Which lever .22?

tactics

tactics

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I will be purchasing one of the following in the next week or so:

Browning BL22 Grade 2
Marlin 39AS

Due the above firearms limited availability i have not had a chance to handle either, so any input would greatly be appreciated. Firearm will be used 60% field, 40% targets. Thanks for input.
 
Levers

Bl22 is very compact making it an excellent field gun and the short throw makes it really quick.

The 39 is a bigger heavier rifle ,excellent quality , probably the more accurate of the two, a bit more expensive, would probably fit your target aspect better.

Really I don't think you could go wrong with either one
 
I love my BL-22. Very very accurate with open sights. Plinking and hunting, it has served me well. It was my fathers and his fathers before mine.

I can't comment on the Marlin. I've only used their semi's (which haven't disappointed me).
 
I agree with 3dmark.. I really don't think that you will have a problem with either one.

When I get stuck like that I usually just buy the one in stock, that usually settles it for me... althought there was the one time both were in stock..... I wound up with both of them:D

Good luck with your decision
 
I had a Marlin for a while and it was pretty cool that you could take it apart but I sold it and ended up with a Winnie 9422. The Winnie was too good of a deal to pass up. If I was buying new I would probably get a Marlin cuz I like the way they design and make them. Pretty solid no matter what you get in a Marlin. All the parts are THICK.
 
Choices

p210sig said:
Get the Marlin 39as it's worth the extra $'s for a quality built gun.
I've owned Winchesters,Brownings,Yellow Boy & Puma lever action guns in the past, I sold them all & kept the Marlins.
In my world Marlin lever action guns RULE.
I own a Marlin 39as golden in 22lr, a Marlin 1894 in 44magnum & a Marlin 1895 in 45-70,
The Marlins that i want to get are 39TDS, a .357magnum, a 30-30 & 444, all of these would complete my collection.
Click to expand...

Well my feelings are just the opposite, I had a 39 and was a beauty, then I got a BL with a 2-7 Leupold on top and the Marlin got sold. FS
 
Don't hesitate,,, Get the BL22. Fantastic rifle, with short action. Never had a problem with mine. Put a 3x9 scope on it and you can't miss.
 
Thanks for all the advise. Looks like both guns are a winner, comes down to which one has the fewest on back order.
I love the look of the BL22'S, something about a straight grip that has always appealed to me--and from what i have read here...a short slick action.
The breakdown feature on the marlin coupled with legendary reliability cannot be overlooked.
Again, thanks for info. These forums are awesome for newbies like me.
 
I had a BL-22 Field Grade II with the Octagon Barrel and I really really liked it. The short lever throw was awsome for fast follow up shots on gophers and it cycled all types of ammo without a flaw, LR and short's.

Between the 2 you listed, I'd go with the BL-22 in a heartbeat.
 
I've owned a Bl .22 for 35 years and it still shoots like new.Out of all the guns I have owned, it is the one I would never sell.Solid and reliable and very fast shooting, with that short throw lever.After saying all that, the Marlin is probably just as fine a rifle.Heard nothing but good things about them too. :sniper:
 
Tough choice, I've shot them both. The Marlin model 39 is a beefy rifle designed from the get go as a quality rifle. It's as heavy as a full sized lever hunting rifle, and it feels like a quality made gun. It uses premium componants and is finished nicely. I could live without the takedown screw, I feel it looks tacky, but they shoot extremely well. The only problem I've seen with them is sometimes the follower buggers up and as the cartridge is pushed from the magazine it binds up as it's being tried to be lifted into the chamber. (This is with the one gun I'm familier with) And it didn't happen too often. Dollar for doller, this is as good a rifle in my opinion as any high quality .22 rifle you could by.

The BL-22 isn't a traditional lever rifle in the respect that it's lever travels only a short distance and the trigger disconnects and rides with the lever. It's very fast to operate and your trigger finger can stay in position ready for the next shot. The rifle is very light, especially in comparison to the Marlin and carryies well all day. I'm a fan of Brownings and have found they all shoot well. I feel the iron sights leave somthing to be desired but they do work. And the Browning doesn't handle a scope as well as the Marlin. Off the top of my head without looking, I believe the dovetail is only around two inches long.

I prefer the finish on the Marlin rifle. That's strictly a personal thing, but I'm not big on the overly dark, high gloss wood work of the Browning. The Marlin looks classier with it's matte finished walnut. In the end as with anybody looking at any new gun, you have to try them on to fully appreciate what they feel like. If you simply cannot, get either one and I'll bet a months pay you'll enjoy it. Better yet get both, you can never have too many lever guns. ;)
 
3dmark and pharoah2 said it really well.

I've been very happy with my 39. It was my first 'real' gun. Dad bought it for me over 20 yrs. ago now.

We also had a BL22 in the family for awhile. It was a nice rifle.

Something to consider, the Marlin39/1891 is the longest continuously produced rifle in the world. That says alot about the design and quality IMO/E....

Good luck.
 
Looks like i am going with the 39as. Really, i like both rifles... but i cannot ignore the history of the Marlin. Personally i like the looks of the Browning much more, the classic looks never go out of style with me. So marlin it is.

Called S.I.R. yesterday,looks like the both firearms are on backorder for some time...so much so that even the next shipment of rifles will not fill the number on backorder.

LeBarons in Ottawa don't keep the Marlin in stock, same deal...could take several months if i decided to order through them. Sales person explained demand in the US needs to be satisfied first, once demand has been met only then will Canada's orders be a priority.

Trying Wholesalesports in the next day or so, basically i expect the same thing. If waiting list is less then it's wholesalesports i will order through.

Any other stores out there? Again thanks for assistance.
 
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