Lever action .22

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Dunno about a cheap but I do know the two 39As I've shot are fine rifles. After I replaced a few internal parts the 1952 was much smoother than my own 1977, it had a bigger fore grip and generally felt like a bigger bore rifle. Even knicked with bluing worn thin it is a beautiful accurate piece. Then Dad wanted it back... DAMN! :(
 
DSC00883.jpg If you want cheap,find a used Marlin. They shoot really good.All steel and wood. No plastic or alum.
 
I believe the man said he wanted a "CHEAP" lever action 22. I don't know about you folks but I don't consider Marlin, Winchester, or even Browning to be "cheap." Not even a used one.

The Henry is the only lever action rifle I would put in the "cheap" or maybe "inexpensive" catagory. Maybe a used Ithaca, which is I understand the same gun as the Henry, but I could be wrong about that.
 
I bought a Henry H001T (octogon barral)

It has been a great .22 lever for me. Still debating on putting a small 4x scope on it or not. It shoots plenty accurate for me with just the irons. :neener:

My Ruger sits in the safe now .....unloved.:(

I would personally not buy the basic Henry because it does have plastic non-removable front sights. It meets a price point for a "cheap" .22 lever and would still be great purchase and shooter.

A Marlin 39 would be a great choice also .....but at a higher price.
 
all5x.jpg
From top to bottom:
  1. Marlin 39A
  2. Henry Golden Boy
  3. Winchester 94/22
  4. Henry H001 (Standard Model)
  5. Ithaca M49 Saddlegun
If you want "cheap", the Ithaca (discontinued) and Henry H001 fit the bill. Both have recievers constructed of alloys, but should last for years if you take care of them. The Winchester and Marlin have forged steel recievers and will last for years whether you take care of them or not. That's how I see the difference. The less expensive rifles shoot and handle just as well and sometimes better, but are/were purposely made to target a lower price point. The Golden Boy is somewhere in the middle and I find it to be well constructed even with the use of aluminum/zink alloys.
For smoothness, the GB wins hands down with the H001 and the 94/22 tying for 2nd place. My Ithaca 49 is smoother than my Marlin, which was made in 1953.
 
I have never seen a used Henry anything - in fact, I've been hunting for a used Marlin 39A and I haven't happened on any used lever action .22s. But I guess if one were to be cheap, Henry would be it. I'd spend the extra cash and get the Marlin or the Winchester, though.
 
The Henry H001 is the best for the price. I love mine and with match ammo it's accurate. With Walmart ammo is still pretty good. Good enough for plinking and even small game hunting. They have real nice wood on them too. The only plastic on a Henry is the front sight and barrel band, but Henry sells a replacement in metal if you want to spend a few extra dollars.
If you want to upgrade a little, get the one with the octogon barrel.

All the other suggestions are great, but not cheap. It's slick right out of the box and only gets better over time.

PS, I rested the gun with wolf match just to see what it would do. I was very surprised.

Shot safe - I do
Lovesbeer99
 
Can't find any used Henrys, probably a good reason, they are great for the money. I looked at one and turned up my nose cause of the plastic. Back at the same store few weeks later, looked again and said well lets giver her a try, love it and will get another! For 228.00 + tax a fantastic value!!!
 
I believe the man said he wanted a "CHEAP" lever action 22. I don't know about you folks but I don't consider Marlin, Winchester, or even Browning to be "cheap." Not even a used one.
Click to expand...

Pretty much says it all. It would have taken exactly one post response to answer his question as there are no "cheap" lever action 22's new.
 
There is NO such things as a GOOD cheap lever .22. The best / least expensive one I have seen in the Ruger 96/22, I have seen quite a few in the $350 range, the BEST of the lever .22s is IMHO the Marlin 39 followed by the Winny and Browning.
 
Make my vote for the Marlin 39. Hard to beat, but can be pricey.
I wish I could vote for my Winchester 9422M (.22 mag), but, sadly, they are no longer made. Everything said about them is true. Great little rifles.
 
I hit a couple gun shops this AM looking for a .357 Marlin. I did find several 39As for $499 and up. My 77 is looking better all the time.
 
I just noticed that Ruger is offering a lever action 22. Looks like the 44 mag rifle from years ago and they offer the 44 also.
 
Let's see...

Cheap\inexpensive .22 lever gun...hmm..

I'd rather walk than drive a (insert cheap car here)

Too much plastic (insert huh? $1500 AR15s here)

If you can find a (insert no longer made expensive even used rifle here)

And then of course you have the "I've never fired one, but wouldn't own one" comment.

Which leaves me with nothing to say but:

I have fired the Henry and it's a solid good-feeling little rifle that works and puts .22s on target with no muss or fuss. For years the Ruger 10/22 has been called the "best" .22 semi auto around. The alloy receiver didn't seem to bother anyone. So now a Henry with an alloy receiver is a problem?

Bottom line-you have $500? Buy a Marlin\Browning\Etc. if you want. You have around $200? Buy the Henry and a few bricks of ammo and go have a blast.

oh...re: plastic sights...

With a little good ole American ingenuity I'm sure you can figure a way to get them replaced.

Back to the doghouse...
 
I currently own and shoot a Browning BL22 with the long octagon barrel. I lveo this gun, plenty accurate, fits the nostalgic lever-gun look and feel I like, but was not cheap by any means. I grew up shooting a basic BL22 which was always a great shooter and looker, and cheaper than my current BL22, but still not considered cheap by most.

My father currently owns a Marlin 39a and it is indeed one hell of a shooter. But as far as looks, weight, and feel it is more of a centerfire gun and therefore not one of my fav's. That is simply my personal opinion, I am not saying it isn't a great gun, as it really is in the overall picture, but once again not really considered cheap by most.

I have shot many Henry's and I believe they just cannot be beat for the price when it comes to buying a new gun. I have a bud that has thousands upon thousands of rounds though his Wally World bought Henry....not a single complaint or problem yet.

The Winchester is one that I have never shot, but I would like to own. Of course, until I can find one for a really good deal, it just probably won't happen.

Noidster

and I agree with PremiumSauces that Azimuth really needs a Browning to fill out that awesome collection.
 
BTW I have shot the Henry and the Ruger, have owned Winny 94/22 and the model 150, Browning BL22, and currently own 2 Marlin 39s. The Henry is OK, but for another $75 to $100 you can get the Ruger 96/22 which is IMHO just a much better gun, and for another $100 over than you can buy a new 39. I wouldn't turn one away if I found a deal on the Henry, but no they are not in the same class as ANY of the others, other than the old Winny 150s. (Which I still like better).
 
Thanks fellas! I saw one on sale today for $279.00 with the looped lever, and while it was nice, I suspected it wasn't steeled receiver. Then I thought, wait and get the Marlin 39A. I know how it handles, and it for fact is steel.
 
For a lever gun, i would go with the henry, i have one and it is a real joy to shoot. out of months of shooting, i have had two failure to extracts. and the gun is old... I am not the first owner. Everything about it is fun to shoot. I have handled marlin 22 lever guns but i like the henrys better. for a larger caliber i would get a marlin but henry is great for the 22.
 
Last night in Academy I decided to check out the Henry H0001. I was very surprised - although it certainly isn't as solid as a Marlin 39A, for $229.99 + tax I don't think you can get any better - unless you get extremely lucky. In fact, I have just about resolved to pick up a Henry H0001 this week. I'm not giving up my search for a 39A, but I think the Henry will do just fine.
 
I got what I think was a pretty good deal back in March of 2006, picking up a Marlin 1897 Cowboy. It was made in 2000 and had never been shot. I like it just fine.

MarlinCowboy36FirstShots.jpg
 
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