I am in the market for a new or used .22. I have a few in mind but I am really leaning towards a lever so I have either a Browning bl or a Henry in mind. The thing is... the browning gr2 is about $700, gr1 $600 new and the Henry is about $500 new. I have not found any used ones as of yet but I would rather a used one over a new one as it would take me for ever to be able to put any rounds through it. I might have to bite the bullet and spend the big bucks to buy new but have never shot either one. I need some input from someone that has shot either of these or both to help me along with this decision.
Browning BL .22 vs Henry .22
- Thread starter medicatedfish
- Start date
There are going to be a lot of opinions either way... let me sum them up for you in one post;
1. Browning wins for fit and finish, but Henry is good too.
2. Browning short throw lever, some will love it and some will hate it... I HATE it.
3. Accuracy is a toss up, some will say Browning, some will say Henry... I say HENRY, particularly the Frontier or GB.
4. Many will talk about versions, Grade I in the Browning is the way to go... in the Henry, I recommend the Frontier H001T
5. The Henry will save you a few bucks over the Browning.
6. The standard Henry (H001) weighs similarly to the BL-22, but the Frontier with 20" heavy octagonal barrel is considerably heavier, and the GB heavier yet. I like the hefty weight, but many do not, preferring an ultralight lever rifle.
7. People will talk about the low drop comb of the Henry GB H004, it promotes a chin(ish) weld, not something that bothers me, but some don't like it.
To wrap it up... I think the Henry Frontier has more desirable features than any other current production lever action rimfire rifle... but a bunch will come along and say, "go with the Browning."
1. Browning wins for fit and finish, but Henry is good too.
2. Browning short throw lever, some will love it and some will hate it... I HATE it.
3. Accuracy is a toss up, some will say Browning, some will say Henry... I say HENRY, particularly the Frontier or GB.
4. Many will talk about versions, Grade I in the Browning is the way to go... in the Henry, I recommend the Frontier H001T
5. The Henry will save you a few bucks over the Browning.
6. The standard Henry (H001) weighs similarly to the BL-22, but the Frontier with 20" heavy octagonal barrel is considerably heavier, and the GB heavier yet. I like the hefty weight, but many do not, preferring an ultralight lever rifle.
7. People will talk about the low drop comb of the Henry GB H004, it promotes a chin(ish) weld, not something that bothers me, but some don't like it.
To wrap it up... I think the Henry Frontier has more desirable features than any other current production lever action rimfire rifle... but a bunch will come along and say, "go with the Browning."
IMO both are great levers.
The nod goes to the BL for steel and wood fit and finish. The high comb of the BL didn't fit me as good as the Henry (Frontier model).
Both are shooters but I preferred the traditional long throw of the Henry vs the BL's one-piece short action lever. If you can shoulder both because they fit differently…there are even fit differences within the Henry models.
You can find some good deals of the EE….
Appears Hoytcannon already mentioned a lot of what I just did.
I'm one of those who find the GB to have an uncomfortable chin-weld. My favourite Henry is the Frontier model. Looks like the GB but with a blued octagon bbl and a better fitting stock. However, I did find the Frontier a little nose heavy.
The nod goes to the BL for steel and wood fit and finish. The high comb of the BL didn't fit me as good as the Henry (Frontier model).
Both are shooters but I preferred the traditional long throw of the Henry vs the BL's one-piece short action lever. If you can shoulder both because they fit differently…there are even fit differences within the Henry models.
You can find some good deals of the EE….
Appears Hoytcannon already mentioned a lot of what I just did.
I'm one of those who find the GB to have an uncomfortable chin-weld. My favourite Henry is the Frontier model. Looks like the GB but with a blued octagon bbl and a better fitting stock. However, I did find the Frontier a little nose heavy.
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The Frontier and Golden Boy have the same 20" octangonal barrel... the stocks are very different though, the Frontier has the traditional M94 lines, whereas the GB has much more drop at comb... if there is any possibility that you might scope the rifle, then get the Standard H001, Frontier H001T, or Varmint H001V... not only does the stock fit better for scope use, but the receiver is groved for scope rings, whereas the GB requires a Cantilever mount affixed to the rear sight holes.
Call
CGN frequent flyer
I like my BL-22 for it's performance, it feeds everything I put into it.
I find that the loop is a bit too small for me (won't fit a winter glove or mitt). The short throw, as mentioned above, is something you will either like or won't.
It's my first lever gun so I can't give much comparison to others.
I find that the loop is a bit too small for me (won't fit a winter glove or mitt). The short throw, as mentioned above, is something you will either like or won't.
It's my first lever gun so I can't give much comparison to others.
I have a Henry golden boy and find it comfortable and very accurate. I have zero desire to scope this rifle so the stock design is perfect. Beautiful wood to boot. I like that it has some heft to it... It feels like a real gun.
Both well built rifles with superior fit/finish compared to most new 22's on the market today.
Yes, cost is about the same (and new 2016 Henry's are the same 700 bucks as the grade II Brownings).
The Henry's with the octagonal barrel is cool looking but comes in at about 6 1/2 pounds - the browning or the classic henry are about a pound lighter (and holding all of them one after the other, that extra pound is quite noticeable).
You are not going to save a great deal in the used market. These (all) are one of those rifles that guys want to get full value out of.
And as noted the Browning's have a very short cycle on them - to the point that it's un-nerving until you get used to it. I'm still undecided if I like the fact that the trigger is integral to the lever or not (just "different").
Despite all that, if I was looking to replace my 22 lever (old Marlin 39A) I would go with the Henry carbine large loop (H001L) - short, light and handy - points well. My second choice would be the GRII Browning - a little nicer fit/finish then even the Henry's (which are pretty nice in isolation), and now, after Henry jacked their prices "again" for 2016, the price difference is minimal.
Yes, cost is about the same (and new 2016 Henry's are the same 700 bucks as the grade II Brownings).
The Henry's with the octagonal barrel is cool looking but comes in at about 6 1/2 pounds - the browning or the classic henry are about a pound lighter (and holding all of them one after the other, that extra pound is quite noticeable).
You are not going to save a great deal in the used market. These (all) are one of those rifles that guys want to get full value out of.
And as noted the Browning's have a very short cycle on them - to the point that it's un-nerving until you get used to it. I'm still undecided if I like the fact that the trigger is integral to the lever or not (just "different").
Despite all that, if I was looking to replace my 22 lever (old Marlin 39A) I would go with the Henry carbine large loop (H001L) - short, light and handy - points well. My second choice would be the GRII Browning - a little nicer fit/finish then even the Henry's (which are pretty nice in isolation), and now, after Henry jacked their prices "again" for 2016, the price difference is minimal.
gasguzzler
CGN Regular
- Location
- Southeast Manitoba
I have every basic model of the Henry's except the frontier and the mares leg. Personal favourite is the varmint express 17hmr
It doesn't look like brass…but more like a brushed silver finish. Dovetail on the receiver would be great for a set of Skinner peep sights!
I'd prefer a plain blued receiver and minus the "Evil Roy" stamp…..
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Shooter_01
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Durham Region, Ontario
My father had a Henry and it looked sharp, but I just didn't care for it. However, it did inspire me to look into a .22 lever for myself and I ended up choosing the BL-22. I much prefer it to the Henry - feels of higher quality.
My father has since sold the Henry and purchased a BL-22, as well.
My father has since sold the Henry and purchased a BL-22, as well.
