Best lever action .22

39a Golden Mountie, no question about it.


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No experience with either the Winchester or the Marlin. With the BL-22 you get a very nice action with a very short throw for fast cycling of rounds. The trigger goes down with the lever which is also nice. Downside is the price. Also the short receiver on a BL-22 can make it a pain to mount a scope. Henry`s can be pricy if you go high end but you can get them fairly cheap as well for the base model. You have to watch your fingers if you`re cycling the slide fast as your fingers can get pinched between the lever and the trigger. Overall I prefer my Henry, but the Browning is certainly nice as well.
 
So why is the BL-22 so much more that the henry or the marlin? If the quality, accuracy and reliability is that much then I wouldn't have that big of a problem buying it. However it isn't then it doesn't add up. I don't really feel like trying to hunt down an older model marlin( ie. that awesome looking 39a of sealhunter) so I will most likely buy brand new. Are the new marlins that far off the older models? If they are I will go with the BL or the Henry.
 
I own a marlin "levermatic" model 57, and it is by far the fastest lever 22 out there(2" lever throw) and the most accurate i have owned.
Google it for more info.
 
Buy Older

Having owned many different levers, I still own a number of Marlin's including one of the newer ones. Although accurate, it has FTF's every 10 rounds or less, and the rebounding hammer which decreases accuracy. Place a WTB in the EE, be patient and wait for the right 39 to come along, it will be worth it.

The older one are more accurate and have better fit and finish.
 
jethunter said:
I think it's a BL-22, not BLR-22. The browning is a nice little gun, well made and solid. I prefer it to the winchester or Marlin. I haven't tried a Henry. But none of the lever 22 rifles I have shot were exactly tack drivers. The browning was maybe marginally better but still most bolts and semis I have shot were more accurate.
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Funny you mention tack driver, after i am donewith my targets i like to remove the staples with my bl-22:D
 
Without a doubt the Norinco JW-21.


HAH, HAH, HAH - just kidding, of course. Laugh2

However, I do have one :redface: which I bought new and when I opened the action the first time out flew a live round. :eek:

Back in the real world I have always loved the BL-22.
 
Thank you all for the input. Leaning toward the BL and I will put an ad on the EE for an older Marlin 39. Can anyone let me know what the best years or models are for the Marlin?
 
I own a little Ithaca model 72, I picked up at a gun show. The ones that were made in West Germany were actually great little guns.

I'd just keep an eye out at gun shows, and see what turns up. I went looking for a little .22 lever gun, figuring I'd find a 9422, but don't regret picking up the Ithaca.
 
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