lever action 22's

[lashlaruhe]

Between the Marlin 39, Winchester 9422, Henry and Browning BL22, which is best to own and why?
Accuracy
maintenance
durability

Thanks for your replys.

[Empty Quiver]

I'd go with the Marlin.

Accuracy= it's squirrel accurate, but no Anschutes.

Maintenance= all the internals are under that plate held on by a thumbscrew, what could be easier. Design comes from a time before smokeless powder.

Durability= over one hundred years of continous manufacture, yes there have been a couple updates, but I think they have it figured out.

You don't really have a bad choice listed though all are good in their own right.

[p15camborne]

I've had all four.  I kept the Henry H001 and the Winchester 9422M.  They had acceptable triggers. 

[Lurker]

I've had all four.  I kept the Henry H001 and the Winchester 9422M.  They had acceptable triggers. 

Sometime, take your Henry apart and see how poorly it is finished on the inside...

Bill

[p15camborne]

I have taken my Henry H001 apart.  It's not a Swiss watch, but it works.  Looks like they designed a rifle that could be built at a lower price and still function properly.  Check the Henry forum on Rimfire Central.  Henrys just keep going.   

[gunnut69]

The Winchester is a great rifle but no longer in production and if use is in the future that's not a good thing. Parts can become available. Why? It just became too costly to make.. The BL22 is a great gun but pretty delicate. Lots of parts. Accuracy has been a little lackluster on those I've dealt with, though that's not been very many. The Henry I've no history with personally but a good friend who runs the local gunshop and who I trust implicitly to give an honest answer said they work and work pretty well. He's had none come back to haunt him and all he's spoken to were happy as clams. The one's I've handled felt good and most likely shoot just fine. Their price is likely the lowest. The Marlin 39 has been around for many years. I've owned several and still own one. I prefer the Mounty as a general rule though accuracy's always been best with the longer 39A's I dealt with. The current crop do have a few problems with QC but nothing to worry much about. The safety and the rebounding hammer is another story. The safety while worthless is just annoying, the trigger that goes with it is a horror. It is nearly impossible eliminate the overtravel and no matter what is done it feels like mush.. Accuracy was pretty good once I had mounted a good scope and solved the lad shaving problem. I would pay a bit of a premium for an older 39A in the Mountie, install sling studs and a good scope. Maybe work the trigger over and find it's prefered ammo and just hunt forever..

[Graybeard]

I've owned one of the Marlin guns and was not happy with performance on it tho I liked the looks. It just wouldn't feed for crap. Never had a Winny 22. Long ago I had a couple of the Brownings and loved them but let them go. Bought another and it was horrible on accuracy so let it go and gave up on them.

While I've not owned a Henry I've heard few complaints from those who do and they back them as well as any company does. Heck you can even call and talk to the company President if you're not happy or if you are also. What other company will let you do that?

An added bonus to the Henry rifle is they are once again going to become a GBO Sponsor for 2010. They had been for several years but in 2009 put all their advertising dollars into TV ads. I spoke with their company President Anthony and he agreed to advertise with us again next year. I'm waiting on the check to arrive to get their banner back up and this year they will also be sponsor of the Henry Rifle Forum.

I guess that makes me a bit prejudiced but I'd recommend a Henry.

[H666]

I owned a Browning couple of years ago, and shot a Henry Golden boy the other day.  There was no comparison, I thought the Browning was that much better.  I used Remington ammo in my Browning and adjusted the sights and it shot very true.

[Drilling Man]

Between the Marlin 39, Winchester 9422, Henry and Browning BL22, which is best to own and why?
Accuracy
maintenance
durability

Thanks for your replys.

  I like the OLD 39's, but the new ones aren't in the same class.  I didn't like the Winchester, because of the poor trigger and i didn't like how heavy it was either.  I liked the Browning, especially the older models, but they are very expensive these days.  And the only lever i have left is the Henry.  It's very smooth, and so far, it works as advertised.  If it keeps on keeping on, i plan to keep it.  Just stay away from Henry pump 22's.

  DM

[Swampman]

I love the Marlin I'm buying another tomorrow.

[Drilling Man]

I love the Marlin I'm buying another tomorrow.

  I didn't know they made 39's chambered in 30-06?? Will it shoot Cor-locks??   

  DM

[Old Fart]

I picked up one of the little henrys about a couple months ago.
I've shot the fire out of it and the grandkids have absolutely abused it.

Accurate? It's okay.
 Fun to shoot? Oh yea it's fun to shoot.

[Rex in OTZ]

I would say a Winchester 9422 with its controled round feed T shaped bolt face never had a problem with jambs or feeding anything.
Once had a Marlin 56 that was little better than a fast shooting club.
Had a Winchester 250? a very lousey lever gun, My uncles had one that shot crummy, I thought it was a fluke so a few years latter bought a used one and it shot 5 gallon bucket size patterns at 50 yards just like my uncles.
the Marlin 39 I had was ok (once busted the Ctg feed spring above the chamber)Marlins are ok but not built or finished like the winchester kinda like compareing Snap-On tools to a Craftsman.

both get the job done.


Mabe try a Ruger 96/22 in .22lr or .22mag
Taurus is supposed to be introduceing a tube fed lever rifle
Mossberg also is introduceing a new lever rimfire as well.