looking for another 22 - this time, something lightweight.

[pauli]

this forum needed another "which 22" thread

i've got a marlin 39a. it's wonderful. it's also as heavy as my shotguns (and just as solid, to be fair). shoots great, but i get somewhat tired of holding it up after a while - to say nothing of what new shooters think.

so i want something light. at the same time, i prefer the appearance and handling of traditional rifles - so, if possible, i'd prefer not to have a pistol gripped monstrosity. i can live with a synthetic stock if it helps on weight, but wood is... well, wood. and wood is good.

i would prefer a manual action, an integral magazine (if it's a repeater), and if possible, no safety. these are negotiable to varying degrees.

and, of course, i want it to be cheap my first concern is the hardware, though, and i'll make a decision about what i can afford based on what's out there.

my cousin has an old marlin single shot bolt action. i liked it. the new ones (915y) have safeties, though.

i'm going to the big show in two weeks - what should i keep an eye out for?

 

[jefnvk]

CZ452

Although, it has a detachable box mag (easily replacable with a single shot adapter, if you so prefer), and a safety (just don't use it).

 

[mack69]

Pauli, Gander Mountain has a Marlin model 795 that comes with a 4x32 scope is very light weight for about $139.00

 

[Father Knows Best]

Taurus 62 -- a modern repro of the classic Winchester model 62 slide action, i.e. the "gallery gun" of our youth. Lightweight, inexpensive ($200 for blue, a little more for stainless or case hardened) and a ton of fun. Probably the best plinking gun made today.

 

[Sactown]

I just picked up a Henry Golden Boy .22lr and Taurus 63. The Taurus is a neat little gun. I'll have a report after this weekend. The Golden Boy is a really smooth lever action. I need to find a small bad for the Taurus 63, since it's a takedown rifle. The Taurus cost me $250.

 

[.45Guy]

You can still find Savage/Stevens Favorites for around $180. No safety, accurate, and nothing is quite so beautiful as a falling block action.

 

[sd]

great pic

 

[Icewolf]

I also like the Golden Boy lever action. It is alot of fun and plenty accurate out to about 50 yards for can plinking. Plus you just don't see very many of them on the range.

 

[pete f]

marlin synthetic tube feed

 

[Selfdfenz]

CZ is a good pick but they are getting pricey.
Marlin and Savage make HB, wood stocked, mag fed bolt actions that are accrate in a very convincing way. Esp. so with a Rifle Basix trigger. Not too light weight but accurate. Can be had at WallyWorld for under 200.

Search and post over on rimfirecentral for additional info.
S-

PS except for the fact it's a semi and the trigger is stiff I don't think you can do a lot better than a Marlin 7000. HB but the syn stock makes it a very low weight platform.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/selfLoading22wClipMag/7000.htm

S-

 

[Berek]

Why not hte Savage Mark II? .22LR, bolt action, synthetic stock and, with scope, I got mine NIB for $129 + tax. There's also the Marlin Model 60, but it's a little heavier with the laminate stock...

Berek

 

[Cueball]

+1 for CZ 452 I would go with the Special/Trainer version which will be pretty light, VERY accurate, a ton of fun, and can be had for $220-$240 depending on where you shop. I shot 1/2" groups @ 50yds with it out of the box.

 

[Dienekes]

Always liked the Remington Nylon 66s. Couldn't afford one as a kid, finally picked up a nice minty one and a beater which I restored. Nice little guns. I believe the weight is about 4 pounds--definitely feathery.

 

[grimjaw]

Taurus 62A. Less than 5lbs, carbine length available, wood furniture, tubular magazine, traditional look, repeater, inexpensive.

Can't say they hold interest for me, but it does fit your requirements.

jmm

 

[hunter]

I Have Just Got A Ruger 10/22 Carbine And Its Pretty Light And Its Relieable And Accurate And You Can Get It At A Low Price Ownly Thing Is It Is A Semi Auto

 

[mainmech48]

Ditto the Taurus/Rossi M62. Absolute favorite of my wife and both nephews when we go plinking. Fortunately, I have two.

Look for a pre-Taurus Rossi if you'd rather do without the redundant manual safety. Many, many out there.

A couple of other options: The aforementioned Remington Nylons. If you don't want a semiauto, they also made LA and BA versions. Nifty, but rare enough to command a pretty hefty price for a nice one.

Norinco ATD-22. Clone of the Browning .22 auto. Wood and steel featherweight. Often found for less than half of what a used Browning costs. FWIW, a lot of the small parts will interchange. I bought one in LN condition for $25 because it had a broken "finger" on the extractor. Twenty minutes after the Browning replacement arrived from Brownell's I had a fully functioning little .22 TD carbine. Total investment <$50. Still running strong 2.5K rds later.

Browning BL-22. Only made by Miroku, so the "Belgian" snobs ignore it. Hence the very reasonable prices for nice used ones. Slick, short-throw action and just over 5#.

Henry has a pump carbine that's worth a look. Like their LA rimfire, it's basically the older Erma Werke design, but that's not bad. Their version of the AR-7 is fun, too. Weighs around 3#.

The little Stevens falling blocks are back, and they're not terribly expensive. A little disappointing when you compare them to the older ones aesthetically, but still just as functional.

If you browse the "used" racks and tables at a couple of sizeable shows, there's no telling what else you might turn up.

 

[pauli]

hmm, lots to think about so far.

i'm loathe to buy another levergun right now - i'm going to get enough flak for bringing home anything, a second lever action 22 would be more than i want to deal with.

the two that are getting my interest right now are the cz452 scout and the henry mini bolt 22. the latter might be a tad *too* small, but hopefully i'll find one to shoulder and decide from there.

but keep the suggestions coming! i'm going to have very open eyes at the show, but the more i've got in mind ahead of time...

 

[Selfdfenz]

My son has a Scout which fits him fine & is not too small even for me.
Tack driver and a tad cheaper than the Special.

The Henry seems kind of tiny IMO.

I find lever and break-opens fun but a pain to shoot off of a bench at the range. Too much moving around.

Best,
S-