Pros and Cons of Some Lever 22s

struff55 said:
the only levers to buy
browning
winchester
and maybe a uberti
as for the other manufactures basically junk
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I would suggest the Browning is the only one worthy...
But, that is just mine biased opinion.
Cons, well having to draw the magazine feed tube out to load or unload.
Fun and cool all in one small compact pkg.
EE has one or two for good deal Friday.
Con, Can Post is on strike so delivery time is ??
 
Some great points, and an interesting thread. I'm also interested in handling a Savage Revel and even though the receiver might be the same (or similar) to the Henry, it has a matte finish. To my eyes, far more appealing and shows less in the way of smudges, finger prints, etc. I'll also add, I've enjoyed shooting Henry lever 22s when I've had the chance. If anything, they feel as good as a Winchester...and unusually smooth even when new. Haven't put any real miles on one, but I know a bunch of people who have with zero complaints/issues.

Back to the Revel-not interested enough to make a special trip to go look at one...but the first time I see one in a gun shop I'll be taking a good, long look. Also forgot to mention, the Browning feeds/ejects so consistently/smoothly...which matters when teaching new/young shooters who are prone to short-shucking. lol True, the lever geometry with big hands/arthritic thumbs (I have both) takes a little getting used to but it's impressive to work so well with a receiver that could fit in the palm of my hand. I've grown to really like them.

I'll add a little Henry love here-I finally got to handle one of their new HOMESTEADER 9mm PCCs in my LGS last week. I think there would have been allot of people picking these over Rugers had they been available at the same time. Really think they got that rifle right=instant desire to own one having handled it.
 
my tried and true list
1 Winchester 94/22 or Marlin 39
2 Browning by a titch
3 Uberti
4 Henry
A Savage walked in the door about a week ago ,weather stinks so no shooting till spring. It feels great with some heft. Workmanship gets 2 thumbs up. Action is smooth. Remember Winchester has one called a “Ranger” . As rare as a “unicorn” you’ve heard about them but they’re not on the shelf and it’s been almost a year.
 
Alex_Zues said:
I'm aiming (see what I did there?) to buy a lever 22, novice level budget. Henry seemed to rule for a bit. Solid name, etc. Rossi is out there, but it shares the same price as Henry. Now Savage pops put with their Revel, but I don't know much about them. Most of the reviews out there are generic, and lots of people complaining it isn't steel reciever or threaded for silencers (our southern neighbours).

Henry:

Been around for a while, so fewer surprises. Reliable enough action.

Sales on at the moment for Black Friday

Alloy reciever. Meh.

Heritage:

Seems fancy with the rustic finish, but is it lipstick on a pig?

Chiappa takedown:

I hear bad things about QC.

Rossi:

dunno what to say about these ones.
 

Savage:
Aluminum reciever doesn't really bother me since anything in its price point is running some sort of pot metal anyways.

Made in Canada is a nice touch.

With all being a similar price point, is there something I'm missing? My gut is telling me to choose between Henry and Savage.
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If it's quality you're after, and money isn't an obstacle, then a 9422 or 39 is the way to go - maybe a BL22, never used one so I can't say much about them).

There are plenty of affordable levers out there - none are great, but they're all perfectly suited to plinking and hunting. The Henry I have is really very cheaply made, but it still works great after years of use. There're tooling marks on the barrel, the wood is soft and the painted receiver is scratched up, but it goes bang every time I pull the trigger, and is plenty accurate for small game hunting. I had an old Ithaca that used to jam a lot - it was pretty much identical to the Henry, so I suspect they used/improved on that design for their rifle. Anyway, Henry would be my choice for a cheap 22 lever.
 
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It's pretty much between the Henry and the Savage. Henry has a history where I know what I'd be getting, Savage is intriguing since it has the potential to be good (known manufacturer, made in North America), but not enough time on market to know for sure.

As others have said upping my budget would open some really good options, but the jump is steep.

Thanks for the input all. I learned a thing or two (or three if you count metallurgy). I'll humm and haw summor. Got some short remote work coming up, might use the successful project finish to justify spending.
 
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