Looking for a lever-action 22

T

The Great Mahoo

New member
Well, its that time again... Time to start looking for a new rifle to add to the collection. I've decided that as much as I love shooting lever-guns, I need to add a .22 to the pile so I can afford to shoot them as often I want.

Any suggestions on the make/model I should be after?

I was considering a Henry Golden Boy, but I'm not sure its worth the heavy price tag, especially when Henry makes a lever-gun for less money. Not that it even has to be a Henry, mind you... I would like to go as cheap as possible for a decent rifle that will hold up to countless rounds, though.


Thoughts? Recommendations for your favorite one?
 
I'd recommend a Henry H001T Frontier or H001 Standard. If you're small in stature an H001Y Youth Carbine. I have one each of the last two and love them both. I shoot anything from CB Shorts and Aguila Super Colibri to CCI Velocitors through them. And Henry Repeating Arms has a lifetime warranty on their rifles and the best customer service in the industry.
 
A Henry .22 lever-action was my first firearm.

Never fails, its a good solid design that is massively popular and I am sure one can be found at prices that won't hurt the wallet. Not the easiest gun in the world to take apart, but I have never had to take it apart for any reason other than periodic thorough cleaning after putting hundreds upon hundreds of rounds through it.

I don't know about the golden boy, this is the sort of gun you take out with you over the river and through the woods. I will take function over cosmetic appearance any day. Its pretty, and probably works just as well as any other Henry rifle.
 
If you want cheap as possible...with ability for high round counts...
hit the pawn shops & yard sales for an old Marlin 39-series
the older, the better ;) But anything pre-2005 will do!
 
I have an older Marlin 39A. Great rifle.

I know many do not like scopes on lever actions, but I put a Weaver K6 on mine and it is a perfect set up for me.

Have not had a bit of trouble with mine and it gets shot a lot.
 
The Henry's are good shooting rifles and the least expensive of the bunch. Be sure and check out the sights on the standard rifle and one of the octagon models(Golden Boy or Frontier) because they are quite different. The octagons have much finer front sights along with a buckhorn rear sight.

My son and I were out shooting some lever .22's earlier this week. I was shooting a GB, and a Marlin 39A that was made in 1954. Accuracy-wise, there wasn't a bit of difference between the two. The sights were very similar and they were both hitting their mark anywhere between 25-60 yards. The only real difference is that the GB has a much smoother action which allowed me to stay on target easier between shots and to get quicker follow-up shots onto the target.

Personally, I've always been partial to the Winchester 9422. Construction-wise, the 9422 and 39A are king, but I don't think either one has an advantage over the Henry when based soley on performance.
 
I've got a henry .22 lever action carbine. It is very accurate and useful for pest control around the yard. IIRC I paid a little over $200.00 for mine brand new and it was worth every penny.
 
I have a Browning BL-22 and wont give it up for anything.
The henry's are nice, but for the money I'd rather spend it on the browning.
 
Today 07:42 AM
cornbush I have a Browning BL-22 and wont give it up for anything.
The henry's are nice, but for the money I'd rather spend it on the browning.
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+1 in spades !!!


ABL222.jpg
 
I have a vintage 1970's Marlin 39A that is a tack driver.

I absolutely hate the looks of the post 2005 39a's and could never recommend them.

The only 'downside' to the older 39a's is their weight as those beautiful walnut forearms & stocks are really heavy. :D
 
Only wimps complain about sub-15 pound rifles... ;)

I can also suggest the Winchester 150/250...but not to a novice, they're a PITA to work on...
Find 'em used for around $100-$200
Look good with a scope, tho!
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The Marlin Levermatics are the fastest lever-actions due to the shortest lever movement ever made...
so if you find a 56, 57, or 57M, or any of the House-Brand variations...well worth getting!!
Also fairly inexpensive...in the $100-300 range depending on condition and knowledge of the person owning it...lol
Also look good with a scope!!
fullsize
 
The Marlin Levermatics are the fastest lever-actions due to the shortest lever movement ever made...
Click to expand...

I have to question that - the Browning BL22 is known for its short throw - keeping in mind this is about 22 caliber rifles?
 
Henry makes about the smoothest action there is in a lever gun. Plus they're made in the USA. Love the .17 HMR I have.
 
Have to look for a used one of these but my favorite .22 long rifle lever gun is the Winchester 94-22.
 

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