.22 levergun; Marlin 39A or Browning BL-22?

[Dollar An Hour]

I've decided I need a CZ bolt-action for silhouette, and a second .22 for an all-arounder with open sights.

I like the way the lever guns feel, but haven't been able to find a Marlin 39A in person yet, just the BL-22 which is nice although it almost feels like a toy.

Any levergun fans had the chance to try both of these out, and which do you prefer? I think the prices are pretty close. I know the Marlin is easier to take down and a larger rifle. Anything else to consider?

 

[JMusic]

I've had a few of both. The BLR has better (in my opinion) open sights, is quicker to work and much lighter. The Marlin feels like a lever action rifle, and has oil finish stock look compared to the epoxy high gloss wood of the BLR, so it wil not mare as easy. I think accuracy is close to the same. I think the micro groove barrels on the Marlins require less cleaning effort. Triggers on both will need worked.
Jim

 

[Brian Williams]

I like the Marlin 39A Mountie I have...

 

[MachIVshooter]

Not sure about the BL-22, but the 39A will shoot .22 BB, CB, Short and Long in addition to Long Rifle. IMO, a very good selling point for the Marlin. .22 CB's come in real handy if you live in town. That, and the 39A is simply a more attractive rifle.

 

[Gewehr98]

What's wrong with the Winchester 9422?

 

[pauli]

i love my marlin, but it is HEAVY, and the sights suck. i'll probably replace them eventually. i STILL don't know how to take the darn thing apart, but as it runs perfectly, there's not a real pressing need to learn.

that said, it looks right and it feels right, and i'm glad i bought it. i've never run into a browning lever gun, but i'm hoping to bump into one at the show tomorrow so i can see what people are talking about.

crunchcrunch clackclick! crunchcrunch clackclick! i do love my marlin

 

[Dollar An Hour]

What's wrong with the Winchester 9422?

You mean other than it's no longer made, therefore not an option if I want a new rifle?

 

[Sistema1927]

Marlin 39 w/ XS ghost ring sights. Accurate, shoots anything, and feels like a real rifle.

 

[Gewehr98]

Winchester discontinued it just recently...

You mean other than it's no longer made, therefore not an option if I want a new rifle?

That doesn't mean that there aren't a bunch of new-in-box 9422's out there. There are lots of them, just looking on gunsamerica.com for a few seconds, I count almost 30 of 'em, NIB condition, never fired. Unless, of course, you don't want a quality rimfire lever action.

 

[Starter52]

You will never regret buying the Browning.

 

[Bottom Gun]

The Browning has a much smoother action than the Marlin or a Winchester and the lever has a much shorter throw (about 30 degrees). I can cycle mine without moving my palm from the stock.

The trigger on my BL-22 is great and it's very accurate.

 

[ArmedBear]

That doesn't mean that there aren't a bunch of new-in-box 9422's out there. There are lots of them, just looking on gunsamerica.com for a few seconds, I count almost 30 of 'em, NIB condition, never fired. Unless, of course, you don't want a quality rimfire lever action.

So the 9422 was built better than the rest of the crap leverguns they've been turning out lately (unless you pay for the high-end special ones)?

The Browning is a nice, solid little gun. Neat design. Alloy receiver AFAIK. Tacky finish on the wood, but good wood under it. Nice action. Not much of an "Old West" feel to it.

The Marlin is a classic lever action design, built from steel for over 100 years I think, and a takedown. Perfect stand-in gun to practice for a lever gun that shoots more expensive ammo, and a great gun in its own right. American made, also.

If you've already got the CZ, I'd say the Marlin.

Marlin still builds lever guns "like they used to." That's a good thing. Their lever guns bear no resemblance to their other .22s, which tend to have cheap stocks and crude fit and finish, though they are priced well. The 39A is a fine piece.

 

[Gewehr98]

Maybe anecdotal, but my experiences say "yes".

So the 9422 was built better than the rest of the crap leverguns they've been turning out lately (unless you pay for the high-end special ones)?

I traded into a new, unfired 9422 in .22LR just 2 years ago, and was impressed by how glass-smooth the action was, how nice the wood-to-metal fit looked, and the quality of the blueing. And mine's just the plain-grade version, although it has checkering on the buttstock and forend. I'll have to post pictures.

In contrast to my full-sized Model 94 in .30-30, the little 9422 does seem like a presentation-grade gun.

 

[buzz meeks]

I really like my Marlin and it took me years to find a used one. There's a reason for that.

 

[JustsayMo]

I don't know of any Marlin 39 owners (I have two) that are dissatisfied or regret their purchase.. If anyone else knows an unhappy 39 owner, send them to me, I have cash..

If you hunt with a rimfire, I can think of NO better field long gun than the 39.

 

[Backfired]

My Marlin 39 is the most accurate rifle in my collection

My particular model is a 39T (I think). It has a straight rather than pistol grip stock and a shorter barrel than the 39A. I'm VERY fond of it.

 

[mainmech48]

Lots of good points for both. I'm a big LA fan and a certifiable .22 Junkie, so I'll give you what I consider to be some of the high points of both.

Marlin: I've had my 39M for about 25 years now. It's had more rounds put through it than I could estimate with any degree of accuracy. Nothing has ever broken nor worn out. It's action has become slick as glass with use, but still locks up as tightly as new. It will cyle and fire reliably with just about any .22 RF ammo you're likely to run across. CB caps, shorts, longs, LRs, Colibris, shot cartridges - you name it. In these days when shorts can be hard to find and are more expensive than LRs that may not matter to you much. Personally, I like the option. SV shorts are nearly as quiet as Colibris and hit much harder. IMO, more humane on larger garden pests, especially if your placement isn't quite perfect. At about 6 1/4# with sling, it isn't a featherweight, but its great balance makes the little bit of extra heft translate into smooth tracking on moving game. Drilled and tapped for receiver sights and scope base. Weaver-style bases available so you don't have to stick to tip-off rings. Take-down receiver makes cleaning the barrel from the breech easy, and you don't have to disassemble the action to get to everything.

Browning: I've had mine for several years, but it hasn't seen anywhere near as much use. Mostly because I'd have to add a receiver sight and sling swivels to get it on-par with the Marlin as far as my personal preferences go. Very trim and handy. About 5 1/2#. Slick action with an unusually short throw and decent trigger action. Grooved receiver. Not drilled and tapped for receiver sight. Stock flip-up leaf is fussy to adjust. Epoxy stock finish is a bit gaudy for my tastes, but very tough and the wood on most seems to be pretty nice. Nice straight grain and mellow color. Muzzle has a recessed crown. Keeping the action clean is more of a chore, as you have to pretty much disassemble it to do a good job. No provision for sling/carry strap, but Uncle Mike's can fix you up.

Both will shoot better than I can with their favorite ammo. Both will outlast me by a few decades with a little care. Both make a great little do-it-all utility rimfire. IIWY, I'd go check out both and see which one suits your fancy best. IYWM, you'd get both

 

[Dollar An Hour]

it isn't a featherweight, but its great balance makes the little bit of extra heft translate into smooth tracking on moving game

So if I'm not hunting but just want a plinker/fun gun does that tilt things a bit in favor of the Browning since it's so light & compact?

Thanks all for the great feedback.

 

[ArmedBear]

So if I'm not hunting but just want a plinker/fun gun does that tilt things a bit in favor of the Browning since it's so light & compact?

Thanks all for the great feedback.

Well, as a fun gun, I'd still say I'd favor the Marlin. If I'm going to shoot a lever gun, I want one that feels like a traditional lever gun. However, you're right to ask, since Marlin currently only seems to offer it with a 24" barrel. OAL is still only 40", though.

I wouldn't discount the Henry octagon model -- not the fancy gold receiver, nor the lowest-end carbine. This is a relatively new version, with all metal parts. http://www.henryrepeating.com/leveroctagon.cfm

The Browning feels rather modern in design. That could be good or bad, depending on your taste. It's a very nice gun!

EDIT: Oh hell, on second thought, the Browning is so BEAUTIFUL. But the Marlin is easier to clean, and also a top-notch piece.

I guess it depends on what "plinking" means to you. To me, it implies the presence of dirt and sand, requiring cleaning.

 

[Skofnung]

My 60's vintage Marlin 39 is the one .22 that I will keep if I ever need to get rid of my other .22's.

It is more accurate than it has a right to be, it swings well, the action is as smooth as silk, and it holds lots of ammo in the tube. The only changes I plan for the gun are a reciever sight and a possible thinning of the forestock.

Past that, it is in my opinion the perfect .22 LR for a man.

 

[MachIVshooter]

It will cyle and fire reliably with just about any .22 RF ammo you're likely to run across. CB caps, shorts, longs, LRs, Colibris, shot cartridges - you name it. In these days when shorts can be hard to find and are more expensive than LRs that may not matter to you much. Personally, I like the option. SV shorts are nearly as quiet as Colibris and hit much harder.

I used to shoot praire rats at the back of the subdivision. Big field for backdrop, but LOTS of houses that could've heard me. So I used my Marlin 81G with CCI .22 short HP's. I just laid down near clusters of Yucca's and fired every so often. Never once did I have anyone complain, and with rifles as accurate as the Marlin rimfires, I consistently dropped the rats with head shots out to 70 yards. .22 short still has a bona fide purpose, IMO.

 

[Tom C.]

I don't have any experience with either the Browning or Winchester, but I have 2 Marlins: a 39A that I have had since '63, and a 39M, made in '69 that I got in March. The 39M has hardly been used. My old 39A has been shot so many times I think it needs a new barrel. It isn't as accurate, iron sights or scope, as the 39M. Both required a little smoothing as they are stiff when new, but they smoothed up very nicely. I now use the 39M as a practice rifle for CAS.
Something else to consider. The sights aren't very good. I replaced my open rear sight with an aperture sight on both my Marlins. Much more satisfactory.

 

[Dollar An Hour]

I wouldn't discount the Henry octagon model -- not the fancy gold receiver, nor the lowest-end carbine. This is a relatively new version, with all metal parts. http://www.henryrepeating.com/leveroctagon.cfm

That's the H001T I think with the octagon 20" barrel and all metal parts. Looks nice, and it's $150 less than the BL-22 or the 39A.

People either seem to really like the Henrys or think they're junk, but customer service is said to be terrific.

I haven't seen the octagon model in person, how are the sights?

 

[P. Plainsman]

I have no experience with the BLR -- Browning is a fine marque.

I did own a Marlin 39A of recent production. They are impressively constructed guns, clearly a "real rifle." Nice wood, nice checkering, forged steel, good lines, good cheek weld, comfortable butt pad. Just plain classy. The 39A fed with a smooth, firm cycling of the lever that was quite different in feel from the looser "chi-clack!" of the Marlin 1894C (my trunk gun). Trigger on current guns is heavy but this can be improved with the Wolff spring kit.

The 39A was accurate. I had a Henry Golden Boy as well, and while it was far from junk, it would not shoot with the Marlin.

Yet I ended up selling my 39A for two reasons. First, it jammed a little too often. In the middle of cycling the lever, it would seize up, incapacitating the gun. I had to disassemble the action to clear these jams. Second, I picked up a $150 semi-auto Marlin 60DL and put a $35 red dot scope on it. This gave me a reliable, dramatically accurate .22 rifle setup for half the cost of the 39A. The 39A was a good shooter, but the cheapo, hardwood-stocked Model 60 is a whole 'nother level. I ended up selling the lovely levergun.

Call me a gun philistine, a sellout (it does sting, a little) but I'm totally happy with the little semi-auto for my range plinking and .22 chores.

 

[f4t9r]

You will never regret buying the Browning.

thats true
The 39A is very nice also I personally like the older ones better then the new