Winchester or Marlin?

[brucets11]

I've decided to buy a lever action 22 and have found a Winchester 9422 NIB for $549 and a new Marlin 39A for $449. The Winchester is a 22magnum and the Marlin is 22LR. Opinions?

 

[Third_Rail]

Those prices seem pretty high compared to what I see around here. Have you checked out other shops?

 

[chuckles]

I would get the Marlin. I have a couple of each and IMHO, the Marlin is a bit better quality. Sad to know that the 9422 is no more though and I love shooting mine but the Marlin is my favorite. The Marlin is more "man-size" if that makes any sense.

 

[noresttill]

I dont know about the guns, but 22WMR is much more expensive than 22LR

Jesse

 

[Dr.Rob]

Marlin, hands down. Just check the side to side lever play in the two... Marlin 39's will last a lifetime, and have.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Marlin fans are pretty rabid about their choice. Those of us who like the right ones better can be too.

Joking aside, try both of them, pick the one you like best. They're both good guns, even if the Winschester is a little bit better (kidding again).

 

[brucets11]

Boy, I just don't know. Maybe the Marlin since I've already got a Winchester 94 in 30-30.

 

[MechAg94]

Do double check prices though. Those sound high if you are talking about .22 LR.

 

[CZguy]

I prefer the Marlin 39a. But I recommend solving this dilemma by buying both.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

Winchester...you can use it for years and still re-coup your money if you want.

 

[brucets11]

Wish I could afford both but, not now. I really believe I'll keep which ever one I buy for as long as I can ever shoot and then pass it down to my son. Fortunately, he likes to shoot even more than I do. I do like the seemingly heavier feel of the Marlin. Oh, and while I was out looking this morning I was looking at an 1873 Cattleman; started talking to my wife this evening about what she wanted for Christmas.

 

[rangerruck]

if you can't buy both, then get the 22lr. the winny will be much more valuable someday though,...

 

[aka108]

Have owned a 39A for 57 yrs. Never a hitch. If ammo cost is something you are considering, get the 22LR. WMR is pretty expensive especially if you are shooting at paper targets or plinking.

 

[Vairochana]

I have a marlin and winchester in 30-30 so I am not biased that way.
I have a 20 yo 9422 with a red dot, and it shoots reasonably well.
as to"man-sized" .22s- I like .22s to be light and handy, no need for them to be heavy. My fav .22 is an 80+ yo Remington model 12, far more accurate than the Winchester

 

[CZ223]

I've had both

They were both very good shooters but I would probably pick the Marlin. On the other hand to confuse you even more the Henry Golden Boy is the slickest 22 lever gun out there and pretty to boot.

 

[toivo]

Winchester 9422 prices have gone out of whack since the double whammy of discontinuing the 9422 and then closing the New Haven factory and ceasing production of all Model 94's. Considering all that, the price you saw isn't totally out of line. But if it's a "fun gun" you're looking for, I'd go for .22LR, not .22WMR. The WMR ammo is not only much more expensive, it's much harder to find.

 

[brucets11]

I looked at the Henry's but I've got it on my mind that I'd rather have the Marlin or Winchester. The Marlin just felt good when I picked it up and since I've already got a Winchester 94 in 30-30, I thought I might like a different brand. But then to me a Winchester lever gun has, well, just a sweet sound to it. It does seem like a lot of money to me but it's not like they're sitting around everywhere, either. Bill Goodman's gun show will be in Dayton next week so I guess I'll look around there on Saturday and make up my mind.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The Marlin is probably the best-built and most accurate .22 levergun around. It will also shoot .22 Short and Long, always a consideration. I personally like the ability to use shorts for a number of reasons. IIRC, the Marlin will also hold something on the order of 23 Shorts in the tube.

 

[toivo]

But then to me a Winchester lever gun has, well, just a sweet sound to it.

I have to agree--I have two 9422's. If there was a picture of a lever action rifle in the dictionary, it would have to be a Model 94. Just one person's opinion...

I'd say go to the gun show and look for a 9422 in .22LR. Don't be fooled by a lot of garbage about the end-of-production Tribute commemoratives, etc. Unless it's the "high grade," it isn't worth much more than a regular one.

 

[brucets11]

I agree that the end-of-production situation shouldn't be a reason to pay more. The $549 price for the Winchester doesn't seem too out of line based on what I'm seeing on the Internet but, maybe I could do better.

Based on what I've read and am hearing, as much as I like the name Winchester, I won't go wrong with the Marlin and it'll probably be what I buy.

 

[Nhsport]

For general shooting the .22lr is really the only way to go. The 22mag by contrast is very expensive to buy ammo for and is really a special purpose hunting cartridge. If I wanted or needed it for hunting I would put it in a bolt gun to get all the use of it's accuracy and power potential.
I have and enjoy shooting several winchesters but I have never seen a win lever gun in 22 that could hold a candle to the fit finish and accuracy of the Marlin 39a.
Might be some future collector interest in the Winchester but investments and guns for shooting are two different stories

 

[el44vaquero]

Go to Wal-Mart and for around $200 you can get you a new Henry leveraction 22lr. It has a smoother action and fun to shoot.

 

[brucets11]

I did look at a Henry at the local Walmart and it was the cheapest price. I've decided though, to buy from one of the local stores even though it will cost me a little more. Anyhow, I've decided on the Winchester or Marlin even though the Henry's pretty nice.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

The marlin. Because of the calibers offered.

22lr is much cheaper and more readily avalible than the magnum stuff.

This from a guy that own several 94 winchesters in various calibers.