I posted about my new (old) Marlin 39A yesterday.

It covers my "need" for a 22 LR long gun.

But I recently acquired a S&W 650 which got me interested in 22 Mag.

So, my question is:

What is a good 22 Mag lever rifle?

I've been leaning towards a Henry, but figured I'd ask.

I guess I would also consider a bolt action. Looked at a bolt action Marlin in the LGS -- a really low cost alternative.

Not interested in any semi-autos as in this state there is no telling when even 22's semi-autos will come under regulation as assault rifles.

winchester 9422

Good luck finding one at anywhere near a reasonable price. Great choice though.

I've really come to love the .22magnum round ...... got my first in 2011....... ammo is much better than the stuff from the 60s ...... close to 2000FPS and muzzle energy in the 9mm range....... good for any "Varmint" in Pa.

Best bang for the buck in a .22 rifle IMHO is a CZ; Models...... 452 older model (?- 2014) , or a 453 (single set trigger) or the 455 (newer model introduced in about 2012).

I have CZ rifles in .22lr,.22mag , .17hrm and .223 (Model 527)

I have a 452FS in 22mag.........the FS is a mannlicher....... it's my"Walking in Penn's Woods" rifle. It's the most expensive of the options at about $450 or so for a new 455.

Mine has a Leupold 1-4x20 scope....... best groups off the bench have been just under .9 at 100yds........ that said average groups are 1-1.5 (under the scope's heavy crosshairs). 5rd detachable magazine...... generally carry 2 spare mags in a cellphone case on my belt...............


I also got a Ruger American Compact/Carbine about a year ago..... in .22mag to haul around on the ATV/ SXS.....nice shooter for around $300
OTD..IIRC.......9round rotary magazine.

If you're just looking for a 'utility" rifle...... the RA would be a great choice..... if you want a "nice" hunting rifle ...... check out the CZs

If you go the bolt action route then take a look at the Ruger American Rimfire. I have one in the compact length and it is great.

For levers, there are two main things to consider:

1. How it loads

2. Sights (or sights flexibility)

Ask yourself if you prefer (or require) side loading or tube loading. Some folks won't even consider a tube loader because your hand is near the muzzle.

Also, figure out if you want the option of mounting a scope. Some top ejectors make this almost, if not, impossible.

I have a Henry Small Game Carbine in 22 that I love. The factory Skinner peep sight is awesome. I also have a Henry 30/30 all weather with a 2x7 scope that is also awesome. And last,, I have a stainless Rossi 92 in 357 either a Skinner front peep sight...also awesome.

9422M XTR, Such a smooth action. For a bolt (I've found "perfection") MY Ruger M7722M all weather with the wood lamie stock & minimal trigger work to the stock trigger/action, is all I could ask for, + the size/wt make it feel like a big boy rifle. Is there a bad 22 mag rifle? Love that caliber.

If you wish to keep within the tube-fed lever action style then the discontinued Winchester 9422 M is right there with the Marlin you have.
They made plain ones, fancy ones, and some later ones with lotsa bells and whistles.

They are "pricey"; but I expect your Marlin was too ?
I've had the .22 mag. version since they first came out, and after several many years of searching for the L R , I recently found a very nice example. (of the original plain-stocked one.)
I specifically did not want the enhanced model.

Seems to me there are more of the .22 mag rifles available than L R; but, as with all things we search long and hard for, that's the way of it.

Today, probably Henry will be the lever-gun you can buy at once, that by all accounts is very good in quality.

On the bolt action, if you wish to stay with Marlin, (they can't be beat) the model 783, is a tube-fed, not magazine;.... although with just a change in model numbers the magazine types are out there also.

On the MATTER, (not INVESTIGATION ) of your S&W 650; that .22 is considered quite a "prize" these days, and once upon a time, with the 651 you could have had a factory conversion for both mag and L R.
I think I read the production numbers of those little gems as 900 ??; so more difficult to find than a Win. 9422M,... X 10.

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wanna do right-- not right now

I paid $450 for the 39A.

I'd pay that for a 22 mag lever gun, or perhaps a bit more, but I'm not going into the $1K+ range like I'd expect for the Winchester.

CZ all the way.

Bought the Ruger American compact myself and in 22 mag. makes for one handy lightweight rifle. Did pick up the standard stock module as it gives me more length of pull. Paid around $280 but many have bought for less.

Was the Marlin ever produced in .22 Mag? I've handled a Henry a couple of times, and though they seemed nice enough, they are awfully heavy. Especially the octagonal barrel models.

Mossberg Chuckster.

I did the same thing. It is a nice, versatile set up. Mine loves Remington Accutip 33 grain cartridges

Rossi 62 pump came in .22 magnum, as did the Winchester 250/255 lever gun and 270/275 pump. I have owned all three, my son still has the Winchester pump.

Marlin 22 WMR lever guns that match your 39A are somewhat rare, or at least "highly sought after", and seldom seen. The last one I saw for sale was over $1,000. I can tell you that they also made a Levermatic short throw lever action in 22 WMR called the Model 57M. I have one of those and a Marlin bolt action 22 WMR called the 25MN. Both are extremely accurate, the 57M maybe a bit better. You probably won't find a 57M for $450 (unless it a bit rough), but the 25 MN can be found closer to $300, but it's not a lever.

I don't have any pictures of either on this phone, but will add them later, unless someone beats me to it. You got a great deal on that 39A for $450! Mine was closer to $600, and I was happy to pay it.

I see a photo of a 57 was added below, here's my 25 MN, although not a great photo, it's all I have for now. It easily thumps critters in my garden, 95 yards from my back deck.

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Happy with it too Scott as does not seem like a cheap gun despite the synthetic stock. Plus for me was the satin finish instead of the matte bluing found on the R/A centerfires. Feedin mine 40 grain CCI H.P. when I can get em. A lot lighter than my Marlin 925M which ain't bad accuracy wise but the R/A seems like a handy 10/22 carbine with a bolt.

Glad ya mentioned this Mossy. In the late 60's my friend had a 640K Chuckster we used to shoot in the woods and fields. Paid around $40 for it back then. Good memories. One's on my list when I go to the rip-off gun shows!

Here is a Marlin model 57 22 mag made before they added the "M" to 57. kraynky is correct, they are extremely accurate.

That gold plated trigger was sure a nice classic touch. My old 783 had it too. Unfortunately no more!

I'm in the same boat, looking for a .22 mag rifle. I'm torn between the Henry pump, and the small game rifle, with it's skinner sight and large loop.

Folks I'm telling you................. check out the CZ rimfire rifles.......

I have Marlin 1894M in 22 maggy......


and a laminated 9422 mag......


and had a Henry 17hmr.... no more henry's for me


and a marlin mountie....


and the little browning bl-22...

I'm not a Henry fan either. If I had to have a lever, I'd look for a 9422. If you don't mind a bolt, CZ makes a quality rifle without breaking the bank.

I've owned near a dozen 22 mag rifles over the years. The best accuracy I've found has been with both the Marlin and Savage bolt guns. They are also more affordable than most. That's where I would start looking before putting allot of $ into a lever gun.

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Dave

My new Henry carbine in 22lr is nice. My LGS has the twin in 22wmr. I have a Marlin 782 bolt action in 22wmr that will take out the x ring at 100yds.

I've only had two rifles in .22 Magnum, but I can recommend both. I currently have a Ruger American Compact, and previously had a Winchester 9422M Trapper. Both just excellent, trouble free little rifles. I consider the Ruger a very nice little rifle, well worth the $229.00 asking price. Not fancy, but reliable and accurate. The Winchester, just as reliable and accurate for me, had an especially nice stock, and was a beauty. My LNIB 9422M Trapper went to a new home, for quite a bit more $$$ than I would have believed possible a few years ago. Now that they are out of production, the 9422s seem to have appreciated just a bit

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

How does the Marlin 782 stack up compared to the current Marlin bolt actions -- XT-22M?

The only .22 wmr rifle I have is the marlin 783 bolt and it's the only one I'll ever need. Great rifle.

I have a Henry lever action with a 3 X 9 scope on it 2" groups at 100 yards if I do my part. Sweet little rifle.

The Marlin 782 & 783 were extremely accurate, at least the ones I got to shoot in the early 70's at Marlin.
Free ammo and 'I have to go and range test this one' made for a nice break from the routine.

The Levermatic 22Mags were also very accurate. IIRC they have a steel recv'r instead of the aluminum alloy rec'vr of the 22LR version. The centerfire's are steel of course.

Those are about the only 22magnum rifles I've ever had much experience with as I've stuck to 22LR since the supply of free ammo was taken away those many years ago! I did have a Win61 in 22 Mag, but I shot it very little. Probably put more bird shot thru it than bullets. So I fancyied that one up and down the road it went.
Too expensive as a plinker, I don't hunt, can't reload it so I personally have little use for one. But it is a great little cartridge for sure.
...Those CZ rifles do look nice too,

+1 for the Mossberg Chuckster. I have the 640 Chuckster and love it. It's a nice old gun that shoots exceptionally well and they can be had on GB for a fairly reasonable price.

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I reckon so

I'm with Bam Bam, If you haven't tried the CZ rifles you need to. Quality and accuracy is up there with Anschutz.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

There are a lot of thoughts given here, but very few regarding personal experience with the Henry you mentioned... I have a Golden Boy in 22 WMR and I'm VERY happy with it and have no reservations recommending them. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

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M&PC FS BG Shield+ 642 686+

Savage 93 FSS.

John

FYI, the CZ 455 is available with two barrels, .22 LR and either a .22 Magnum or .17 HMR. Or you can add a barrel later.