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.22LR lever action recommendations

Trespasser

Trespasser

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 29, 2013
91
1
Grand Rapids, MI
I am starting to like the idea of a 22LR lever action rifle. The ideal rifle in my mind would be a 10/22 but with lever action. The Browning BL-22 looks nice and is fairly pricey. I see Henry Repeating Arms offers a few, but I don't have any experience with their products. What do you guys recommend?
 
Henry has decent rifles and their actions are very smooth..they use alum for their top metal which is not so conducive for keeping a scope stable. I have a henry .22 and have no scope on it...
 
I have the Win 94-22, the Marlin 39A and the Browning BL-22.
The Browning has a very heavy trigger but a short lever throw.
The Marlin is the most accurate but is longer and heavier.
The Win is the best all around, accurate, good trigger and short and light.

Coach
 
Just purchased a Henry myself, on the advice of a friend who has one with about 10K rounds and no issues.
Excellent value of the price, though as someone mentioned the aluminum may not keep a scope solidly mounted.
Course I never saw Roy Rogers or Red Ryder shootin' with a scope anyways ;-)
 
I've got several thousand rounds through my Henry Golden Boy with no issues other than a bunch of dead squirrels, rabbits, c*** etc. It's a great gun as long as you don't try to run high velocity loadings in it. 40gr. STD. Vel HP or round nose and it'll shoot dime sized groups, I haven't found a HV load it likes..but I quit looking when I found a couple loadings that it shoots exceptionally well...
 
bunsen27 said:
Winchester 94/22 XTR
Click to expand...

When I was a kid, I salivated over the idea of a Winchester 94/22. I want one to this day, but they're a bit pricey. I haven't seen one <$1200. I would want a New Haven built in the 1970s.


n64atlas said:
at one time Ruger made a 22lr lever rifle:
Ruger Model 96
Click to expand...

In my opinion, these don't capture my imagination or have the same romance associated with them. I am sure they're fine rifles, but they're missing that certain something that Winchesters and Marlins have.
 
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I am about certain a Marlin 39A will outshoot any of the others mentioned, based on my experience with them all.
 
Not to change the thread but since many are talking about the Marlin 39A I have one thats been headed down form my dad's granddad to him and now to me. It was my dads pride and joy. Just to show how he felt for it, we moved from PA to GA and on the trip the rifles/shotguns were wrapped in bed clothes and they sweated badly on the trip south in the truck of the car. We made that trip in 14 hours. When my dad seen the rust build up in that gun he cried. One of only a few times I seen him cry over a material item. Anyway do you guys have to turn the rifle to the ejection side when cycling the action to get the case ejected clear of the action. I'm think it may in a new ejector spring. What do you guys think?
 
At first, I thought a lever action 22 could be had on a <$500 budget. It looks as though only the Henry fits in this price range. Is there enough of a jump in quality from the Henry to the rest that justifies a 2X cost? Or is it just a simple matter of the Winchester 96/22 and Marlin 39a being collector's items?

I am not looking for a collector's item. I just want a nice 22 lever action that functions well and does not feel like a toy.
 
Guess it comes down to use. Are you going to hunt with it? If so, accuracy would seem to be a requirement as squirrel heads are not large targets at 50 or 100 yards. If just banging away, get whatever you like.
 
rth1800 said:
I am about certain a Marlin 39A will outshoot any of the others mentioned, based on my experience with them all.
Click to expand...

That has been my experience as well, not only as a lever action, but as a rim fire they are difficult to better. Superb rifles.
 
A 39A does not feel like a toy and is a great rifle IMO..... Have not owned a Browning or a Henry but have shot them and also briefly owned and shot the 94/22..

To ME the 39A if the going away winner in both ergonomics and performance....
 
i have a 39 mountie, that is a great shooter. quite an accurate little gun. an older marlin 39 of some variation would be my recommendation.
 
I own these 3 - Marlin 39A, (These aren't lever but they still rock - Browning semi-auto & Browning Buckmark rifle)
 
I've got the henry with the big loop.
I like it because it matches my Rossi '92 puma with the big loop in .44mag for size and function making great to practice with.
Great fun in Texas in the summer out in the grasslands popping big grasshoppers with .22 ratshot.
 
Marlin 39A Mountie or TDS are just about perfect. Proper heft and feel. Take down capability. Shoots S, L, LR. Parts are still made and readily available. Heard mixed reviews of the new Henry's.
 
I have owned and shot a Winchester 9422 in 22 magnum. Great rifle with outstanding accuracy. I sold it to a friend who had a coyote problem. I have a freind who owns a Henry in 22 LR and he is very satisfied with the rifle. I think you would be happy with either of these two brands of lever actions.
 
I own the Henry lever action and I've been really happy with it. I didn't go with the golden boy due to the cost difference and I wasn't looking for it to be crazy accruate, but I have been impressed with its accuracy. I don't think you will be unhappy with the Henry and it seems as if for the price, you can't go wrong.
 
I am familiar with all of the rifles mentioned but not necessarily in .22. Probably none of them would be a poor decision. I do have thirty years experience with the 9422 and the 9422M. If you want a high level of accuracy you would be well advised to buy a high end .22 bolt gun from a manufacturer noted for the accuracy of their .22s. Be advised that you will have to buy expensive ammo, minimum of $7.50 a box, to realize the accuracy of the rifle. If you want a lever action, by an iconic American manufacturer, then go with the Winchester. They are beautifully designed and executed, provide good accuracy with bulk ammo, are out of production and have been escalating in value for years.

As with many models, the older 9422s have a higher level of finish though I have not found them to be more accurate. They can be bought for about +/-$500.00 on the auction sites and I can assure you you will never regret the purchase.

Cautionary note, if you buy a 9422 immediately start saving your money. You're going to want a 9422M and after that a Marlin 39. It's hopeless.
 
STR said:
Everytime you talk, I listen, and my pocket book suffers. Those are really nice!!
Click to expand...


I'm sorry. Joining Snipers Hide has been one of the most expensive things I've done since 2011. Back then golf was my only expensive hobby. :)

I did take my 99/22 XTR out the other weekend for the first time in 15 years and found out it was quite capable at 50yds with SK Jagd. They are REALLY nice rifles. However, this thread has me looking hard at a Marlin 39 now! I think a 39 would go nicely with my Win 52's, 61's, 62 and 94/22. ;)
 
I'll vote for the 94/22 as well. Got mine as a kid in the 70's. lots of good memories with that rifle. MarineMD, I have a buddy who's Dad worked at Winchester in New Haven and he got one just about every year as a gift. I know he has a few and will,see if he wants to part with one.





MarineMD said:
When I was a kid, I salivated over the idea of a Winchester 94/22. I want one to this day, but they're a bit pricey. I haven't seen one <$1200. I would want a New Haven built in the 1970s.




In my opinion, these don't capture my imagination or have the same romance associated with them. I am sure they're fine rifles, but they're missing that certain something that Winchesters and Marlins have.
Click to expand...
 
Hammertime said:
I'll vote for the 94/22 as well. Got mine as a kid in the 70's. lots of good memories with that rifle. MarineMD, I have a buddy who's Dad worked at Winchester in New Haven and he got one just about every year as a gift. I know he has a few and will,see if he wants to part with one.
Click to expand...

Awesome, let me know
 
My first rifle was a model 94 .22mag. Never has given me any problem. Killed a lot of rabbits. I also have a henry .22. Smoothest action I have ever felt. Great rifle also. Of course I dont feel as tho either are nearly as accurate as my savage mk2 tr or cz455 bolt guns.
 
I have the Henry Golden Boy my family bought me for my birthday. The "receiver" (actually just a cover) is not aluminum or even metallic far as I can tell. The inner parts like the bolt etc are unfinished in most areas/recesses where it doesn't matter anyway. This cannot be seen unless you remove the receiver cover.
NONE of the previous info detracts from its functionality, accuracy, or the good looks of the finished gun. The action is extremely smooth and trouble-free. The heavy 20" octagon bbl makes it feel like a 30-30 and is very accurate. I had to change out the sights for something I could actually see due to my poor eyesight. I installed a barrel-mounted Skinner brass peep sight and replaced the front brass bead sight with a Marble's sight with orange fiber optic bead. I would like to scope it sometime and see just how accurate it really is, but I don't want to mess up the old-school appearance. It has become my favorite range toy by far and has taken several squirrels and crows as well. I highly recommend the Henry's for general use unless you just have to have that collectible aspect of the others mentioned here.
 
My BL22 is a stunning rifle, and it shoots decently, has a very smooth action, but it's held back by a trigger pull greater than the weight of the gun. I really have to concentrate to shoot it accurately. Also I find it a little small for me, so I feel cramped shooting it. I hear the Marlin is a fine rifle, but around here they are $600-$800. I thought my BL22 was expensive at $450 used.
 
I grew up shooting my older brother's BL-22 quite a bit, and recently picked up a Henry 22WMR with the octagon barrel (great price from KY Gun Co). I love the new Henry and already want a 22lr version (WMR is as pricy as 5.56 match right now), but I will likely also drop the buckhorn sight for a rear peep. It will probably be my new walking gun for the brush critters.

The Browning my brother has still shoots well and I don't believe has ever had a malfunction that wasn't due to poor ammo bought by us poor kids. Back in the day we wouldn't even spring the extra $0.10 for a box of lr and bought shorts instead...
 
I love my Henry .22LR lever action. That thing is so much fun to shoot, it is like being a kid again. I'm particularly impressed with the quality of the wood.

On one of our annual hunting trips we have we have a rimfire day, and go to town on all sorts of fun targets. We have a couple Henry rifles, and 2 of the Marlin .22's. Everyone grabs the Henry first if they have the option, for some reason it out performs both Marlins (neither are new), and the Henry action is smoother. That may just be these particular Marlin rifles; but given the price differential, the Henry is a great investment. Everybody loves the Henry except the local squirrels/groundhogs...
 
I'm just having my Dad's old Marlin 39A restored. Sentimentality aside, it's my favorite .22. And that's after getting a Volquartsen Fusion after a year wait. Awesome rifles.
 
Currently have Henry, Winchester, and Marlin .22 lever actions; the Marlin is the most accurate off the bench, but who cares. It is the Western nostalgia that drives me plus they are FUN!:) (As are the pump action .22's! ;-) )
 
My first choice is a Marlin 39. Accurate as a good bolt gun, smooth action, and durable as can be. Only one downside...they're a mite heavy for a rimfire.
Second choice is a Henry Frontier. It has the same long octagonal barrel as their Golden Boy, but not the annoying massive drop in the stock. Mine is used for Cowboy Action side matches, and it cycles fast and smooth. It is not nearly as accurate as the Marlin, but man is it quick! (I can get ten shots on a 16" plate at fifty yards in right at 4 seconds.) It weighs a lot less than the Marlin, and of course it's easier on the pocketbook.
 
noahmercy said:
My first choice is a Marlin 39. Accurate as a good bolt gun, smooth action, and durable as can be. Only one downside...they're a mite heavy for a rimfire.
Second choice is a Henry Frontier. It has the same long octagonal barrel as their Golden Boy, but not the annoying massive drop in the stock. Mine is used for Cowboy Action side matches, and it cycles fast and smooth. It is not nearly as accurate as the Marlin, but man is it quick! (I can get ten shots on a 16" plate at fifty yards in right at 4 seconds.) It weighs a lot less than the Marlin, and of course it's easier on the pocketbook.
Click to expand...
I have a Henry Frontier and its great but I actually like the fact the Marlin 39 is heavy. Feels like a real rifle.
 
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