.22 Lever Actions

[elktrout]

What is your experience with lever action .22 rifles? The few I have examined seemed well balanced and quite handy. But, I have never liked cleaning a rifle from the muzzle. Your thoughts?

 

[22-rimfire]

I like the Marlin 39A. You can break it down and clean from the breech end if you want to. They are very reliable and have a reputation for pretty good accuracy.

You just need to be careful if you clean it from the muzzle end. That is true of any rifle.

 

[drtee]

I have a Marlin Golden 39. 22 Rimfire's statement is right on. I have had mine for 40 or so years. It shoots like a dream. It is heavy compared to other 22s I have. It is a top quality 22 that is easy to clean from the chamber instead of the muzzle.

 

[jbkebert]

I just picked up a Henry .22lr frontier model for my son's 10th B-day. Still have to wait about another month to give it to him. although I have not fired the rifle yet I broke it down to clean. Running a bore snake through the action and cleaning from breech to muzzle worked fine. I don't clean lever guns from the muzzle with a rod. At $14.00 the bore snake is a great thing to have in your kit.

 

[Geno]

I prefer my Marlin 39 Golden for accuracy, but my Henry Golden Boy is also fun to fire. Each of these rifles presents a very distinct feel in the hands. The Marlin feels like a centerfire rifle. The Henry is almost toyish in comparison, but its slick action is nearly intoxicating. Both are easy to clean.

 

[deputy tom]

elktrout.I've owner several lever actions and to play it safe I carefully insert the rod down the bore then screw the brush onto the rod at the ejection port and pull it thru.Repeating this with the patch tip with solvent ,then the dry patches until clean.With a take down model I would clean from the breech.I've never damaged a crown yet.YMMV.tom.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

I have a Henry that I love. It is cleaned from the muzzle end with a rubber coated cleaning rod just in case I make any mistakes. But If you take your time I do not think it will be an issue. All my revolvers for over 30 years and most rifles have been cleaned this way without causing issues.

Here is what my Henry does standing unsupported with the standard iron sights.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Be aware that cleaning rods made of "soft" materials, including rubber covered ones, can pick up grit and grime and act like an abrasive when used. Steel rods, with a muzzle guide are probably the best solution when cleaning from the muzzle with a rod.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Thank you Vern very well aware. Keep your tools cleaned.

 

[ArmedBear]

The Marlin cleans from the chamber. It's also a takedown; the receiver splits into left and right halves, so it's easy and quick to completely clean and lube it.

I have a 39A 24" with the heavy barrel and a pistol grip (current production), and a 39M 20" with a tapered octagon barrel (rare) and a straight grip. They are different in feel, and I like both.

All I can say is, make a lever wrap for it. I might start selling a few that I cooked up; they go on and off with snaps so you don't rust the lever, but they still look "western."

When you put a brick through a lever gun, you can bruise your knuckles. But it's so hard to stop plinking or shooting a gong, with a .22 lever.

 

[Leadhead]

As far as cleaning goes for my .22's I just pull a patch wet with CLP through when I'm done shooting and then I pull a dry patch through before shooting.

The pull I use is made from bulk weed wacker cord (.095")

I cut the cord on an angle at one end that is sharp enough to pierce a patch and at the other end I used a bic lighter to melt the plastic and form a disc by pressing the molten plastic on to a flat surface.....it took a bit of experimenting with the size and I used a fired case as a gauge....a little bit of hand sanding and I had a simple and effective pull through.

 

[BoneDigger]

Love my 39A!

Todd

 

[rcmodel]

Marlin 39's and Winchester 9422's come apart in the middle and clean from the rear just like any other rifle.

Henry's and Browning BL-22's?
I guess a Bore-Snake, or Otis cleaning kit.
Or a bore guide & a cleaning rod.

rc

 

[Daizee]

Lever .22's. Easy. Yum.

Lovliest to hold and shoot: Winchester 9422 XTR (*swoon*)
Longest production run and historical interest: Marlin 39
Slickest Action and most affordable: Henry (normal model)
Slickest Henry: Golden Boy (not so affordable)

Cleaning: boresnake from the chamber end

-Daizee

 

[az_imuth]

Lever 22's are pure fun! I still need to get me one of those Browning levers. I like the looks of the Henry Frontier model, too.

As for cleaning...I don't really concern myself too much with cleaning my 22's. Just when they get so dirty it affects function.

 

[BCRider]

An option to the lever wrap if you find it bothers the backs of your fingers try wearing a light leather glove with the trigger finger cut away for longer plinking sessions. I wear a glove for shooting CAS since I shoot cap and ball and there's always a slight risk of a chainfire or a cap falling off and two chambers going at once. A glove protects from burns if this happens. But as a side benefit I found that it took all the bite out of the lever on the back of my hand as well.

 

[Birdmang]

I have a magazine fed marlin lever action, it is pretty cool. I haven't fired it yet, but tomorrow I will!