interested in a lever .22

[JB3rd]

I'm interested in a lever-action 22lr for plinking or small game hunting and have done a little research. Seems the best ones are Marlin, Winchester or Browning. Having handled a Browning and Winchester 9422, I like the Winchester better, but don't know much about the Marlins. From the looks of them, it appears that quality will be equal or better than Winchester.

What's difference between the Marlin 1897 and 39A (and Golden 39A)? I know Marlin lever centerfires are highly regarded, but haven't had much contact with the lever rimfire owners to get opinions.

I would like to hear what you all have to say.......

 

[DBR]

I have owned a Winchester 9422 for about 8 years. I like it a lot. It will shoot 1"-1 1/2" 5 shot groups at 50yds with ammo it likes. Accuracy surprised me for this type of rifle.

 

[retiredsgt]

lever .22

Like DBR, I too, have owned a 9422, but for about 10 years. It is still new in the box. I bought it for my first grandson, and he is now 9 and about that time. Last week, I was in my local gunshop and bought an old (1954) Marlin, Model 39A. It has certainly seen a lot of use, but it does shoot pretty good. It immediately became my "work" gun. I take it with me on the tractor, or when I am down in my garden, etc. I do own a Model 94 in .45 Colt that is a good shooter.

 

[dude]

I handeled them all before making my buying decision..........and I ended up with a Henry as it had the smoothest action. It does not however win any awards for looks with it's painted reciever and plastic front sight/barrel band. It shoots great though and happily gets shot the most of the guns in my collection.

 

[444]

I own a Winchester 94/22. I have owned it for somwhere between 5 and 10 years. I have handled and shot the other two you mention. If I was looking for a general purpose .22 rifle, I would get the Marlin 39. I honestly believe that it is far superior to the other two. When I decided to get a lever action .22 I wanted one that was as short as possible. I have other .22 rifles with big barrels and scopes if I want something precise. What I wanted was a .22 rifle to carry when wandering around, walking the dog etc. I wanted to be able to hold the rifle by the pistol grip and have my arm at my side and have the muzzle several inches from the ground. So, I went with the Winchester Trapper. As far as I knew, Marlin didn't make a short .22 rifle at that time. I know they have made them, but didn't then.
The Winchester has been a good rifle. I have no complaints with it. If Marlin doesn't make a shorty today, I would buy the Winchester again.

 

[stevesmith7]

I've got a Golden 39A that was my dad's. It's really a nice piece. Heavy barrel, solid steel feel. Scoped from the bench it'll shoot better than I'm able. Army men at 25yds usually lose their heads just about every shot even with cheap bulk pack ammo. The tube feed seems to hold 19 rounds of 22lr. It's also the longest running production gun in the world, as they started making them something like over 100 years ago. Talk about proven design. It's a keeper.

Steve

 

[WonderNine]

Not sure what the point of a lever .22 is when there are perfectly good autos out there like the Marlin model 60's that sell new in blued for $100 - $140 at most.

I doubt you'll even find any bolt actions out there that are more accurate than the 22" barreled Marlin 60 with 14 shot tubular magazine for the price. I LOVE MINE! Got an old Weaver 4X8 scope on it and it's awesome!

Here's one

 

[Coot]

My vote goes to the 9422...picked up a High Grade version about 7-8 years ago and mounted an Outdoor Industries tang sight on it (very reasonable, quality sight with windage adjustment). Altho the family has 12 or more .22's of various types of actions, the 9422 continues to be the one most likely to get brought to the range; a real beauty that shoots as good as it looks.

I personally feel the front sight would be better with a narrow blade instead of the bead to utilize the great accuracy of the rifle...

 

[Detritus]

now from a marlin-phile......

What's difference between the Marlin 1897 and 39A (and Golden 39A)? I know Marlin lever centerfires are highly regarded, but haven't had much contact with the lever rimfire owners to get opinions.

same action, same reliability, the differences are cosmetic/ personal config preference type things.

the 1897 is the "cowboy" version, ie stright grip, octagon barrel, Marble's semi-buckhorn rear and Carbine front (no hood). basicly a .22 scaled version of the 1894CB and 1895 and 336 Cowboy models.

the 39A "golden" is the one most folks seem to have. pistol grip, hooded ramp front sight fold down rear, round barrel, usually a gold(tone or plate don't know) trigger (i have a 39M golden that has a blued trigger)

as for what to get, get a marlin!! hands down i wouldn't even consider the other .22 lever guns now that i've had a marlin.

the 39 action is the easiest i have ever seen to clean, unload and clear the gun, undo the thumb screw, separate the action halves, slide the bolt out of the "barreled" half and clean. everything is right there to be able to clean and lube. (a small screwdriver or two is handy for turning the little slotted screw that holds the ejector down, allowing acess for chamber end cleaning)

there are fewer moving parts (maybe 10 if that many, including the mag follower and spring) to wear out, break or otherwise go wrong. in fact at times it seems so simple it's scary.

I've been shooting a 39M (carbine with straight grip) for about 15 years and except for gumming up from lack of a good cleaning, i've never had a bit of trouble out of it. when i was given the gun (was a gift from my father and teh first gun that was "mine") dad and i had looked at all of the guns then on the market, of the three (same ones you mentioned, the new henry rifle Co. having not arived yet) it was just a hands down no contest decision in favor of the marlin, it just seemed more "right" in my hands than the Winchester and the browning (the browning lasted right until i cycled it and found that i didn't like the BLR's short throw lever)

but to each there own but do NOT buy one of the others without first taking a good look at the Marlin.

 

[clown714]

i'd take a look at the Henry's

for about $150 you can't go wrong

it's been my beater rifle now for the last 3yrs.

and it seems to smooth up,the more,I,shoot it.

not really on par with the quality of the other 2 brands.

but,really suits my needs.

clown

 

[JohnBT]

That's right, to each their own...but take a hard look at one of the Marlins even if you have to drive to the next state to look at one. I know they're expensive, but it's only money.

I've had a Golden 39-A Mountie - straight stock, sling & 20-inch barrel - since 1963 and have never been enthused enough with any of the other makes to buy one.

Remember, it's not how slick(loose maybe?) the action is when it's new - it's how good it feels next week, next year and 40 years from now.

John

P.S. - The point of having a quality lever action .22 is to be able to shoot a quality gun and not be seen with some DIY home improvement project like a 10/22. I hate 10/22s - but then I got my Mountie before the 10/22 was introduced and it looked like a large step or two down. Maybe three or four steps.

 

[Tom C.]

I have had the 24" barreled 39A since 1963. Refinished the stock in the 60's. Has Redfield receiver sight. Still shoots great. I should scope it and test it at 50 yds.

 

[Ledbetter]

I have a newer Marlin 39a with a Williams receiver sight. The accuracy amazes me. (For comparison, in .22 I own: two highly tricked 10/22s, a Henry Golden Boy, a CZ 452 and some pistols).

There is no comparison with any semi-auto. The action locks up tighter than any semi so the bullet is seated exactly the same way for each shot. This and the micro-groove barrel give a tremendous accuracy advantage. And it is built solid and feels like it.

Also consider that only the Marlin (don't know about the Browning) takes down into two pieces. Portable, and you can clean it from the breech.

 

[DMK]

Not sure what the point of a lever .22 is when there are perfectly good autos out there like the Marlin model 60's that sell new in blued for $100 - $140 at most.

I have both a late '80s Marlin 60 and a '66 39A lever action. I love both those rimfire Marlins, but there is just no comparison between the 60 and the 39A. The semi-auto is a fine rifle, but it's clearly bargain basement. The 39A is built like a tank and will surely outlive me.

The 39A is also much easier to clean, more accurate and will shoot any ammo I feed it including those short little Super Colibri and 22 shorts if you ever come across any.

The only fault I can find in the 39A is it's weight. It's a fairly heavy rifle, but it's other virtues more than make up for that.

My 39A is very close to the top of my five favorite guns.

 

[treeprof]

Love my Grade II Browning, but it's not a take-down and with the small breech opening (with the lever retracted), it is a bit more of a chore to clean.

 

[dfariswheel]

Marlin 39A all the way.

Solid milled steel.
Micro-groove rifling.
Heavy target-weight barrel.
Bank vault lockup.
Real walnut.
Real bluing.
Close wood to metal fit.
Glass-smooth action that only gets smoother the more it's used.
Excellent trigger pull, that can be easily tuned even better.
Easy takedown for cleaning or transportation.
Already drilled and tapped for scope mounts, or receiver peep sights.

NOT some mass-produced "everybody's got one" stamped sheet steel and aluminum thing.


All in all, these things are so accurate, it's like "rollin' 'em down a tube".

My buddy bought on in the 60's, and it's become so smooth it almost operates itself.

Your great-great grand kids will be shooting it.

 

[stevesmith7]

dfariswheel,
Do you have any advice for 39a trigger tuning? I haven't really looked at mine yet,
but a bit lighter would be nice.

Steve

 

[TNT]

I don't think you could go wrong with either the Marlin or the Winchester. Both very high quality rifles. If you want something to beat the hell out of and do not care if you scratch it up get the Henry for $200 or less.

 

[Bobarino]

i vote for for very first gun, the Browning BL-22. its super fun, has a really short throw, and was a super accurate little plinker. i wish i wouldn't have sold that thing.

Bobby

 

[4v50 Gary]

I bought a Marlin 92 w/Octagon barrel and sometimes it fails to extract and sometimes it fails to pick up a round. Well, it's a hundred years old and some parts must be worn (or the ammo that bad). In my younger days, my brother had a Marlin 39 that worked like a charm.

 

[JB3rd]

Thanks for all your responses. I already have autos and bolts - - a lever will be added to the collection simply because I like it. looked at the henry, but wasn't particularly impressed with the painted receiver and plastic barrel band, although the action was smooooth. I like the look and feel of blue steel and walnut (or hardwood). I will definitely check out the Marlins.

Thanks

 

[fallingblock]

JB3rd....have a look at this board....

They are constantly discussing the merits of lever action rimfires :


http://www.marlinfirearms.com/cgi-b...mfire+Rifles&number=5&DaysPrune=30&LastLogin=

As for me, I've got a 39A made in 1979 that is the best rimfire rifle I've owned to date, and there's been a lot of rimfire rifles over the years.
It's action just gets slicker with use

As the others have pointed out, you'll never regret spending the money as you'll be using the Marlin thirty or forty years from now