Best .22 Lever Gun?

Best Value .22 Lever Gun

  • Browning BL-22

    Votes: 47 35.3%
  • Henry Lever Rifle

    Votes: 18 13.5%
  • Henry Golden Boy

    Votes: 16 12.0%
  • Winchester 94-22

    Votes: 52 39.1%

  • Total voters
    133

shelby

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I am jonesing for a new plinker to shoot cans and stuff.

What is the best value in a .22LR lever gun? The criteria: (i) must be of good quality with exc. fit & finish and smooth operation; (ii) must shoot .22 S/L/LR ammo, so tube feeding is a must; (iii) must not be too large (max. barrel length 20"); and (iv) must cost under $600 new.

I have my eye on the four posted in the poll. I like the short throw lever and light weight of the BL-22. On the other hand, the smoooooth lever action, great customer service and low prices of the Henry guns have me intrigued. Then again, the Winchester looks beautiful and is an instant classic now that it's been discontinued.

***It appears the Marlin 39 should added to poll by popular demand, but I can't sem to figure out how the heck to do it :D ***
 
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I have handled all 4, I have owned a 94-22 (and will again win my dad gives it up) The BL-22 is an excellent rifle but I prefer the winchester simply because it looks and feels like a 30-30.
I recently handled a Henry Golden Boy and was very impressed with the smooth action.

Ah hell get em all!!!!
 
Henry's aren't having much of a showing, but I'd imagine that most here haven't tried one. The fit and finish is absolutely top-notch, and the action is glassy smooth.
 
I bought a Henry earlier this year and its nice to shoot. The only thing I dont like on it is the front sight....

This week I bought a BL-22, very nice looking gun, short stroke to chamber another round, going to be fun to shoot. The only issue with it is that its got an awful trigger, must be 15 pounds or something like that. I read about the triggers on rimfirecentral afterwards and now I am not sure what to do with it.

I would like to get my mitts on a Marlin 39 to play with, I have always heard good things about them.
 
The 94-22 was my very first firearm... So I've got a soft spot for it! The short lever trow of the Browning is nive for rapid fire plinking, but I don't like the folding rear sight (Always comming down at the wrong time) and when you take it apart all whole bunch of stuff comes out at the same time.

My father's got a Marlin, nice and smooth action, I wouldn't mind picking up one of the 39TDS...

The Henry also have a really smooth action and very actractive price... but I'm not sure I like the painted alloy receiver...
 
prosper said:
Henry's aren't having much of a showing, but I'd imagine that most here haven't tried one. The fit and finish is absolutely top-notch, and the action is glassy smooth.

+1

Top notch gun for a bargain price. I really don't know how a gun of this quality can sell for well under $300. Absolutely the best value in a .22 lever action gun, bar none.

It is true though, that the front sight isn't the best one out there.... But it is plenty good enough for tin cans, gophers and plinking out to 30 or 40 metres.

Are the other lever .22's out there better? Sure, maybe a bit. They each have their strenghts. But they all cost substantially more than the Henry too.

Oh! And I almost forgot the best thing about the Henry, it's available in a carbine version with a 16.5" bbl and large cowboy-style loop! It's a terrific little rabbit gun in the bush.
 
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