Guys I’ve been researching various different .22LR rifles for my next gun, and the Browning BL22 lever action is catching my eye:



A cursory search revealed good reviews and the price is very good and availability is high. But are these really any good? I have never owned a lever action rifle before and I find the proposition appealing.

Anyone care to share their thoughts on the Browning BL22 lever action rimfire rifle? Thanks in advance,

-Jay

May want to also look at a Marlin Golden 39A also. Don't know anything about the Browning but do own a Marlin Golden 39A (1958). A full size lever action .22 rifle. Walnut stock, easy to break down and clean, and highly accurate.

The BL22 is a great gun, it's just a little more petite than I prefer.

Marlin 39A is a good suggestion too.

Winchester 9422 is really nice, but only available used and can be big bucks.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

I have not kept up on new guns, and while I own 4 Belgium Brownings, I am not fond of the Japanese stuff.

If you want a lever action, perhaps give Henry a look. Made in the USA or not at all. That is their motto

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Clang444 got it right, the Browning is a bit more..... delicate maybe, some may say more refined. They are lighter than a Marlin 39A or 39AS, but have a buttery smooth action, with a shorter throw. The Marlin 39A is a heavy rifle for a 22, but they are sturdy and reliable. The Marlin also breaks down without the need for tools, which might make it more suitable for a pack rifle.

You can't go wrong with the Browning for sure, it's an excellent little 22, and probably better suited if you were teaching youngsters how to shoot. They seem to have a short stock, for me anyway, where a Marlin 22 feels more like a centerfire rifle.

Both are worth buying, but the Marlin might be a bit harder to find. It took me a good long time to find the pre-safety I wanted (1960). I have a weakness for Marlins, but I wouldn't turn down a good price on a BL-22, it's a great rifle too.

Is the Marlin 39A even still in production?

Sorry but I’ve read nothing but extremely positive things about the made in Japan Mirokus. They say the fit and finish is equal, some say even better, than the Belgians. My father owns a Browning BSS made by Miroku, and it has been fantastic.

Frankly it’s Marlin and to some extent even Henry that I have not heard great things about. Not saying you’re wrong, not saying you’re right, but I have 0 issues with a gun made in Japan. Some of the greatest guns in the world quite honestly are either not from here or not made here. American manufacturing, including for guns, is a shadow of its forum self and it pains me to say that. Half of the guns in my safe are foreign made.

I have always gravitated to the BL-22 but never ended up buying one. I am not really sure why

I have two Henry 22 lever guns and a Rossi Ranch Hand, plus two Pump rifles

The BL-22 is still in my sights

I did not like the feel of the Browning though that could be different for any other person. I went with the Henry Frontiersman and Marlin 39A.

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I can't speak for the 39A (rifle), but can speak of the 39M Mountie (carbine), version of the same vintage. I have 2, a 1959 and a 1960. Same everything as the rifle except for a 20" bbl and a straight stock. Rifle has 24" bbl and a pistol grip stock & curved lever.

They are 'man sized' and weigh and handle like a centerfire rifle and not like a reduced size/weight .22. I love Browning stuff, but petite certainly describes the BL22. Compared to the Marlin, it did not impress me at all. It was pretty though.

The decade between the mid 50's and the mid 60's is a good place to look around. The Marlin lever action sub-forum over at RFC is great for reference before jumping into anything.

Rob

Edit: The slot in the takedown screw is sized for a 50 cent piece to be used for takedown and re-assembly. How American can you get?

I have a bl-22 and it has a very smooth trigger and action. It is a bit small, but for a 22lr you don't need a big gun. It is compact, light and worth the money in my opinion.

I have owned a bl22 since 1982 and it is still my favorite lever gun. Really like the 60deg. lever throw, very accurate and easy to handle. One day my grandson will own it.

Although not a lever action but still a Browning, you might want to check-out the Browning T-Bolt ... nice rifles!!

One thing that many really like on the Browning is the very short lever throw....very accurate, very reliable, seems to feed anything.

Many SASS shooters like them because they nearly replicate the short stroked rifles they are already using.

If the price is good and condition is the same I would pounce on it before some one else figured it out!

Randy

PS. They are VERY popular here in Montana....but don't often come up for sale....usually a good indicator for me. People just hang on to them and them pass them down and down and down....

Depen

I own a Browning BL22 and a Henry Goldenboy. Both are great guns. The Goldenboy is purdier, but the BL22 seems a bit more refined. Can't go wrong with either one. If you are steering toward the BL22, you won't regret it.

No going to argue the quality of the Miroku, the quality is excellent.
But I will say you should handle the BL22 AND the pre-safety Marlin 39. I did and that's what decided everything for me, regardless of price. I prefered the Mountie over the rifle, it shouldered better for me and prefered both Marlins over the Browning that just felt youth sized.

What feels right for you is likely totally different, but will make all the difference in shooting it.

Rob

It's probably the best choice for a new .22 lever gun. Browning / Miroku is a high quality product. Always has been.

If you venture into the used market, the Marlin 39 and Winchester 9422 are excellent. I prefer them to the Browning, but the Browning will be quite enjoyable.

I shoot the cowboy silhouette with a Win. model 61. Bought a Marlin 39 from 1958 with micro groove. Couldn't find any ammo that would group under 2 1/2 inches at 25 yards. Super cleaned the bore and it got worse. Lots of marlins at the shoot and the guys love them. Mine must have been the lemon. Got a BL22 coming Sunday. It is the 24 inch octagon barrel version. The guy is selling it because He got a Henry that out shoots it. I want to use a peep sight and I won't drill My 1948 vintage 61 that is about 90%.

Okay...here goes. I own a Browning lever-action .22, a Henry octagonal barrel lever-action .22, and a Winchester 9422M. The Browning, in my opinion is of superior quality to the Henry. The receiver on the Henry is zinc or some other metal. To me, upon close inspection, it even looks cheap. But, that's just my opinion.

Sure, the Browning is small with a real short action. Perfect for packing along as a good woods-walking rifle. Its great accuracy has already been mentioned. It was spot-on accurate right out of the box. The Henry, on the other hand, needed some serious adjusting, not only with the rear sight, but when that couldn't move any further, the front sight needed adjusting as well. Of course, that might have just been that particular rifle.

I'm not putting the Winchester 9422M on the table because, 1) they're harder to find than hen's teeth, and 2) that's not what you were asking about in the first place.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Browning. Yeah, it's got a short length of pull, but, golly, you can sure as heck throw it up to your shoulder quicker than quick. Again, small, light weight, short throw, and a joy to pack along up in the hills.

Just my two cents worth...and it's probably not even worth that.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

Not that small!

I posted this photo in the recent thread about the Browning SA22. It shows how the BL22 (my favorite .22 rifle, BTW) compares in size to the Model 94:

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I've owned the silver one with the 24" octagon barrel for years. i like it. The squirrels and vermin don't. The BL22 along with Winchester 9422 and Marlin 1897T(39 variant).......The 3 best lever action .22's ever made. The BL22 is the only one of the 3 that's still being made.

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S&W Accumulator

Thanks so much, friends.

I’m truly torn between the SA22 and the BL22. I LOVE the fact the BL22 can shoot any .22LR ammo, even the ultra quiet primer-only loads. Can’t it also shoot shorts and longs?

I’m a smaller man, 5’ 7”, and a short 12 1/2” LOP is normal and comfortable for me.

I really don’t have a use for a takedown rifle either... but the SA22 looks really nice and I already know I like a semi-auto .22. I’ve never owned a lever action.

If you purchase the BL-22, I am very sure that you will really like it...Love it actually.
Keep us posted on how this turned out....

Randy

be aware that the BL-22 comes in 2 sizes. The Micro is a small firearm. That is what I have because I purchased it for grandkids to learn to shoot.
I think you would be very pleased with the standard BL-22.

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Super Snooper

Browning makes the BL-22 in a junior model with a shorter Length pull for young shooters, however, the standard model fits me just fine. I'm 5' 10" and have a 32" sleeve length. One of the reasons I bought my Miroku BL-22 is that it comes quickly to my shoulder with perfect sight alignment. It's a quality lever action, and the short throw lever helps keep the sights on target for fast follow up shots. You won't know if you like a lever action until you try it. I'm betting you'll get a kick out plinking with a BL-22.

I've owned several lever guns over the years. Some can be a real pain to tear down and clean. I suggest you search out some videos to see how they come apart.

My vote goes for the BL-22. It's an accurate, well refined and handy little carbine, one to be proudly passed on as an heirloom.

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There's nothing wrong with the BL22. Love mine. As others have said it's small, light, very accurate, feeds and shoots about any make of ammo equally well. Easy to carry. The short throw makes it quick. Good trigger
I gave a guy $100 for this one in the late 1980s. It was a great rifle to teach the grandkids.
I also have a Winchester 9422 and had a Marlin. Both are also nice guns but they're bigger and a bit heavier than the BL22. I find that if I'm going to take a hike the 9422 is left in the safe and the BL22 is the one I grab.

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183rd FBINA

I have a 9422, and 39, a Henry H001, and a BL22.

For walking around in the woods, I'd go with the BL22 or the Henry (tossup), then the 9422 (close second) then the 39 (distant third), in that order.

The Henry H001 does not have a steel receiver - it's an alloy, Zamak like, I suppose. But I've had thousands of rounds through this gun and it's just as good as day one. It, like the 9422, has a very smooth action. The trigger is about 3 pounds or so. It's a light rifle and points very well.

The BL22 is an all steel receiver but very light as well, and points very well. The trigger is about 5- 6 pounds, however, so you'll need to get used to that.

The 9422 is also a great "pointer," but they are difficult to find in very good condition at a reasonable price.

The 39 is a heavy gun, very accurate. But it's a bit much to carry around, and they are also a bit expensive now. The action is a bit rough, but that's the way it's designed so it's not a knock on the gun. I actually sold one of my 39's (a 1951 Peanut) because I never shot it. I still have one, a newer production with the silly rebound hammer.

Bottom line - if I were in the market for a .22, I'd go with either the Henry H001 or the BL 22. I'd also immediately upgrade them with a Skinner rimfire sight and a Patridge front sight (that's my 50+ year old eys problem, not a stock sights problem).

The Browning is my favorite of the lever action 22’s. I love the short lever throw. It’s also the best looking in my opinion. I like the 9422 and 39A as well, but haven’t been impressed with the quality of the Henry stuff.

I had a BL22 and it was excellent. The trigger also stays in the lever when cocking. I traded it for something years ago and still kick myself for doing that.

I just picked up a bl22 last week. Compared to my 9422 and 39a it is very carry friendly. Unfortunately I haven't gotten to shoot it because it has a problem with the bolt cover plate regularly coming loose and locking up the gun when the lever is cycled, requiring disassembly. The gun is not easy to work on. I can't reccomend a bl22 over either a 39a or 9422 because of the bolt design that led to this issue. It does not seem to be a common problem, though

I have one. I've had it for years. It feeds everything from CB shorts to Stingers. Get it. You will love it.

Yes, it can also shoot shorts and longs. That's the beauty of a tubular magazine over a detatchable magazine. In the Marlin you can even mix shorts, long, and long rifle in the tube and I'm pretty sure you could do the same with the BL22.

Way back in the late 70's I bought a new BLR in .308 Win. Flat out loved it even with the detatchable mag. Ended up selling it when kids happened and $$$ got really tight.

I'll keep yammering over one thing and that is, handle and shoulder any of the rifles you are considering. If it doesn't point naturally it's just not that fun to shoot.

Wet

I have the BL-22 Grade II and the SA-22 Grade I. Both are excellent rifles. The BL-22 provides a little more utility being able to digest all varieties of .22, but they're both a blast to shoot.

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

Well, y’all, I done ordered me one.

Seems the SA22s are between runs. They’re out of stock everwhere, I mean plum EVERWHERE (grade 1s anyway). My dealer can’t gettaholda one.

Had eem order me up a BL22. I’ve heard a few mixed reports but come heller high water we shall see.

Stay tuned!

Thoughts?

Owned a grade 2, Japanese made BL-22 for years.

Beautiful fit and finish.
Action is slick as it gets
Short lever throw
Trigger travels with the lever so as to avoid finger pinch.
Mines been totally reliable.
Very light weight and compact
Accurate

Drawbacks?
Trigger pull is heavy and stiff, and is hard to improve because of the design.
The guns light weight makes it difficult for some to shoot well off hand.

That's about it, and overall they are a very nice rifle, and a step above any Henry .22 lever I have compared it to. The 9422 is about as well made, but is a heavier, full size rifle, and nice used ones are getting up there in price. They have better triggers, and are maybe a little more accurate? The lever throw is longer and not as slick as the BL-22, and the trigger stays put, like a 94 centerfire. My 9422m is another keeper.

Larry

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My Browning BL-22 Grade II was the first gun I ever bought as a teenager in 1976 and I still have it. It is easily one of the most accurate .22LR long guns I own. I've taken dozens and dozens of squirrels and rabbits with it, as well as several coyotes. Later, both of my sons learned to shoot with this rifle and hunted with it as well.

Not only is the fit and finish very nice, as expected from a Browning branded firearm, but as noted it is very accurate and reliable. The short lever throw is one of it's best features as follow up shots are very easy and quick without removing the rifle from your shoulder.

I have fired a lot of different ammo through it, but it is wickedly accurate and effective with CCI Stingers.

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- Change it back -

My BL-22 has a 1968 SN.... Browning’s website states 1969 was the first so I have an early one! Trigger is good on it, wood has a reddish color
One of my favorite rifles.
I do have a 39A but rarely take it out of my safe

I only know about leaver action Henry in .22lr I have a GB and Magnum.

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Life is short,live it fully.

OP:you are asking if they are good?
Answer:it is a Browning!

Well guys, seems the reports on most newly made BL22s report awful triggers and unacceptable accuracy.

This is disconcerting.

Seems on the Browning forums, they mentioned that in recent years, lawyers have urged Browning to give most of their guns abysmal triggers for liabilities sake. Not only that, due to the unique lever design of this rifle, trigger job are extremely difficult to perform with any measure of success. Not cool! It seems the older 1970s models are well thought of, with good triggers and great accuracy. But, if buying used, I might as well pony up for a Marlin 39A which is said to be the greatest lever action .22 ever made.

I’m going to test the rifles trigger in the shop. If it ain’t good, I’m walking. My dealer only ordered one from his distributor, I haven’t paid for it yet thank god. I have 0 room in my life for another gun with a bad trigger.

Well, Jay, you just had about 35 posters here on this forum tell you how well they liked their BL-22's.

Before making any decisions, you really need to try one out. It's about more than just a light trigger pull. If that's the most important thing, then bolt actions with set triggers should be the only choice...

Lever actions are about overall feel, style, and nostalgia, and not just pure accuracy.

Got a feeling that folks on the Browning Forum are a lot like some of the enthusiast posters on this forum, you know, they haven't made a good Browning since John Moses passed on....

By the way, there was never an "old" version of this rifle - They were always made in Japan by the same company, who has always had a reputation for quality.

Larry

The Marlin 39's are hard to beat!

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@Fishinfool

True, there may not be 'old' and 'new' versions, but there can certainly be pre lawyerized and post lawyerized versions. Happened with Marlin also. A safety on a hammer gun? Child, please!

Not directed at you, but those who destroyed their own brand.

Rob

Was at the Grand in Sparta today and went to the Browning shop. They had a BL22.

Had a good trigger and felt GREAT to me. Love it.

I went to the Browning shop at the Grand years ago with a friend that wanted them to lighten up the awful trigger on a Japanese Citori. They refused to touch the gun. I could not tell you anything about new guns or lever action guns, but IMO they make a lousy comp shotgun trigger

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Interesting, and disappointing.

They had some BLRs in there and some other such things, too. Real purdy. The trigger on the BL22 seemed fine but could have been cherry picked or worked on, couldn’t so much tell as I was careful not to “snap” it in front of the representatives.

But, it was lithe, nimble, compact, great LOP for my stubby T-Rex arms, and the iron sights seemed real nice.

Hope you snagged it, or, at least dropped enough to hold it.

You KNOW that one is right for you. A NIB may or may not be as nice.

Rob

Sadly, it was a display only gun. They didn’t sell any.

There are BL-22's that are NOT display items that are for sale somewhere....find one soon, you will not regret it.

Randy

I absolutely love mine. The trigger pull is a bit hefty compared to the Marlin or Henry, but once you overcome that, it’s a very effective little rifle. I like the short throw, I don’t lose my sight picture between shots. I mounted a Nikon AR223 3x32 scope, and it’s been great. It’s my go to racoon gun.
I do have a Marlin, and that’s my most accurate lever action 22lr. I haven’t been happy with my Henry. It’s been the least accurate.