Best new lever action in .22lr?
- Thread starter moodorf
- Start date
Obambulate
New member
Not sure why some are suggesting 40-year-old Marlins when the OP wants to buy new. I get it that the 39a is a classic and had a steel receiver, etc.
When I was buying my first rifle I looked at the Marlin and thought it was heavy, had a clunky action, and was too long. I shouldered a Henry Octagon and it felt just right. It was nice looking, slick to operate, and very accurate. Reasonable price, too. No regrets.
I'm impressed with Henry, the top notch customer service and the amazing variety of different models they have. Youth models, carbines, .22 Magnum and .17 HMR rifles, Octagon, Golden Boy, Silver Boy, fancy engraving, Tribute models, Small Game rifles, a 24" option on the Frontier, etc. Pretty much something for everyone. And that's just their rimfire offerings.
I have no doubts that in 50 years lots of shooters will have that warm fuzzy feeling about their first Henry rifle, just as today's adults talk about their old Winchester or Marlin. Increasingly, the Winchesters and Marlins of this world will be family heirlooms rather than working rifles, and the Henrys will be the ones out there making memories. Dirt time, as some said earlier.
When I was buying my first rifle I looked at the Marlin and thought it was heavy, had a clunky action, and was too long. I shouldered a Henry Octagon and it felt just right. It was nice looking, slick to operate, and very accurate. Reasonable price, too. No regrets.
I'm impressed with Henry, the top notch customer service and the amazing variety of different models they have. Youth models, carbines, .22 Magnum and .17 HMR rifles, Octagon, Golden Boy, Silver Boy, fancy engraving, Tribute models, Small Game rifles, a 24" option on the Frontier, etc. Pretty much something for everyone. And that's just their rimfire offerings.
I have no doubts that in 50 years lots of shooters will have that warm fuzzy feeling about their first Henry rifle, just as today's adults talk about their old Winchester or Marlin. Increasingly, the Winchesters and Marlins of this world will be family heirlooms rather than working rifles, and the Henrys will be the ones out there making memories. Dirt time, as some said earlier.
Of the two that I own, a '70s model Browning and a 60s model Marlin the Browning is the better rifle. It has many, many bricks of WW Wildcats down the barrel. I think it would be safe to say 25,000+ rounds. It is still a 1" gun at 50 yards. I don't think the Marlin has seen much use. It was passed down to my son from my father in law. I'm not saying it's a bad rifle, it just hasn't earned it's place yet.
I have never fired a Henry but it sounds like a quality, made in USA rifle that I need to check into for the grandkids. It may be a better rifle but I just don't think it could ever replace the BL22 for me, we been through to much together and it has never let me down.
I know we are new rifles here, but I have no experience with any new 22's.
I have never fired a Henry but it sounds like a quality, made in USA rifle that I need to check into for the grandkids. It may be a better rifle but I just don't think it could ever replace the BL22 for me, we been through to much together and it has never let me down.
I know we are new rifles here, but I have no experience with any new 22's.
I've had a BL22 since the late 70's, along with a 9422 and a 39A. The BL22 was my preferred .22 to plink with and never any issues!
I've got several Henry lever .22's now (along with a Big Boy steel a .45 Colt w/brass receiver and a pump Henry .22). The Henrys are fun guns and I really like each, except for the pump! This issue with it, is one I can fix one of these days and that is the fore end stock being rough on the hand. A bit of sand paper and re-finish will make it A-OK!
I've got several Henry lever .22's now (along with a Big Boy steel a .45 Colt w/brass receiver and a pump Henry .22). The Henrys are fun guns and I really like each, except for the pump! This issue with it, is one I can fix one of these days and that is the fore end stock being rough on the hand. A bit of sand paper and re-finish will make it A-OK!
If I needed to go into town tomorrow and buy a NIB .22 lever-action rifle, it would be a Henry.
I have owned and used these (does anyone have an exhaustive list of .22 lever actions ever produced?). The ones you can buy new are marked with an asterisk*:
From best to not-best (I won’t use the word worst, none were really bad. Well, the Mossberg, maybe.):
Winchester 9422: Smoothest and most accurate lever-action .22 I have ever used. Beautiful and very well built. I own more than one. They do, however, stay in the safe. (no longer available new)
*Browning BL-22: smooth, not quite as accurate as the Winchesters but the short throw makes it very fast on follow-up; I can cycle it without losing my sight picture. As mentioned, “petite”, which is also an advantage in fast handling if dealing with chicken-stealing varmints, e.g. (you can buy one new for about the price of two Henrys and it might be worth the difference to you if you’re planning to pass it down to the grandkids; time will tell.)
*Henry H001Y (youth model): Smooth and equally as accurate as the Browning for approximately half the price. Can’t prove it, but it may not last as long. Arguably the best $ value out there. (You can buy a new one, made in USA.)
Winchester 250: smooth and as accurate as the 9422 after adding a cheap low-power scope: The factory open sights are among the worst I’ve seen on any rifle; the front sight is plastic, BTW, and I was unable to hit anything with its open sights. Not nearly as well made, was an economy model offered by Winchester but as functional with addition of any kind of decent sight/optic. (no longer available new).
*Marlin 39a: I owned an early model. Very accurate and well-fitted, well-made. I found it to be too heavy and somewhat unwieldy. The action made a “clank” noise which I found annoying (reminded me of another tack-driving target .22 I used to own, a Russian Baikal which sounded like a tank when cycled by hand). They’re both gone now, and, so far, I haven’t missed either of them. (You can buy a new one, but problems have been reported by some)
Mossberg Palomino: Frequent feed problems, accuracy was acceptable but nothing to brag about. Appears even more economically-made than the Winchester 250. I don’t own it any more. (I don’t believe you can buy a new one)
Of the additions you listed in other types of actions, I only have experience with the Remington Nylon 66 and the Browning SA22. Both good guns, you can’t buy a new 66 and the used ones have very inflated prices these days. My 66 broke (split nylon stock/action) and I couldn’t get it repaired.
I traded the SA22 but it was another good “petite” .22 rifle which is offered new by Miroku in several grades, all pricey.
Good luck. You’ve opened yourself up to a lot of choices and, likely, a lot more research before you decide.
I have owned and used these (does anyone have an exhaustive list of .22 lever actions ever produced?). The ones you can buy new are marked with an asterisk*:
From best to not-best (I won’t use the word worst, none were really bad. Well, the Mossberg, maybe.):
Winchester 9422: Smoothest and most accurate lever-action .22 I have ever used. Beautiful and very well built. I own more than one. They do, however, stay in the safe. (no longer available new)
*Browning BL-22: smooth, not quite as accurate as the Winchesters but the short throw makes it very fast on follow-up; I can cycle it without losing my sight picture. As mentioned, “petite”, which is also an advantage in fast handling if dealing with chicken-stealing varmints, e.g. (you can buy one new for about the price of two Henrys and it might be worth the difference to you if you’re planning to pass it down to the grandkids; time will tell.)
*Henry H001Y (youth model): Smooth and equally as accurate as the Browning for approximately half the price. Can’t prove it, but it may not last as long. Arguably the best $ value out there. (You can buy a new one, made in USA.)
Winchester 250: smooth and as accurate as the 9422 after adding a cheap low-power scope: The factory open sights are among the worst I’ve seen on any rifle; the front sight is plastic, BTW, and I was unable to hit anything with its open sights. Not nearly as well made, was an economy model offered by Winchester but as functional with addition of any kind of decent sight/optic. (no longer available new).
*Marlin 39a: I owned an early model. Very accurate and well-fitted, well-made. I found it to be too heavy and somewhat unwieldy. The action made a “clank” noise which I found annoying (reminded me of another tack-driving target .22 I used to own, a Russian Baikal which sounded like a tank when cycled by hand). They’re both gone now, and, so far, I haven’t missed either of them. (You can buy a new one, but problems have been reported by some)
Mossberg Palomino: Frequent feed problems, accuracy was acceptable but nothing to brag about. Appears even more economically-made than the Winchester 250. I don’t own it any more. (I don’t believe you can buy a new one)
Of the additions you listed in other types of actions, I only have experience with the Remington Nylon 66 and the Browning SA22. Both good guns, you can’t buy a new 66 and the used ones have very inflated prices these days. My 66 broke (split nylon stock/action) and I couldn’t get it repaired.
I traded the SA22 but it was another good “petite” .22 rifle which is offered new by Miroku in several grades, all pricey.
Good luck. You’ve opened yourself up to a lot of choices and, likely, a lot more research before you decide.
Model12Win
Moderator
I want a Henry Big Boy in .357 Magnum.
Should be slightly more effective than even .22 magnum.
Should be slightly more effective than even .22 magnum.
2ndsojourn
New member
I used to have a 1958 Marlin 39 Mountie that got stolen when I was away in the Navy. That rifle was dead accurate. In my search to replace it I found a 1970's 39 Mountie at a reasonable price. Then I shot my son in-law's Henry Golden Boy and man, what a smooth action. So I got one of those. Then I saw a nice Winchester 9422 at a gun show so I grabbed that. Almost as smooth as the Henry, not as accurate as the Marlin, but I still like it. To round out my 22 levers I looked at the Browning BL-22 but didn't like the cheap embossed "engraving", so I passed for the time being.
So, after all that, I'd recommend getting the Henry and used to the 'used' Marlin 39. Get both, for when you take someone else shooting.
So, after all that, I'd recommend getting the Henry and used to the 'used' Marlin 39. Get both, for when you take someone else shooting.
Model12Win
Moderator
Annie Oakley is a fictional character. She doesn't count.
I posted above that I had no dealings with a Henry, but I had forgotten the two Henry 22s in the safe. Both are Eagle Scout Commemorative rifles that I gave to my sons when they earned their Eagle rank in Scouts. Both are unfired, never cycled the lever. Does a feller have too many guns when he forgets about two 
Born in 1939, I've seen more than my share of western movies that featured a Winchester lever action.
I have also come around to appreciate the .22 LR cartridge.
So far I have only three lever 22's but there will be more.
Winchester 9422
UBerti Silverboy
Henry Goldenboy
The Marlin Mountie and Browning BL-22 are high on my list of "Wanted" levers.
I also have a Rossi reproduction of the famous Winchester model-62 pump action that is a fun gun to carry or shoot. Taurus took over the Rossi 62 and made a Lever Action variant called the 62LA. Winchester actually made a similar prototype which is in the Cody, Wyoming collection. If I ever find one at a decent price it will join my modest collection.
For a new guy to lever .22 rifles I would highly recommend the smooth operating and reliable Henry H001 as an inexpensive entrance level or ultimate "Knock-Around" plinker or small game getter. If you like the more expensive octagon barrel you can buy a H001-T.
I have also come around to appreciate the .22 LR cartridge.
So far I have only three lever 22's but there will be more.
Winchester 9422
UBerti Silverboy
Henry Goldenboy
The Marlin Mountie and Browning BL-22 are high on my list of "Wanted" levers.
I also have a Rossi reproduction of the famous Winchester model-62 pump action that is a fun gun to carry or shoot. Taurus took over the Rossi 62 and made a Lever Action variant called the 62LA. Winchester actually made a similar prototype which is in the Cody, Wyoming collection. If I ever find one at a decent price it will join my modest collection.
For a new guy to lever .22 rifles I would highly recommend the smooth operating and reliable Henry H001 as an inexpensive entrance level or ultimate "Knock-Around" plinker or small game getter. If you like the more expensive octagon barrel you can buy a H001-T.
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22-rimfire
New member
I have a 39A with the cross bolt safety. My suggestion is that you find an older 39A in good condition without the cross bolt safety. They really aren't as smooth functioning as the Henry or Browning lever actions.