School me on Lever action 22`s

darcy32171

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I would like to know more about the differences on each model that is a "quick notice" that it is old. Some new variances to stay away from. Etc.
For instance: - I remember someone mentioning to stay away from the "side safety" on the Marlins.
- What makes a Browning old? those all look the same to me. There is a BL grade 1, there is an H001, etc.
I`m a picture type of man, makes me visualize easier so post pics if you can.

Reason I ask this is: I`ve been looking(unsuccessfully) for an Old Marlin, Browning, Henry (notice I didn`t put Henry after the word "old" lol) and I`m unsure if I would be able to easily identify if they are old or if the seller is selling me a newer "old looking" version....if that made any sense. Yes I do realize that a guy can run serial numbers if the guns have them, but when I`m not at my PC it is pretty hard to do that.
If you guys know your stuff...post pics side by side showing the differences. Thanks you, Darcy
 
Might be faster, and easier to school you in "google"...

As suggested, rimfirecentral is a fantastic site. Also, most manufacturers have dedicated sites (with quite a few for Marlin alone...) Pick a manufacturer n' model then read 'til your eyes bleed. Once comfy, move on to another.
 
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So what exactly is it that you want? They are all good levers. The differences are just based on preference. Does it HAVE to be old?!? The newly produced Brownings and Henrys are still well made.

And yes there is a Browning Grade 1, and a Grade 2. THe Grade 2 is fancier, and has checkered stock, gold plated trigger, engraved receiver... The Brownings have a short throw lever, which may or may not appeal to you...

If you know what you want, then most likely there is one that will fit the bill.

If you're a pictures kinda guy, then google it, or go to each manufacturers website, and learn a bit about each and their features. Youtube can also be helpful, as most of the time there are in depth reviews on them...

Thats the best I can do for ya without giving you the history of the lever action .22
 
So what exactly is it that you want? They are all good levers. The differences are just based on preference. Does it HAVE to be old?!? The newly produced Brownings and Henrys are still well made.

And yes there is a Browning Grade 1, and a Grade 2. THe Grade 2 is fancier, and has checkered stock, gold plated trigger, engraved receiver... The Brownings have a short throw lever, which may or may not appeal to you...

If you know what you want, then most likely there is one that will fit the bill.

If you're a pictures kinda guy, then google it, or go to each manufacturers website, and learn a bit about each and their features. Youtube can also be helpful, as most of the time there are in depth reviews on them...

Thats the best I can do for ya without giving you the history of the lever action .22
Thanks. Just a little insight was what I`m after. You cleared some up about the two different grades of Browning! Were they ALL short throws or is this a newly aquired taste for Browning?
I`d rather own old stuff, rather than the new. Anything that predates 1982
 
Thanks. Just a little insight was what I`m after. You cleared some up about the two different grades of Browning! Were they ALL short throws or is this a newly aquired taste for Browning?
I`d rather own old stuff, rather than the new. Anything that predates 1982

The Browning BL-22 has always had short throw, as far as I know...
 
Here's my 2010 BL-22 grade 1 nickel finish.....compact, light and fast lever-action(all short-throw).
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My favourite is the Winchester 9422. They are as smooth as the Henry but made of steel.
Next is the older marlins with no safety or rebounding hammer.
Then the basic grade bl-22.
Finally the Frontier model Henry with the octagon barrel.

In the super compact category I like the Henry Mare's leg with upgraded sights.
 
Mine isn`t that smooth for a 9422. I`m still getting used to it and it only has less than 50 shells through it. Maybe it needs to be "wore" in.
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My 9422 is well worn from the 70's so I guess I should have qualified the "smooth". It's a smoother action then a Marlin 39 from the 50's that has also seen a few cycles of the lever!

I didn't realize you had a lever .22.

Those blinged out Winchester commemorates have always looked a little gaudy to my eye. I'm not a fan of the henry goldens for the same reason.

I'm sure yours will break in nicely with time....got excuse to watch a few westerns with you lever on your lap!
 
My 9422 is well worn from the 70's so I guess I should have qualified the "smooth". It's a smoother action then a Marlin 39 from the 50's that has also seen a few cycles of the lever!

I didn't realize you had a lever .22.

Those blinged out Winchester commemorates have always looked a little gaudy to my eye. I'm not a fan of the henry goldens for the same reason.

I'm sure yours will break in nicely with time....got excuse to watch a few westerns with you lever on your lap!
Yup I agree. At the time I was looking for a lever 22 and this is the only thing I could scare up so I jumped on it..
 
Right on well you should take her out and really enjoy shooting it....maybe it will look better tarnished and bruised with use!
They are so ugly to me I can almost understand why some people leave them in the safe never to see the light of day..... :)
Enjoy!
 
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