What is the best lever action .22? Henrys are by far the smoothest from what I have heard, but I have heard complaints about them being somewhat cheaply made (plastic parts and what not). What other lever actions are there and what do you recommend? Thanks.
.22 Lever Actions
- Thread starter kennyboy
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TimboKhan
Member
I happen to enjoy my Marlin 39, but I also like the Ruger lever actions. There are two reasons I say that: I like the rotary magazine, and I like the short stroke. The downfall to the Ruger is that I think it is a pretty ugly gun, but if you can deal with that, I don't think you can go wrong buying one.
cslinger
Member
The Marlin 39 literally has it all.
-It is extremely well made. It is as heavy as a full caliber rifle.
-It is gorgeous with nice wood, good bluing. A good ole' walnut and steel rifle.
-It is accurate.
-It is reliable.
-It oozes history with it being the oldest rifle still in production.
-The Marlin 39 is NOT a good .22. It IS a GREAT RIFLE period. It is like the CZ452 in this regard.
-It is extremely well made. It is as heavy as a full caliber rifle.
-It is gorgeous with nice wood, good bluing. A good ole' walnut and steel rifle.
-It is accurate.
-It is reliable.
-It oozes history with it being the oldest rifle still in production.
-The Marlin 39 is NOT a good .22. It IS a GREAT RIFLE period. It is like the CZ452 in this regard.
There are three .22LR lever guns I'd buy.
Marlin, Marlin and Marlin.
For all the reasons mentioned. The walnut on my recent-production plain-ol' 39A is what Remington would sell as "semi-fancy". And the Marlin is a takedown, too.
Marlin doesn't make any .22WMR lever guns at this point. Ruger makes no .22LR's.
Henrys are really smooth out of the box. Marlins take a bit of breaking in. They're made of machined steel, whereas Henrys aren't.
But hey, I'm prejudiced. I love my Marlin. It was a choice between that and a Henry (octagon or Golden Boy, not the pricepoint model with plastic parts). I shouldered both, looked close, and bought the Marlin. That doesn't make the Henry bad, especially for a good deal cheaper. But head-to-head, and with it in mind that I just wanted to buy one of them, and be really happy with it, I picked the Marlin.
If you're a cowboy history nut, the Marlin is an American design from the late 19th Century, whereas Henry got the rights to the old Ithaca lever gun, designed and built by some Krauts in the 1970s.
Marlin, Marlin and Marlin.
For all the reasons mentioned. The walnut on my recent-production plain-ol' 39A is what Remington would sell as "semi-fancy".
And the Marlin is a takedown, too.Marlin doesn't make any .22WMR lever guns at this point. Ruger makes no .22LR's.
Henrys are really smooth out of the box. Marlins take a bit of breaking in. They're made of machined steel, whereas Henrys aren't.
But hey, I'm prejudiced. I love my Marlin. It was a choice between that and a Henry (octagon or Golden Boy, not the pricepoint model with plastic parts). I shouldered both, looked close, and bought the Marlin. That doesn't make the Henry bad, especially for a good deal cheaper. But head-to-head, and with it in mind that I just wanted to buy one of them, and be really happy with it, I picked the Marlin.
If you're a cowboy history nut, the Marlin is an American design from the late 19th Century, whereas Henry got the rights to the old Ithaca lever gun, designed and built by some Krauts in the 1970s.
v8stang289
Member
The Marlin model 39 is accurate, fun to shoot, and will last forever. One of the first .22's i ever shot was my Dad's 39, he's had it for over 25 years and it still shoots great and has never had a problem.
EddieCoyle
Member
There are two: The Marlin 39 and the Winchester 9422.
Jorg Nysgerrig
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I have this Henry and it doesn't seem to have any plastic parts. Great shooter, much less expensive. The fit and finish is fine on mine. While some might not like the aluminum receiver, mine is just a plinker and the $180 difference in price buys about a hell of a lot of .22 ammo. Whichever one you get, make sure to get one of those tube magazine speed loaders. More time shooting and less time loading.
toivo
Member
I have two Winchester 9422's and I like them just fine, but 9422's are getting more expensive and harder to find. The Marlin 39 is an excellent rifle, but also pricey. Nothing wrong with the Henry, especially the price--it's very smooth and functions fine, but isn't quite the "lifetime" rifle that the other two are.
I don't know much about Brownings (BL-22), but they have a reputation for quality. I've heard that some people don't like the fact that the trigger travels with the lever when you cycle the action. I've never handled one, so I don't know if this would bother me.
The problem with the Rugers, IMHO, is that they don't look like a "cowboy" gun. When I think "lever gun," that's what comes to my mind. The Ruger looks like a 10/22 with a lever stuck on it.
If your funds are limited, go with the basic Henry and you won't be disappointed. If you want to spend a bit more, go with the Henry Golden Boy. If you want to spend even more, scout around for a Winchester or walk into a shop and buy a Marlin 39. Or research the Brownings.
That's a non-answer for you: "It's all good."
EDIT TO ADD: +1 on the speedloader. I just got one, and I think I'm going to get another. Why spend your range time dropping cartridges down the tube one at a time? Do it at home while you're watching TV. You might find that your ammo consumption goes up, but isn't that the whole point?
I don't know much about Brownings (BL-22), but they have a reputation for quality. I've heard that some people don't like the fact that the trigger travels with the lever when you cycle the action. I've never handled one, so I don't know if this would bother me.
The problem with the Rugers, IMHO, is that they don't look like a "cowboy" gun. When I think "lever gun," that's what comes to my mind. The Ruger looks like a 10/22 with a lever stuck on it.
If your funds are limited, go with the basic Henry and you won't be disappointed. If you want to spend a bit more, go with the Henry Golden Boy. If you want to spend even more, scout around for a Winchester or walk into a shop and buy a Marlin 39. Or research the Brownings.
That's a non-answer for you: "It's all good."
EDIT TO ADD: +1 on the speedloader. I just got one, and I think I'm going to get another. Why spend your range time dropping cartridges down the tube one at a time? Do it at home while you're watching TV. You might find that your ammo consumption goes up, but isn't that the whole point?
Bottom Gun
Member
My Browning BL-22 is very smooth and extremely accurate. I like the short 30 degree throw of the lever.
I prefer this Browning to the Marlins, Winchester and Henry rifles I have shot.
I prefer this Browning to the Marlins, Winchester and Henry rifles I have shot.
If you just want to buy a new gun, there are three choices:
Browning BL-22, various models up to really expensive collector grades, made in Japan
Henry, various models, made in USA
Marlin 39A, one model, made in USA
Ruger does not make a .22LR lever gun. Winchester makes nothing at all, though the badge exists. The 9422 has been relegated to collector pricing, and it was discontinued a while before the plant shut down.
The Browning Grade I is okay, but I'd spring for the Grade II and get nicer, checkered wood for a bit more money. That puts it in the price range of the Marlin. The Browning weighs 5 lb., and feels tiny to me. You might like that, especially if you want to carry it all day. I wanted something that would feel more like a centerfire, for practice. I could still see myself getting one at some point. A very nice, well-made, well-finished gun.
The Henry basic model has some plastic on it and it, too, is a bit light, though heftier than the Browning. I'd spring for the Octagon model, which is heavier (6.25 lb.), has no plastic, looks nice, and is a tad longer than the basic model. It's got all the features of the Golden Boy, other than the shiny gold receiver, for a good deal less money. I think it's a more tractable plinker and field gun; should be easier to keep it nice-looking. It's a lot cheaper than the Marlin.
As I wrote above, I got the Marlin. It's longer and heavier still, feels like a centerfire lever gun. It's an all-steel takedown, and a "forever gun." It wasnt' my first .22, so I could wait and buy what I really, really liked. And it's a good practice gun for any other Marlin lever gun with expensive ammo.
The specific three makes & models I looked at. At least handle each one, if you can't shoot them all, before buying. They all shoot well enough. See how they feel, how they balance, how you like the sights, etc.
Browning Grade II
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=005B&cat_id=024&type_id=101
Henry Octagon
http://www.henryrepeating.com/h001t_leveroctagon.cfm
Marlin Golden 39A
http://marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/22Rifle/Golden39A.aspx
Browning BL-22, various models up to really expensive collector grades, made in Japan
Henry, various models, made in USA
Marlin 39A, one model, made in USA
Ruger does not make a .22LR lever gun. Winchester makes nothing at all, though the badge exists. The 9422 has been relegated to collector pricing, and it was discontinued a while before the plant shut down.
The Browning Grade I is okay, but I'd spring for the Grade II and get nicer, checkered wood for a bit more money. That puts it in the price range of the Marlin. The Browning weighs 5 lb., and feels tiny to me. You might like that, especially if you want to carry it all day. I wanted something that would feel more like a centerfire, for practice. I could still see myself getting one at some point. A very nice, well-made, well-finished gun.
The Henry basic model has some plastic on it and it, too, is a bit light, though heftier than the Browning. I'd spring for the Octagon model, which is heavier (6.25 lb.), has no plastic, looks nice, and is a tad longer than the basic model. It's got all the features of the Golden Boy, other than the shiny gold receiver, for a good deal less money. I think it's a more tractable plinker and field gun; should be easier to keep it nice-looking. It's a lot cheaper than the Marlin.
As I wrote above, I got the Marlin. It's longer and heavier still, feels like a centerfire lever gun. It's an all-steel takedown, and a "forever gun." It wasnt' my first .22, so I could wait and buy what I really, really liked. And it's a good practice gun for any other Marlin lever gun with expensive ammo.
The specific three makes & models I looked at. At least handle each one, if you can't shoot them all, before buying. They all shoot well enough. See how they feel, how they balance, how you like the sights, etc.
Browning Grade II
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=005B&cat_id=024&type_id=101
Henry Octagon
http://www.henryrepeating.com/h001t_leveroctagon.cfm
Marlin Golden 39A
http://marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/22Rifle/Golden39A.aspx
Last edited:
toivo
Member
You're right, I see in the catalog that the 96/22 is only available in .22 WMR. I didn't know they had discontinued the .22 LR version.
I have a Henry Golden Boy and can report there is nothing cheap or plastic on it. In fact my only complaints about the gun would be that it is pretty heavy for a .22 and the sights aren't the best. Otherwise as stated it is buttery smooth and IMO it looks great.
ZeSpectre
Member
I won a baseline model Henry a little while ago. I didn't expect much of it (some plastic parts and all) but I was wrong, it's actually a really nice little rifle.
Happy Birthday Henry Rifle Roller Coaster
Happy Birthday Henry Rifle Roller Coaster
The Browning has a unique lever action which takes the trigger down with it, so you can't pinch your finger when you cycle the lever.
The front sight is razor thin though, kind of hard to see. I don't like the factory rear sight either. I tried a peep sight that mounts to the scope grooves, but it was hard to keep it on securely, I would like to have a good peep sight for it mounted on top of the receiver.
The action is very short and crisp, and the rifle is light and well balanced. It is very elegant.
The front sight is razor thin though, kind of hard to see. I don't like the factory rear sight either. I tried a peep sight that mounts to the scope grooves, but it was hard to keep it on securely, I would like to have a good peep sight for it mounted on top of the receiver.
The action is very short and crisp, and the rifle is light and well balanced. It is very elegant.
Carl N. Brown
Member
I own a Marlin 39M Mountie and my cousin has his grandfather's 39A rifle.
Any opinion I express on other .22 lever actions would be biased.
Henry, Browning, Winchester 9422 are good guns and their owners are
often happy with them (they just haven't owned a Marlin I guess).
Each make and model will differ in length of pull, balance, sights, etc
that might make one a better fit for you.
Any opinion I express on other .22 lever actions would be biased.
Henry, Browning, Winchester 9422 are good guns and their owners are
often happy with them (they just haven't owned a Marlin I guess).
Each make and model will differ in length of pull, balance, sights, etc
that might make one a better fit for you.
SturmMackRuger
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- Joined
- Jun 21, 2007
- Messages
- 43
my uncle has a marlin 39a and it is a great rifle but he payed i think $800 for the gun (it was engraved) and an extra $250 for a leupold scope. I on the other hand have a henry 22lr and it cost $275 shoots good looks good and am not complaining about the henry because it is a good gun but would be much happier if i had a marlin 39a.
TimboKhan
Member
Well, I didn't realize that Ruger wasn't making a .22LR lever anymore either! Color me corrected.
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