.22 lever guns: educate me a bit

[snowman]

I've been kicking around for awhile the idea of getting one. Today I stopped in at a larger area gunshop and they had all three major examples I've considered: Marlin 39s, a Browning BL22, and a Winchester 9422. All were in excellent shape, with just a minor mark here and there on the stock.

The Winchester was priced considerably higher than I would want to go, so it's probably unnecessary to consider it any further.

One Marlin was a 39A; the other a 39AS. Both were marked "Original Golden", and had gold-colored triggers(don't know if this constitutes being a "Golden" -you tell me). I was impressed with the wood on both, also the fit and finish. I didn't like the sights on them, though. One was marked at $540 and the other at $525. I think the Browning was a little higher but I don't remember for sure.

I would be interested in any experiences you've had with any of these, knowledge gained from your familiarity with them, etc.

A few questions:
-Can you tell me from my brief, inadequate description approx, how old the Marlins are? Do the prices on them seem reasonable?
-The buttstocks on all were too short for me, really. Is there such a thing as an extended recoil pad to mitigate this problem at all?
-My "old eyes" prevent me from seeing the front sight, so I would probably want to mount a scope if possible. However I noticed that the receivers were pretty short on all the guns, and wondered if a scope is even a possibility on them.

Well, thanks again for your time, fellows.
Andy

 

[Neumann]

My vote is for the Marlin. I have one which belonged to my grandfather, and dates back to 1954 (he traded a .36 muzzle-loading squirrel rifle for it).

At some point in time, Marlin began drilling and tapping the receiver for a scope. I did that for mine many years ago, but replaced it with a Skinner peep sight more recently. Skinner sights are easy on old eyes, and can be installed in lieu of a scope on the receiver, on the tang, or in the dovetail instead of the rear sight on the barrel.

Skinner peep sights are not only attractive, but effective. I replaced the skinny front brass bead (standard 3/8"x 1/4" dovetail in a ramp) with a taller one of the same style. I have come to appreciate a wider (1/8") front blade, either plain black or with a white insert. The 1/16" OEM bead is really hard to see.

The Skinner front blade can be filed to the right height, and is arguably the most accurate style for punching paper. Fiber optic sights are nice in daylight. Tritium sights are a waste of time, even if you could see one 30" from your eye.

When you clean a Marlin .22 from the muzzle, be certain to clamp the ejector out of the way by pressing it down and turning the cam (shaped like a slotted screw) to hold it in place. It's easily broken and nearly impossible to secure a replacement. It took me two years before Marlin made a new batch.

 

[silentflyer]

I would be leery of a "new" Marlin, but the older ones are great firearms.

Take a look at the Henry's, I have bought both and .22 LR and a .22 mag, no problems, shoot just fine.

 

[Fishinfool]

I have owned all three. All are nice, but different. The Marlins and Winchesters are closer to full sized rifles, the Browning is very small and light in weight. The Winchesters and Marlins have a longer lever throw, and decent triggers. The Browning has a short lever throw, and the trigger travels with the lever - nice, but results in a heavier trigger pull, resulting in a gun that is a little harder to shoot accurately than the full size guns. The Browning probably has the best finish, and slickest action.

No problem mounting a scope on any of them with the right mounts. Personally, if weight is a consideration, I would take the Browning BL-22, if not, either the Marlin 39 or the Winchester 9422, with the 9422 being my favorite. A recoil pad that would increase stock length can be installed on any of them if desired. You may find you will need a hammer extension when using a scope, depending on the size / location of your rear bell. Some guys mount their scopes high so they can get a good grip on the hammer, but that often results in having to lift your head off the stock. Better an extension, and a low mount that just clears the hammer.
Larry

 

[Ranger98]

Henry's are worth a look..

 

[ralph7]

Here's another vote for the Marlin, just make sure it has a JM stamped on the barrel to distinguish it from the newer "Remlins".

"Remlins" being new production by Remington that has proven to be inferior to the older Marlins before the takeover.

 

[alwslate]

I have two Marlin 39Ms and a Winchester 9422. I have never owned a
Browning BL22 but they are neat looking compact little rifles, they are
also made in Japan and somewhat complicated and difficult to take
apart for maintenence if that matters. Winchester 9422s are going to
be priced high, more like collector's items than shooters. The Marlin
39Ms that I have are the 20" barrel version and the 39As are longer
with a 24" barrel which you probably prefer. If conditions are equal the
39A would be the pick because it is older and the 39AS has the
crossbolt safety as per the S after the 39A. The Marlins are drilled
and tapped on the top of the receiver for a scope base so mounting a
scope is no problem. Henrys are liked by lots of owners but because of
a few reasons they are not in the same category as the older machined
steel Marlins and Winchesters. "Golden" means a gold colored trigger
which all the 39s have after a certain date and is irrelevant. The 39A
is the pick of the ones you mention.

 

[Revolver-time]

I had a Marlin 39A. It was supposed to feed shorts, longs, or long rifle. If you didn't cycle the lever sharply, it would jam. I had the rifle for many years but finally got tired of the jams.
I too would suggest you look at the Henry rifles. They are way more smooth than Browning or Marlin.
You mention that the stocks are too short. I had the same issue until I bought a Remington pump. It is a full size 22 and it works just great with shorts, longs, or long rifle. I put a scope on it as my 63 y/o eyes don't do well with open sights. But I can't find longs anymore!

 

[Goblin]

I say full speed ahead. I've always wanted a 9422, but I grew up shooting two Marlin 39s, and the Golden was my favorite. Both were a pleasure to shoot and very accurate. I can't see a bad decision here, but I don't really like the short throw of the Browning, just my preference.

 

[Drm50]

I would go with the Marlin 39, but only if it is marked JM, or
you check serial number to make sure it was produced by
Marlin. Personally I think the ones made before the cross bolt
safety are better. The Marlin design has been around many
years, starting with 92-97-39, time tested. The gun I always
wanted was a Win 73, in 22. Was my Grail gun, very hard to
find, black powder ruined most of them. The Win 94 & Browning
are good rifles also. I'm not much into Henry's, I believe any
one of the 3 you are looking at is a better gun, and a better
investment.

 

[much ado]

Lever 22s

I have a 39A Golden which dates to 1991 I believe and its a dandy of a rifle. They seem scarce to me here in central Virginia. For that shop to have 2 available would be quite a treat around here.As said, theJM stamping on the barrel probably puts it in the better realm of supposed quality but who knows? If this shop test-fires their used firearms and has a range available that`s a plus and if they "promise" to pay and do shipping to Marlin if there is a problem then I say full speed ahead on one of the Marlins but; even if they don`t, get the Marlin. Good Luck, John

 

[Glashaus]

My vote would be a Winchester 9422, I had one for awhile that went with the ex during the great divorce collection sale and dispersal. They are a great .22! The Marlin 39's are a fine rifle too, I have only handled the Browning, never shot one so I can't say much about those.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The Marlin 39 series were great .22 rifles. I have owned both the 24" rifle and the 20" carbine versions, which went to my sons about 25 years ago. Both were very accurate and reliable.

 

[much ado]

lever 22s

Also meant to say in above that prior to year 2000 the first 2 digits of the serial # is the year mfg( I think). After then there is a little formula you can find on line. You can go to marlinowners.com and get a lot of info. I wouldn`t wait too long if those rifles are nice. John

 

[elpac3]

Marlin 39 hands down. A classic, well built rifle that will never disapoint or fail you.

 

[OldK22]

My wife has owned and shot a Marlin 39A the entire time I have known her. First one was stolen in a home burglary in the late 70's and we immediately found her a replacement. Both were very picky about the ammunition they liked (extraction is the issue). We found that Winchester SuperX 22 ammunition works perfectly every time. The other brands we tried had a rounded edge on the brass and the extractor would not engage and hold consistently. Both were extremely accurate and we have yet to wear one out.

 

[shocker]

Here's another vote for the Marlin, just make sure it has a JM stamped on the barrel to distinguish it from the newer "Remlins".

"Remlins" being new production by Remington that has proven to be inferior to the older Marlins before the takeover.

Proven is such a strong word. I have a new 1894 that I like very much.

In any event, I don't know that any 39's have been produced by Remington. It's an expensive rifle to manufacture and Rem might not think the market is big enough to justify a reintroduction. The die cast and stamped Henry is a lot cheaper to make and works fine. (I have one). I was wanging steel with mine the other day. Fun.

 

[Jonzim]

Another vote for the Marlin 39A. I have a model made in 1948 and it is a great shooter.

 

[epj]

The "Golden" thingy on the Marlins started about 1954. Give or take a year or so. In addition to the gold colored trigger, they started using "micro-groove" rifling. This was more, shallower, lands and grooves. The one I have is from the early '50's, and has Ballard rifiling. Marlin returned to this style rifiling in recent years. Most, if not all of the golden models are drilled and tapped for scope rings. The standard rifle has a 24" barrel and curved grip. The "Mountie" carbine has a 20" barrel and straight grip. I would not buy one with that silly cross bolt safety.

 

[snowman]

Hey, thanks, fellas -lots of helpful information here.

Andy