I had a Henry and loved it... Very accurate, anb never had one problem...jamming misfiring,etc....
I have had the Marlin's in the past no problem with them either....jay

 

I sure like my Marlin 39 but the henry I have shoots good as well.

 

If you're trying to choose between those two, it's really all up to you. The BL-22 is a lot lighter, more of a carbine. The 39A is basically a rifle. 24" of steel and walnut. Which one feels more comfortable? Are you going to be carrying it in the woods for a while? How much are you willing to spend? Only you can answer these questions. However if you want my recommendation, I would recommend the Marlin. You'll probably spend a little more on the Marlin, but in the long run, I think it will last many times over when compared to the Browning.

 

Asking which on is the "best" is a very general question. Usually these kind of questions end up in arguments, hopefully that won't happen this time. Overall, for a lever action 22 that is still in current production I would have to say the Marlin 39A is the Best. The Browning is probably second and the Henry is third. If price is an issue, then adjust the above statement accordingly. You usually get what you pay for and I think when you ask most people what the "best" is in a traditional lever action rifle, the answer will be with no conditions. The traditional lever action rifle is made of Steel and Walnut. The Marlin 39A has it's roots going back to 1891 if I'm not mistaken. There are more modern designs that reduce the manufacturing costs, but that doesn't make them "better", it makes them more affordable. Good luck in your decision.

 

In order of which I'd get...

1. Marlin - It is the classic by which all others are judged. Cleaning is a snap with the break-down design, and it is super accurate. It has more of a center-fire feel than the other two, in my hands.

2. Browning - Better looking than the Marlin, IMHO, but not as accurate. Cleaning is harder than the Marlin. I had a chance to buy a dealer promo with great engraving on it, but passed it up for the Marlin. I'm very happy with my decision.

3. Henry - Best looking of the bunch, but harder cleaning than the Marlin, not as accurate (just going by all the tests in various gun mags), and make sure you handle it before ordering one. The drop is much more severe than the other two. With my cheeck on the stock, my eye was right in line with the bottom of the hammer. This means I would have to shoot with my head up, and a different eye allignment with every shot.

 

The best Carbine "value" is the Henry H001T......a lot for the money. The best rimfire lever RIFLE is the 39A....no-one else is making a full size rifle.

 

I've chosen to keep the Browning.

I have other rifles for quicker follow up shots and for better accuracy. With open sights, the Browning is more accurate than I am and just fun to plink with.

I like being able to keep the thumb of my shooting hand on the stock while flicking the short throw lever with my fingers.

 

Find yourself an older marlin 39A and you will have the best. Find one pre-crossbolt safety.

 

Have to agree - you asked for new but I'd seriously look for and older 39A. :t

 

the "best" can be subjective to some. but since you stated you want, im assuming in order:

> accuracry
> capacity
> quality/reliability

since i havent benched my guns, or if i had it was so long ago, i forgot the results, i will pass on it. but.

Marlin will give you the greatest capacity. period, unless you get one of the trappers/mounties

as far as the quality/reliability, i havent had any issues with my lever actions.

henry makes some LAs too. THey also make the "golden boy" with the brass receiver. they also make the large loop LA and one with an octogon barrel if that gets your motor running.

on the BL 22, i like the short throw lever along with the trigger going w/it. i think the tube latch is of a better quality as with all of the Browning tube feeds.

on the Marlin, i like the ability to take the rifle apart to clean from the breach. i cant remember if the browning has that feature, but im thinking it doesnt.

 

Another very happy Henry owner!

 

Any particular reason why it has to be new? There are many excellent used guns out there. One thing I doubt you have to worry about with 99% of them is being worn out. It's virtually impossible to wear out the bore on a 22 rifle. The only exception to that would be a very old one that was used when the ammo was very corrosive and it was not cleaned properly.
Anyway, in order, this is what I would recommend.
Marlin 39a, or a 39A mountie if you're willing to go used.
Very closely behind I would go for a Win 9422. You can still find them NIB, although they tend to be pricy.
Third would be a BL 22
Last would be a Henry H001T
I own all of these, and my favorite is a 1955 39A mountie. It just feels right. The 9422 takes a very close second though! I just prefer the simplicity of the mountie. I know if anything happens to it i can fix it myself easily. Can't say that about any of the others.
I'm also a staright stock kinda guy. I shoot a Grulla 215 SXS and the straight stock just fits me to perfection.
Good luck with your decision whatever you do, and please come back and show pictures of your new gun!

 

New vs. Old

Corrie,
I'm curious why you specify new as opposed to old. I buy a lot of guns for my collection (abt. 1 per month) and I almost always go for the old classics. The craftmanship and pride that went into them far surpasses the "cost engineered" models available to us today. As to recommendations for a lever gun, I think I will go with the crowd and say a Marlin 39 but get an old one. I don't have one but am looking for an older one. I have both the Winchester 9422 (from 1975 yet) and the Browning BL-22 but the memory of shooting my friends Marlin 39 back in the 1950's still haunts me.

wayne38

 

Corrie,
I'm curious why you specify new as opposed to old. I buy a lot of guns for my collection (abt. 1 per month) and I almost always go for the old classics. The craftmanship and pride that went into them far surpasses the "cost engineered" models available to us today. As to recommendations for a lever gun, I think I will go with the crowd and say a Marlin 39 but get an old one. I don't have one but am looking for an older one. I have both the Winchester 9422 (from 1975 yet) and the Browning BL-22 but the memory of shooting my friends Marlin 39 back in the 1950's still haunts me.

wayne38

I think thats why the older 39a's are mentioned. My 54 feels like it was hand fit and feels like butter. The is virtualy zero lever play - the lock up is tight. Accuracy was (still is) superb. I'm not disrespecting the new 39a's -still a fine firearm but will agree the older ones have that old world craftsmanship and quality that I haven't seen duplicated.
I can longer do justice with the iron sights any longer but just don't want to drill and tap for scope.

 

The older the better!:bthumb:

Since we're on the topic of "old" 39A's and craftsmanship. This is a near perfect example of a pre-WW2 39A, "B"(1940). When you buy old, you own a piece of history.

 

I am not concerned with the cost of the rifle if it is quality. The main reason for me wanting a new gun was I like the feeling of being the only owner of it. I don't mind the older firearms in general but prefer the modern new ones.

I know alot of guys enjoy the historical value of the older firearms, but me personally I like the newer stuff. I want a lever action for plinking, hunting varmints and some range use. So overall I wanted something that was quality, accurate (as I want to use the open sights) and reliable (no ejection/feeding problems).

I also wanted to be able to use standard high velocity ammo through it (1230-1270 fps) but have the option of using shorts, standard ammo too.

So the Marlin 39A has the vote so far?

 

I am not concerned with the cost of the rifle if it is quality. The main reason for me wanting a new gun was I like the feeling of being the only owner of it. I don't mind the older firearms in general but prefer the modern new ones.

I know alot of guys enjoy the historical value of the older firearms, but me personally I like the newer stuff. I want a lever action for plinking, hunting varmints and some range use. So overall I wanted something that was quality, accurate (as I want to use the open sights) and reliable (no ejection/feeding problems).

I also wanted to be able to use standard high velocity ammo through it (1230-1270 fps) but have the option of using shorts, standard ammo too.

So the Marlin 39A has the vote so far?

i can understand wanting a NIB gun that no one has shot/modded/messed with.

but think about this. Marlin has been making the 39 for a long time. what the quantity they say, over a million of them? iac, if they werent any good, people wouldnt buy them. you will find older model 39s worth several thousand dollars if they are in mint or close to mint condition. THe CC/Blued version are highly prized too. you will also find alot of used ones that arent worth that much but have been used alot since alot of buyer considered them tools and used them to put food on the table daily.

with respect to feeding/reliablity any gun can be defective from the factory or break/malfunction anytime during its use or misuse. its after all a machine. what i consider more important is how the mfg handles the malfunction or if its fixable the cost of the repair without breaking the bank.

im not trying to sway your decision, but imo, the older marlins and winchester have smoother actions then the newers versions. if you choose to go NIB, then you could always have the action smoothed, but that would be up to you.

i think that any of the ones you listed would be fine. the only issue would be whats more important as to the criteria for your choice.

 

Well, I bought a new 39A, so I voted with my wallet.

 

I've got an almost 30 year old 39a, that frankly I can't say I've shot a lot. For probably 20 or more of those years, it didn't get fired at all. Before that it was my only 22 and only got used when I sighted it in, and during squirrel season. It probably hasn't had a 1,000 rounds through it. Even now, it's the last one of about a dozen 22 rifles I own that I grab when I want to shoot a 22 rifle.

Why?

I can't tell you. It's a great rifle. Accurate as all get out. Reliable, good looking, etc. Maybe I just don't really care for lever actions, maybe it's just "the old one" or maybe it's too heavy. I don't know. In spite of that, it would be the last of my 22's I'd get rid of.

But I looked at a new one recently and I gotta tell you, I can't see a lot of difference really. For all the people saying "get an old one" I gotta say "Why?" The only reason I would, would be if I found one that was less expensive. The new ones look just fine to me. I actually liked the stock on the new one better than the one on mine. The crossbolt safety? What's wrong with that? Not needed? Maybe not, but it really doesn't hurt anything. You don't even have to use it if you don't want to.

(BTW. While I was looking at the new one, a fellow came up and we struck up a conversation. He said he owned five of the older 39A's and he agreed with me. He said the new one we were looking at looked just as well made as any he had.)

I've never shot a Browning or a Henry, so I can't say anything about them.

 

New vs. Old

I seldom buy "old" unless I can personally examine the gun, or better yet, know the person who owned it. Plus, I lke the idea of having a box and paperwork. The thought of an online gun dealer brokering or auctioning a firearm that I can't see, smell, and heft seems like a crapshoot.

Impact is listing the 39A for $550.00. A quick check at Gunbroker shows several auctions of older 39As in the 3-400 dollar range. For my money, I'd prefer not to gamble on a used firearm that I can only evaluate only by clicking on a handful of thumbnails. I'm always keeping an eye out for a used 39A in my local newspaper, but if the price approaches that of a new gun within a hundred or two, I'll buy new.

BTW, I just came across a 1941 Mauser Luger in its original holster, two mags, and tools in pristine condition, all matching numbers, which I snagged for a grand. A local fellow was cleaning out the attic of his recently deceased uncle, for whom he was executor of the estate. "Old" can be good.

 

Just my opinion. The BL-22 is manufactured in Miroku Japan. I never cared for the Henry, too much money for such a cheaply made gun. My vote is for the Marlin 39A, hands down, all the way, no comparison.:bthumb:

 

A new 39A it is then. Thanks to everyone for the replies...

 

You might also try to find an NOS Winchester. It would cost you but they are very nice.

http://v4.beta.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=138491765
http://v4.beta.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=138223093
http://v4.beta.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=138818513
http://v4.beta.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=138076113

 

Those Winchesters are nice, but they are also very pricey.

 

And??

I am not concerned with the cost of the rifle if it is quality. The main reason for me wanting a new gun was I like the feeling of being the only owner of it. I don't mind the older firearms in general but prefer the modern new ones.

 

I'll add my vote for the Marlin. I have two of them. Oh yeah, I'd look for an older, pre-safety version as well.

If you want quality, buy older stuff. Not that Marlins are crap now, but the older ones are better -- better wood, better fit and finish. Definitely more character.

 

I've owned a bunch of .22 leverguns over the years, but my alltime favorite is my Marlin 97, the forerunner of the 39A. It's more graceful and handles better than the 39A, IMO. And, frankly, I dislike the stock finish and crossbolt safety on the new model.

I use mine as an all-around fun, plinking, smallgame gun.

If you're really set on a new gun, the keep an eye peeled for one of the special editions of the 39A that Marlin has put out -- several emulate the 97 with straight stock, slimmer foreend, and octagonal barrel.

tk

 

The Browning and Henry are fine lever-action guns. So is the Ruger 96/22, or the Winchester 9422, or the oft forgotten Winchester 250.

But the quintessential rimfire levergun is the Marlin 39, no doubt. People vote with their wallets, and the 39 and it's variants really dominate the market.

Get any of these guns and have a blast! Nothing like shooting a lever-action rifle, there is just something so, American about it.

 

Well said.I agree with the concept that these lever guns are a blast to own and shoot.I have owned a Browning BLR .22 for 30 years and have put thousands of rounds through it. It's nifty 30 degree Lever through is a dream to shoot, and it can fire quickley and accurately, without taking your eyes off the target.It's recessed crown and robust construction, insure many years of trouble free shooting.I would love to own a Marlin 39, but the Browning Is a fine shooter at it's lower price point.

 

As stated earlier there is a good option of puchasing a NOS Winchester 9422 rifle. I have several of them along with several Marlin 39As. The Winchester is of equal quality, the problem is that for that equal quality you won't find them at an equal price. If you are going to shoot it anyway and you wanted a Winchester 9422 I would buy one that is slightly used. The price difference is significant.

 

Neither did I but when I saw the details of the Satin Nickeled Grade II that wrinkle thing vanished!

Now the BL is absolutely beautiful to me and I have no buyer's remorse over getting one ordered and sent and picked up by me!

I have to take more pics lately since a few more guns came home in the last couple of weeks...