.22 lever action carbine

B

Brian Newbill

New member
Does anyone still make a decent .22 LR lever action carbine? I really wanted to get a 9422 Trapper with the 16" bbl but I heard that Winchester discontinued that model. Same with Marlin, they haven't made a carbine .22 in years. Who else is there?

I really don't like the Henry's. They seem a little on the flimsy side and of the 3 that I have looked at they all had a crooked front sight. If the front sight is leaning that bad, I don't want to know what else is probably wrong.

Any ideas?
 
Good Question

I've got the '94-22 in .22 LR-S-L, and I've been happy with it. Very reliable and compact. It works well for small game up here in South-Central AK, where the undergrowth becomes a dense jungle by this time of year. The only problem is the little riser gets pulled out from time to time. I'm thinking of switching to a different kind of rear sight. It's also a lot of fun for target practice. I've gotten an amazingly high rate of fire out of that thing. I hadn't heard anything about Winchester dropping the model, but sure enough I can't find it on their website :-( They've been in production until recently, though, so I expect many stores still have them in stock, maybe used. Grab one if you see it.

The Marlin 39A is a little heavier than the Winchesters, but I've never seen a Marlin short model. I'd love to see that AND a M1894S in .45 Colt. I'm not sure why they would be shying away from carbines. I would think more people would want the carbine than the long version. After all, it's not like anyone is worried about over 100-yard shots with a lever action .22!
 
I checked their website and they don't list the 16" bbl model as an option. Only the 20.5 in bbl. I hunt in west TN and north east MS, it is always a like a jungle there.

Marlin used to make them years ago(I think in the early '70s. My father used to have one and I loved using it when I was little, but they haven't made any in a long time and unfortunately that rifle was stolen years ago.

I guess I am going to have to hunt for one. :)
 
Check with your local dealer to see if they can order you a Winchester 9422 Trapper. I don't think they are a catalog item. My dealer ordered one for stock and my wife and I just happened to be at the right place at the right time when it came in 18 months ago. Even the dealer admitted the Trapper versions of the 9422 are very scarce. "Grandma Winchester" really loves it, and I have to admit it's a blast to shoot.
 
New or used?

Marlin made the 39A in 24", the 39M in 20", and a 39TDS in 16" (take down system). The M or Mountie version is older and has a straight stock. The TDS was up until a few years ago. All Marlins take down. I loved my 39A because it was a rifle with a 24" barrel and I find them steadier to shoot offhand.

The M will go $300-350 for a minty used version, but it is a very attractive classic looking short rifle. I have not seen any used TDS.

There is also the 1897 Cowboy with 24" barrel and straight stock, but they are more expensive.

Winchester has the 9422 straight stocked carbine in 20" and the 9422 Legacy rifle (22.5" w/pistol grip) in .22RF and .22WMR. I have the 9422 XTR Classic (the original, the Legacy is a re-issue) in .22WMR and it is very, very accurate.

Browning has a nice lever carbine, but they are more expensive and not everyone likes the shiny stock.

I would not consider the Ruger or Henry due to their use of aluminum and plastic, although the Henry Yellowboy is nice looking. The "brass" receiver is not real brass however.
 
That is really a shame if Winchester quit making the 9422 Trapper. I love short lever actions. I decided to get one a couple years ago. I knew that Marlin once made a short one, but of course I was unable to find one. I really wanted a Marlin 39. But, I easily found a 9422 Trapper and bought it instead. Of course soon after that, my local dealer got a Marlin 39 take down that was gorgeous. I was very tempted to buy it also, but backed out. I shoot my Winchester a lot. I take it out most of the time I shoot (a couple times a week). Great gun. What I like about the short lever actions is that I carry one when walking through the desert. I like to be able to have the rifle in my right hand and let my arm hand straight down with the muzzle no where near the ground. That may not be the safest thing to do, but........
 
One bit of advice on a .22 lever carbine. Although most do anyway, be sure that it will feed 22 Short, 22 Long, and 22LR. Although 22LR is the least expensive and most effective in most cases, it's nice to know that you can pick up a box of shorts and load up 27 or so rounds at a time. ;)
 
If you really want one I would probably jump on it. There aren't any other companies who make any like it.

Henry makes one with a 18" bbl but I didn't like them. They are so light the feel flimsy.

All the other rifles are at least 20" long.

I got mine in Kentuky at Whittaker's Guns.

I got the last one he had. He was asking $307 for it.

I had to drive for 2 hours to get it but it was worth it.

You might want to verify with Winchester that they will never make any again. They might be like Ruger and just make a run every so many years.

ps. They will only feed .22 Longs or LR. No shorts.
 
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