Winchester 9422 vs. Marlin 39a...

[tparker]

I'm a newbie here so I apologize if this topic has been beaten to death. I'll probably purchase one of the above in the next couple of days. My father-in-law seems to be sold on the Marlin lever-action stuff. He has both a 39a as well as a 336c(?) 30/30. I'd use this gun mainly for plinking as well as small game. I guess my main question is... Do the straight stocks on the Winchester (9422 Special Edition Traditional Trib.) have a significant effect on accuracy vs. the pistol grips of the Marlin. Also, which gun has a better reputation for durability. I've heard some complaints about some of the recent Winchester stuff.
Also, a wildcard for me is the 9422 WMR (.22 mag). Does anyone know if Marlin makes a lever-action .22 mag? Ok, so tell me why I might be sorry in the long run for buying a mag. Any input is good input. Thanks.

 

[Lonestar.45]

While I've never shot the Winchester, I have shot the 39A extensively. I can tell you it is a tackdriver, at least the one I've shot. It's a very very quality lever .22. I don't think you'd be unhappy with either one, honestly, and they will both be accurate. I'd say it all comes down to what feels best to you. Pick up both, handle them, see which one you like better, and go for it. I think accuracy is going to be so close as to be a non-factor, and there's no real way of knowing which exact specimen will shoot better. It'll all come down to your personal preference.

As for the mag, well, it all depends on what you want to use it for. Dad loves his .22 mag (Marlin bolt action). It's got more range than the .22lr, and if you're into shooting coyotes or anything larger than a cottontail, then the .22mag is great. If you're going to be just shooting targets, plinking, or the occasional squirrel, a .22lr is all you need and cheaper to shoot as well. I like the .22lr over the mag personally. But, I've got a Ruger Single-Six that'll shoot both, so it doesn't matter to me!

 

[SapperLeader]

LAst summer I had a opportunity to go shooting with some friends and shot a winchester, a marlin, and a Henry. I thought the henry was the smoothest, but liked the feel of the marlin too. Tough call, and I dont think you can go wrong with any of them.

 

[Onmilo]

Winchester put production of the model 9422 on the back burner for now.
Henry Rifle Company .22 was killing sales.
If you want a 9422 now is a good time to buy one.
Prices are at rock bottom close out.

 

[Gunrunner]

I have a 9422 in 22lr and love it. It's worked fine on squirrels and rabbits. I'd like to get one in 22mag also. Probably will get a used one. The straight stock doesn't bother me at all. The Marlins are great as well. It will depend on which feels better in your hands.

My own preference has been Winchester for the rimfires and Marlin for centerfires.

 

[Bullet Bob]

The 9422 also comes in a "Legacy" model, with a pistol grip.

Both are great guns.

 

[YodaVader]

" Ok, so tell me why I might be sorry in the long run for buying a mag."

Well - basically if you like to shoot a lot , the price of mag ammo is significantly higher than mainstream 22 lr ammo. Could start to get real pricey , especially in a lever action rifle where fast shots are both easy and fun! I would (and did) get a 22lr for my lever 22s.

"Does anyone know if Marlin makes a lever-action .22 mag?"

Marlin used to make a 22 mag based on the 1894 action - it has been discontinued some time ago.

I have owned the Marlin 39 for over 7 years now. The trigger was the worst of any rifle I have ever owned. Fortunately it was easy to work on and now it is very crisp and light. The accuracy of the Marlin is very good - if my new Winchester can match it I would be very impressed.

I bought a straight grip 9422 last month on closeout. The action is MUCH SMOOTHER than the Marlin's. Unfortunately , on the one I bought ,I was not able to get the rifle to shoot to the point of aim even with the rear sight at the highest setting. Also , the rifle to started to jam up and not eject fired cases. I called a truce after less than 50 rounds.

I will try to see if I can figure this out myself , if not I will have to go through the hassle of sending it back. A big time let down , because I really thought this rifle would be my main "fun gun".

 

[JohnBT]

"Also, which gun has a better reputation for durability."

It's hard to tell because the Winchester was introduced in 1972 and is a relative newcomer. The Winchester should be just fine, but I know that my Golden 39-A Mountie (straight stock, 20" bbl.) is still nice and tight (and accurate) and I've had it since 1963.

I think it's a matter of 'get what you like' more than anything else.

John

 

[Abe]

I've got a 9422 Traditional and love it. Mine came with a large lever loop and I added a Marbles Tang Sight to it last year. Far and away one of my favorite rifles.

As for Marlin vs. Winchester IMHO it boils down to what you prefer. While I own a number of Winchester Model 94's, there are a few Marlins on my acquisition list including a 39A and an 1895 Cowboy. To my mind (and hands) the Winchester is more svelte, the Marlin more blocky. The Winchester is a half pound lighter and just under 3 inches shorter than the Marlin. (Shorter is better when you get around to practicing your twirl cocking. )

If I was forced to find one thing that I didn't like about the Winchester it would be the magazine tube inside assembly\follower. When the magazine is empty it has a tendency to fall out after awhile if the rifle is pointing down. If it jiggles around the small pin that holds it in will move out of the notch on the magazine and the follower will fall out. I own two Marlin Model 60's with a very similar tube magazine assembly and the Marlin's don't have a problem when the magazine is empty. The Marlin followers keep some tension on the retaining pin. The easy solution for the Winchester is to keep the magazine full.

Bottom line: Get one of each as one can never own too many leverguns.

- Abe

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've owned both -- I traded a Marlin 39A for a Winchester 9422, and liked it a lot better. It certainly had a better trigger.

 

[spurrit]

Best .22 lever?

Buy a henry, handles/ shoots better, and for 35- 40% of the price! You could get a henry .22 and .22 mag for the price of a 9422. Or a 17HMR.....or .357 , .38, .44,..........

 

[TNT]

The Henry is a joke. If you want a quality .22 lever buy either the Winchester or Marlin, the one that you like best.

 

[JNewell]

This comes up pretty frequently...you can search and find earlier threads on the same topic. The bottom line is that both a fine rifles, and both occasionally turn up as lemons, and you will find people who prefer one over the other.

I have had a 9422M since 1972. The only thing I'd say about .22 magnum is that it's reeeally expensive compared to .22LR. Unless you plan to hunt things that really need the stand-off distance that the .22 magnum gives you, get the .22LR. I really can't imagine that you'd regret it. On the other hand, if you buy the magnum, it will almost certainly not get shot as much as you'd like to because of the cost. We have one of the regular 9422s, too, and it gets shot a whole lot more often.

Hmmm, this is post 1000...imagine that.