I just purchased a new Henry Goldenboy. Rifles shoots well and is comfortable. I was watching some videos on YouTube and one person ranked the lever actions as follows.
1. Winchester 9422
2. Henry
3. Browning BL-22
4. Marlin 39A
I can agree with the Marlin on the bottom of the list (it is for me also), I have never fired a 9422 so can't say if it beats the Browning or not. The Henry is good also but after shooting the Henry I picked up my favorite rifle (1980 BL-22) and could not believe the difference and how much nicer it was over the Henry. So I would rank them as follows.
1. Browning and or Winchester (I have to put Winchester here since I have never even held one)
2. Henry
3. Marlin (I have had three of these)
That Browning goes with me every time I am out shooting. Love that old gun. Have a brand new one that I have only shot once. My 1980 model just is a joy to shoot.
just a comment on what I think of and how good I think the Browning is.
Last edited by jstanfield103; 07-04-2018 at 10:24 PM.
Owning all you cover except the Henry I would rate them as follows
Winchester 9422...First year production
Marlin 39a..............16" octagon bbl model 1897T
Browning BL22......Grade II 24" octagon, silver receiver
Henry
Choices are what we all make. My first 2 are all steel/flawless and will last 100 years. The Browning might last that long too.
Last edited by Happy Kaboomer; 07-04-2018 at 10:33 PM.
Owning all you cover except the Henry I would rate them as follows
Winchester 9422...First year production
Marlin 39a..............16" octagon bbl model 1897T
Browning BL22......Grade II 24" octagon, silver receiver
Henry
Choices are what we all make. My first 2 are all steel/flawless and will last 100 years. The Browning might last that long too.
That is the order I would rate them. The Winchester and Marlin are almost equal to me.
All my Marlins were 39A Mounties. I do not remember the age of them though, been to much water under the bridge I just never thought that they were that accurate. I am in the process of looking for a Winchester 9422. Take me about a month to get the funds up though. Then I will probably be looking for another Marlin just to finish my lever collection off with one of each. One thing that put the BL-22 over the top for me is that 30 degree lever travel.
I am only 5'5" tall so my length of pull is very short. I have both my Browning's at 12" length of pull and the Henry at 11.5" length of pull. It is much easier for me to keep my eye on the sights and targets while actuating the lever on the Browning with the 33 degree lever. To me with that lever pull the Browning really just out shines the rest of them.
I have all but the Browning. A 9422 Legacy, 1958 Marlin 39A, and a Henry Frontier. As far as accuracy goes, all my rifles shoot under 1.5 moa. They all have good triggers. The Winchester just exudes quality, but cost almost 3x the Henry. The Henry doesn't have the fit and finish, but it's a tack driver and has the slickest action. The Marlin is just a workhorse, although the action is a little clunky compared to the others.
Actually I probably prefer the short throw action of the BL-22 over the Winchester. However, the finish on the wood on the Browning has a 'plastic look' to it that, at least to my eye, really diminishes the rifle. It is a constant battle for me to resist the urge to try to strip it and refinish it as raw, well oiled wood.
The Marlin isn't more than a hair behind and truthfully is probably just as, if not more accurate, that the Winchester or Browning.
Thanks for all the comments guy's, it is very interesting the take everyone has on them all. It sounds like the Winchester is everyone's pick for top tier. I will find out pretty soon, I have never even seen a 9422 in real life. It will have to be a GunBroker or similar purchase wish the Marlin and Winchester were still made.
I will be glad to give Marlin another chance. I really enjoy shooting lever 22's
Owning all you cover except the Henry I would rate them as follows
Winchester 9422...First year production
Marlin 39a..............16" octagon bbl model 1897T
Browning BL22......Grade II 24" octagon, silver receiver
Henry
Choices are what we all make. My first 2 are all steel/flawless and will last 100 years. The Browning might last that long too.
You nailed it, except that I will put about any year of production of the 9422 at the top, and which BL-22 doesn't factor much into my evaluation. I do tend to prefer the earlier Winchesters and Brownings and the pre-crossbolt Marlins though. I detest that shiny finish of the Browning stocks and am not fond of the surface finish on the receiver. Some folks grouse about the sound and feel of the Marlin action, but that is exactly what I like most about it.
Having owned, worked on, and shot all four extensively, that is exactly how i would rank them. Oddly enough, the only bad BL-22 I have owned was a Grade II Octagon. Wouldn't hit the side of a barn so to speak.
My evaluation is based on accuracy, smoothness of operation, durability and overall quality, and that intangible I will refer to as "coolness factor".
This is not so much an indictment of Henry as a strong endorsement of the other three.
The Henry is a good value lever action, it works well but I would like to see a steel receive on them like the other three have. I would not mind to pay the extra for the steel. They could make a supreme model with the steel and the extra cost.
One thing that Henry really excels at is their customer service is top notch.
The Henry is a good value lever action, it works well but I would like to see a steel receive on them like the other three have. I would not mind to pay the extra for the steel. They could make a supreme model with the steel and the extra cost.
One thing that Henry really excels at is their customer service is top notch.
Couldn't agree more....
I own a BL-22 Grade II, and think it's a wonderfully made little .22.
My father recently bought a Henry with the Octagon barrel, and while i think the action is smooth, it looks nice, and it's pretty accurate, the epoxy finished receiver is an eyesore. offer it in a steel receiver, and I'd seriously consider buying one. The receiver is "cheesy" looking. Don't mean to denigrate it, but Henry should consider an upgraded version.
The biggest disappointment in a 22LR Rifle that I ever had was a Marlin 39ATDS. Even my standard 10/22 would out shoot it with open sights at 50 yards and the Marlin was shot same day same ammo with scope mounted. The 39a groups that went from 1 1/2" to 3" at 50 yards with open sights, so decided to mount scope and shot groups about 1/1/2", the 10/22 shoots about 3/4" groups. Then I knew why it was sold at a gun show. I had always been told that the marlin 39a was very accurate, however not my experience with them.
Traded it in on a BL22 and never looked back.
Marlin single shot 22lr was accurate, but not the 39a in my experience.
I had a Winchester 9422 that shot better than the marlin39a also, however it is a heavy rifle
Last edited by lashlaruhe; 07-05-2018 at 12:38 PM.
I'm with Kaboomer and M2HB in the ratings.
(I've only owned two lever rimfires, both Pretty girls: a 94/22 High Grade and a Marlin 1897 Century Limited.
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