Looking for a .22cal lever action gun for my sons 9th B-Day next month. Love to hear feedback from owners on what's a good, quality gun. Prefer American made gun. Thanks

Marlin 39A would be my first choice. Look for one made prior to 1988 in order to avoid the new safety feature. Prior to that you used the half cock position for safe just like most other older levers. You should be able to find one in the $400 range, give or take, depending on condition.
The only other I would consider is a Winchester 9422. Either would be an excellent choice. I own both and prefer the 39A Mountie which has a 20" barrel and a straight stock. Those are a little harder to find, and usually demand an additional $100 or so.
Good luck! My hat's off to you for selecting such a fine present for your son.

I agree that the Marlin 39-A is a good first choice. You also should look at the Browning BL-22 as an excellent choice it is available in several grades ,has Browning's warranty and shoots very well. If these rifles exceed your budget look for a Winchester M-250 as used rifle in the $125.00 - $250.00 range. DO NOT BUY A HENRY, ROSSI or other cheap import as we get these in for repair far to frequently for my money. Hope this helps. GCS7

I'd have to go with the Browning BL-22.It's shorter and lighter and
fits people of smaller stature.The older the better.Mine's from '70.
The Marlin 39A is also great (I've got 2).Again,the older,the better,
but it is quite a bit heavier.Can't go wrong with either.Teach them
young and have a life long buddy!

The Henry is an excellent .22, and is all made in the USA from all American parts. Customer service is second to none, email them and the President will answer, usually within 30 minutes. My large loop .22 is the smoothest lever gun I have, and they are about $250.00 brand new. Your son would love one.

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Gonna be a bear? Be a grizzly.

i second the 39a reccomendation. if you start a kid with a red ryder bbgun, it's a direct progression.

my suggestion, though more expensive and harder to find, is the mountie version of the 39a. It's better balanced and lighter for the youngins. Somewhere I read that 22's hit max velocity at 18" barrels anyways - much beyond that actually slows down the bullet. Something for mythbusters to confirm or deny

once you get said marlin (or any marlin lever), put a skinner peep sight on it. you'll never fuss with the others again.

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Joshua Brown(Town)

I just bought a Marlin 39A to shoot silhouette. Nice rifle, easy to clean. I also have a Henry Goldenboy, also a nice rifle. Both are American made. The Marlin looks less like a toy rifle. The Henry's action is slicker.

I've got a Marlin 357 magnum for sale if you want something more versatile for him.

Nothing wrong with the Henry 22's, in my opinion. American made.

i have 2 henry lever action .22's and absolutely love them. sent several thousand rounds through both. still as smooth as when i first got them. and they really aren't price too bad. compared to winchester or others.(don't get me wrong i love my winchesters)

I like the Winchester 94-22's. I have never shot the Marlins or others mentioned here.

Browning BL22. Short, light, accurate and a short lever throw.
Although you can't go wrong with the 39A or Winchester 9422 either.

I have a 94/22 XTR from '82. It'll shoot 10 shot, 1" groups at 50 yards with a peep! It's far nicer looking to me than anything made in .22 lever guns. I have handled quite a few Marlins, and I wouldn't mind owning one, but none have felt as good to me. The action in mine is as slick as two pieces of wet glass rubbing together, and it hasn't been shot that much.

Cabelas has a couple of them listed on their used guns section, on the web.

Edited to add that their are a couple in our classifieds. Papalondog is the seller.

The Henry is built in Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S.A.

Perhaps not as nice as a Winchester, Marlin, Browning, etc., but still a good gun for the money.

I bought a Henry Lever Action Youth for my son, years ago, and it has been trouble-free with many rounds down the barrel.

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'Merica!