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

bea175: I agree with your comments exactly.
EXCEPT for this - I own 4 (four) Marlin Model 39's and they are NEVER fired!
They are simply "to valuable" anymore to shoot!
This is the MIND SET that I am cursed with.
Over the last 50 years I have shot probably 2 dozen Marlin 39's (and a Marlin Model 1897 that later sold for $37,000 cash!!!) and they ALL impressed me with their accuracy and reliable feeding.
I say "bite the bullet" and INVEST in a "minty" older Model 39 and go have fun with it.
Care for it and "baby it" while afield and your investment should appreciate some.
Best of luck with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I'm going to speak up for the Ruger 96/22; I have one in 22wmr and love it! I like the way it caries through the woods, the detachable rotary magazine and the quick action that it offers.

I have shot a Kimber, Marlin 39A's and M's, 9422's LR and magnums, CZ's LR and 22 magnum, and a Remington 541S, 541T tapered, and a 541T bull bbl. The Cz is the most accurate with any ammo you want to put in it. The Kimber and 541T are second and a very close second. The 39A's are good but lousy triggers as are the 9422 triggers. The 9422 has the smoothest action I've ever seen and is the most beautiful to look at. I prefer the smooth wood 9422 vs the checkered. If you want a lever, find a clean 9422. You'll keep it forever. If you want accuracy for a reasonable price, get a CZ. They are incredibly accurate with the cheapest ammo you can find. The trigger is user adjustable as well.

CZ makes a Best (affordable) .22 lever action??

I wanted a Marlin 39A Mountie, and would up dealing with a member for his. I let him have my .35 Remington straight stock Marlin 336, and we traded straight up.
The scope is a Leupold Rimfire 2 x 7X, that I bought from Rick Bin. This is one sweet shooting squirrel killer.

She's purdy! But a set-up like that is probably out of the price range I want to spend. I like the strait stock look better than the "standard" style.

I'm still on the hunt for a good deal, but seriously still unsure on what I want, but leaning toward the standard Henry or Ruger 96/22 (if I could find one).

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

+1 on the Marlin

You got that right. Save up for a 39A. You will never be sorry. If you "settle" for a Henry, you probably will be sorry.

I've shot a Henry and it was surprisingly smooth, but lacked quality IMO. The Marlin 39A is just too big. I'd like to try a Mountie. I traded a Marlin 1894 CB in .45 for a minty 9422 and smile every time I shoot it. As mentioned, the action is smoooooth. To my thinking, it strikes the perfect balance between the nice but too-small BL-22 & the Marlin, and beats both in looks.

You will never go wrong saving for a better rifle, and will never regret the wait.

There can be only one......

The Mountie:

Lots of older model 39A's seen on the silhouette fields followed by the 9422 and then the henrys.

There is more than one....I have several of each.Out of the Marlins--- the 39D is sweeeeeet!And in my opinion, the best 39 configuration. My 9422s are way smoother than my 39s, but I like them both the same. My 9422 Mag is my favorite gun.