What's your favourite Lever Action .22lr

Theorem

Theorem

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I'm starting to get back into plinking and target shooting, and one thing I am really wanting to get is a decent iron sight, lever action 22. Growing up, I used to shoot my dad's old Marlin 39A Golden Boy and it was just a joy to use. So, I assumed I'd just go to the store and buy a Marlin lever action and be one happy camper. But, honestly, the few new Marlins I was able to try this month felt nothing like my Dad's old gun. They were clunky, loose, and one was even rusty!

So, I am totally at a loss here. Seems like lots has changed in the last decade. What's your favourite modern .22 lever action? Are there still any decent ones for a reasonable price? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :)
 
I have shot quiet a few and like them all. Even though I generally think that browning is over priced garbage their BL-22 is a nice rig. The Henry Golden Boy is fantastic.

The golden boys are easy to find which is nice also.
 
Henry makes a very nice product, almost always with a pretty wood.

Winchester 94 would be another option.

Not a traditional lever-action but still my personal favorite:
96001.jpg

Ruger 96/22
 
Winchester 94/22 I have three a 94/22 classic with pistol grip stock ,23 in barrel and crescent buttplate,a tribute version and a 94/22 mag with laminate stock.Here s apic of the first two.

Picture077.jpg
 
Since the Winnies are long gone (since 2005), I would recommend the Henry's as well for an inexpensive start.
Try the H001.
I own a Golden Boy and it's just wonderful.
 
I've owned the Winchester and the Ithaca, and have had some experience shooting the Ruger and the Browning. For my money, none of them even come close to topping the Marlin 39. Smooth, distinctive, accurate, takes down easily...this gun has no downside.
 
I was missing mine too... so I just bought another BL22, this time a "Micro Midas" model. What a neat little rifle!! :) And, it's cheaper than the regular model. I think these are a real steal!
 
I don't know what the Marlin Golden Boy looked like but if you want that look check out the Henry Golden Boy. Note that it has a rather extreme stock angle which makes it pretty much only suitable for iron sights. Which is just as well since it has no dovetail for scope mounting. But if you were to install a target grade rear peep sight you would have a true target shooting classic.

If you want to fit a scope then a Henry H001T Frontiersman model will likely suit you. It's a bit more than the basic H001 but it comes with a slightly heavier octagonal barrel and proper steel sights.
 
Jeff/1911 said:
I was missing mine too... so I just bought another BL22, this time a "Micro Midas" model. What a neat little rifle!! :) And, it's cheaper than the regular model. I think these are a real steal!
Click to expand...

+2 on the Browning Lever. Our family has taken a lot of small game with my wife's over the years.
 
Having owned a Marlin 39a with a 24 " barrel, and currently owning a 39a Mountie waiting for the Mountie was certain worth the wait. 10 shots in .95 at 50 metres with CCI Mini Mags speaks volumes and it has quality that can't be beat in a lever action.
 
- New or used?
- How much $$ are willing to trow at this project...

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My vote would go to either the Winchester 9422 or the Marlin 39a Mountie.
- The action of the Winchester is smoother
- The Marlin feels more like a center fire rifle
- They are both all steel and Walnut.

While the price of used Winchester have gone though the roof, the Marlin is probably the better "deal" as you can still find them (at gun shows) for $300-$500
 
sillymike said:
- New or used?
- How much $$ are willing to trow at this project...

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

My vote would go to either the Winchester 9422 or the Marlin 39a Mountie.
- The action of the Winchester is smoother
- The Marlin feels more like a center fire rifle
- They are both all steel and Walnut.

While the price of used Winchester have gone though the roof, the Marlin is probably the better "deal" as you can still find them (at gun shows) for $300-$500
Click to expand...

If I ever found a 39 for 300ish, I would own one. The guns shows around here sure don't have any deals! I'm pretty sure the EE is cheaper on everything!
 
I have a Browning BL-22 from the early 80's and love it. The 30 degree throw (as compared to 90 degrees for most others) is a nice feature. I did, however, just buy a Henry Frontier and the octagonal barrel and buckhorn sights make it a much better looking rifle in my opinion (haven't fired it yet so can't report on that). I'll probably wind up selling one of them eventually but it'll be hard to decide which one...
 
I just had my new BL22 Micro out yesterday...man, does it ever shoot well! I surprised myself with how well I could still do with open sights. ;)
 
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