Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Best (affordable) .22 Lever Action

I'm wanting to get a .22LR Lever Action rifle. Not 100% sure on what I want to buy. I like the Ruger 96/22, Browning (but seem to be too high priced) and of course Henry (seem to be the most affordable). I especially like the H001L (large loop), but not sure about the "shootability" of the Large loop. Don't really like the looks of the golden boy or any other "fancy" engraved rifles.

It will be used mostly for plinking and maybe a little rabbit/squirrel hunting. But I want a shooter, not a safe queen. Does anyone make a .22 lever with synthetic stocks? I've never seen one that I can remember.

Is there any affordable 22 lever I have over looked? I'm really leaning toward the Henry because of price, but that damn Ruger wont get out of my mind. My dad has a Browning, which used to be mine, so eventually I will get it back, but I seem to remember the stock being kind-of short too.

Any suggestions? Recommendations? Got an inexpensive one you want to part with?

get yourself a used Marlin 39A. It will be the only one you ever want to carry when stalking for squirrels, and bunnies

+1
A Marlin Model 39 is the answer.

+ another. The benchmark of .22 levers. Honorable mention goes to the short-throw Marlin 57.

I like 39's too, but the Henry rimfires work fine and are relatively inexpensive. My only experience is with the Golden Boy, but the mechanics are the same with the blue models and it is accurate and reliable. If you can't find a good price on a 39, get a Henry and go shootin'.

Yes. Even better get the Mountie. You will never regret it.

I don't want to start a Henry bashing thread. But I own the Marlin39 and Winchester9422 and 9422M, and have owned the Henry and Browning.

IMO the best two are the Marlin and Winchester. I prefer the Winchester. But both are top notch. Personally I would avoid the Henry. Too many questionable parts for me. The Marlin and Winchester are good solid steel firearms, and built very well. Just an opinion. Tom.

The only lever action 22 RF rifle worth owning is a Marlin 39, since no other lever action 22 RF rifle even comes close.

Henrys are just a waste of $$.

Jeff

Marlin M39A would hands down be my choice.

Really?

A WHOLE LOT of Winchester m9422 owners would dispute that mindless claim.

I've owned a lot of lever action 22s; Brownings, Marlins, Rugers, Remington 76s, and Winchesters. By far and away the best made, best shooting, and best handling were Marlin 39s, the others weren't even close. The only lever action RFs that I currently have are Winchesters, but only because they are in collectable condition, not 'cause I'd ever bother to shoot them

Jeff

My Dad has a Henry and has several thousand rounds through it with no problem. Not bad for $200 new.

If you want to shoot it and maybe let it get beat up in a truck or on an ATV rack, get the Henry. It works just fine and is fairly accurate. I have one and my son has the youth model. He's beaten the Hell outa it, and it looks like crap. But it still shoots well and I don't worry about it...like I would if he was using my 9422M.

If you can get a Marlin or Win, at a decent price - buy it. But don't automatically rule out a Henry for the price difference.

Jeff,

I have owned all the tradtoanal lever .22s as well over the last 30+ years. The m9422, the Browning BL-22, Marlin m39 ,Ithaca and Henry. The Marlins are a very well made gun, but so is the Winchester.

Anyone who would claim to have owned and shot several samples of both rifles and then say that the Winchester m9422 in ANY WAY takes a back seat to the Marlin m39 is well and truly stupid.

I don't like straight grip stocks all that much.

Besides, the Marlin 39 has stood the test of time. It has been, in 1 form or another, in production for over 100 years, while the Winchester products have come and gone. Not saying that Winchester lever action rimfires are bad, just that if buying for myself, a friend, or recommending to a stranger, there isn't any reason not to go with the best and in this market niche, that is the Marlin 39. There is 1 Winchester lever action rimfire that I wouldn't mind owning, an 1873 with a good bore, but they seem to be few and far between.

Jeff

Wow, I didn't mean to start a pissing match. Thanks for all the replies so far. Lots of great suggestions for me to spend money on. Thanks.

Tyson,

Your question did not start anything .

Folks just have differing opinions about various guns. Some are more astute than others.

The truth be told, in terms of function and accuracy , the Henry .22s perform about as well as the Marlin, Winchester or Browning lever .22s do. The basic design of the Henry .22 lever gun is excellent. The only fly in the Henry is the build quality in terms of materials. Zinc alloy castings and plastic are not heirloom quality materials.

That said, for what a Henry .22 costs AND given their level of costomer service, they are worth what you pay for them and you will get a lot of service from one.

I find it hard to believe that Winchester, Browning, Henry and the rest could profitably market a .22 lever rifle when the Marlin 39 is out there. Best lever .22 by a long shot - yep, there is a pun there. Sorry.

I have owned Browning, Marlin and Henry lever 22's. My favorite was the Browning. Very light and handy, very accurate. The Henry was utilitarian, and the Marlin was good, heavy, American steel.

I find the 9422 is an excellent rifle and compares quite favourably with the older 39's...until trigger pull comes into the equation. Any decent smith can give you a crisp 3 pound or less trigger on the old Marlins. I haven't seen a 9422 yet with a trigger pull that could be called "crisp".

I have had early 9422's and had a Marlin 39A with the serial number 201. That's not a typo. Today the only 22 lever that remains is a 1960 39A Mountie.