bolt pump lever in 22?

What would you go for?

  • Henry Pump Action Octagon Rifle H003T 20”

    Votes: 12 41.4%

  • Marlin Model XT-22TSR

    Votes: 6 20.7%

  • Henry Frontier Model Long Barrel 24″ H001TLB

    Votes: 11 37.9%
  • Total voters
    29
  • Poll closed .
U

usr1987

New member
I am looking for a new .22. I had a Classic 22 from Herny and sold it for being a tad short. I was wondering if the Henry Frontier 24 inch, Henry Pump 22 or Marlin XT-22TSR all tube fed have an advantage over the other.

I want simple, functional and reliable. I am leaning towards the pump or bolt!
 
I have the XT-22 with the detachable mags, and would really prefer the tube mag. But I have extraction issues after around 75 rounds, so that's why I'll pick the Henry. The pump has the advantage of keeping both hands on the rifle at all times. Plus it is so cool!
 
If you want simple (and cheap), get the Marlin.
If you want reliable, get the Marlin or the Henry H001.

Henry makes reasonably decent stuff, but their pump actions haven't been available long enough for me to trust them yet.

If you really want a pump action, just find yourself a Winchester 62 (or 62A). Or, an old - late '80s or older - Rossi 62A. The Rossi 62As were quite decent until the early '90s, ... but took a turn for the worse and quality continued to get worse from there.
 
I had the H001 and did not like it being short, and I am not quite into the Henry stock being so straight. When I had the Marlin Model 60 that fitted me perfectly, but did not want semi-auto, after all they will get banned soon in CA.
 
I go with the Winchester 62A. My mom had one, tack driver (and split a card with it once)

I had a Rossi in the 80s, it functions fine but it was no where near the 62A accuracy wise (and agree that it can vary)

Any pump that is accurate would be great, I have a CZ 452 bolt and I like it, but the pump was just too cool (and accurate as the CZ is now)

They make a side scope mount for the 62A and many have the holes drilled for it.
 
The Winchester 62A although being awesome, is way overpriced. I can't seem to find one under 500 and in good condition.
 
I have a Henry 22 lever action. It's action is very smooth. Shoots good enough to keep soup cans dancing across the desert (I pick up my trash when done). I like it a lot. I might give their pump action a try someday. I have a Remington 22 Special pump action. It was sold in 1926. The ammo it takes is 22WRF. It is fun to shoot.
 
The Winchester 62A although being awesome, is way overpriced. I can't seem to find one under 500 and in good condition.
Click to expand...

Overpriced?

No, original Winchester 22 pump rifles hold their value because they were better made than any of the c**p being made today.

At the top of this photo is a Model 1890, made in 1928. Although there is no blue left on it anywhere, and it has plenty of dings and bumps, the bore is as shiny as when it left the factory in 1928. I was happy to pay $650 for it. At the bottom of the photo is my Dad's old Model 1906 Winchester, which his dad bought for him back in the 1930s. Classic gallery rifle, notice how short the stock is. I have no idea what Pop paid for it in the 1930s, but it is still a tack driver.

model%201890%20and%20model%2006%2002_zpssms3uo2x.jpg





Or, there is always the Winchester Model 61. An updated model without the exposed hammer. This one left the factory in 1946, and it too is a tack driver. I was happy to pay $425 for it a bunch of years ago.

Model61.jpg




The Model 62A was a continuation of the 1890, 1906 Models. The 1890 was specific to 22 Short, 22 Long, or 22 Long Rifle. The one pictured above is chambered for 22 Long Rifle. When the Model 1906 came along, it was able to feed all three, 22 Short, Long, and Long Rifle.

I think if I found a Model 62A with a good bore for $500, I would run to the check out counter as fast as I could.
 
To me, being old and set in my ways, a pump is a shotgun and a lever is a rifle. I like my Henry H001 very much but if it short for me, I would get he long barreled one.
 
I have a lever (Henry), bolt (Marlin), and pump (Rossi 62), as well as 2 semi auto .22 rifles. All work well and are fun to shoot. Out of the 5, the pump and lever get the most use.

If it were me, I’d try for a older Rossi, or the Winchester first. If prices, or availability don’t work out, I’d pick up a Henry.

Also have a Browing BL-22, and a Marlin 39 in the family, and while they are excellent guns, and fun to shoot, I don’t think I could bring myself to pay current prices for one.
 
The main advantage of the 24" barrel is the longer sight radius. I doubt that it is any more accurate than the 18" or 20" barreled rifles but the longer sight radius aids in more accurate shooting. I shoot small bore metallic silhouette and the Henry Frontier is becoming more popular because in the Marlin 39A has gotten so expensive and they are very accurate. In the lever gun class you are restricted to iron sights and that is where the longer sight radius shows it's worth.
 
I was going to suggest a Marlin 39A... but if you are balking at $500, you probably won't want to go 39A shopping.

I did have a Remington 572... pump .22... it was a fun rifle, and fairly accurate. I gave it to my nephew when he turned 12.
 
All of those would be far down my list. But if forced pick one It'd be the Marlin. I don't like tube fed 22's. The magazine on any of them is the weak link and when the tube magazine wears out it usually isn't worth the effort or expense to repair it. With a detachable magazine you can have spares and just toss them in the trash when they wear out and easily buy another.

I just don't care for having to place my hands that near the muzzle to load/unload them either.
 
I have the older version of this rifle. I have the 981T and its a shooter with a full size stock and tube feed. I have been shooting tube fed rifles for decades and several were decades old when I got them and have never seen one worn out.

https://www.marlinfirearms.com/rimfire/xt-series/model-xt-22tsr

They offer this rifle in blued steel but the sights aren't as nice as on the SS guns.

And there is always the older Remington 572 pump rifles. I had one and wish I still had it.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/797029869

I have a Marlin 39A made back in the 1980s that has the cross bolt safety. Man that gun will shoot. Mine wears a scope because it is so accurate to not scope it is almost criminal. I don't know what they are going for these days but mine is not for sale.

And every rifle I listed will shoot shorts, longs and long rifle rounds. Just don't shoot the Colibri ammo. You stand a real good chance of sticking one in the barrel. I know because I have done it.
 
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