Suggestions for a quality lever action .22LR

[doctrpt]

Looking for suggestions for a good, quality made lever action .22LR. I've got an old bolt action that I love, and that has sentimental value to me, but have not been impressed with the newer guns on the market. I looked at a 10/22 last week, and was suitably unimpressed. I guess I expect a few more things on a rifle that costs $300 than what I saw on any of them (you know, even a fixed sight might be a good add for some of them), and while I did like the idea of the Take-down model, try finding one right now.

So, I thought back to my youth, and how much I loved watching John Wayne with his lever action rifle. I don't have a need for a high caliber gun, but a nice, fun lever action .22LR could be just the ticket.

Suggestions most welcome, and if you know where I might find them, please add that too.....thanks to the incredible knowledge of the INGO members for helping me out!

 

[OneBadV8]

Winchester 94 if you can find one. Otherwise, a Marlin 39A would be hard to beat.

 

[andrew]

Are you looking to buy a new rifle or a used one? If you're looking for a new rifle I would go with a Henry .22 lever repeater. They're light-weight, inexpensive, and fun to plink with.

Personally I would buy a used Marlin 39a. They'll set you back a little more than a new Henry, depending on condition. I've owned two Marlin 39a's and there isn't one thing I can say that I didn't like about them. Cheap and fun to shoot. You can find them made between the 50's to the 90's, and they were made very tough, top quality.

As far as where to buy... check ingo classifieds, I have seen some on here. You can check auction listings too.

Also I wanted to add: I used to stand at 50 yards and hit a 6 inch steel plate 19 times in a row with my 39a (thats how many rounds of LR the tube holds). Nothing brings a smile to your face like the sound of the lever then the *ting*.

 

[vwarren]

get you a henry from walmart!

 

[wagyu52]

I'll 3rd the Marlin 39 mine is a 39M it is the carbine length. Well worth the money, wouldn't trade it for any other .22 lever.

 

[indyjoe]

Marlin 39A. And if you undo the thumbscrew, and hit the left of the barrel, it is also a take-down model.

 

[snapping turtle]

I have lots of 22 lever action rifles. The best of the bunch is the Winchester 9422M (22 mag) XTR it shoots better that you would think and is the best in overall quality and build. They don't come cheap anymore. They are only available used.

The marlin 39a is the second best and best of the 22 long rilfe ones I own. The standard 39a is full size a mini me of the 336/1894 basically. They shoot better than most shooters can.

1984 birth date

1954 birth date

Most people get a henry now but that is one I don't have.

Stay away from the abused ones and you should be good to go. Ruger, browning, rem and Iver Johnson all made 22 levers. I would stay away from the Iver Johnson all together.

 

[snapping turtle]

Feet in pic's. Sorry.

 

[Hookeye]

Erma made one, same design now produced here is called a Henry.
I've had a few 9422M's.
Good chuckers to 75 yds iron sighted. I'm looking for an XTR without checkering..........man they want a lot for those!

 

[andrew]

Feet in pic's. Sorry.

Nice sandals

and your Winchester 94 .22 is beautiful!! Your 39a is too!!

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

In my opinion, the absolute best .22 LR lever rifle out there today is the Browning BL-22. They even have a "junior" sized one available. Those are just about as small OAL as you can get without having an SBR.

They're slim, very well built, and the slick 33* lever throw is the shortest throw by FAR of all the lever rifles. If you have strong enough hands, you don't have to remove your trigger hand from the rifle to cycle the action - just flick your fingers down and back up.

-J-

 

[spec4]

9422, quality, accurate, great gun.

 

[bigmedicine]

In my opinion, the absolute best .22 LR lever rifle out there today is the Browning BL-22. They even have a "junior" sized one available. Those are just about as small OAL as you can get without having an SBR.

They're slim, very well built, and the slick 33* lever throw is the shortest throw by FAR of all the lever rifles. If you have strong enough hands, you don't have to remove your trigger hand from the rifle to cycle the action - just flick your fingers down and back up.

-J-

+1

Very nice guns. I had a trigger job done on mine and it is (still) a thrill to shoot. Despite newer, more tactical toys, I still go back in time with my BL-22. I have no idea how many rounds have been through mine and it still is great.

 

[Topher Durden]

The only .22lr lever action I have any experience with is my own Henry Rifle, but I would say that this rifle has surpassed my expectations in every way! It has never had a Feed issue, failure to fire, Failure to eject, or any other problem. And no matter what I do, I can't seem to make this rifle miss a target!!! The Marlin's seem to get a lot of praise, and i'm sure they are amazing rifles, But if you are looking for a fun, reliable, lever action with a lot of history for under $300 then get a Henry. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Seriously... Handle a Henry... Then handle a Winchester...

Then handle a Browning.

Try cycling the action quickly on all of them and determine which would be the fastest on follow up shots on tree-rats...

-J-

 

[Fordtough25]

I think all options said already are good, my dad has a Henry and it shoots very nicely. Also agree its not super smooth yet but it only has a couple hundred rounds through it.

 

[indyjoe]

Seriously... Handle a Henry... Then handle a Winchester...

Then handle a Browning.

Try cycling the action quickly on all of them and determine which would be the fastest on follow up shots on tree-rats...

-J-

The answer to that would be a semi auto.

 

[Sgt7330]

+1 to Henry. They seem tough and never had a problem.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

The answer to that would be a semi auto.

yeah, but this isn't a "Which semi-auto .22" thread, mister!

 

[doctrpt]

Thanks for all the great advice. I have several good models now to explore and consider. I am grateful for the time each of you took to respond!