Browning BL-22 GR1 22 Rifle

Strictly since you ask:
I've worked with three over the years.

Very nicely-built guns.
Last one was a shoot-off between a BL-22 & a Henry.
The Henry won.
More accurate, much smoother, better sights, better trigger.

Just saying.....
Denis

I collected lever action 22 rifles before I could afford more expensive things. The Henry's (as well as the ithaca that was the same rifle before "borrowing" the henry name And using it dishonestly) are tied for my least favorite with the revelation guns and the Remington nylon. Followed by the browning but only because of the awkward short stroke lever. The marlin (39 variants not the 57)/ winchester guns to me feel far better. That said, I did see that deal in the flyer and would say that those rifles are plenty good for anyone to use and will last a lifetime or two. I also like the mag tube not having to be a particular way to lock.

I went through the flyer & noticed the Browning.
Good price, and I'm not pushing the Henry, just giving you my experiences with both .22s, SINCE you asked.
Denis

I have always found the Grade II to be an appealing looking rifle and have found one or two at a fair price over the years. What steered me away from pulling the trigger on one was the fact that my buddy has one that I have had plenty of range time with. While it functioned fine, I did not find it all that accurate nor really cared for the way it felt when shooting. I much prefer a Model 39.

There's doubts about whether Marlin will bring the 39 back & if they do it'd now be a min of four years.
So- if you want new at a good price, either one of those (Browning or Henry) at Cabela's would be a good price.
Denis

Yep, if you want new the Marlin is off the table. If you can accept used, the Marlin will probably be priced higher, too.

I like shooting the Browning rifle, using the open sights. It is assuredly pop can accurate at fifty yards using cheap ammo. I hated it with a scope. I have not tried the Henry or the Marlin, so I can't compare. For the price, with your money, I would buy it!

I have a GRII, I like it but it’s been awhile since I shot it or my BA-22’s.

Used GR1’s I have seen bring more than $400 in great condition.

Problem with Cabelas is that they only have a few of them. So you have to get there early, stand in line and when they come to open the door they ask in order what they were waiting for and they pass out tickets for the number they have after that the “sale” is over. In essence all the smoking deals are spoken for before the first person completes the transaction.

I also have a grade II and really like it, even though I much prefer traditional lever actions. I have a small collection of lever action rimfires and the browning is small compared to the others. I do like the solid feel of the rifle, the sights, and the manner in which the tube fastens to the rifle. I saw the ad you are referring to and think it is a pretty good deal. If I didn't already have one I'd certainly try to get my hands on one at that price. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

I have a few of both grades and honestly don't prefer 2. The cheap machine engraving nor the gold trigger. The checkering on them is not grippy when compared to the winchester either. Other than perhaps Collector value I think I'd actually prefer the grade 1. And I don't think there will be much premium anyway as I see just as many grade 2 as grade 1 on the market. It sounds like your just wanting a new rifle however, and like most here have plenty of rimfires. I think the browning is about perfect for that role.
As for a new model 39, I think it would carry an asinine price if ever reproduced in anything close to the original specs in numbers. and given the weight and physical size I can't imagine anyone would choose to use one unless for nostalgia. It must have been a poor seller with terrible margins as its only been a few years since they stopped advertising them and they still list them as custom shop guns to order new (they list it as the oldest continually produced rifle actually) and still available. All that said, most of my lever guns stay in the safe or punch paper. If I'm squirrel hunting I grab a henry (scoped) or ithaca 72 (open sight) , same gun but made in Germany before they called them henry, (I disagree with the company not the rifle. If he had called it the imperato 22 I would call it a good cheap rifle, but saying "Just like Lincoln's rifle" when his "henry" has nothing to do with the lineage is dirty) if I fall or ding it... oh well, and I know that they will never increase in value compared to the others.
As far as cabelas I bought a Thanksgiving week gun last year. The savage 12 FV in 223. The clerk said they only got 2. They still had both on the last day of the sale and myself and another customer bought them simultaneously. The process of buying one the was pretty painful. The slowest and most drawn out of anywhere ive purchased. But worth it for a bargain.

I glanced through the flyer but I didn't notice any of the door buster (walmart style) sales. Last year there were a few fri-sun sales but most were 7 days. I think most stores, even walmart, try to get away from the ignorence And trampling circa 2000ish. They usually stagger the sales and give tickets rather than actually pull out a pallet and watch the fur fly.
I did go to walmart for a desktop in 2001or 2002. I'm 6 foot 3 and 200 lbs and it was honestly not a comfortable place. Lol. I grew up in smokey pool halls and such but I swore off black Friday after that mess. I got my desktop though.
Bottom line, you won't regret the rifle, good, lightweight rimfire. You may regret the experience buying it, but last year mine wasn't terrible, (in hindsight at least)

The 39 has not been in actual production for several years now.
What the Marlin Custom Shop offers are built from stocks of old parts left after the production line ceased.
Those will eventually run out, unless new production is resumed.

Talking to a Marlin rep last week about the 39.
As I said- the model is uncertain right now, and IF the project were begun, it'd run about four years from beginning to availability.
Denis

The BL22 was my first rifle at thr ripe old age of 9. Christmas morning.
Anyway.......bricks and bricks of ammo through it.
My parents said that if they fell upon hard times, they could always open a lead mine along the banks of the creek that winds through the pasture.
I still have the rifle. You have to stick your finger in the eject port to help line up a fresh cartridge with the chamber. (She's a little worn)
Buy it!