Home Forums Lever Action Central Rimfire Levers Help me choose.

Functional but pretty beat up old pre-safety 39a or a new Henry H001 with absolutely beautiful wood. they're both priced the same.

What you'll get is opinions, which will vary widely.

I've owned both, but prefer the Henry. I've also got Henry's older round barreled pump action and will be buying a Frontier. They fit me.

Next opinion please!

Thanks Steve.

I'm truly torn. I love Marlins, and the 39a is certainly a sturdier,better built rifle;but the wood on that Henry combined with it's compact size is calling to me.

For what it's worth, I'm not a fan of pistol grip stocks or 24 inch barrels on a 22 - but that's me.

I agree that the wood on the Henry is nicer. For a kick around hunting rifle and plinker, I prefer either of my Henrys to the Marlin.

I'm quite sure that given a little time, someone will say something nice about the Marlin. That's fine, because if it works for them, great! Variety is the spice of life.

The Marlin is better built and has an EZ take-down feature. But I'd look for one which wasn't beat to hell.

Having owned both Marlin and Henry, I prefer the latter. Henry's customer service is also absolutely top notch.

A Marlin 39a is a long heavy gun, I have a 39d a shorter 39 which also has a thinner barrel which I find handier. It is no longer made.. For me the 39a is too much gunYMMV.

Love my Henry

I've owned at least a half-dozen Marlin 39's in various configurations and all were good. I've owned one Henry and it didn't work.

MARLIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've never owned a Henry, but I have handled a few. I own an older Marlin 39A. I wouldn't trade my Marlin.

Hi Hawken,

Years ago when rifles and other durable goods were predominantly hand-crafted, manufacturing processes did vary resulting in quality distinctions. With computer-aided manufacturing, quality gap has narrowed. Therefore, as long as quality materials are used, most rifle manufacturers produce quality products. Hence, it boils down to preference.

I own a 9422M and my kids have a 9422 each. They are quality rifles and shoot very well. We've never experienced a malfunction. They are heavy guns as far as .22's go, which might mean they're well-built rifles.

While I have no knowledge of Henry or Marlin lever action rifles, I'd bet they're damned good. But I'll add that it might be a good idea to check out a 9422 before you decide.


Good hunting,

R

+2 on the Winchester 94-22


If you are looking for a small rifle, these were made in a "trapper" edition with a 16" barrel.

Have owned a Marlin but not a Henry. The Marlin was a quality rifle.(sold it for cash to buy another rifle)

Presently own a Winchester 94-22 in 22 Mag. and am VERY pleased with it!


Virgil B.

My son has a Henry .22 and it shoots damned good. As a matter of fact, it shoots better than my old Marlin 39 or 9422 did. I might be in the market for another lever action .22 in the near future. If I do decide to buy, Henry will be getting my business.

I've had all 3 and the 9422 is still with me. The 39 is a great rifle, but someone wanted it more than I wanted to keep it... Never liked the plastic that Henry shelled out...

Then don't buy one with plastic on it. The octagon barreled "frontier" model has no plastic parts.

Yes, I really like my Henry Frontier, but my newly acquired Marlin Golden 39A made in 1957 is a really nice rifle.

Nice chunka wood on that Henry.

My Marlin is the shorter '39D from 1971:

I would say the marlin. I have shot both but the marlin would be my pick of the two. Personally my favorite is the browning bl22. Especially if you like the smaller compact type