Just wanted to get people's thoughts on the different forums as to which they prefer. I'm going to post this in the Winchester and Browning forums as well to get different perspectives (if that's allowed, if not, my bad, please delete.) I just know this is a common question and one I asked when I started researching these three rimfire rifles. I hope these pics and my input can help others looking at these rifles.
Winchester 9422 XTR kin .22LR from 1980
Marlin 39A Mountie from 1966
Browning BL-22 Grade II from 2023
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I've listed them in the order in which I believe is the "Quality" of the rifles. I think most who have owned and/handled these would probably agree with that. I don't necessarily rank them as favorites in the same order however.
The Winchester is, IMO, the highest quality rifle in regards to fit and finish and the action itself. Hard to find fault with anything about it other than the magazine tube can come out when walking around with an unloaded tube. Nothing a small o-ring can't fix.
The Marlin 39A is a very close 2nd to the Winchester and it has something the Winchester doesn't, history, lots of it. The Marlin comes with so much history that it makes the 9422 feel sort of soul-less. Again, just my opinion. I do like to put a lower powered hammer spring on these as I think it really smooths up the action. The action tends to be a bit "clunky" when compared to the Winchester which is almost effortless. This is nitpicking BTW, and not a flaw at all, but just in comparison.
The Browning BL-22 is the only one of these still made today. The short 33 degree throw makes this one very unique and arguably the most fun to shoot fast. For me, on the newer guns that I have at least, they absolutely need a lightened hammer spring to bring the trigger pull down from 5-6lbs to 3.5ish. It also makes it easier to flick the lever. I probably shoot these the most because they are so fun to shoot.
I should note that the BL-22 is the only one here that uses anything other than "Walnut and Steel". It uses a "pot metal" shell (it may be aluminum I really don't know) to hold the internals but the outer sleeve is steel. However, it's done so well it's hardly noticeable and it makes it extremely light to carry.
I'll say again that you can't go wrong with any of them. I'm happy to answer any questions but I'm not an expert on any of these and just learning myself. I enjoy seeing pictures and posts of other people's guns so I thought I'd try and contribute a bit.
So what's your perspective as a Marlin forum viewer?
Winchester 9422 XTR kin .22LR from 1980
Marlin 39A Mountie from 1966
Browning BL-22 Grade II from 2023
I've listed them in the order in which I believe is the "Quality" of the rifles. I think most who have owned and/handled these would probably agree with that. I don't necessarily rank them as favorites in the same order however.
The Winchester is, IMO, the highest quality rifle in regards to fit and finish and the action itself. Hard to find fault with anything about it other than the magazine tube can come out when walking around with an unloaded tube. Nothing a small o-ring can't fix.
The Marlin 39A is a very close 2nd to the Winchester and it has something the Winchester doesn't, history, lots of it. The Marlin comes with so much history that it makes the 9422 feel sort of soul-less. Again, just my opinion. I do like to put a lower powered hammer spring on these as I think it really smooths up the action. The action tends to be a bit "clunky" when compared to the Winchester which is almost effortless. This is nitpicking BTW, and not a flaw at all, but just in comparison.
The Browning BL-22 is the only one of these still made today. The short 33 degree throw makes this one very unique and arguably the most fun to shoot fast. For me, on the newer guns that I have at least, they absolutely need a lightened hammer spring to bring the trigger pull down from 5-6lbs to 3.5ish. It also makes it easier to flick the lever. I probably shoot these the most because they are so fun to shoot.
I should note that the BL-22 is the only one here that uses anything other than "Walnut and Steel". It uses a "pot metal" shell (it may be aluminum I really don't know) to hold the internals but the outer sleeve is steel. However, it's done so well it's hardly noticeable and it makes it extremely light to carry.
I'll say again that you can't go wrong with any of them. I'm happy to answer any questions but I'm not an expert on any of these and just learning myself. I enjoy seeing pictures and posts of other people's guns so I thought I'd try and contribute a bit.
So what's your perspective as a Marlin forum viewer?
