Which rimfire levergun?

Goat · Post by **Goat** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:04 pm

Having finally admited that I have lever-itus it became painfully clear that I no longer have a rimfire lever gun! I have owned a Marlin 39 and a Browning BL-22 in the past. I had thought about the Ruger 96/22 but waited until they were out of production before I took enough intrest to look for one. I know that some of you really like the Henry and some of you do not. I think that the Winchester 9422 now costs more than I am willing to pay for a rimfire. What is a man to do?
Goat

DavidS · Post by **DavidS** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:08 pm

Go with a 9422 if you can find one in your price range. The Marlin 39 is a good one and the Henry .22 levergun is a good shooter.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:21 pm

I picked up a '57 vintage model 39 about a month ago at a lcal shop for $280.00! Now i wonder why I waited so long. About the most fun I've had with a new gun in a very long time. Recently got ino cowboy silhouette shooting and noticed that most of the guys were shooting 39s.

Been having a blast w/ shooting shorts in the basement and backyard.

Bis · Post by **Bis** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:56 pm

Just bought my grand kids two Henry Golden Boys at Wal-Mart ($343 each). I have not shot them yet, but fit and finish is great along with a very smooth action.

nemhed · Post by **nemhed** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:06 pm

I've had my 39a for about 30 years. I've shoot a truck load of small game with it and a truck load of ammo through it. It's still just as good as the day I got it (my 12th birthday I think). It should last another 4 or 5 lifetimes.

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:22 pm

I have a Taurus 62LAR in stainless steel which I'm happy with though from what I hear production has stopped making these more difficult to find than a 39A or 9422.

I've also owned a Henry H0001 basic levergun as smooth as silk and reliable too, and I highly recommend them.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:30 pm

BL22 for me. I had a 39A and just didn't care for the way it felt compared to the BL22.

JB · Post by JB » Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:31 pm

I'm a BL22 fan as well. I own a 9422, 39, and a Henry, but the BL22 is my favorite.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:42 pm

It doesn't look 'traditional', but for handiness, reliability, and just plain fun shooting, don't forget Ruger's little 96/22 - one thing I like is that the lever throw is so short you barely flick you fingers between shots.

As far as looks go, it might be nice to re-work the forend by slimming it down a bunch.

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:30 pm

Did someone say a "Marlin"? Take your pick.....

I set up a display today at our collector show today. The theme was "Favorite Maker".

Dastook · Post by **Dastook** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:33 pm

Love my 39A.

It's the one at the bottom. To lazy to take separate pix.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:20 pm

I got my Winchester 9422 in 1977. I love it. As long as I own it, I have no compelling desire to purchase any other lever action .22.

Although an older Marlin 39 with the straight stock and 18.5" round barrel did tempt me once.

Joe

iceman · Post by **iceman** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:51 pm

I have a 9422 XTR classic I traded a 12 ga BPS for. I think I got the best of the trade. Shoots great handles all sizes of 22's and is a joy to carry. Keep looking and you may get lucky too.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:13 pm

AJMD429 wrote:It doesn't look 'traditional', but for handiness, reliability, and just plain fun shooting, don't forget Ruger's little 96/22 - one thing I like is that the lever throw is so short you barely flick you fingers between shots.

+1 (maybe it's an Indiana thing...)

To me, .22s mean LOTSA BOOLITS - and the 96/22 is the only one thatets me do this:

And still be able to shoot colibris.

mod71alaska · Post by **mod71alaska** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:20 pm

GANJIRO wrote:I have a Taurus 62LAR in stainless steel which I'm happy with though from what I hear production has stopped making these more difficult to find than a 39A or 9422.

Man, I'd like to have a stainless 62! That's a beautiful rifle, Ji.

Here's my Marlin 39A with a tapered octagon barrel and my favorite .22 lever...unless I'm shooting my 9422 and then that's my favorite!

salvo · Post by **salvo** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:25 pm

I bought my 9422Mag brand new in 1992

And found this 9422 last year to go with it.

I just love the way the Winchesters handle and shoot.

mod71alaska · Post by **mod71alaska** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:33 pm

jdad...

WOW...that's quite a collection! A guy could get really green with the "E" word if he weren't careful!!!

mod71alaska · Post by **mod71alaska** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:34 pm

salvo...

PM sent.

jsimmons · Post by **jsimmons** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:42 am

Henry H001T - just $350, the smoothest action you'll ever see, and they're easy to find NIB (unlike the Marlins). Here's mine...

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:42 am

Sorry - no picture to attach, but I would try to find the best deal you can on a Winchester 9422 and buy it as soon as you can. I own one and would not trade that rifle on anything.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:31 am

The 9422 does it for me. I now have two and intend to keep them, I never should have let my first one go!

OJ · Post by OJ » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:00 am

I'm sure they're all good - hard to find a 22 rimfire that isn't. I cast my vote for the Browning BL22 - not only does it have a very short throw but does something many others don't do or at least don't claim to do - shoot long rifles, longs, and shorts - all in the same magazine loading if you like.

YMMV