A friend asked me about a good 22LR rifle to plink with and also to teach his son how to shoot with. I am biased towards the Marlin 39A lever action, but I wanted some feedback from y'all on this one.

I'm sure the Ruger 10/22 has many fans as well. What are your thoughts on what action is best, and what's your favorite?

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Aaron Terry

I like the Remington 572. It's a pump action and works just like my 870 shotgun and 7600 rifle. Same action type in all my most commonly used long guns.

Marlin Model 39A

I think the Ruger is hard to beat for the money. A Nylon 66 would be great if he could find one.

I started my kids out with a Winchester 67, a Stevens Favorite and a Savage Sporter. While I like the Marlin 39 mentioned I prefer the Browning BL22. However if I was buying a new rifle to start the kids out on I'd either go with a Handi Rifle combo or a Savage 93. Is that vague enough for you? ;D

Yep........

i like the 39a, 10/22, nylon 66, and my sig 522.

My favorite 22L is a Nylon 66 that I have had since I was a kid. In fact my Dad like it so much that he bought another one so my brother and I wouldn't fight over it.

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Al
Have Gun Will Travel

How often do you clean yours, I used to think it was almost impossible. I bought one of the 1976 commemorative and just cleaned it recently. I found a link on you tube.
‪redloh7204's Channel‬‏ - YouTube

A Weatherby Mark XXII semi-automatic, either the Italian or Japanese made editions. At least I look good carrying it, even if I can't shoot worth a dang.

Very close second -- a modestly customized Ruger 10/22. I like the ones made by Clark's with the mid-diameter barrel mounted on a sporter stock. Little tiny groups and light enough to walk the field with.

I think Volquartsen used to make something called the Firefly built on the 10/22 pattern, which was made to shoot .22 Shorts. Never seen one in the flesh, but that little rifle has always appealed to me.


Bullseye


P.S.: Somehow, I missed that this was supposed to be a recommendation for a young one. I definitely concur with the single-shot school of thought on this. Of course, if the rifle is being shot under supervision, the magazines on the semis can be loaded one round at a time.

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Five screws and 3-1/2 inches.

I'm going to the river this weekend and this one will go along for the ride, I also have a ruger 10/22 with a fixed four scope that works out well.

My absolute favorite is my Winchester Model 62 that my father purchased for me in 1955. I also like the Remington 500 series rifles of which I have a 510, 512, and 550.

Marlin Model 60. Bought NIB in 1975. 35+ years and still going strong and shooting much better than I am.

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"Sursum Ab Ordine"

+1 on the Marlin Model 60. Mine was purchased in the early 80's and still going strong.

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Enter through the narrow gate

I have two favorite 22LRs:

Ruger 10-22 Tricked out!


And my Henry Golden Boy!!!

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Rick
American Blacksmith

My favorite rifle is an old model 68 Winchester single shot with a peep sight. It belonged to my dad and I still have it and I am north of 72. I have shot it all my life.
The ruger 10/22 or the marlin model 60 would be my pick for a youngster just learning to shoot. I have owned both and they are good rifles.

39-A, would be my choice. And if he's a real little tike, the much lighter weight Henry Carbine would be a good alternative.

> Hey, Redlevel.... is it just me, or does the flute in the butt stock of your 39-A appear to be about twice as long as most others. What's up with that?

> Hey, Pluspea.... that "66" of yours looks to be in even better shape than mine (alot better.)
They are the only auto-loading .22's I will own. Mine shoot super accurate and they'll eat just about anything you feed them.

> Hey...what ever happened to those T/C auto .22's that came out about 10 years ago? They were supposed to be real fine rifles, but I never see any.

You've got a good eye, Skeeziks, and its something I've been wondering for 40 years. Compare with the right side, and below, with a 39A Mountie, also from the early 60s. The Mountie has a matte nickel finish from Checkmate, out of Florida.

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Georgia On My Mind

If he wants something that feels like a real, sho'nuff rifle, something that can become an heirloom, it's the 39A. I might be a teeny bit prejudiced. I drooled over rifles in the Shooters Bible and other gun rags of the late 50s and early 60s, and made a nuisance of myself whenever I went in the Western Auto, mostly lusting after Nylon 66s and whatever the Sears JC Higgins or Western Auto Revelation brand semi-autos of the time were. All good guns, and ones I'm sure I could still be proud of today. My Uncle was bad about buying guns and other stuff he couldn't afford. He bought a new 39A, and a few months later, needed some cash. That was in 1960, and I was going to be 12 that December, so my Daddy let me buy it with money I had made selling boiled peanuts that summer. It was then, and is today, one of my most prized possessions. I added the scope thirty-some years later, when the eyes began to age.

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Georgia On My Mind

I am an advocate of using single shot .22's to teach someone to shoot - much safer than magazine guns, especially semi-automatics. I (and my kids) started with an old Stevens tip-up and a Winchester Model 67. I'm not familiar with what's available new these days.

An alternative for teaching would be single loading a bolt or lever magazine rifle. The previously suggested Marlin 39-A and the Winchester 9422 are good lever choices. I like Winchester Models 69, 75, and 52 for bolt guns, but these are a bit pricey these days.

For semi-automatics, the Ruger 10-22 is available new in many configurations. Remington model 66's can still be found, as well as several excellent old Stevens semi's.

.22's are a great way to learn to shoot, and they make lots of sense for an experienced adult shooter as well, considering the price of center-fire ammunition these days. Keep an eye out for older guns - they are usually priced well, and the corrosion-protective nature of modern .22 ammo usually means the the bore and action are in good shape.


Buck

I have two favorites. For open sights, it's a Winchester 9422 (first year issue); for scoped use, it's a CZ 452 American.

I hate to be a "Na-Sayer" on the Marlin 39A, but the modern ones they are selling now are nowhere near the quality of the ones made back in the 50's, 60's, 70's, maybe even the 1980's. Somewhere along the way they "Modenized or Lawyerized" the action, with a re-bounding hammer, and cross bolt safety. The result is a rifle that is unreliable, with many failures to fire (light primer strikes) and failures to eject. I bought a brand new one a year or so ago, and it took two trips back to the factory to make it right. They wound up replacing the barrel, bolt and the extractor twice. If you want a Marlin 39A, get an older one without the re-bounding hammer.

On the other hand, I paid half the money for a Henry H001 lever rifle and have put thousands of rounds through it with zero malfunctions. I liked it so much I just recently bought a Henry pump .22, same 100% reliability and excellent accuracy.

I have a 39M and like it a lot. One of these days I will find a 39a to go with it. I had a Winchester 9422 once and traded it off because I liked the 39M better. I also have a Ruger 1022 a Remington 597. You can never have enough .22 rifles. The 597 is perfect to send with my son when he goes to his girlfriend's familys deer lease.

Gary, now that you mention it . . . . . .

The Mountie pictured below is one of the guns I bought after hanging around in the background at my local NAPA, watching someone trade it in. I bought it for $145 about 15 years ago. It was "finish challenged," so, on a whim, I sent it to Checkmate in Florida and had a matte nickel finish applied. The butt-plate was missing the white-line spacer, so I "fabricated" one from one of the wife's place mats. She still doesn't know where that place mat went. I have yet to get around to re-doing the wood. Having too much fun shooting it.

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Georgia On My Mind

I started out both of my sons out while they were small on this model 62 carbine. Now that they've moved up to bigger sized guns I've ended up shooting this one a lot more . . . it's a hoot to shoot.

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- Change it back -

Faulkner, that carbine is just plain nifty!!

I have a mid 80's Ruger 77/22 (bolt action) that I like. The rear sight isn't too good, so I put a scope on it. It uses the same magazines as the 10/22.

I have several nice .22 rifles. But about 6 weeks ago I found a Jap made Winchester model 63 at a farm auction. It has quickly become my favorite .22 rifle.
The little beast is high quality. And it shoots and handles just as good as it looks.

The 10/22 had the ability to be a lot of different rifles due to all the aftermarket stuff that is available for it. Mine was stock for a while, then got a peep sights and sling swivels added. Now it has a red, white and blue laminated stock and a 3-10 power scope on it. I am considering putting on a more powerful scope.

My other favorites are bolt-actions, a Winchester 52, a Remington 40X and a Remington 541T-HB. They are bigger, heavier rifles though.

I started out with a single-shot .22 caliber Crosman pellet gun. Almost wore the rifle out shooting it.

Winchester Model 1890... I don't think it can be worn out.

The 22 rifle that I loved to shoot the most was my brother's Rossi 62a pump action believe it is considered the "gallery gun" as it is extremely short. It is very accurate even with iron sights, and a pleasure to shoot. I would love to add one of these and a Remington 552 Speedmaster to my collection someday.

39 a realy fun 22

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

"Paw, this works just like my BB gun." Grandson's comment about little Marlin lever rifle & referrin' to his Red Rider. ~Simley~
And she'll feed them CB short cartridges.

Su Amigo,
Dave

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

I started out with a Stevens Favorite that an Uncle bought new in 1915? for $3.50. Shot it until the Nylon 66's came out. My son learned to shoot with that Favorite and his son did too.

It's in the safe waiting for the next generation to come down the pike.

This is my favorite right now.

Iggy...that's the greatest thing since sliced bread!
I've never seen that adapter/tube set-up before. You can shoot your beautiful Sharps all day long for just pennies compared to the cost of shooting 45/70's.

Where can I get me one of those?

It's gotta be my old Mossburg US-44. Close runner up is an pre safty Marlin 39A. Both classic rifle's.

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Stay safe people!

Check your Private Messages.

I like the CZ 452 American. Good quality and very accurate. Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

When I was growing up my Harrington and Richardson 5 shot magazine bolt action was the go to .22.

Now I like my Ruger 10/22, but a Henry's Golden Boy may be a purchase soon.

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My Mother likes me.

I suggest that these are two different requirements that may not be best fulfilled with a single gun. For teaching a son to shoot I'd recommend you consider the CZ bolt action Scout model. It has a short stock, but is fairly heavy, so he may need a sand bag or other bench rest until he grows into it. And it comes with a dummy magazine that facilitates loading one cartridge at a time, single shot fashion. Also available are 5 and 10 shot mags that he could use later when out of the learning stage. For an adult plinking rifle, there are many good options listed in the posts above.

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Quoth the raven:
"Nevermore"

Ruger SR-22 Autoloading Rifle

I am pleased that my two favorite .22 rimfire rifles made the list here.

1. The Nylon 66 that Remington made is a great shooter. Very accurate and reasonable priced when you can find one. I paid $45 for mine at a pawn shop. It has seen about 10,000 rounds ran through it plinking at beer cans.

2. The Marlin 39A is likely the most accurate .22 I have ever owned or shot. A little heavier than the Nylon 66 but more accurate.

As of last week, this one:



This is the current iteration of the Weatherby XXII Deluxe in .22LR, a bolt action model made by Anschutz in Germany. Features Anschutz match grade 64 action. I found it on a local board, practically NIB for less than what the vintage Italian and Japanese semi-autos of earlier production bring!

I'm an old fart who firmly believes a new shooter should be taught on a single shot rifle. It teaches them to make every shot count. I feel that something like a 10/22 or a Marlin 60, while fine firearms, are not the best for a beginner to learn proper positions, trigger control, sight picture, breathing et. et. The urge to spray and pray is just to great. I like either falling block actions or bolt actions for youngsters to start with. Personally I would hunt down a nice vintage Winchester 63, Stevens Favorite, Remington #4 Rolling Block.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

My initial training was using a Mod 24 Savage/Stevens .22LR/.410 Shotgun. Fortunately the community dump was crawling with rats and my dad taught me to shoot in this environment. One day after I had pulled the trigger on the .22 barrel many times and me unsuspecting, he loaded a .410 into the gun and I thought this was the usual .22 until my lip was blooded. I agree that a single shot causes more appreciation for aiming and breathing properly and would recommend this gun for any beginner. Yes, they are available but not as reasonable as they were when I was a boy, mine had the "Tenite" stock & forearm.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

Mossbergs are great rifles. Model 151, 46, 44us, 144, 50, 51 are plentiful, inexpensive, and are accurate.

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Dennis

Winchester M/63 followed by M/61.

My favorite is a stock Ruger 10/22 - it may not be very pretty but it's very accurate and 100% reliable.

Put me down for the Marlin 39 and its variations--I've got one made in 1948 and whenever I hand it to someone and they shoot it and see how sweet and dead on accurate it is they get a big smile on their face.

I want to find a Lyman receiver sight for it--I'd really like one of the same vintage. It's almost perfect now but that would take it over the top.

I also think a good single shot is worth a look. However, most youngsters want to progress to a semi auto fairly quickly.

I recommend one of the semi autos already mentioned. Load one round at a time in the magazine.

If a bolt action is desired, the CZ is hard to beat.