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Which lever action .22 rifle is the best?

42K views 41 replies 27 participants last post by  LeftHandShooter  
#1 ·
I have been looking at them for a couple weeks and I'm trying to get one that is between 200-400 dollars. The cheapest one I have found was a mossberg and it was 221 dollars. Its my first rifle so I'm really not sure which is the best in my price range.
 
#4 ·
Well that's what I thought too. The cheapest henry I found was 280 dollars. It was the h001 model. And someone told me I was better off getting a bolt-action rifle instead of the lever action. Would I and why?
 
#5 ·
Well that's what I thought too. The cheapest henry I found was 280 dollars. It was the h001 model. .......
Then BUY IT, and don't look back!

It is a GREAT little lever .22, and it is the smoothest action on the market.

PS - Welcome to G&G!:439:
 
#6 · (Edited)
could buy a used lever for cheaper

I only saw a new Henry once,sitting on the rack with a $430 price tag, tad rich fer me.
you could spend your grubstake on a old gun of better materials (Win 9422 & Browning BL22)
or spend it on new models with lots of aluminum and plastic.

I have a 1970's era Winchester 9422 thats all steel and wood only plastic on it is the butt it gobbles anything I drop down the mag tube (S/L/Lr's), if I had any to choose from I'd get another of them.

Save up and to buy the type/model you want
No cable TV for 2 months and quit smoking or snuce and lay off fast food and eat mack & cheese and no tripple grande latte from starbucks)
in otherwise suck it up, tighten the belt a couple notches and drink water its amazeing just how affordable a expensive model really is.

Marlin model 39 and the Marlin model 56-box mag and model 57-tube lever matics arnt cheap, Model 63 was in .30 carbine and .256 winchester.

The Winchester model 240 (aluminum & plastic)
($140-180)

The Ruger 96 lever guns came in .22lr/.22mag/.44mag, seen guys buy the after markit bbl to convert to .17hmr
 

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#7 ·
Well alot of guys myself included see the accuracy differance in a bolt action . Because there are no moving bolt parts . Leaveing the rifle at rest not moving around after each shot like you would with many other action .

That being said It depends alot on what type of shooting you plan to do . If your hunting a lever action is nice because of the quick follow-up shot . If you are punching paper a bolt action is best for the above mentioned reason . Deciding which rifle to buy is a deeply personal decision as you are the one that has to love it . The biggest mistake in buying a gun is buying it because your buddy likes them or because of any other reason than you think it's the hottest thing since you met you girl . Research and learn is my best advise .
 
#8 ·
If you decide to go lever.. consider an older Marlin 39A. (pre Remington) They're built like a truck, and break down into two halves in about 30 seconds for a complete cleaning. They've been around for a long, long time, but as posted above, they're not cheap.... for good reason.

Just my two cents....
 
#9 ·
I just got a Henry .22 for my girlfriend for Christmas from Buds, $250 I think. It hasn't been out to the range yet, but boy it sure looks and feels nice. I started shooting this year and got a savage MKII BAR .22 and really like it quite a bit. I guess the theory is start with bolt action, learn to place good shots, then take that skill forward to other models. I think Santa is getting me a Marlin 30-30 for Christmas, if so, I'm going to have to leave more than cookies out this year.
 
#11 ·
I'd go thru the pawnshops and look for a Marlin 39-series...should be able to find one for $200-$300 pretty easy.
 
#12 ·
Go with the Henry. My dad boutght the Golden Boy 5 years ago for under 400.00 The Golden Boy is now going for 404.00 at walmrt. But that is the Golden Boy. Walmrt has the blued model with hooded front site for 287.00. That's about as cheap as your gonna get. The Henry is a fun little gun to shoot. I barrowed my dads at Thanksgiving and played with it a little. The last time I shot it was 2 years ago. It's still a fun little gun.
 
#14 ·
my top pick as said before is 39a marlin . my second pick would be a browning blr. It has a short cocking cycle which is pretty nice. Good luck in your choice . Welcome to G&G !
 
#15 ·
I just traded my H001 Henry to my hunting buddy for a .308 bolt rifle - have gotten into hunting and needed a better hunting rifle.
BUT..... my Henry always went to the range far more often than my Marlin 39A (1952 production date). Sure, the Marlin is 'higher quality', but the Henryis lighter, handier and just more fun!
And now I have better justification to go out and get the Henry Goldenboy I really want! :22:

Also, the Henry design has been around for decades......
It began life as the Ithaca M72 Saddlegun..... designed by the father of Anthony Imperato, the current president of Henry! Look at the two rifles - near identical! Quality lasts.....
 
#16 ·
It's tough to find fault with any .22 lever gun. That doesn't mean that I don't have my preferences, but I haven't seen one yet that I "wouldn't own".....
 
#22 ·
The Carbine has a barrel length of 16.125", and the other has a barrel length of 18.250"
 
#24 · (Edited)
I've been wanting a .22LR levergun to play with. finally decided to get one. there was no question as to which one to buy.
Henry Golden Boy H004 at $369.99.
nothing wrong with the H001, I just had to have the shiney one.
Henry leverguns are simply a work of art.

would have brought it home tonight but ATF put the transaction on delay..... WTF.... I sell guns for a living and they want to make me wait for a .22 for some crazy reason. sometimes I think they just have fortune cookies in a bag that they pick from that say either "proceed" or "delay". they'll probably call back tomorrow or Sunday, so hopefully I'll be playing with it monday at the range.
 
#26 ·
Thanks,
this is my christmas present to myself. been workin a 7 day stretch this week and heading to the range on monday. sure hope it comes with me. I'm planning to take several of the lever guns on this trip anyway (35 remy marlin, win. 94 45 colt, and marlin 45/70).