New Leveraction 22

[DBCinID]

Lever fever strikes again. I am looking for a .22 lever action rifle. I don't need a new one, just one that looks and shoots good. I have looked at the Browning BL 22, Henry, Winchester 9422 and the New Marlin 39. I like the price and function of the Henry, but the painted receiver doesn't trip my trigger, so to speak. The Winchester's are great, but have too much collector value for me to buy just for a shooter. The new Marlin felt like a 4 X 4 post in my hands, although I like the take down feature. That leaves me with Browning. After looking around it looks like I can get one a decent price, $450 + depending on grade. I came across a grade II for $479, but haven't actually been able to handle it yet, although it was described to me as 95% to 97%. Does that seem like a fair price? Are there any other suggestions for good reasonably priced lever action .22s.

Thanks,

Don

[COSteve]

The Browning BL22s are considered the Cadillac of 22lr leverguns. If the Grade II is really in that good of shape then the price seems fair.

[meanc]

If Marlin or Henry don't work for you - you're pretty much left with a Browning or Winchester.

A good used Winchester 9422 makes as good a candidate as a shooter as a Browning, since it's used it really has no collector value.

It's not like you're going to lose any money in the deal if you decide to sell either, unless you just abuse it.

So if your budget is $450 and you see a Browning or Winchester, I say pick one up.

[gamekeeper]

If I didn't have my old Winchester 9422 I'd buy a Henry tomorrow, I used to have the Erma leveraction, forerunner to the Henry and it was accurate, reliable and well made.

[geobru]

Last week, a BL-22 sold on gun broker with a V22A weaver scope for $251. Keep your eyes open, and every once in a while, a deal comes through.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =280816400

[AJMD429]

If Marlin or Henry don't work for you - you're pretty much left with a Browning or Winchester.

OR A RUGER.....!!!!!!!



The Ruger 96's aren't "traditional", but they look no different than some of the Marlin and Winchester models of the 1950's.

If I didn't have my Ruger, I'd probably go for a Henry, aluminum receiver and all. With a .22 LR, I'm more interested in function than form.

The thing I like about the Rugers is that if you glass-bed them, you can scope them, and get accuracy on par with bolt actions of similar weight and cost. The short lever-throw makes them fast, and they are as handy as the ubiquitous 10/22's are - here compared to a much larger Ruger 77/22...

[Birdman]

I have a Henry and really like it, but if that don't trip yur trigger than let me tell you about a buddies BL22. That is one fine rifle. Very short stroke and pretty dang smooth too. If you get that you'll never be disappointed.

[pokey]

how about one of these?

http://www.taurususa.com/product-detail ... gory=Rifle

[AJMD429]

how about one of these?

http://www.taurususa.com/product-detail ... gory=Rifle

Now THAT could be a practical woods-walking gun...

[Ji in Hawaii]

I thought they stopped making those Taurus 62LAR 5 years ago. I bought mine about 6 years ago, and I'm totally happy with it.

[Roland]

If I where to buy a lever in .22lr today and I could choose which model I wanted no holds barreled... Then I'd choose a... Marlin! 1897 Cowboy with a skinner peep. Thats my new gold standard for a .22 lever, even though I still love my early 70s 9422...

[damienph]

My vote is for the BL-22. Is the Taurus available again? Or is that an old link? The Taurus 62LAR is adapted from the Winchester Model 62/62A design, I would like to have one of those if they are available again.

Edited to note that I checked their web catalog and cannot find a match for the 62LAR

[Pete44ru]

There's also the Henry-like .22 Mossberg 464



FWIW, The Browning BL-22's are different than standard leverguns, in both the way they feel AND operate.

Their trigger travels with the lever, and the leverstroke isn't as long as you may be used to.

Also, the Brownings are very petite, compared to the other leverguns, with the skinny mag tube spaced away from the bbl, ILO tight against it.
Although YMMV, I find them too light for a steady hold - but they're pretty enough, with about the best fit/finish.

IMHO, the best BL-22 to shoot would be the Grade II w/octagon bbl - which steadies it down a lot, for aiming.

.

[FatJackDurham]

I tried a Marlin at the range the other day that some one had brought and it was very nice. That Taurus sure looked sweet.

[COSteve]

Deleted

[ving-thorr]

if you settle on the browning, make sure you try cycling one first. the lever throw is so short that, to me anyway, it doesn't feel "lever-gunish" enough.

[Blaine]

Lever-wise, I've had three 39s (two mountie, and a 39A) and a 9422M and a 9422. The triggers on the Wrenchesters are rough but have the superior action. Marlins have a little smoother trigger, are a bit more accurate, but I find they jam if not held level. I guess I'd keep my two Winchesters over the Marlins....

[bdhold]

my daughter's Henry has one of the best triggers I've ever pulled on any rifle, and they have a well-deserved reputation for accuracy.

[Idiot]

Thanks for the good information. I'm stalking a BL -22 right now and hope to get it for a couple hundred bones.

[sullkat]

I just bought a Henry g/B from Academy a little pricy but much better than the blue version, has the oct barrel and seems to be decent on accuracy.
Could not get a BL22 or 39a plus anything I have shipped here adds $100 to the cost.

[1894c]

i have owned marlin's in bolt, auto, and lever 39a- winchester 94/22 - cz-452's - ruger 10/22's - rossi pump - browning sa-22 - and i finally bought a Browning BL-22 (Grade-I) and it is my favorite...i would recommend it, it's not for everyone, but for me it's almost perfect... :)