Browning BL22, Marlin 39A or a Henry Golden Boy

Crazy.kayaker

Crazy.kayaker

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Hey people I know I mention pretty much the same thing before but it was before I checked out some pricing information up at the local wholesale outfitters. I've decided to buy new not used as used you only save a little money on a used .22 when it comes to these models of guns.

The price difference between the first two guns is $50 locally

Browning BL22 grade I is $489.99 or $535.99 Grade II @ SIR plus shipping
Marlin 39A is $539.99 or $521.99 @ SIR Plus shipping
Henry Golden Boy $444.99 @ SIR Plus shipping

Purchasing a Henry at wholesales is about $120 more then the MSRP so no go and I'm not gonna even look at the other gun shop *Powder Keg* as they got rude and pushy people there.

The three guns have their own pros and cons and I'm inclined to get the Marlin 39A or Henry Golden Boy It pretty much comes down to these features

Marlin 39A @ 6.5 lbs with a "24 inch barrel and 19 rounds. Gold Trigger

Browning BL22 @ 5.0 lbs with a 20" barrel and 15 rounds. Short throw action.

Henry Golden Boy @ 6.75 lbs with a 20" barrel and 16rounds. Very slick action.

So it comes down to Do I want the longer Barrel and magazine and weight and is it worth the extra money to get it or should I get gun with a shorter barrel and magazine and lighter for less or shorter barrel and one extra round then the other gun and more weight for even less (brass must weigh a lot).

I'm pretty much just looking for your opinion of which gun you think is the best gun to get when you compare length of barrel, size of magazine to weight of gun
 
Get a grade I BL-22. It's a heck of a lil rifle. I had one when I was younger, and I've been meaning to get another one. The one's I've oogled lately are very well made. Small, light weight, 22 S, L and LR, SLICK action and short throw. The Grade II is unnecessarily fancy, unless you like that sort of thing.

I vote:

1) browning

2) marlin

3) Henry. Poor QC from what I have handled. Loose, rough, and chunky.
 
I only have the grade II listed as it's all SIR has. As for the thread link a HMR or WMR guns no way the rounds cost significantly more then the .22 LRs and I'm Financially Challenged besides this is going to be my general Plinker and maybe a rabbit hunting gun.
 
One of the nice things about my BL-22 that you don't think about until you are shooting is that with the short throw you don't drop the gun from your shoulder and your hand stays on the trig.
 
CK, I vote for the Browning. I heard you coo when you held it in your hands and worked the lever. I also think learning to shoot with the shorter barrel would help you a) learn to shoot b) allow you to use it in the field with more ease. the 24" Marlin barrel will take a lot of control to shoot accurately and is probably something you could 'move' into after a bit. :)
 
1st. Marlin. Established, all steel, traditional rifle.
2nd. Browning. I've never owned one, have had to work on customers' guns. Mousetraps inside.
3rd. Henry. Us copy of German Erma, previously imported by Ithaca. Too much pot metal for my liking.
All very well to look at new prices, why not look for good used rifles?
 
+2 on the Marlin. I've shot the BL22 (a couple), Win 9422 (one) and Erma (two, sold mine for the Marlin) and my 39 is by far the most accurate of this admittedly small sampling (I've found it to be as accurate and even more so than several quality bolt action rimfires as well). I like the weight, it feels more substantial, it can be taken down for cleaning in seconds and has a history that is hard to match. Mine is 30+ years old and still shoots like demon but I'm going to have keep a good eye on it, my son has been lusting after it for some time.
 
Marlin 39

tiriaq said:
1st. Marlin. Established, all steel, traditional rifle.
2nd. Browning. I've never owned one, have had to work on customers' guns. Mousetraps inside.
3rd. Henry. Us copy of German Erma, previously imported by Ithaca. Too much pot metal for my liking.
All very well to look at new prices, why not look for good used rifles?
Click to expand...

x2 Tiriaq nailed it IMO. I've owned a 39 for almost 20 years now and have used a BL22 extensively. I've only handled a few of the 'Henry' rifles, that was enough for me.
 
with all the recommendations for the Browning BL22 and the Marlin 39A, I'm guessing it's going to come down to a 24" barrel vs. 20" barrel.

I can see the 24" barrel being good for target shooting, but what about small game and bird hunting? it would seem to me the 20" barrel would suit both purposes better, perhaps?
 
tiriaq said:
Why?
Click to expand...

Who knows ?

But I would rather have a Marlin with an 18.5" - 20" barrel if that option still existed...I don't see the need for an extra 4 inches on a .22

Crazy, I guess you missed out on the 9422 in the E.E. :(

I'd still consider the used market and also the Winchester in your options.
 
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Marlin 39a

I've owned a golden 39a for the past 25 years. Wonderful gun....probably the most accurate stock rimfire I've ever bought. It out shoots my stock ruger 10/22 hands down. I think it's because of the weight of the gun...it feels like I'm shooting my 336 30/30. A little unfair post as I've not shot the browning however I've never regretted bragging that every 50yd squirrel is toast !!!

:sniper:
 
The 9422 is certainly an option. I would rank the Winchester and Marlin about equal.
Marlin did make a carbine version of the 39.
 
Go with the Marlin, you'll never regret it. I've fired and fallen in love with their rimfire rifles. Once you've handled one of them, you kind of scoff at the other brands out there. They honestly are in a league of their own, in my honest opinion. Easy to take apart, clean, and assemble. Good, steady, reliability for years and years, as testified by others here already. And if you buy it and don't like it, I'll buy it off you! LOL! My cabinet could always use another Marlin!
 
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