steel receiver on the Henry. Just isn't right on a traditionally-styled levergun. That is my problem, though, not yours. The folks that have them seem to really like them. The Henrys I have seen always seem to have stocks made of pretty good wood. I also like the Brownings, but they seem a little 'petite' for my tastes.

My order of preference is 1) Winchester 9422, 2) Marlin 39 (VERY close second), 3) Browning, and 4) Henry. All have a pretty good reputation and you won't go wrong with any of them. Just buy the best you can afford at the time.

 

[mbopp]

My wife has a BL-22 since she's a lefty. But I've been known to take it for a walk in the woods. I like the fact that you can keep your thumb over the stock and flick the lever to load a new round.
Middle brother is another lefty and has a 9422 he bought new. It has a more solid feel & heft than the Browning.

 

[dubbleA]

Another vote for the Browning BL-22. Deep rich blueing, nice walnut stock, very light, accurate and very quick handling due to the short 33 degree lever throw. What's not to like?

 

[CraigC]

I dont know of any other lever 22 that breaks down.

The 94/22 breaks down and you only need a quarter to remove the screw. Just have to be careful not to lose the bolt.

 

[Nushif]

I have a Henry .22 lever action and can only endorse it. It has been dropped, abused and in general I've had a ball with this thing!
Dunno much about any other ones, though. Sadly. 8(

 

[janobles14]

i can fling lead like a monkey flings poo with my BL-22. the short stroke is nice when you get used to it. really helped me stay on target. i gave my 39A to my dad after it sat for a while.

 

[murdoc rose]

I'd take an old marlin over a new henry any day.

 

[Grim Peeper]

I think I agree that the marlins the better choice, Id rather have somthing thats a collectors item at this point. The browning lever action 22. sounds very nice but I havent seen any in my area. Id like to show you a picture of the marlin but its not my pic to show. Its pretty rustic ill say that, the blueing is intact on the receiver but the barrel looks more bare and brown. But funny thing is I cant stop thinking about this rifle

 

[Grim Peeper]

Ok I got it Serial number says its from 1947 starts with an E-1#####. Shot it yesterday and it feeds cheap federal hollow points just fine. I put about 100 rounds through it and the action is very smooth.



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[WNC Seabee]

Good choice! Much Much nicer than the new Henry.

 

[Grim Peeper]

Yeah Im very happy for $275 it was cheaper and compared to the henry its built like a tank. Plus because its old it doesnt have that useless cross-bolt saftey.

 

[PX15]

JMOfartO:

It seems like every time I read a thread devoted to lever action 22cal rifles, no matter the theme of the thread, it generally deteriorates into an argument about the virtues of the older Marlin 39A's vs the new Henrys..

If you read the various firearm forums, on the sub-sections devoted to rimfire rifles, you'll see that most Henry owners are extremely fond of their choices, and offend pretty easily when the quality or durability of the Henry is questioned by owners of other lever action 22 cal rifles, especially those from Marlin 39 owners.

You'll also find that the general consensus is that the "older" Marlin 39A's (and other members of the Model 39 family) are as highly thought of by their owners, as are the Henry folks of their choices.

Additionally, it seems that there seems to be a great deal of conversation about how some of the perceived "quality" of the older guns is missing in the NEW Marlin 39A's..

And then there's always the few who love the Winchester 9422 (?)..

And, a couple who love the Browning BL22..

I'm old, and I'm sure my logic is flawed, but here's my opinion..

I think, generally speaking, they ARE ALL good choices..

Each manufacturer has it's share of lemons, but I believe most Henry's, Marlin 39's, Browning BL22's, and if you can find one, the Winchester 9422's are generally made of pretty darn good stuff.

And I believe all of them, if properly cared for, will provide at least a generation or two of plinking, or putting tree rats on the table, pleasure.

For me personally in a lever action rimfire rifle, I've turned into a Marlin 39 kinda guy. I have three 39's (1950/75/96), and two Century Limited's (1970).

But, I also have two Browning SA22's, and one Winchester 63 in autoloaders, and love 'em all.

I'm just glad we have so many choices...

So, if your budget, or even just your CHOICE, is a Henry, I'm betting you'll get a very good rifle, and at a very reasonable price.

On the other hand, if for whatever reason, you don't want a Henry, then any of the others will certainly do a good job for you.

I'm kinda of the opinion that older folks such as myself put more value on older things, including 22 cal.rifles... We are convinced that the older stuff was made "better", and we're not going to let facts get in the way of our opinions...

Of course we are also of the opinion (generally speaking) that every succeeding generation after the "Greatest generation" (including our own) has gotten lazier, fatter, and less inclined to "tote their load"....

And, as with every generation before us, we are convinced "our" America is going to hell in a hand basket..

Problem is I think we're right this time..

No offense to nobody, no way, no how, and triple negatives don't bother me in the least.

Selah.

Jesse

 

[Grim Peeper]

Px15:

Good post and those are some pretty guns there.

 

[PX15]

GP:

Thanks!

I have to thank my wife for being able to acquire some of my Marlins...

My bride and I have been married now for going on 44 years.. The past few years she's been my "loan officer" or "private bank" for many firearm purchases..

About the only 22 rifle she has ever wanted is a "Steven's Favorite"... We saw an old one for sale in a gun store back in the early 1970's but couldn't afford it.

Recently I stumbled up on an LNIB Model 71 Steven's Favorite on GunBroker, and I bought it for her as a surprise..

She loves it... She doesn't enjoy "plinking" as much I do, but now and again she'll take it out back to our range and shoot a little when I'm shooting some of my guns. It spends the rest of the time UNDER our bed on HER side in the original box..

I'll tell ya, it's been nice all these decades having a wife that not only put up with being married to a "gun nut", but who has been willing, many times, to finance the purchase of another gun when my funds were low.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[DMH]

GP - great choice on the 39, I still do not own one but I am always looking for the right one. I past up a nice century limited from 1970 for $599.00 and went back for it two days later and it was gone. I seem to run into the 39 and the ball park around here is always $550.00 - $600.00. You did very well with your price. I have been tempted by the Henry, like the adds and have shot one at the range. Very nice to shoot, but just not for me. I have a 9422 and a 9422m which I like, but still miss not having the 39.

px15 - great Stevens and what a nice post to read.

DMH

 

[PX15]

DMH:

Thanks for the kind words... What I think surprised me a bit with the Stevens is that the little sucker is actually pretty darn accurate... I didn't expect it to be, but in a pinch I guess it would put small critters in the pot for you...

Sorry you missed the Century Limited... I have two, and both are wonderful rifles.. I don't want to say this too loud (wouldn't want to hurt my 39A's you know), but my Century Limited with the Redfield peep sight is absolutely my favorite lever action rifle of the 5 I own. (All Marlin 39's).

The CL is fantastically accurate, and it's lighter and just easier to carry than the heavier, longer 39A.

Also, basically the CL is a "fancy" (or "blinged up to some) Mountie, and a bit more rare than most model 39 models I should think. (But there were 37,000 or so made, so they aren't too rare).

Given the choice between a good (older) 39A, or a good CL my inclination for a first pick would be the CL.

But that's just me, and my personal preference.. Notice I have 3 39A's, so I'm certainly not putting them down.. It's just that between the two models, I gravitate to the shorter, lighter, "fancier" Century Limiteds, but another person might jump the other way.

Hey, they're both 39's..

Best Wishes,

Jesse

P.S. I paid $600 for my 1st CL, and only $465 for the 2nd, (and the 2nd had the all steel Model 70 Redfield peep sight, which is probably worth $100.) I know the prices seem a bit high for the CL's, but I am more than pleased with both of mine, and $100 either way is just not a big deal when I find a gun I think I can't live without..

 

[sixgunner455]

My father bought a Henry Golden Boy a few years ago. I finally got the chance to shoot it a few weeks ago, and really enjoyed it. Action is smooth as silk, cycled everything perfectly, was accurate, and is a pretty little rifle.

Can't find a thing to complain about, really. I like the octagonal barrel, but I'd probably get a non-gold colored one, if I ever bought one.. But that's just a preference I have.

I've always wanted a 39, though. Would be a tough choice, if I ever got serious about getting one.

 

[PX15]

sg455...

There ya go... If the Henry works for you, you're good to go..

I'm a big fan of octagon barrels myself. (CL's have 'em too)...

Good Shooting.

Jesse

 

[DMH]

PX - In the photo the cl has a sling swivel what brand are they? What year is the 39 standing next to the cl? I look at that cl and think wow its 41 years old and looks new. I will continue my quest for a 39. Are you a Marlin lever action fan in any other caliber? I have a 1894 in 44-40 from 1895. Also a 1895 cowboy in 45-70 from 2009.

DMH

 

[PX15]

DMH:

Don't have a clue about the swivels.. It came with the gun when I purchased it from a gentleman off GunBroker about a year ago.

The 39A in the photo is one I bought last week from a gentleman from Athens, Ga. It's a 1975 39A, with Williams peep sight and target knobs.

I don't hunt so lever action Marlins in calibers larger than 22 I can appreciate, but don't have any, nor need for any.

I'm strictly an amateur "target plinker"... All of my 22 cal rifles were bought with that single purpose in mind.

I'm very lucky in that both of my CL's came in "like new" condition..

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[pump .22s]

Hey Jessie, good post. Nice guns .... though I have seen most of 'em over on RFC. I'm with you on the Century Limited.....my favorite of the 39s.

I'm thinking the Henry is ok for what you pay...I just can't warm up to the alloy receivers.

Pump .22s

 

[PX15]

pump:

Thanks... I'm with you on the Henry's.. Everyone who has 'em apparently loves 'em, and the price is right..

For me tho, they are just missing that indefinable "something" that I seem to find in the Marlin 39's...

And that's just a personal preference thing.. I'm betting if I had gotten on the "Henry bandwagon" before I discovered the Marlin 39's I'd be here extolling the virtues of the Henry over the Marlin.

But, I didn't, so I don't.

I think a part of my appreciation for older Marlins is just that I'm an old fart and I think most folks from my generation reflect on how the perceived "quality" of everything made currently has diminished over the years.

Not saying I'm right, just that I "think" I'm right... :banghead:

Anyway, I love the way my 1970 Century Limited's "feel", and "look" and perform... The additional brass "bling" and the octagon barrel of the Century Limited's over the fine Mountie just make the Century Limited my favorite 22.

No offense to the Henry folks, I know Henry's are good guns as well.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[BCCL]

Anyone shot the Mossberg lever action .22?