22LR lever actions

Welcome to the Leverguns.Com Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here ... politely.

Moderators: AmBraCol, Hobie

Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.

Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
Post Reply
mickbr
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 903
Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2018 11:29 pm

22LR lever actions

Post by mickbr »

So I'm just researching 22LR lever actions for someone rejoining the hobby after a long time. Wondering if I missed any as 22LR levers not really my area?

Current Browning- good reports
Current Henry- has aluminium and plastic parts?
Winchester 9422, out of production but good if you can find one for a decent price
Marlin 39A- are they still in production?

Any I missed or thoughts in general?
User avatar
AJMD429
Posting leader...
Posts: 31933
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:03 am
Location: Hoosierland
Contact:

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by AJMD429 »

For the money, I think the Henrys are great. There are two different grades though, and I don't know the details but the used one my son bought had a plastic ramp and sight on the front, but we were able to order the better version from Henry and upgrade the rifle. Used Winchester's and other 92 clones are out there as well that you might find for a decent price.

My personal favorite is the Ruger 96/22, and I have one that has an inner girly suppressed barrel* The barrel is actually one they make for a Ruger 10/22, but it is easy to modify for installation on the 96. It makes a great pest elimination rifle as well as beginner gun for new shooters since the noise is eliminated pretty effectively.

* otherwise known as an integrally-suppressed barrel; that was a voice-to-text that I just had to leave in there... :lol:

For Vermin under 50 yards...
Image
Ruger 96/22 LR with 'Operative' replacement barrel - integrally suppressed. I know it isn't 'traditional' but I mounted the TruGlo optic on it because since it is suppressed it is my favorite 'newbie' teaching rifle.

If beyond 50 yards...

Image
Ruger 96/22 WMR with 4x optic

I had a second 22 WMR one I converted to 17 HMR, but I think it would explode a squirrel unless there is non-fragile bullet loads you can get.

A thread on the 96/22 - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=39348
Last edited by AJMD429 on Sat Dec 08, 2018 8:27 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.


Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
User avatar
2ndovc
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 9302
Joined: Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:59 am
Location: OH, South Shore of Lake Erie

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by 2ndovc »

Lots of used levers on Gunbroker.com

I have two Marlin 39As, one is a Century LTD, that's quite accurate but has to be cleaned every hundred rounds or so to feed properly. The other one I have was made in the late '50s and is one of my favorite .22s, feeds everything and can go through a whole brick of 22lrs or more w/o needing to be cleaned.

I've had a couple of the 9422s and they worked fine, I sold them after they were discontinued and shot up in prices.

Good luck on your search, that's part of the fun!

jb 8)
jasonB " Another Dirty Yankee"


" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
Chuck 100 yd
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 6972
Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:52 pm
Location: Ridgefield WA. USA

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by Chuck 100 yd »

The Marlin is now a custom shop gun and come at a very high price. I am told. I bought mine about 5-6years back ,A very accurate rifle ,made before Rem. buy out.
Pete44ru
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 11242
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:26 am

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by Pete44ru »

mickbr wrote: Thu Dec 06, 2018 6:37 am
Wondering if I missed any as 22LR levers not really my area?

Current Browning- good reports
Current Henry- has aluminium and plastic parts?
Winchester 9422, out of production but good if you can find one for a decent price
Marlin 39A- are they still in production?

Any I missed or thoughts in general ?


You missed a baker's dozen +

Chiappa LA322
Erma EG712
Ithaca 49R
Marlin 56/57
Marlin 1894M
Mossberg 400/402 Palomino & 464
Noble 275
Remington Nylon 76
Ruger 96/22
Taurus 62LA
Uberti Silverboy & 1866 Yellowboy
Winchester 150/250/255 & 1873


.
Last edited by Pete44ru on Thu Dec 06, 2018 9:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
gamekeeper
Spambot Zapper
Posts: 17323
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:32 pm
Location: Over the pond unfortunately.

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by gamekeeper »

I'm still trying to wear out my old 9422 so I can buy a brand new Henry carbine.... :?

Pete, Uberti also made a 73 in .22 I still regret selling mine... :cry:
If more men loved and cherished their wives as much as I love bacon the world would be a much better place.
hfcable
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 2443
Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 1:24 pm
Location: wasilla, alaska and bozeman, montana

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by hfcable »

there are a few I still need to get: the current Mossberg, the uberti silver boy, etc
here are the ones I have on hand now:

my current list [ not complete, and there are more than one example of a number of these ]

winchester original 1873 22 long
marlin 1891 sideloader 22 lr
marlin 1892 22 LR
marlin 1897 22lr
marlin 39 22lr
marlin 39A 22lr
marlin 56 22lr
marlin 57 22lr
marlin 57M 22 mag
Mossberg 402 "palomino" 22 lr
remington 76 22lr [ nylon stocked ]
ithaca 49R 22 lr [ the repeater, american made, and poorly at that]
ithaca 72 22 lr [ german] [ was also sold by iver johnson as their wagonmaster ]
ithaca 72 22mag
winchester 250 22lr
winchester 255 22 mag
Noble 275 22 LR
marlin 1894M 22 mag
Browning BL 22 22 lr
winchester 94 22 lr
winchester 94 22 mag
ruger 96/22 LR
ruger 96/22 mag
Uberti 1873 SRC 22 mag
Uberti 1866 SRC 22 LR
Uberti 1866 SRC 22 mag
Uberti 1866 rifle 22 LR
Rossi/Taurus LA 62 22 LR
Colt Colteer 22 LR prototype ( the only one)
Henry Golden boy 22

the marlins include Mountie, and century limited
I have shot all these rifles
and my favorite of all is the 1897 marlin, deluxe, with 28" tapered octagon barrel, tang sight, etc and it really shoots well.
cable
User avatar
2ndovc
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 9302
Joined: Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:59 am
Location: OH, South Shore of Lake Erie

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by 2ndovc »

Skip the Ithaca's, they're junk and made of soft metal.

I'm sure someone will be along to tell me I'm wrong, but I was given one as a teenager by a family friend that didn't know anything about firearms. Total piece of junk.

Anything that says Marlin, Winchester or Browning will do what you need. Henry too, from what I hear but I've never shot one.

jb 8)
jasonB " Another Dirty Yankee"


" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
t.r.
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 815
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:00 am
Location: Ft. Braden, Florida

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by t.r. »

Henry's rifle is built under an older ERMA patent. It is a keeper!

TR

Image
Fire Up the Grill - Hunting is NOT Catch & Release!
hfcable
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 2443
Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 1:24 pm
Location: wasilla, alaska and bozeman, montana

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by hfcable »

t.r. wrote: Thu Dec 06, 2018 5:15 pm Henry's rifle is built under an older ERMA patent. It is a keeper!

TR

Image
thought so....and the Ithaca 72, the Iver Johnson, ERMA, and maybe other brand names were all the same West German import

they seem to work well and are accurate in my experience.
cable
Marvin S
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 832
Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:55 pm
Location: Kansas

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by Marvin S »

I have one 22 lever gun, a Marlin 1897 Texan. Sweet little rifle.
User avatar
fordwannabe
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3369
Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:52 am
Location: Womelsdorf PA

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by fordwannabe »

I have several of the afore mentioned 22 levers and most will do what you want. I have recently been playing with my Marlin model 57 and am impressed with it.
a Pennsylvanian who has been accused of clinging to my religion and my guns......Good assessment skills.
rossim92
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1416
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:42 am
Location: mechanicsville, md.

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by rossim92 »

i Have a henry .22 lever. one smooth action rifle!!!. also have the henry pump action .22wmr . sweet thing too. nothing wrong with henry far I can tell. ( I don't see very far either) :D
Rossi 92 .357 lever , and a cz pcr 9mm
Henry .22 lever, Remington speedmaster 552 .22 lr
Marlin Glenfield .22 boltaction
gforce 12ga semi
Taylor's Tactical 1911 A1 FS in .45acp
winchester 1873 44.40
Marlin 336W .30.30
beeman sportsman rs2 dual caliber pellet rifle
henry .22 magnum pumpaction/octagon barrel
stag 5.56 m4 with reddot
Larkbill
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 704
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:31 pm
Location: St Peters, Mo.

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by Larkbill »

Remington Nylon 76

Still want an older 39 but for now this will do.
___________________________________________________________________
I'm not paranoid because I carry a gun. Why should I be paranoid. I've got a gun.
Tanqueray
Levergunner 1.0
Posts: 89
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2017 10:37 pm

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by Tanqueray »

Norinco made one too, although no doubt a copy of someone else’s.
More meplat, more better.
JB
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1475
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2007 3:35 pm
Location: WV

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by JB »

I'm not impressed with the Henry rifles, but the 9422's and 39's are great fun guns. I always loved the looks and short lever throw on the BL22's though. I never owned one of the Rugers. I'm sure they're good guns, but they just don't have the classic lever gun look to me.
mickbr
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 903
Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2018 11:29 pm

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by mickbr »

JB wrote: Sat Dec 08, 2018 6:16 pm I'm not impressed with the Henry rifles, but the 9422's and 39's are great fun guns. I always loved the looks and short lever throw on the BL22's though. I never owned one of the Rugers. I'm sure they're good guns, but they just don't have the classic lever gun look to me.
Yes thats why I sort of left the ruger 96 and some of the rarer historical pieces out of the question. More after traditional lever types and they want something still pretty common or still in production.

Thanks all for the info though, there are some great lists of information above by Pete44 and hfcable.

Btw the Chinese norinco mentioned is the Jw21 , just googled it.
User avatar
2ndovc
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 9302
Joined: Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:59 am
Location: OH, South Shore of Lake Erie

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by 2ndovc »

I know the Henry .22s aren't all that attractive, but someone here (I wish I could remember who) did a marathon torture test on one it held up quite well. I've been wanting one of their .327 Federals for some time. I have a gift card just wating to be spent at one of my favorite shops. Maybe time for an early Christmas present. 8) Or one of the .410s :D :D

jb 8)
jasonB " Another Dirty Yankee"


" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
barbarossa
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1114
Joined: Sat Sep 29, 2007 1:46 pm

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by barbarossa »

The 410 lever gun Henry's are great ,I have one and love it
t.r.
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 815
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:00 am
Location: Ft. Braden, Florida

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by t.r. »

I've been shooting targets like this for several years with my Henry carbine. Scope is Bushnell 1.5 to 4.5X. It's a keeper!

TR

Image
Fire Up the Grill - Hunting is NOT Catch & Release!
DPris
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 983
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 11:56 am

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by DPris »

I did the Henry Golden Boy marathon endurance run.
At 22,000 rounds, when it started to show extraction problems, I cleaned it for the first time.
I ran it to 28,000 rounds total, replaced one extractor myself.

After the run, shipped the gun back to Henry for analysis, it was returned with ONE part replaced. The coil locking block spring had busted into three pieces along the way, but the gun had continued to function to the end of testing.

Henry found no severe wear or tolerance changes needing refurb.
I bought that gun at the end, I was that impressed.
The Marlin Texan sits in the vault...:)

No plastic parts on the Golden Boy.
Denis
User avatar
GunnyMack
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 9938
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2016 7:57 am
Location: Not where I want to be!

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by GunnyMack »

I had a BL22 many moons ago, what no good. it couldn't shoot a 3" group at 25 yds. I even tried scoping it but it still wouldn't shoot so down the road it went.
I've shot a few Henry's, I like them, smooth and accurate enough.
BROWN LABS MATTER !!
DPris
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 983
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 11:56 am

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by DPris »

I did a head-to-head between a BL22 & a Golden Boy.
The Golden Boy won.
Slicker & more accurate at 50 yards.
Denis
1894c

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by 1894c »

I too only own a HENRY Classic Lever Action .22 Carbine (H001L). It is the most accurate .22-cal. levergun I have ever owned. I had a Browning BL-22 for several years but it didn't shoot as well as the Henry...plus I really never liked the short throw of the BL-22 lever... :)
JerryB
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 5493
Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:23 pm
Location: Batesville,Arkansas

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by JerryB »

My grandson has a standard Henry and it shot as smooth as my 1917 Model 92 32wcf right out of the box. That thing is probably as accurate as my old Remington 551-A bought new in 1954.
JerryB II Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

JOSHUA 24:15
User avatar
geobru
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 912
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:19 am
Location: Washington

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by geobru »

I have a 9422, BL22 and shot a Henry to compare it with the Browning.

The Browning and the Winchester are both very accurate. I use 9mm cases as 20 yard targets with them, and hit them with regularity.

When I compared the Browning and Henry, I was using open sights at 15 yards. The Browning had a finer front sight and shot tighter groups than the Henry. The Henry was smooth as silk. Its a fine rifle. I gave that rifle to a relative and the front barrel band broke. It was made of plastic and had the front sight on it. He called Henry, and they sent him a new barrel band made out of metal at no charge. I know there are others who have experienced Henry's outstanding customer service too.


Of the three, I would go to the Browning if I needed to kill something. It is consistently a tack driver.
mickbr
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 903
Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2018 11:29 pm

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by mickbr »

thanks folks they went for the browning , it got enough reasonable votes and they liked the way the lever throws.
DPris
Levergunner 3.0
Posts: 983
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 11:56 am

Re: 22LR lever actions

Post by DPris »

One thing people need to do is stop regurgitating OLD stories about OLD plastic on the Henrys.

Those plastic front sight assemblies were ONLY on the bottom entry-level .22 leverguns, never on the higher-end Golden Boys & other models.
And Henry stopped using plastic there 10 years ago.

As far as the Henry vs Browning goes, I tested several rounds through both rifles off the bench at FIFTY yards, a more realistic rifle range.
Besides a better trigger on the Henry, and a much slicker action than the Browning, the Henry sights were more precise, and it simply shot tighter 5-shot groups.
The Browning sights were harder to get a steady & repeatable sight picture through.

If you like the Browning, it's a neat little gun. I've worked with three of them over the years.
The Henry was just more shootable over all for me.
Denis
Post Reply