Lever action recommendations...

Which of these lever actions is the "best"?

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    45
1899

1899

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I was thinking of picking up a .22 L.R. in one of these rifles. It will be for my wife, who is new to shooting. She has shot my Sako Finfire, but it is a bit bulky for her. I would like to complement this rimfire with a centerfire lever action; either a Marlin or a Winchester.

Accuracy, quality, workmanship, ease of operation and a general "solid" feel are what I am looking for. Any suggestions are appreciated.
 
The 39-A may be a bit of handful if your wife is small statured. At 6 3/4 lbs., it could be a little on the heavy side for her. The 94-22 would get my vote here- mostly for it's weight, and respectable accuracy. If you are going to get one- now's the time, as they are discontinued past this year.

Regards,

Doc Sharptail
 
The marlin and winchester legacy version of the 9422 are bent-loop levers. The lever throw is different, but I'm not sure by how much. Might be a consideration if your wife has small hands/arms.
 
1899 said:
I would like to complement this rimfire with a centerfire lever action; either a Marlin or a Winchester.
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If this is what you have in mind then why don't get the centrefire to match the rimfire then there will be less confusion in switching between the two and you can practice with the cheaper rimfire and it will transfer to the centrefire since all the systems and the feel will be thesame . Just a thought.
 
I've got a 1974 bl-22 that I'm happy with. I like the short throw lever and the way the trigger moves with the lever. Ive got average-big hands and I can work the lever just by opening my hand with my thumb still around the stock. I like the size of the rifle and it feels solid. The only think I might do is get a slip-on rubber recoil pad for better grip against my shoulder when working the action. I've handled the marlin and it feels chunkier with a thicker forestock. I like the 20" Browning barrel over the 24 " Marlin for handling. I Also handled the Henry rifles and didn't like the feel of the base model as it seemed cheap. The Yellow one felt much more solid with it's ocotagon barrel and had nicer sights but I really didn't care for the yellow look. Both models had a smooth lever action. Since then they have combined the two models so you can now buy an octagon barrel with the better sights on the black receiver! Looks nicer to me so If I was looking for another .22 lever I would probably check that model as well. I have not tried the Winchester. -C.D.
 
How did you miss the Ruger 96/22? The rotary magazine can't be beat for quick reloading, plus you have the option of using the 25 round magazines. Of the ones listed, my choice would be for the Browning BL-22.
 
Ive had a BL22 for years and I have had no complaints. It shoots and cycles whatever I feed reliably.

A few years back I got a box with maybe 10k 22 rounds in it, everything from short to long rifle. I liked the fact that it will shoot all kinds of .22 lengths so I didnt have to bother dividing them up.

I found the short lever throw hurt my fingers after a few hundred rounds, but I can't really blame the gun for that... When I get my girlfriend of the month shooting, I usually take along the BL22, it's small light and easy to operate.

Accuracy is decent, enough for informal plinking and hunting.
 
I have a 9422 with a Williams peep sight on it. Shoots great any ammo, matched my mod 94 356 makes practice similar to shooting my big bore and much cheaper.
 
IMO: The Browning is nice and light and a great fit for a lady.
The Winchester I feel is a better rifle and if you are going to compliment it with a centerfire, they feel similar.

I have never handled the Marlin

The Henrys are very smooth and are supposed to be great little guns, I felt they were a bit toyish feeling to me but still a nice gun.
 
The browning doest look/feel much like a 'traditional' lever gun. It does have an extremeely short throw, but if you want a fast modern 22, get a 10/22 instead.

It's a toss-up between the remaining three, unless you turf the Henry lever for the Henry Golden Boy model - it's the slickest, smoothest, most attractive 22 lever gun out there.
 
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