Looking for a lever in .22

What is out there and what would you recommend?
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Current production rimfire leverguns out there are the Henry, Marlin, Browning, Mossberg and Uberti. The Henry outsells the others by leaps and bounds. This is due to relatively low cost, outstanding customer service, made in America, and the fact that their guns are the smoothest shooting rifles of the bunch, past or present. The most popular rifles are the Henry, Marlin 39 and the Winchester 9422, with the Browning BL-22 well behind the others. The Winchester (discontinued) and Marlin are very fine rifles made from forged steel and walnut, and both are collectible. They are also the only two takedown rifles of the bunch. The Browning is a beautiful little Japanese made rifle that uses a combination of steel and alloy, along with some very nice walnut on many examples. The Browning uses a unique, non-traditional lever/trigger assembly that moves together and results in a very short, quick lever stroke. I've only handled the Mossberg and wasn't impressed, due mainly to the two external safeties, the rebounding hammer, the so-called hardwood, and the price.

My recommendation? Henry if you want a smooth, easy shooter and are are on a budget. Winchester or Marlin if you want an exceptional rifle that would make a great heirloom. The browning if you want excellent fit/finish with heirloom quality and won't be bothered by the non-traditional lever design.

One more thing...if you go for the Marlin then do yourself a favor and look for an older one (pre-Remington) in nice condition because the new ones seem to be plagued with problems.

Best of luck in your search!
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Really appreciate all the replies. Thank you!

Had not known of all the models out there. Would love to find a Nylon, beings a 12 and 66 are here, but can't say I've ever seen one in person.

Had a BL for 20 years or so, bought used for $150, almost like new, no box.

Searched for a 39A at a decent price for a couple of years and had no luck. Finally found a 1965 for 5 bills, fair but no steal. And this is where my problem started.
Then the Henry Golden Boy on sale at the tractor store for $349.

Local gun show had a LNIB 9422. Thought it was high at $800, but after some research, think that was a decent deal.

Just one more, which led to this post.
Was considering the Mossberg, but as PetahW said, it is a clone of the Henry, and AZ_imuth, your opinion is valued. Will have to look at the Ruger and research the other out of production offerings.
Thanks again to all who responded. This is a great forum with exceptional people!
 
The older Marlins

Just my preference and certainly not trying to take anything away from other's choices but of all the lever action .22's the Marlin Mounty series are my favorite. Likewise, the TDS and Century Limited. At one time I even had a LeverMatic. .... :)

Be Safe !!!
 
I personally don't like the short throw on the Browning and the way the trigger comes down with the lever. The Marlin is a good gun but ugly IMO. I prefer the Winchester or the Henry Golden Boy.
 
I also have the Marlin on the far left. Don't see them much.
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You're right about that...those 39D's aren't real common. Even though I like the looks of the 39M quite a bit better, the "D" is the most accurate of the bunch and it balances beautifully. A real pleasure to shoot.
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The straight stocked one is by far my favorite. Classicly beautiful rifle. Leverguns were meant to be straight stocked and without a scope IMO
 
Another vote for a henry. I really like mine. IMO you can't beat them for the price. If you were looking for something more expensive and nicer, the marlin is a good choice.
 
I've had 3 lever action .22's in my life. An Ithaca M49 single shot lever action which was my first real firearm and will pass on to kids/grandkids. A Marlin Golden 39A loved it, very very accurate, but heavy (wish I still had it). and last a Henry, it was slick, and accurate but it had problems extracting some LR ammo, rim was too rounded or something, anyway it just didn't "speak" to me so it got traded in on who knows what.

I have always had a hankering for a Win 9422 Trapper but the price is not worth it, or a Marlin 39 TDS would be OK too. Don't see many of either around.
 
Thanks again for all the info. Still on the fence. Definitely interested in the Ruger and did like the looks of the Silver Boy. Certainly don't mind old or used. Think I'll just wait and see what fate decides. Some of the best deals come when you're least expecting them. cec
 
While I suspect that, in my present oulde phartage, I would find fault with the trigger, I remember the Winchester Model 250 I had in my teens with fondness. If you include used rifles in your shopping, check it out.
 
I have a Henry. Shot 1000s of rounds of all types of LR and some CCI and Remington shorts. Never had any problems and its quite accurate. I believe it cost about $270. This was three or four years ago.
 
Winchester 250 on the check out list. Thanks.
The Ruger seems to be kinda scarce. Just not a whole lot of lever .22s out there.
 
Winchester 250 on the check out list. Thanks.
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Winchester 250 was my first rifle. It's the one on the far left in the first picture I posted to this thread. Economy model Winchester with an aluminum receiver and pressed checkering, but a fine shooting rifle that's had thousands and thousands of rounds through it over the years.
 
Ruger /Win

I've been half in the market for a .22 lever myself, actually .22mag, but have not committed.

The Win9422M has my attention due to the overall positive comments on its quality and manufacturing. Now discontinued, prices are soaring.

The Ruger never really took, but I'm looking at them as well. Actually have held one in .22M but got cold feet, prices for them do not seem as high as the Win's. I never have really cared for a tube rimfire mag.........hmmmm?.....I wonder if one of the hi-cap 10/22 mags would work in a M96...egads, a tactical lever rimfire!!!!!!!!

The Henry is out there, and if you believe the advertising, the company has the right stance. Common enough, and priced about right, available.
 
Picking up the Winchester this coming weekend at the gun show in Belleville. Serial shows manufacturing date as 1993, close to the last produced. Probably too late for this question, but any issues with these later rifles?
 
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