Having read the posts for what you want to buy in 2012, I have a hankering for a lever action .22 cal. rifle. For those of you who have been down this path or own one or more of these, what would you recommend?

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Doc Garrett
Dead Man's Doctor

I had a Browning BL-22 years ago. It had a very short lever throw, but I just never developed any real love for it, and we parted company after a few years. I had a Marlin 1894 in .357 mag years ago, but always was disappointed with it's lack-luster accuracy, so it is also gone. My buddy had a Marlin 39 that is decades old- he loves it and it is one of his most cherished firearms. I bought a Winchester 9422M just as the factory closed- one of the best decisions I ever made. It is extremely accurate and has a very crisp trigger. If you can find a 9422, I would highly recommend it.

I bought a Marlin 39A last year after several years of looking for one, off and on. (Some .41 Magnums got in the way of the 39A search).

It has XS peep sights on it and shoots real well. It seems to like the high speed loss leader .22 ammo better than the higher priced stuff. A nice trait in a .22 rifle.

My 39A, mfg. in 04, is accurate and problem free. Many have complained about the newer ones having feeding and ejection issues and the overall workmanship lacking. Maybe I just got lucky with this one which I bought used from a Forum member.

I'm a big fan of the Browning BL-22. I've had mine for 25+ years and find it to be very accurate and reliable. I really like the short lever throw with it's very quick follow up shots without removing the stock from your shoulder.

I was looking for a Winchester 9422 at the time I bought the Browning. The gunshop had both and after a comparison I fell for BL-22.

In recent years I've put a 4X scope on and it has become my ace squirrell gun.

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- Change it back -

My father bought my Marlin 39A some 30 years ago for me to squirrel hunt with. It's smooth, reliable, and the accuracy rivals the Anschutz bolt .22s I own. Sadly I have heard too that the QC and accuracy of newer 39A's have dropped off. If you can find a nice used 39A in excellent shape, buy it.

I also own a Browning BL-22 grade II and it is a nice gun. The short lever throw is a plus and it is very smooth. But it is more of a lever carbine than a rifle and the accuracy is not quite on the same plain as the 39A. But your mileage may vary.

My 39a made in 1943 is the best all around .22 i have ever owned.

I have two 39A's. The newer one required some alteration on the rebounding hammer strut before it would fire. If you can find a used one without the crossbolt safety you'll love it.
Charles

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Charles Randolph

I have a Marlin 39 Mountie and wouldn't trade it for anything. I kept it and traded away a 9422. I can't give you a reason why I like the Mountie better. The 9422 was an excellent rifle. It somehow just fits me.

If you just want to spend about $200 a Henry should be considered. The action is smooth and all I've ever shot have been accurate. Downside is the alloy receiver shows wear and will scratch easier. I bought a golden boy henry that solves the finish problem but I paid $350 for a like new used one.

I saw a pretty nice Marlin 39a with the skinny forearm this weekend for $425 ask but I know the dealer and he would have taken $350-75. I like the short throw Browning and the Win 9422. If I could just have one to use I'd take an older Marlin 39a but I wouldn't feel deprived using the Henry, Browning or Win.

Here's an oddball lever 22. Mossburg Palomino. I gave $200 for this at a small show a couple years ago and bought this old Marlin 39a for $250 with the old Weaver scope at the same show. Also picked up the Puma .357 for $325 but it didn't move me so I let it fly.

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God spelled backwards is dog.

I was lucky enough to purchase a couple of my great uncles guns from my non gun loving uncle. One was a 39A Golden with an bausch and lomb scope on it. Extremely accurate. A local gun shop here has had a 9422 trapper on the shelf and it is new/never fired with the original box. They want $999.00 for it. I went and looked at it this weekend again and they said make an offer on it. I wasn't ready for that type of commitment yet aven at $800.00. I am keeping my eye open for a 9422 or a 39a golden or mountie for my son to have in a few years when he is of age. My father in law had a new golden boy for a couple years and he thought it was the greatest thing ever made. He traded it off though as is his style.

I guess that ramble boils down to a +1 for the 39a golden for me...just from experience. I would love to find a mountie or 9422 resonable though as well.

Kevin

I have a 65 Mountie that looks like the day it came from the factory...

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I bought a "Mountie" in 1964 and put a K2.5 Weaver on it. Getting rid of it has never entered my mind and I have run several cases of shells through it. Sometimes it doesn't shoot where I want it to but it always shoots where I held it. Larry

I have recently purchased several Marlin lever actions. First a 1894 CB in .45Colt, next a 1897 CB in .22Lr and last week an older Mountie off this Forum. I don't have the Mountie yet and haven't had the opportunity to shoot the 1894 yet, but the 1897 is a dream. It's 24" octagonal barrel puts the shot where it's aimed.

The 39a is a decendent of the original 1897, later called the 97, later the 39. The 39a is the latest model designation and arrived shortly after WWII if I have my facts right.

The 39a's basic design is over 100 years old with minor changes along the way. The latest and probably most onerous is the rebounding hammer and hammer block safety.

If a 39a or Mountie is in your future try to find a pre-hammer block safety one. They are out there and nice ones are in the $500 + range. Rare and scarce models are in the $1000 +- range.

Good luck in what ever you choose.

LTC