M39A v BL-22...

M

mach1.3

New member
Am thinking about buying a .22 levergun. Maybe a Marlin 39A or Browning BL-22. Anybody have experience with either gun?
 
JMHO as I prefer the 39's

Anybody have experience with either gun?
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Yes, both and then some. Now, staying on point, I prefer the Pre-Lock 39's. The last BL-22 that I owned, bit my hand every time I shot it. Did not care for the sights and the 39, out-shot it by a country mile. The Brownings are real beauties but in my opinion, the 39's are better performers. .... :)

Be Safe !!!
 
I have both as well. Actually my best lever 22 shooter is a 9422, but like any other rifles accuracy will vary. I agree with Pahoo about the Browning being the best looking. I'm also a fan of that short lever throw on the Browning. Of the two I'd probably vote Browning.
 
I own the 39-A. We also owned a BL-22 in the past.

I agree with Pahoo and prefer the 39-A. Mine is an older model with the walnut stock and foreend. The only safety is 1/2 cock of the hammer. It is a real tack driver.

The Brownings are really pretty but the one we had wouldn't hold a candle to the shooting of the 39-A
 
Another shooter with experience with both says you'll be happier in the end with the Marlin. Goes to that thing about only accurate rifles are interesting.
 
Nothing wrong with the pretty Browning but in my less than objective opinion, every serious rifle aficionado should own at least one Marlin Model 39. After all, who can argue with Annie Oakley's choice of .22 rifles? Though, I guess one could argue that she didn't have the dilemma of choosing between the two rifles back then...;)
 
I've got a big pile of lever actions and I can say with confidence that the general rule of leverguns is that you buy a Marlin to shoot and buy the others to look at.

The exception to that rule is that there's a difference between a Marlin and a Marlington. Buy a used one, the older the better.
 
Never owned a Marlin, and having read the previous posts I think I have missed something very good. However, I have owned a BL-22, and it was a great little rifle, very useful for urban pest control with CB caps. Mine wore an old 3x Weaver scope and was very accurate. I miss that old rifle. Traded it off for a Browning Buckmark with 10" barrel.
 
I owned a 39M which is the strait grip version, and I believe it had a 22" barrel. I wish I would have held on to it, but... I thought it was a very well built polished action with the half cock. Walnut stock. A very well built rifle.
 
I've owned both (I actually own several 39s) and I don't think you can go wrong with either.

The Browning is a more dainty gun, while the Marlin feels more like it's bigger bore cousins.
 
Here's a thought, the Marlin breaks down easily for cleaning from the breach and action parts. Check out how easy it is to break down the Browning for anything.
 
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