Browning BL22: Thoughts?

[JayFramer]

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

 

[VaTom]

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.

 

[clang444]

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.

 

[Narragansett]

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

 

[kraynky]

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.

 

[JayFramer]

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.

 

[colt_saa]

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

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

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.

 

[wetdog1911]

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.

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?

 

[nate-dogg]

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.

 

[kenjen]

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.

 

[44specialfan]

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

 

[growr]

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

 

[Mazz]

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.

 

[wetdog1911]

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.

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

 

[SLT223]

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.

 

[dave1918a2]

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%.

 

[Mule Packer]

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.

 

[RobertJ.]

It is a bit small

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:

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

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.