planning on buying a lever action 22 rifle and need some wisdom and knowledge from you all.

I've owned a Ithaca m72 in 22 mag and a Browning bl-22 in the passed. Both were great guns accurate and reliable.

I'm on the hunt for a shooter/hunting rifle can you give me the pros and cons and reviews of the following rifles:

Marlin 39 (prefer the lighter and trimmer models)
Browning BL-22
Winchester 9422

whichever I pick will be scoped

I know all are quality rifles which is why im considering these 3 models

Also could someone tell me which marlin 39 models are the lighter and trimmer models

Thanks in advance.

Get a Marlin Golden 39a and you will be happy with one of the finest 22 rifles ever made.I bought mine new in 1975.It cost me $125.Look at what they run today.It is a great rifle as well as a great investment.They are very accurate too.When I put a scope on mine,I really found out just how accurate it really was.

Marlin 39 is a great choice......watch Gun Broker....or maybe you can luck into

a local pawnshop deal...one of mine here...39A from 1954..20"

Great shooter....also have 39M's...Mounties are 20" also

I have a 39A, bought about 1980, and a 9422 (bought used). I couldn’t sell either. Accuracy seems about the same, with the Marlin maybe a touch better. The 9422 is much lighter, which is the biggest advantage to it. If you want light, go with the 9422. It’s the one the grandkids grab when they are here. Both have smooth actions and good triggers.

I also have a Browning BL-22 Micro Midas. Neither the trigger nor the action match up to the 39A and 9422.

Rockchucker: I would go shopping for a Marlin Model 39.
In case you have not been shopping for one of these they are hard to find on the used market.
I wish "I" could be picky when 39 shopping - I just can't be, because they are so few and far in between (in excellent condition)!
I have found the "heavier" (longer) offerings in the Marlin 39 line fit me, balance with me and shoot better for me.
They are all fun to shoot and again I am always on the look-out for more 39's.
I have just 5 Marlin 39's now they all shoot very well for me (no scoped versions) - my Marlin 39 TDS (with 16 1/2" barrel) is new unfired in the "pouch" and will remain so.
Again, I wish it were not so, but Marlin 39's in good condition do not often come up for sale.
Best of luck to you in your decision and search.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

The 39's are awesome but don't discount the new Henry's! I like both.

The Henry's are already 'discounted'......

i own Henrys,Winchesters,Brownings, Marlins all 22 LR lever rifles > The Marlin 39A is the finest lever 22 ever made

Winchester 9422.

I have shot my Marlins in 39a s since about 1969, maybe a bit earlier... I love those rifles, but a few years ago I picked up a 9422mag.. I liked it so much I got a LR to match.. I find the action smoother and less complicated than the 39.. Either will do fine, but I would prefer the WW... About 20 years ago, I passed on a 9422 with maybe a 24 inch barrel... I have been kicking my self ever since...

I bought a Henry H001 a few years ago. I'm quite pleased with it. Like anything mass produced you going to get good and bad ones.

My choice is a Marlin 56

I faced the same choice not very long ago. I actually bought a Henry Golden Boy initially but this was before I really knew what all was possible but they do currently make and sell Henry's which is something they don't do with any of the other choices. You really can't count the custom order Marlin 39.


Anyway the thing that really got me going was a NutNFancy YouTube Video and why he choose the Winchester 9422 as his favorite. After viewing this video I spent hours researching and comparing the Marlin 39 VS the Winchester 9422. Frankly I couldn't wait to replace the Henry Golden Boy with it's Brasslite cover. Anyway the conclusion after spending hours doing my research was no different than what and why he came to his conclusion on the Winchester 9422. Frankly I recommend you do the same and do your research and determine for yourself which one works best for you.


Me, I'm as happy as punch with my Winchester 9422.





Oh, and by the way. Not that I recommend the Single Shot Lever as your first and only but these are also a great 22 Lever Guns as well. Winchester 1885 Low Wall.

Bought my BL-22 in 1975. It has 1000's of rounds through. Every one that has shot it, loves it.

My '94 Marlin is heavier. Wood is not as nice as the Browning. It is accurate and reliable.

I will never sell either.

Ordered a BL-22 Micro Midas last week.
I shoot AR 15 pistols a lot, so I didn't think the short stock would bother me, and it didn't.

I ran a cleaning rod through it and wiped it down, then proceeded to load and empty it 9 times before I ran out of time.
The sights took a little getting used to but once I did, the water bottles at 25 yards didn't have a chance.

I ran 5 or 6 different types of ammo through it, mostly bulk pack stuff, cycling the lever as fast as I could.
It didn't miss a beat.

I mean, it purred like a kitten. Could not have asked for a better first time out.

If you are looking for value, the Henry H001 is tops. Not built like the old Marlins or Browning, but half the price and they are good guns.

As a young boy, I was gifted a new BL22 for my B day back in the early 1980’s. I still have that gun today and my young son is now shooting it. I can’t imagine how many rounds have been shot from it but being almost 40 years old now, it’s been a lot. It still shoots great and is an absolute blast to use. I love this little rifle.
The only negative I can find with the BL22 is the purchase price.

Any of the ones you mentioned would be first rate choices . My first choice would be the Browning with the Marlin being second and the Winchester last .

I love 9422s and M39s. That said, I bought a BL-22 a couple years ago. Relaced the sights with Skinner aperture rear and post front. It shoots like a champ. Though not traditional, it's a very nice .22 indeed.

If I wanted a carbine model that was also a good shooter, I’d probably look for a 9422, but oh, the price these days! My late 70s 39M was a good rifle, but the workmanship wasn’t the best, notably a crooked front sight dovetail. I never scoped it, so accuracy was limited to what I could produce with a receiver sight and the factory bead.

For something nice, it’s hard to beat the Brownings, especially the Grade IIs. You get a lot of nice for another $120.

Agreed, if he doesn't mind the size. They are definitely full size rifles. Having owned a model 39, a BL22, a ruger 96/22mag, and a winchester 150, the Marlin 56 and the 57 I have, shoot a good bit better.

The 39A I inherited was slightly more accurate than my 9422, but he 9422 beat it in weight and handling

I have several 39's and a 9422.. I wish the 94 was a rifle not a carbine, but I will still choose it over the 39's. But they are excellent also. What ever turns your crank.

I have a Marlin 39A Golden made in 1966 and recently bought a Browning BL22 new.
They are both nice in they own way.

The Marlin trigger is lighter than the Browning ,but its still manageable

WELL ? did you find a lever 22 rifle ? and what kind / brand was the lever ?